GW Instek GPP-4323 and how to get Ethernet for it - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 09:46:35 am
content: In recent times here were a number of opportunities where the single output channel of my Agilent E3632A PSU was insufficient, so I'm currently considering to buy a tripple channel programmable power supply. Nothing expensive, but must-haves are a 10-keypad and Ethernet.One contender is the Rigol DP832. I read through the various threads, and it appears to be a great PSU for the money. The negatives are the port 2/3 common GND port issue (but this can be fixed with a simple jumper wire) and the fact that OVP/OCP is software based and therefore quite slow. There also are issues of power-on voltage spikes, slow ramping-up of the output voltage at low currents because of the output capacitor, and several reports of unstable behavior (i.e. sudden reboots). I probably could live with the negatives (and there's hope the reboot issue will eventually be fixed in software), and I do like the display layout and the front panel design. It's also been on the market for several years and has gone through a few revisions now, so the design should be soldi. And there are tons of reviews out there so I should know quite well what I would be getting.However, the other contender, the GW Instek GPP-4323 (which is also sold as Teledyne Test Tools T3PS43203P), is more of a question mark. This one is more expensive than the Rigol but it has four channels and can be used as load (which might come in handy although I currently don't really need that). The case design, like most GWI instruments, is a bit bland but functional, and the quality should be fine. Also, the OVP/OCP is hardware-based which is certainly an advantage.However, I was not able to find much in terms of reviews for the GPP Series (there's one for the GPP-4323, and lots for the simple GPE Series).So if there any owners of the GPP-4323 here I'd like to hear from them.The other (bigger) problem is that the sales brochure isn't clear about how to get Ethernet. It is listed as an option that must be factory-installed (so I assume standard GPPs don't have it) but there is no option code or any mention how to actually buy the PSU with Ethernet installed.Also, most GPPs I see for sale in Europe seem to be the standard version, which I guess means no Ethernet. I could not find any listing or price for the Ethernet option either.But then, Teledyne lists LAN as standard with the T3PS43203P. However, this one is a premium over the GWI original.Anyone knows more about what's going on with the GPP and Ethernet?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 10:27:59 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 17, 2020, 09:46:35 amPretty obvious if you look at the pics on their website.Some models have no LAN while some have LAN and GPIB.There's also one with LAN and an unpopulated cover plate where GPIB is installed.Have a look at the last few pics using the > arrow.https://www.gwinstek.com/en-GB/products/detail/GPP-SeriesEdit to add, GPIB and/or LAN are optional and need be specified when ordering.https://www.gwinstek.com/upload/media/download/04_DCPower/GPP-Series/Brochure/BH_GPP-Series_E.PDF

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 10:38:23 am
content: Quote from: tautech on February 17, 2020, 10:27:59 amI think the pictures just show the three possible combinations (no LAN, LAN only, LAN+GPIB).The way it's described doesn't just say that only some models have LAN and other not.The website states"Standard: RS-232, USB, Ext I/O ; Optional: LAN, GPIB+LAN".And if you look at theGPP Series Brochurethen for all models it says"Interface: Std: RS-232/USB (CDC), Opt(Manufacturer installed only): LAN/GPIB+LAN".This would suggest that LAN is an option for all models.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 10:39:34 am
content: At eleshop.eu (Dutch webshop) you can order the ethernet option seperately. I guess they combine the order towards GW Instek. The way I read it you can have no LAN, LAN or LAN + GPIB. Seems like they have two versions of 1 I/O board (with or without GPIB) which gets installed at the back. GW Instek typically has photos on their website showing all possible configurations.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 10:41:36 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 17, 2020, 10:38:23 amThat's the way I read it too.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 10:46:22 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 17, 2020, 10:39:34 amThanks, I didn't find that.30EUR for LAN isn't too bad but I wonder how this impacts delivery time. It also brings the price close to 600EUR vs some 480EUR for the Rigol DP832 (which is hackable to enable LAN).Considering it will see only limited use anyways I'm leaning towards the Rigol.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 11:02:03 am
content: Then again... the difference is only 120 euro. If you are going to spend a fair bit of money then do it right.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 11:10:05 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 17, 2020, 11:02:03 amIn general I agree, but at this point I don't even know if the GPP is the better option simply due to the lack of user reports, while the Rigol DP832 does have a long track record and is now fairly mature.If it was for professional use then I'd just bought another Keysight (or a 2nd hand Agilent and a Repair Agreement) but this is really for simple stuff so price is an issue.Maybe I'll get some user feedback for the GWI.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 11:22:30 am
content: FWIW: I've had a DP832 for years, it's the "original" model with the regulator prone to overheating and all that. I've not seen it reboot a single time but I have not run it continuously for more than like a day straight.I've liberated all the options but have not converted it to the A-model. LAN has been working fine for the small things I've played around. Haven't noticed it dropping off the network but again, I've never done any long term experiments or anything like that.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 12:02:34 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on February 17, 2020, 11:22:30 amI found some information suggesting the reboots are down to mDNS requests which the DP832 firmware can't deal with properly, which would be manageable.I also don't intend to use for more than a couple of hours when needed.I'm sure the DP832 would do fine.

author: Hexley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 01:20:05 pm
content: One specifies the LAN option at time of ordering. That's what I did, and there was no issue.After a few weeks of use, I would say the thing I like the most is actually the nearly-silent fan. The small size is also nice.I'm not a big fan of the UI; I'd rate it as usable but not intuitive. Just takes some time to get used to.The out-of-the-box accuracy of voltage and current settings was excellent, btw.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 03:02:34 pm
content: Quote from: Hexley on February 17, 2020, 01:20:05 pmWhat I wonder is how much this will delay delivery. I assume "at the factory" mean "in China" and not at the dealer's place?QuoteThanks! :+Did you had a chance to test how much it spikes when switching on the PSU or the individual channels? Or how fast the OVP/OCP reacts?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 03:51:49 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 17, 2020, 03:02:34 pmGW Instek has an office / warehouse in the EU as well.

author: Hexley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2020, 08:12:46 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 17, 2020, 03:02:34 pmI placed the order for this GPP-4323 last **August**, but delivery kept sliding and it was finally delivered in **January**. Turns out that Instek moved production from the P.R.C. back to Taiwan, and there were apparently some teething problems or supply chain issues or something that caused big delays in all GPP-4323 production. But it looks like all is back to normal now.I had the dealer quote for the LAN version. It added $30USD, but did not seem to affect the delivery time one way or the other. In any case, it seemed well worth the modest cost; now the supply can be controlled by LabView on a PC far removed from the lab bench per se.QuoteQuote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 17, 2020, 03:02:34 pmFunny you should ask. I found an issue on Channel 3, where it would be enabled briefly (600 msec) at a couple of volts if the supply was powered up in "remember the last state" mode, despite the fact that all outputs are supposed to power up in the disabled state.I mentioned this to Instek, and they have provided a beta firmware release with a fix. I will be testing that later this week to verify that the problem is resolved. I was impressed by their responsiveness.I have not looked at the limit protection response time; might do that when I update the firmware just to confirm that it works as expected. My previous experience with various Instek supplies over the years makes me confident that the limit circuit will be done correctly, though.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 06:14:17 pm
content: First, thanks for all the information!I'm still undecidedOne thing I wonder is what the actual output connectors look like. The Rigol has the common Banana binding posts, however the GWI GPP-4323 is sometimes displayed with Banana binding posts and other times with integral Banana sockets:I first thought that maybe the GPP comes with integral sockets and binding post adapters but according to the documentation that's not the case.The other thing I wonder is if we can get service documentation for the GPP. There is at least some Service Manual for the Rigol DP832, but it seems there's nothing for the GWI GPP. Or did I miss something?

author: Hexley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 07:00:28 pm
content: My GPP-4323 came equipped with banana binding posts. Perhaps the recessed sockets are for specific markets?

