Keysight DMM, difference between "Made in Singapore or Malaysia" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2017, 10:26:03 am
content: Hello VoltnutsAs some of you might know, I have many Agilent / Keysight bench-top DMMsOne of my older 34401A was still built in the US and the serial number starts with a "US".But all the others start a serial number with a MY for Malaysia.This is true for my 34401A, 34450A, 34410A, 34411A, 34461A, 34470A and my 3458A as well.But now I think I found a jewel under the Keysight DMMs !I just bought a new 34401A, may be one of the last one made in 2016 ?This one has a serial number that starts with a SG for Singapore."SD5300xxxx"So, my question is, if any of you have come across a Keysight DMM, that was also made in Singapore and if there would be any difference to the DMMs made in Malaysia or if it does not make any difference?This new 34401A was meant for a customer project, but I think I will keep it just as a special "collectors item"

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2017, 11:25:27 am
content: There is no difference as far as I know. The reason was import tax.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2017, 11:44:39 am
content: You mean to eliminate the import tax in to Singapore.Hmm, that would make sense

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 10:10:00 am
content: I just wondered, why do the always place the Calibration Label on the display so you have to remove it to read everything on the display?Why not on the backside...

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 10:23:29 am
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on July 09, 2017, 10:10:00 amand orientate it horizontally to reduce the likelihood of a sprained neck

author: pe1oxp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 10:32:23 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on July 09, 2017, 10:23:29 amIn my case it is placed horizontally but over the Agilent logo and partially over the annunciators on the display

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 10:33:46 am
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on July 09, 2017, 10:10:00 amBecause the guy tasked with scanning all the benches in the lab, to check the calibration stickers, doesn't want to take every instrument off the bench to check them. Its the same with any asset labels the user company adds to track their instruments. People want to check them quickly. The stickers either go on the front, or if the front is very crowded, around the front edge.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 11:07:38 am
content: With the crowded front of many modern large screen instruments they should have a reserved place for the stickers and property tags.At least the did not put the cal sticker on the protective film of the display.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 10:43:46 am
content: This was already my second new instrument I have received in the last few weeks from Keysight with the CAL label placed very ugly at the front and even covering the Keysight logo.Here is my new 34470A picture from last month.Interestingly, they also forgot to install the options.But after sending it back, it was all fixed now nicely by Keysight.

author: try
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 02:23:41 pm
content: Oh my goodness,Quote from: HighVoltage on July 10, 2017, 10:43:46 amHighVoltage has been awarded a tester license for Keysight crippleware.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 02:30:26 pm
content: Government.US government will not buy from malaysia. So they ship subassemblies from malaysia to singapore (just over the border. they are within spitting distance...). Finish them there at which point they can claim they were assembled in Singapore.Problem solved.

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 04:10:30 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 10, 2017, 02:30:26 pmIt is over 700 km Penang (Keysight) to Singapore. Good spitting skills(But seriously, the "government" explanation seems sensible)

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 04:54:09 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 10, 2017, 02:30:26 pmInteresting.So, essentially Keysight has an assembly place (not a real factory) in Singapore for all of their equipment sold to the US government?Why would Keysight USA not import it to the US and then sell it to the government directly?May be some government rules that we as engineers never understand.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 05:14:01 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on July 10, 2017, 04:54:09 pmThe problem is the "Made in..." claim. It has to be minimally assembled at a given country to qualify. In the past I have seen reputable companies being heavily fined when violating this (not in the US, but still...).

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 05:33:16 pm
content: Quote from: pe1oxp on July 09, 2017, 10:10:00 amFor my 34401A, the calib company placed it on the top (on the metal body) instead of the display. Then used a cal seal sticker on the back as standard, to prevent opening.

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 07:29:54 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 10, 2017, 02:30:26 pmThanks for info.