EEVBlog #426 - HP 3457A Multimeter Teardown  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 09:17:11 pm
content: Teardown Tuesday.Inside the HP 3457A 6.5/7.5 digit bench multimeter.Service Manual:http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/03457-90011.pdfhttp://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/03457-90012sg.pdfhttp://f6fzk.free.fr/DOCUMENTATION/DOC%20HP/CD1/3457a_svc.pdfUser Manual:http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/03457-90003.pdfDave.

author: MetraCollector
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 10:24:48 pm
content: Thank you David !There is 3478A available 3468A, 3458A, I own 34401A, but I have never seen 3457A yet.(I mean photos of internals)And finally todayIsn't it that Zener Oven identic to one used in 34401A ?Regards Ondrej

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 10:37:57 pm
content: The optocouplers are for the high standoff voltage between the measuring section and the earth referenced logic.there were optocouplers with long bodies but i guess this was easier to get ...That's already a new cell. the originals are yellow. There's two versions of the processor board. you seem to have the older one.... could be a 2-into-1 machine... maybe someone fried the analog block and it got swapped.the 18xx codes are simply internally HP part numbers. they are indeed off the shelf parts there is a PDF file with all cross references. look for the HP journal archives.http://www.hparchive.com/hp_PARTS.htmhttp://home.cogeco.ca/~jbarnes20/hp_ref.htmThat custom chip is the multislope logic. it's not an adc but only the logic portion. the integrator and jfets to switch the current sources around sit external. same principle used in the later model 34401.they make + and -10 volts to derive the charge and discharge currents for the integrator. during runup they measure that voltage for a fixed amount of time and then rundown using the input voltage. they can assist rundown using the opposite voltage.they don't care about absolute voltage or absolute resistors used to derive the current. as long as they don't drift they can compensate using software.the same LT reference zener is still used in the 34401. basically an lm299. Linear tech was second source for thoseThat large hybrid still exists in the 34401 but now sits in a ceramic PGA package. it is NOT the same like what fluke does. Fluke has resistor networks. the Agilent network actually has the switching fets inside. Opening that hybrid is a no-no. The little blob on the top is the hole they used to fill that thing... it's potted.i can't find the detail right now but i seem to recall that the motherboard was used in another machine as well. The analog section was designed by another group. if you look at the pcb layout you can clearly see that these were done by a different group , even using different cad tools. the fonts , routing shapes etc are all completely different.

author: poodyp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 10:41:50 pm
content: Just an FYI, the 3457A by default comes with rear terminals. The ones with empty slots in the back likely had one of the plug in cards, but somewhere along the line it was removed, either by the seller to be sold separately for extra profit, or by someone who used it in another machine.It also looks like your's is missing either it's feet or the rack mount lugs on the side, I'm not sure if there was an option for no feet.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 11:11:14 pm
content: Hi,Linear Tech also makes the LM399.Link:http://www.linear.com/product/LM399This is probably what was used in the HP 3457A.Jay_Diddy_B

author: Watermelon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2013, 11:52:00 pm
content: What about the copper pours underneath most passives components? Is it for shielding purposes or maybe better heat distribution?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 03:12:56 am
content: The cal backup battery, even measured at 3 volt, it can not be used even as the "ballpark" indicator for it's capacity, cause these low drain, long life Lithium battery voltage will stay flat and will drop like a rock, no smooth slope what so ever, just sudden death.The one used at 3457A is lithium sulfur dioxide since it's at 3 volt, the typical discharge curve, can be seen the lower discharge current, the steeper the drop. For the cmos ram backup in this 3457A, is approx at 10 uA drain.Source, Saft Batteries, well known for military grade battery maker , example ->http://www.saftbatteries.com/doc/Documents/primary/Cube657/G04_3_1005.ee086bbd-4c54-4f23-8e7a-d128295ddac5.pdfSimilar to above, another long life battery type, lithium thionyl chloride with typical 3.6 volt instead of 3 volt, the discharge curve is even steeper, they look vertical to me.Source, Hitachi Maxell Energy, another long time player in LTC battery ->http://biz.maxell.com/files_etc/9/er/en/ER18-50_DataSheet_12e.pdfWhile there is other long life battery type called lithium carbon monofluoride or "BR" that has smoother slope, still steep though and just tad better than two types above, but BR battery technology is owned and manufactured only by Panasonic, and its very unlikely the Crompton Vidor company used this type..

