Hameg PSU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 05:22:56 pm
content: Does anyone have any experience with Hameg PSUs? I am particularly interested in HMP2030. Would you say it is in the same league as Rigol DP832 and Keithley 2231A-30-3 or better/worse? Am I right to assume that build quality of this Hameg unit will be top-notch?

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 05:47:38 pm
content: I will check the second hand premium brand PSU rather than Rigol or Keithley ( rebranded itechate).Check threadhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-keithley-psu-2230-30-1/Rigol has separate thread.The Hameg is made in Czech republic, decent quality, but I do no have opportunity to make teardown.

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 06:14:37 pm
content: Thanks for that URL. That says it all "I cannot recommend this power supply".Out of curiosity, why would you not consider DP832 unit? It looks like it is very appreciated in this forum.The problem I am having with Hameg is that there are no reviews and no teardowns. I wonder why it is not popular. Looking at RTO scopes made by R&S/Hameg I do believe they are capable of making hi-end stuff.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 06:29:18 pm
content: I haven't found a teardown or review of the HMP series yet, but one for the HMC series:The HMC8043 has slightly worse specs than the HMP2030 but some more features (especially regarding EasyArb), a nice big LCD display and a little lower price.Judging from the above review and the very good reputation of Hameg, I'd buy either, the HMP2030 and the HMC8043 immediately if they were just a bit cheaper.Like 800€ or so. But the HMC8043 is in the 1100€ range and the HMP2030 around 1400€ (both including VAT).While the Keithley supplies in the (somewhat) same price range are not bad at all, they can't compare to the Hamegs. I have the 2220-30-1 at work (as my 3rd supply) and it's ok, but it gets pretty loud after a while even without the slightest load. It also has only basic remote control possibilities compared to what both Hamegs offer. No arbitrary signals at all.I understand the 2231A-30-3 is a rebranded I-Tech. That explains its relatively low price and the different remote handling (non-isolated TTL level compared to isolated USB etc. on the "real" Keithleys).P.S. Officially, it's Rohde Schwarz now. The name Hameg disappeared from the devices and I guess they are currently starting to merge the pages and remove the Hameg brand altogether.

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 07:15:21 pm
content: Very nice review, indeed. I especially liked "The Pease Test"

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 07:16:16 pm
content: I have the HMP2030. I disassembled it. Lost the pictures :/ Going to holiday now so I will not have time to open it again. If you remind me again after 3rd I can take some pictures. It works ok. It is very quiet. Setting basic things like voltage, current, linking channels and fusing channels is straightforward. Doing arbitrary waveforms from the menu is horrible. Hammer gives extended three years warranty now. Hard power switch. My unit says it is made in Germany. Are you interested in anything particular?

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 08:10:36 pm
content: owiecc, I have seen yourtopicbefore and was a bit disappointed that photos were no longer there. Now it makes sense.So, overall you are happy with your PSU? Have you tested if it overshoots when channels are switched on? Have you tested its voltage ripple? To my surprise, they do not specify Vpp figure.

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 08:56:34 pm
content: I can test these things in ca. two weeks when I am back from vacation. I am pretty sure it will not overshoot. It is a good quality instrumentThey specify the noise values:3Hz-100kHz <150uV(RMS) and <1mA(RMS)3Hz-20MHz <1.5mV(RMS)PS. Found the images

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2015, 09:15:14 pm
content: Thanks for the photos!Those are RMS values, not peak-to-peak. Vpp is > Vrms, e. g. Keysight 6643A voltage ripple: 0.4 mVrms, 4 mVpp.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2015, 07:07:54 am
content: A HMP2020 is my general purpose and best PSU. Better build quality than the Rigol IMO (I've opened both). I had the DP832A during the initial launch fiasco, took me a while to return it, got the Hameg and never looked back.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 21, 2015, 08:14:23 am
content: I own a HMP4040. Aside from the huge size, it's the pest general purpose PSU I've seen. It can take alot of abuse, is very stable and precise and the build quality and layout is amazing.

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 01:37:02 am
content: Can anyone who has a HMP series unit do (1) an overshoot test when channels are switched on and (2) measure Vpp ripple?I would really appreciate that

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 06:20:47 am
content: Vpp is a good number for a switching converter. For linear regulator RMS is a better number. Why do you need Vpp? As far as I can remember you can assume 8x the RMS value for some high confidence number. This is all statistics as the noise is random.

author: GlowingGhoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2015, 05:10:37 pm
content: Quote from: con-f-use on July 21, 2015, 08:14:23 amHow do you like the display? From the photos it looks like it would be difficult to read at a distance, especially compared to LED, VFD, or TFT LCD display.I'm considering the HMC series for this reason alone, though the HMP seems to be more solid.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2015, 08:16:29 am
content: I have it placed in a dark room a little above my head. That is the worst angle, you can have. Despite, it reads really well. In some conditions you should adjust contrast and brightness.

author: CookMeSomeKai
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 09:45:07 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on July 20, 2015, 06:29:18 pmGood guess. The HAMEG brand won't be removed altogether though, because not all HAMEG products and accessories will be relabelled to R&S. All products that were introduced since the middle of last year have been introduced under the name R&S and all "3-letter-devices" just have been relabelled. HAMEG as a company will be integrated into R&S and integrating the web pages is just a logical consequence of that.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 10:21:22 pm
content: Which however currently means that firmware etc. isn't available from either the Hameg nor the Rohde-Schwarz site at least for some product like my trusty HMO2024.And this state exits for at least two months or so. Not exactly the best kind of advertisement.Side note: at least here in Germany, the prices for the HMP series have risen quite a bit lately. E.g. the HMP2030 costs ~1500€ now while it was like ~1400€ some weeks ago.Surprisingly the HMP4040 was recently available for only ~1700€ (including VAT) which meant it was cheaper than the HMP4030 and only 200€ above the HMP2030. Weird.Anyway, IMHO the pricing for the HMP series is a bit strange. You would think the difference between the HMP2000 and HMP4000 devices should be larger and especially the HMP2020 should be below 1000€.Honestly, I toyed with the idea to get the HMO4040 for this price, but it's such a giant thing and I'd be perfectly happy with either the HMC8043 or HMP2030. Actually, I'm a bit torn between the two. The HMC is smaller and more feature rich (easy arb with more points and interpolation, analog control, trigger events), but I like the front panel of the HMP2030 much more even though the HMC has a keypad for digits. A big minus on the HMC is the fan opening on the top which means I guess I can't put my HMO on top...

author: GlowingGhoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 10:42:52 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on August 04, 2015, 10:21:22 pmI agonized over the decision too, and had been leaning towards an HMP4040 but ended up going with the HMC8043 because I'd like to be able to read the display from a distance without squinting. Maybe they'll update the HMP series with a better display at some point, I would prefer more power than the HMC offers...

author: CookMeSomeKai
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 09:20:26 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on August 04, 2015, 10:21:22 pmYes - we have a bit of an issue that turned out to be more complex than we thought. Sorry for the inconvenince caused by this.Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on August 04, 2015, 10:21:22 pmAll HAMEG/R&S products starting with HM... have remained unchanged in price since July 2014. This is regardless whether they are labelled HAMEG/R&S or R&S only. Of course retailers / distributors can set prices and run promotions as they wish.Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on August 04, 2015, 10:21:22 pmUnfortunately you won't be able to properly put your HMO on top of the HMC regardless of the fan because the HMC width is only half 19". You can of course put another HMC on top of it like the upcoming HMC8015 power analyzer. Unless built into a 19"rack you can stack HMCs without problems - even with the fan at the top.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2015, 10:20:50 pm
content: Quote from: CookMeSomeKai on September 14, 2015, 09:20:26 pmHm. My HMO2024 is 28.5cm wide and the HMC8042 is 22.2cm wide, but the outer sides of the HMO's feet are only like 22cm apart. So from my point itcouldstand on top of the HMC8043. But yeah, I kinda favor the HMP2030 anyway.