Hidden button functions on test meters. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 09:32:24 am
content: I have found that there are hidden functions on the Uni-T61E. If you hold down the hold and peak button and switch the meter on to volts and continue to hold the hold and peak buttons for a further 2 seconds before releasing the display reads CAL and then runs through a few numbers before stopping, if you hold the two buttons for about 4 seconds after the turn on the display shows every thing until turned off. What other functions have you found on your meters that are not in the manual.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 01:04:06 pm
content: My old Thurlby 1905A bench meter is switchable between 4.5 or 5.5 digits. Pressing "*" then "5.5" will give you 6.5 digits (the "*" key is listed in the manual as unused). Amazingly, the extra digit is quite stable even without filtering. The extra digit can be quite useful when hand-matching resistors for example. Just don't forget that precision != accuracy. There is also an internal header that gives a TTL-level serial output at 9600 baud with all measurements or other information shown on the display. Don't forget to use an opto-coupler if you plan to use it... the signal is referenced to the meter's common lead so it must be isolated!

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 04:35:22 pm
content: Look into the data sheet of the DMM IC. There are functions not mentioned or implemented. Happy hackinghttp://c.static.steffenvogel.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ut61e_cyrustek_es51922.pdf

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 06:20:10 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on October 22, 2013, 09:32:24 amThe sight of the word CAL would make me nervous! Weren't you nervous you might accidentally recalibrate it?

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 08:26:06 pm
content: Quote from: BillyD on October 22, 2013, 06:20:10 pmThat doesn't stop some people. I work at a company that makes test equipment and some of our instruments have similar hidden menus. We have had a couple returned as the user has trashed the calibration.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 08:59:43 pm
content: Until the word CAL came up I had no idea as to what would happen, as it is I think that it is a self cal. that occurs, It certainly reads the same with my test voltage source as before. I tried it with the probes shorted as well but that just brings up all the display icons that the screen has.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 09:04:51 pm
content: Don't worry. It's the peak hold auto calibration. See the data sheet. The UT-61E is not software calibrated.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2013, 09:23:23 pm
content: There used to be a game of space invaders on an instrument, however they ran out of memory just before launch, so no customers got to see it.

author: philpem
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2013, 07:39:39 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on October 22, 2013, 09:23:23 pmHP / Agilent used to do that on their DSO line. If memory serves, Pacman, Tetris and maybe a few others (a different game for each scope model series) crept into the ROMs for various scopes, and were later removed when the firmware itself became too large.The 2000 and 3000 X-Series InfiniiVision has the LOST easter egg for certain, plus a few others I can't remember off the top of my head.