author: uprightsquire
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 03:23:52 am
content: Dave, since you've upgraded from the 3478a maybe you could give replacing the backup battery in that a go... I'd be interested in seeing how replacing these hp backup cal batteries is best done

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 03:28:09 am
content: Quote from: uprightsquire on February 20, 2013, 03:23:52 am+1, its the preparation, the details during the replacement process will help others old HP dmm owners, imo definitely worth it's own video.There are thousands of these old HP dmm owners out there.

author: CarlG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 04:57:23 am
content: The device with the ferrite block seems to be a 74HC132. One gate buffers the clock (from the oscillator to the left of the 'HC132), that's the only reason I see a need for the ferrite block.I didn't find the 1820-3174 part number in the hp parts list link that free_electron provided but I found anNTE parts number equivalent.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 05:50:34 am
content: Curious about that ferrite block too, isn't that thing is electrically conductive and will short those IC's pins ?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 05:53:29 am
content: No, those aren't conductive.

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:02:09 am
content: Absolutely interesting video dave!!HP were far ahead of times when they came up with the multi-run multi-slope converters..I am attaching the pdf file of the HP journal 1989 where they published the theory behind the 3458A operation, foranyone who is interested in the details behind.Regarding free_electron's post about the custom chip and calibration.I understand how the absolute accuracy and precision are not as important as the temp co drift..Can anyone here enlighten me as tohowthe actual software calibration is or can be performed in software??I have always wondered how do they store the calibration constants and how does the multimetertake into account the cal values when making a measurement??I am just trying to understand electrical metrology a little better.. thats allPS : Unable to attach a pdf file larger than 2 MBAny ideas on where to post the file for file sharing

author: pgross
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:06:39 am
content: Hi Dave,Thanks for your teardown session - very interesting and informative - as always.I've recently replaced the back up battery in my vintage hp 3478A. Even though the remaining voltage was exactly 3.0 V, you just never knowhow long these batteries will last. I'm aware that the cal storage will be completely erased if the battery is removed from the instrument - there isno capacitor in parallel to hold the charge during battery swap. Instead I exchanged the battery while the instrument was mains powered.Just make sure that your solder iron is potential free and look out for Murphy as he will be watching you!The operation went fine and I'll assume it is good for another 20 years - oh, I forgot to mention that I recapped the meter completely (only 4 capsin total) with some brand new Panasonic FC caps - this was performed without mains on the instrument of courseBTW. The new installed battery is this:http://www.fdk.com/battery/lithium_e/pdf/data_sheet/hcc_type/CR17335SE_spec-sheet.pdf/ Peter

author: Kryoclasm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:23:27 am
content: Dave,Great video! I always learn a lot from everything you show us.BTW was wondering if you planned on selling the 3478A? I'v been looking for one and I know yours works.It would be a huge upgrade from my BK 389A.Anyway, always fun and interesting learning from your vids.Shawn

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:45:10 am
content: Quote from: Kryoclasm on February 20, 2013, 08:23:27 amIt's already on ebay:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271158344204I did some teardown photos of it:http://www.flickr.com/photos/eevblog/sets/72157632806646675/I thought I had done a teardown video on that, but it turns out I haven't.Very similar to the 3457A in many ways, as you'd expect.Dave.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 09:18:08 am
content: Quote from: Watermelon on February 19, 2013, 11:52:00 pmProbably to keep both ends at the same temperature - you have a junction of different metals at the solder joints, and if they are at different temps you will get a thermocouple effect, producing a small voltage across the part (microvolts or nanovolts, but significant on a 6.5 digit meter)

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 12:20:27 pm
content: Quote from: krish2487 on February 20, 2013, 08:02:09 amyou can tryfileslap.com, orfiledropper.comhttp://www.senduit.com/can set an expiry timepipebytes.comis good for one time use, person to person. The link is only valid once. Not good for this purpose, but I thought I would mention it.

author: Lukas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 01:44:12 pm
content: HP labs have all HP Journal issues:http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/hpjindex.htmlApr-1989 is the issue with the 3458A.The HP journals are good reading on vacation or so, you never get bored

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 01:55:01 pm
content: @LukasThanks!!!That was precisely the issue i wanted to share...You saved me the trouble...@codeboy2kThank you, I will keep that in mind, the next time I need to share something here.Lukas's post kinda made it redundant to share the issue now...My question still stands..Can anyone here explain how does the software in the multimeter store the cal constants and how does it use those calibration constants in making a measurement?

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 03:35:38 pm
content: Quote from: Lukas on February 20, 2013, 01:44:12 pmWow, that's some awesome material. I remember when free_electron explained that multi-slope ADC stuff a while back. Most of it flew over my head. The journal article seems pretty easy to understand, even for a code monkey.You can see why HP was a great company. They didn't view technology as dark magic hidden behind NDAs, but used it instead as a sales tool.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 04:35:50 pm
content: The multislope system is basically a very precise 'time' meter. Every incoming parameter is translated into a voltage first.The convertor translates this level into a time.Base operation: you have an integrator using a capacitor and resistor and an opamp. If you apply a fixed voltage at the input the capacitor will charge linearly over time ( that's the opamp straightening the charge curve ).The capacitor value is not accurately known. Neither is the resistor value, but we don't care.The input of the comparator can be switched to four possible values: ground, input, a +10 volt reference and a -10 volt reference. The absolute value of the reference is unimportant. As long as it is temperature stable and does not drift. We will calibrate all that stuff away.To calibrate this thing. : apply a known voltage at the input, lets make it easy: +10 volts.. Start the stopwatch and wait for a known amount of time.this is called runup.( count up) This is a matter of starting a digital timer with many many bits. The more bits, the more accurate you can measure. So you clock fast ,or you integrate long... (That's why in 61/2 digit mode the measurement takes longer than in 31/2 digit mode. They simply integrate longer to be able to work with larger numbers. Why? We'll see in a moment)So, we have charged the capacitor for a known time with a known voltage. What the exact charge across it is? We don't give a rat's ass.Now we switch the integrator input to ground and we start the stopwatch again. The capacitor now discharges. A precision comparator compares the output of the integrator with the ground level. When the capacitor voltage has reached 0 the comparator flips and signals the digital system to stop counting. Rundown is complete.To make it clear : we have charged from a KNOWN source using a KNOWN time (a fixed number of clockticks) . we have discharged with a KNOWN source (GND) for a MEASURED time.( we have counted how long it took. ).The number now obtained in conjunction with the runup value( which is a constant) is now used as a fraction. This fraction tells us what the integrator 'time' gain is. Boom. The whole integrator is calibrated. We dont care about resistor or cap. We have a number. ( number of ticks per volt. )Now we will calibrate our 'own' sources. We again do a runup charging the capacitor from the external source , compensating for the first number. So now we do know the voltage across the capacitor!