DC Power Supply HP/Agilent or Keithley - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rodpp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 04:07:19 pm
content: Hi!I'm searching a used DC power supply and maybe someone knows our already used one of them.What is the best option regardless the price:- Keithley 228A; or- HP/AGILENT 6634B.The use will be as a bench power supply in a home Lab.Thanks in advanced!Regards,Rodrigo.EDIT: corrected the wrong model number.Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 05:00:42 pm
content: Are you sure that Keithley power supply is right? I can't find any mention of it. What will you be using the power supply for? Where are you located? etc. etc. etc.We can help but you have to help us help you. Why do you need a 100V 1A power supply? I can't think of a time where I have needed a 100V supply for the most part.

author: rodpp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 06:22:49 pm
content: Thank you for the answer. The model is wrong, the correct number is 228A.I am from Brazil and we don't have much options of used equipment.Probably I will not use 100V, maybe 36V in some motor to use in Control Systems.I will correct the model in the first post.So, I need to choose between these two models. Or choose not buy anything in this moment...Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

author: bdivi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 07:28:07 pm
content: Take into account that the HP 66xx are somewhat industrial design - very noisy and consuming around 150W idle.I had to retrofit mine with new lower speed fan in order to make it acceptable for home environment and event after that I only use it for specific tasks and not for general purpose power supply.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 07:44:24 pm
content: The keithley is a much higher caliber supply as it is a four-quadrant power supply which means it can sink and source current/voltage. Most power supplies are only two quantrant in that they can only source current/voltage. The keithley on the other hand can sink up to 100W allowing you to use it like an electronic load as well.If it were up to me I'd go with the Keithley based on that alone.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2014, 07:46:16 pm
content: I have no issue with the fan noise from my 663xB supplies.The 6634B doesn't come up for sale on the used market that often, at least not here in the UK. They seem much less common that the 6632B (0-20V @ 5A) which is quite readily available.I do have a 6634B, though, and it's very good at what it does - but the 1A upper limit is unfortunate. Ideally I'd like a 6633B (0-50V @ 2A), but I've yet to see one come up at a reasonable price anywhere.The 663xB series can also work as electronic loads. I regularly use them in this mode to test battery chargers.

author: rodpp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 02:10:36 am
content: Thanks for the replies.Based in these comments, I'm tending to the Keithley.Is true, the 1A limit on the HP/Agilent is unfortunate.Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk