WTB/LFS[EU]: Straight GPIB or 24pin shielded Centronics cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Neepa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 09:06:04 pm
content: Hi!I'm searching for or looking to source either a GPIB Cable with STRAIGHT connectors (if such a thing truly exists) or alternatively a 24pin Centronics cable.2-3m would be fine.ALTERNATIVELY If anyone has some shielded 24 conductor cable laying around and is willing to part with a couple of meters of it that would be fine too. The primary problem with making up a cable myself is the prohibitive cost of 50m of the raw cable.Shielded is preferred as I need it as an interconnecting cable for my HP4145A Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer and the 16058A Test Fixture. Sadly GPIB cables do not fit to the back of the Analyzer as the cooling fan housing is in the way with the sideways exiting cable.For a whole cable I would pay up to 30 Euros or up 10 Euros per Meter for the raw deal.Hit me up if anyone has anything!Situated in Germany to be more precise.

author: Swake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 09:45:38 pm
content: Take 3 ethernet cables in parallel and you got your 24 wires for cheap. Cat 5 to 8 are ok. Stranded or not whatever your preference. Many flavors with external shield exist that will fit your needs.These have al an 'outside' shielding:F/UTPS/UTPSF/UTPS/FTPF/FTPThis one has the pairs individually shielded only:STP

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 11:50:47 pm
content: There are straight GPIB cables, although they are rare.This unbranded cableandthis HP 82977B cableare two examples. Maybe one or moreGPIB extenderscould also solve the problem?I don't know if a GPIB cable would be the best choice for signal integrity, however. Doesn't this device go down to pretty low current levels? Then I could imagine coaxial or even triaxial connections would be better. Do you know anything about the original wiring? I'm wondering if it had individual shielded wires, like a VGA cable.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 11:58:27 pm
content: As mentioned you can get GPIB cables with a straight connector at one end and the piggy-back/daisy-chain style at the other. Not sure if that would work for you, but if not then at least you only have to replace the plug on one end (if you find one of a suitable length).A common brand for these is L-com. Examples on eBay are 275121133379 and 385207153841

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2023, 02:03:04 am
content: and on some occasions you can use very good lpt 25 pins cables for cheap ...

author: Roehrenonkel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2023, 10:35:33 am
content: Hi Neepa,get a "Raiser-plug" for the GPIB or cut off one side of a GPIB-cable and attach the straight 24-pin Centronics-style connector there.Reichelt, Bürklin should have them in stock. If not contact me, i have one spare.Good luck

author: Neepa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2023, 11:21:49 am
content: Quote from: alm on February 10, 2023, 11:50:47 pmThe Cable doesn't carry any of the SMU signals. It merely does "Lid Open/Close" and the Voltage Sources and Monitors. A good chunk of the conductors terminate in nothing inside the Test Fixture itself remaining as open pins in a terminal block of Teflon.A set of Triaxial Cables is under procurement too.Quote from: coromonadalix on February 11, 2023, 02:03:04 amDidn't want to use that variant as I wanted something more resistant to snagging or kinks.Quote from: Roehrenonkel on February 11, 2023, 10:35:33 amWhy didn't I think of that?Will do this with both ends as the Analyzer and the Fixture do not use the screw retention and instead employ the normal spring retention on their sockets.So problem solved and threat up for closure.If there are any questions pertaining the Test Fixture or the Analyzer just ask me via PM.

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2023, 12:19:08 pm
content: Buy another GPIB cable. Chop the connectors off and stack them on the back of the 4145 to raise the height of a standard GPIB cable to clear the fan shroud.Easier and probably cheaper than trying to assemble your own custom interconnect cable.