( it is a 'time' that directly relates to a voltage. Calibrated four our particular r and c in the integrator )Now we switch the integrator to our internal 'to be assumed 10 volts' and we let the thing rundown again. We get another number. Apply fractional math and we know the exact value of the source. we now how far our source is off from the applied 'standard'Switch over to our 'assumed -10 volt' repeat. Another number.So now we know three things :A first number which is a voltage/time relation for our particular integrator. We don't directly need this one but it was necessary for the other two.We know how many volts per second we can charge from the 10 volt ref , and we know how many volts per second we can charge (discharge) using the second reference.Calibration complete.Apply unknown value at input. Runup from known internal source for a given time( the one we obtained during cal) , switch to unknown. Rundown until we hit zero. Make fraction : we know have the fraction of input vs/ known voltage as a fraction of two numbers.The rest is a matter of calculating with very large numbers. The larger the numbers are the more digits behind the comma you get. The more digits behind the comma the more precise you can calculate and the more digits you can show on screen.Since the whole hoopla is time driven this means more digits = longer time needed...So the actual standard used in the machine is 'time'. Slap in a crystal oscillator... Grin. All problems solved. We don't care about absolute resistor or capacitor values. Its all calculated away.Theses machines actually compensate their whole internal circuit path this way. They store a set of numbers for every range of every unit possible. So internal switch resistance, relay contacts, pcb traces .. It's all compensated. Simply by 2 numbers that form a fraction.Now, why do we need a negative 10 volt ?Well if you measure a negative input voltage.. Duh ! Before runup they compare input voltage with ground and the precision comparator tells them if it is a positive or negative input ( above or below ground). So you switch to the other reference in that case for runup.But. Agilent would not be Agilent if they stopped there.Since we know how many volts per second these calibrated sources add or subtract from the integrator... We can shorten measurement time.Runup is still a fixed time. No escaping that one. But rundown can be 'assisted' if this is taking too long. Lets pull some charge out by injecting some current from the known references. So the fraction becomes unknown volts/second from input +known volts per second from reference You don't need to be a math wiz to figure that one out.That is the multislope ii algorithm. Multislope iii goes even further. They continuously switch currents around. The attempt is to keep the capacitor discharged. If no input is applied they switch +10 volt for a known time, then -10 volt for a known time. The comparator should toggle if the sources have not drifted ( so the machine can do a confidence test! Aha ! Didn't see that one coming did you? )When an unknown voltage is applied it upsets this balance. So now the charge/discharge ration from the known sources needs to alter. So they still shuffle 'time around' but now as a fraction of the internal sources (which are again time) . That is the 'fast mode' in these machines.There is some other trickery they can do. One of the hp bench briefs explains the whole shebang in detail better than i can.One of the tricks involves a real ADC as we know it. If after a certain time the comparator has not toggled they digitize the remainder using that one. Its a 10 bit adc. Also used as a confidence test. If what that thing gives does not match , within reason, with the multislope output : there is a problem in the meter. The sources drifted, or it is damaged.

