New version of Korad KA3005P (KA3005P+) only in Germany via Welectron?! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: NeonTron
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 31, 2021, 03:51:47 pm
content: I came across a version of the Korad KA3005P power supply that addressed some of the shortfalls of the version we get off Amazon and elsewhere. The internals are different/upgraded as well. Some people have modified their current Korads Kx3005x to swap out the fan, change the Output LED to green and change the Voltage digits display to green.I found what appears to be a newer version (referred to as KA3005P+) sold out of Germany byhttps://www.welectron.com, see attached picture.Notice the black case, green output LED and green Voltage display. Another post here from April 2021 shows more pics of upgraded internals and reports a quieter fan:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/korad-ka3005p-power-supply-ui-changes/Looking at the Welectron web site I see all sorts of these new Korad black-box power supplies:https://www.welectron.com/Single-Output::Korad_1I have scoured the Web and it seems this black unit is only sold in Germany by Welectron. I can't even find 1 image on the Web when I do a Google search for KA3005P or KA3005D and click images. Crazy. I contacted Korad directly and at first "Krissy" said it was not their product, but after more emails and links to Welectron, they conformed it is a legit Korad and "For this version only for Welectron, you can buy from Welectron directly."Is anyone aware of this new beast? I can't find anything on YouTube in the way of tear-downs/reviews, yet it's been out since early 2021. Are there any North American (or anywhere other than Germany) distributors?Thanks! -Dale

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2021, 05:36:12 pm
content: What comm ports? USB + Serial?

author: NeonTron
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 01, 2021, 12:57:16 am
content: Yes, USB + Serial. This is identical to the KA3005P version we're all familiar with, both functionally and externally, with exception the use of some green LEDs. Internally there seems to be some differences (see photos near the end of this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/korad-ka3005p-power-supply-ui-changes/) as well as suggestions that a quieter fan is used. I can't say if the all white version of the unit sold in North America has the same functionality as the KA3005P+ black case model in regard to the Lock button (i.e. a short press of the "Lock" button enters a mode where you can adjust voltage or current via the encoder and arrow buttons without any timeout). As mentioned in the other thread, this is a significant improvement.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 05:35:07 am
content: When I bought my two "new version" KA300Ps from Welectron earlier this year, it looked like Korad had made this change silently, maybe even withouth announcing it to the distributors. I had been waiting for the KA3005P to come back into stock at Welectron, had exchanged emails with them asking about binding posts vs. safety jacks, and no-one mentioned a new version.The Welectron website only indicated a single model at the time, and I was pleasantly surprised when the unit I eventually received had the little upgrades discussed in the other thread. Subsequently it took Welectron a couple of months to update their website (and charge a slightly higher price for what they now brand the "KA3005P+".)So other worldwide distributors may very well have received new versions too, but not updated their websites yet? It can't hurt to ask, I guess...One word of caution regarding different mains voltages: The KA3005P seems to be hard-wired to a single mains voltage. There is no external switch to select the mains voltage, and inside the case the transformer doesnotbring out two separate primary windings (which one could wire in parallel or series for 230 vs. 115V supply). See the attached picture, which shows the mains jack on the lower left, power switch on the lower right, and two red wires going straight into the transformer's winding package. So unfortunately one can't use the 230V version available from Welectron in 110V countries.

author: NeonTron
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 11:40:27 am
content: The lack of a 110V input option is a deal breaker, so I'll have to stick with my less snazzy Amazon version. I've sent emails to Korad directly suggesting they incorporate the upgrades of Welectron's KA3005P+ into their KA line globally. We'll see if anything comes of it.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 12:55:39 pm
content: Quote from: NeonTron on September 02, 2021, 11:40:27 amOfftopic:IMHO the use of 110V is totally nonsense. I live in São Paulo Brazil, and here we've copied the electrical system just like Canada and USA, P + N + Pe, would bem much simpler if everything was P + P + Pe. This would mean half of SKUs for many appliances (like mixers, toasters and ovens), double the deliverable power on a outlet and we would not have to use that stupid 20A socket. Europeans got this right, we Americans did not.

author: NeonTron
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 03:32:50 am
content: Can't say why our forefathers went for 110V over 220V. I should lookup the history of that one day. I know the battle between AC vs. DC was really heated and interesting, with AC coming out the victor.As for 110V, I can only imagine it was a safety thing to give those electrocuted a fighting chance. We have lots of 220V appliances here like dryers, stoves and my pool pump. Agreed, one planetary standard would make life simpler for everybody.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 05:57:59 am
content: I can't see any of the countries changing at this point, just too much has been built up over the years.But most modern consumer devices are rated for 100-240V 50/60Hz and come with various plug adapters. Yes, appliances are typically not, but they are built and routed to the correct market and how often is a consumer going to be shipping an oven across the globe??The US system does have some positives, the first being that the highest voltage potential to ground is only 120V. The 240V devices are connected to two 120V legs that are 180 degrees out of phase.I also think the plugs and sockets are generally simpler, less expensive and smaller compared to some other systems.Another common US voltage standard is 24V AC which is used for doorbells, security systems, HVAC, etc.Personally, I have never heard of anyone in my area being electrocuted in their house, but quite frequently (a few times a year) I hear of people being electrocuted by making contact with overhead lines. Had a guy a few streets over get killed a few months ago cutting down a tree.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 09:54:36 am
content: Quote from: J-R on September 03, 2021, 05:57:59 amThe US sockts are horrible from the safty side - so a good thing they are only 120 V. In Europe I would consider them good for 40 V at most. So they are a bit cheaper to make - but cheaper in the lower quality sense.Chances are more people die from fires cause by overheating electrical wiring than from electrocution. So a lower voltage also comes with a safty related downside.Between the US and Europe (and much of the rest of the world) there is also the difference with 50 and 60 Hz mains frequency. The frequency also effect how much voltage one can use before a transformer gets saturation. So a transformer good for 120 V at 60 Hz is only OK with 100 V at 50 Hz. So just 2 windings in parallel / series is a kind of compromise. At 50 Hz the core would get closer to saturation at 60Hz it could have been smaller / cheaper.So it can make sense to offer a separate product for the US and save a few cents on the transformer and switch.

author: thinkfat
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 01:55:29 pm
content: Delighted to notice that they have a "plus" version of the 3010P as well. I have a 3005P already, didn't see much sense in duplicating it, however the possibility of getting an upgraded, more powerful variant was too tempting, so I bought it. Setting it up in the lab as we speak. Considerably heavier than the 3005P (as it should be).