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 05:20:13 pm
content: I've got two questions regarding the PCB design in this unit, hopefully someone with more knowledge than I have can answer these:1) It seems a lot of traces vary in width all the time. I suppose the smallest width is calculated as minimum for the current that could flow through. But why vary in width so much?2) I've seen this in other (very recent) precision designs as well: instead of 'solid'copper pours as "ground"-planes they use a mesh. Here it's placed between quite wide traces. What is the reason to use a mesh structure instead of a solid reference plane? Does is have something to do with signal integrity, or the physics of current flow in a reference plane maybe?(Maybe this should be asked in a separate topic, but for now it's directly related to the HP 3457 teardown)

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 05:30:27 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on February 20, 2013, 04:35:50 pmHP Journal regarding the 3458:http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1989-04.pdfPatents:Multislope Converterhttp://www.google.com/patents/US4357600Continuously integrating ADC:http://www.google.com/patents/US5117227Calibration of ADC:http://www.google.de/patents/US6433713Look at the patents cited and referencing to, and you'll find even more

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 06:18:04 pm
content: Lovely meter , just saw one on E-Bay USA £356.12 +£198.24 P&P = £554.36 + custom charges, not such a bargain in the UK.

author: CarlG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 07:18:36 pm
content: Great video as usual!And what a coincidence! Would you guys believe that my company were about to throw away not one, but TWO 3457A (together with a bunch of other meters, counters, supplies, etc) some month before Christmas?! The production unit had determined to clean the shelfes from not-in-use-anymore...Luckily the larm went off, and a squad from the electronics department hurried down the stairs to the electronics waste area and "cleaned the table" so to speak. I got my hands on one of the 3457A's, together with a pair of Princeton Applied Reasearch 186A lock-in amplifiers, an hp3438A 3 1/2 digit bench DMM along with some more stuff.This 3457A has Sno 3114A13573, probably manufactured spring-summer '92 (some date codes 9213). The "analog main board" is still basically the same, but there are some minor changes.The opto coupler pairs are replaced with some hp device marked 901 366 (could not find this type designator), DIP-8 part. (No, it's not HCPL-901, that's a 16pin part.)Oddly, the broken wire at the cut in the board by the optocouplers is still there, with the 1k resistor in place. Don't get the meaning if that? Anybody knows why the 1k + broken wire is good for?The ROM sticker says Rev 2, but the part number's the same. The backup battery is Panasonic Lithium cell measuring 3.38V, probably replaced at least once. Otherwise it mostly looks the same as Dave's.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 07:23:27 pm
content: Quote from: Christe4nM on February 20, 2013, 05:20:13 pm<speculation mode on> this may have to do with thermal balancing more than anything else. you want to keep the heat local and not spread it around too much<speculation mode off>Now, as for lattice planes on INNER layers : this has to do with pcb fabrication technology. When they stack the layers the isolator adheres better to itself than it adheres to copper. so if you have large slabs of copper there is a risk of popcorning or full delamination when you send the board through the wave soldering flow ( we're talking thru-hole here ). Especially in areas where heat is transferred vertically like on a pad with a component pin in it... it creates extra stress. you can alleviate that with wagon-wheels ( thermal reliefs ) but it helps having additional 'anchor points'. so you simply make the plane a lattice. all this stuff is low frequent enough that current flows everywhere.You can indeed use this mesh to 'force' the current path. electrons take the path of least resistance. they're not going to take a detour if thereis a lower impedance path , this low impedant path can longer than the mesh. the mesh is always going to be 'worse' than a solid slab'

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 07:29:18 pm
content: Quote from: CarlG on February 20, 2013, 07:18:36 pmthere are 2 revisions of that motherboard. the difference is around the GPIB area. if you got the intel 8291 and another big 40 pin ( i think it's an AMI ) that is revision 1 ( like dave's ) they reshuffled also the position of the cpu and rams.Now that i think of it , it may be the other way around. they originally used 4 bit wide rams or smaller rams and needed two sided by side and then upgraded to the 6264/62256 style rams. the same happened in the 8116 and 8112 generators as wel as es the 3488 switchboxes.at a certain point the rams became obsolete and they had to do a respin. That AMI chip was a HP design and is a simple gpib bus driver.That harris chip at the front in dave's machine got replaced as well i believe when they respun the board. It is some weird uart with an additional timer and i/o.the service manual lists the board changes.-edit-page 8-9/8-10 inhttp://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/03457-90011.pdfpage 8-66 in inhttp://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/03457-90012sg.pdfdave's got the newer rev.

author: CarlG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:19:03 pm
content: free_electron, thanks a lot for all the time you spend on helping me and others, and explaining so many details about what's going on insideReally appreciated!

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:25:26 pm
content: +2

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 08:59:56 pm
content: Quote from: CarlG on February 20, 2013, 08:19:03 pm+another 10 or so

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2013, 11:19:14 pm
content: another +10 from me too....Thank you for the extremely detailed explanation free_electron..

author: Fox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2013, 09:10:21 pm
content: The ripped up trace beneath the optocouplers is acting as a spark gap, see service manual Figure 8-5.

author: ModernRonin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2013, 10:54:12 pm
content: Anyone who's interested in still more explanation might want to have a look at this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrating_ADCIs it just me, or could one build a crude integrating ADC with a 555 timer?

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2013, 11:12:07 pm
content: Quote from: ModernRonin on February 23, 2013, 10:54:12 pmI suppose so but I avoid 555 at all possible opportunity, I just don't like them. It is an old imbedded trick to make a single slope ADC using at timer compare/capture and comparator with external RC if you are stuck with a real low end micro that doesn't have an onboard ADC.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 01:09:39 am
content: ik now people who have breadboarded one using a precision comparator and a good opamp + a cpld. they got better than 51/2 digit on the first try...

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 06:21:50 am
content: So if you're going to build one of these, one of the first things is to have your reference voltage available in both polarities. How do you take something like an LM399 or a LTZ1000 (which provide positive references) and flip 'em around for a negative reference?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 06:33:17 am
content: Opamp with good DC stability and running off +/15V rails, and give it a gain of -1.

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 07:30:22 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on February 24, 2013, 06:33:17 amThat's got to be quite an opamp in those 6.5+ digit meters.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 04:01:58 pm
content: Not necessary. Remeber. You are not after absolute precision. Its the long term drift that matters.Take service manual of the meter. It'll probably be a precision opamp like an ad706 or even an lf356.You amplify the zener voltage with a specific factor, then send it through an inverting amp in unity gain. That is all you need.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 05:42:31 pm
content: Thank freee- for a concise description of HP's multislope II algorithm. Note, it was first used in the 3456a. The oldest in the series, the 3455a, was built before the invention of multislope, is about 5x less accurate in DC over 1 year.In an old post, rfloop summarizes an issue I also share, if your primary need is the voltmeter section:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/bench-multimeters/msg11322/#msg11322

author: Christe4nM
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2013, 06:00:22 pm
content: Some German students had a go at it. See schematic for their board here:http://www.emsp.tu-berlin.de/menue/studium_und_lehre/mixed-signal-baugruppen/digitalvoltmeter/

author: Amarbir[Lynx-India]
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2013, 05:14:52 pm
content: Dave ,This was a kick Ass brilliant tutorial which was elevated to the moon with free-electrons inputs and many others .Its so hard to find this kinda stuff in india .I see a lot of mordern era multimeters in the range of USD 500 .How do they stock up .Specially GWinstek ? .

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2013, 11:47:53 pm
content: I just bought a 3457A on the 'bay with a 44491A Relay Module in it.It's a 87' , and i was wonderingif anyone can point me to a battery replacement that will work & fit 100%.Could it be the same model as the one i just replaced in my 3478 ?/Bingo

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2013, 04:57:47 pm
content: Nice walkthrough of the HP3457A , from HPJ-86-2.Had to chop it up (rar) due to the 2MB limit here.Had to add a "fake" .zip extension , as rar isn't allowed hereOne strange thing though ... They talk about a 8051 MCU , but i'm quite sure there was a Motorola in my unit.But i think there was something about a new CPU board , or maybe there is a separate 8051 on the analog board ..../Bingo

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2013, 08:03:19 pm
content: motorola on the earth referenced section.8051 in the meter section. ( there's actually 2 cpus in the meter section. 8051 does the comms) there is a nec8 bitter that handles the multislope control.

author: branadic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2013, 11:57:53 am
content: Does anybody know the denotation of the opto-coupler? I have found similar products such as Omron EE-SJ3 series or CNY36, but they are just similar, not equal.

author: branadic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2013, 06:55:04 pm
content: Noone out there who can give a statement to that question?

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2013, 09:32:33 pm
content: Quote from: branadic on August 12, 2013, 11:57:53 amHello:Looking at the HP service manual gives this line in the parts list:schematic denotation# A2u509-A2U510HP# 1990-1075 <- this is mostly useless unless you have a master cross reference listManufacturer: OPTEK KT3172 IC-LED opto-isolator gate IF=20MA-MAXseems strange HP did not use in house made opto as this application does not appear to be particularly special or demanding.Hope it helps.

author: branadic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2013, 09:47:44 pm
content: QuoteSeems to be unobtanium. Is there a recommendable replacement available? Or at least a datasheet of it to find some?

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2014, 09:22:07 pm
content: Bingo600, that's the same article as page 15 on here? "Seven-Function Systems Multimeter Offers Extended Resolution and Scanner Capabilities"http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1986-02.pdf

author: rigrunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 12:43:54 am
content: 17:10 in to the teardown there's a read/write header to the left of the sram.Anyone know what that is for?