author: TassiloH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 09:36:46 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on February 23, 2020, 06:14:17 pmI ordered mine from Distrelec (they had a December 6th coupon that made them the cheapest). It came with the integral banana sockets and some matching leads. Haven't really used it much yet, but seemed fine so far.I think I read a while ago (here:https://www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/383868) that DIN EN 61010-1 requires that cables for lab use are protected against accidental touch, so only banana jacks with fixed insulating cover are permissible. I don't have that standard, so I can't verify that, but maybe different manufacturers interpret that standard differently and it could well be that for the GPP they have two versions: inside EU banana sockets and outside EU binding posts. I guess just wait for Brexit to come into effect and then tell us what you got

author: pipe2null
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 09:44:50 pm
content: I ordered my GPP-4323 with LAN last week and am patiently waiting for delivery. This is the first equipment I've ordered that was not already in stock, so I have no idea what typical lead times are for test equipment. I am in the US and I found multiple distributors that had the NON-lan in stock and they could get it to me with free shipping in about a week, but no one has the unit with the LAN option pre-installed that I found. I attempted to order the LAN for self-install, but it is a Factory Installed option only, only done in China or somewhere over that direction. I have the impression that they use a completely different back plate for LAN, but I'm not 100% positive. The 2 quotes I got with free or minimum cost shipping to my location in the US had a lead time that ranged between 3ish - 8 weeks for the LAN option, but I'm sure that will change regularly unless they start actively keeping local stock. It is a mystery why they don't stock the $30 LAN option instead since it is standard on many other PS makes/models.Take the photos and pictures on product pages on different sites with a grain of salt. The images I've seen rarely correspond to the specific model and options, but are usually at least all from the GPP product family, although I have seen GPE images used for GPP on at least one site (don't remember which). Not all distributors list the GPP-LAN option on their website, but they might have it available if you contact their sales department or request a quote. I'm not sure if these companies apply to your area, but you might want to check Tequipment and Saelig since they offer a discount to EEVBlog members if you weren't aware. I have also found recent sales on the PS as well (made my purchase decision a little easier.)The best review that I found that includes scoping the output is:https://www.electrobob.com/gpp-4323-power-supply-review/Before I went with the GPP-4323, I also looked at Siglent SPD3303X-E (hacked) and Rigol DP832 (hacked), and there are many threads on both. I'm currently at the hobbyist level, but the specs for all three appear to be in the same ballpark, the main difference AFAIK is channels: Siglent's CH3 is switch-adjustable but not programmable (so kinda 2.1 channels), Rigol's CH3 is programmable but shares ground with CH2 (so kinda 2.9 channels), and Instek's 4 channels are fully programmable and independent plus CH1+2 can also be a programmable load. For my purposes, I would probably have been fine with the Siglent, or fine with the Rigol if I really thought I would need the 3rd channel to be programmable. It is unlikely I will ever need a 4th programmable channel (why not if at similar cost compared to other GPP's?), but adding the capability of a 2 channel programmable load to my home lab for the incremental cost was the biggest selling point for me and why I went with the GPP-4323 over the other two. I ended up spending twice as much as I originally intended when I first started looking at different programmable multi output PS makes/models, but I also ended up with twice as much power supply with the added bonus of 2 channel programmable load... At least that's how I rationalize spending more than I absolutely needed to.On a side note not intended to derail thread: Again, I'm currently at hobbyist level, but on the GPP-4323, if you used CH1+2 as load and CH3+4 as supply, can you connect up the rails in series in a way that would technically count as a *4* quadrant power supply? I have no idea what application or task would require all 4 quadrants and I'm virtually guaranteed never to need it, but I am curious.

author: jjoonathan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 10:17:41 pm
content: > I had the dealer quote for the LAN version. It added $30USD, but did not seem to affect the delivery timeI ordered one with the LAN option in December, got told I'd have to wait, received one without the LAN option a month later, sent it back, one distributor said it would be 8-12 weeks for the one with LAN option, another said it would be 4-6 weeks for the one with LAN option, I put in an order with the latter, we're on week 5, and they didn't answer a followup I sent on week 4.I'll keep you all updated, but it sounds like the supply chain problem are still there.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 09:02:00 am
content: Quote from: TassiloH on February 23, 2020, 09:36:46 pmInteresting. Just had a chat with a colleague who deals with power supplies (well, bigger ones, but still), and he said the same. Apparently all newer PSUs which came to market after a certain date require safety connectors according to IEC 61010-1, regular Banana connectors are no longer permissible.Which isn't a problem, as there are binding posts which have safety connector sockets, but it appears GWI just uses integral sockets insteadQuoteI guess it would be something like this:But if everything works out I'll be somewhere else when Brexit comes into full effect

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 09:26:18 am
content: Quote from: pipe2null on February 23, 2020, 09:44:50 pmThat's what I thought as well. I also don't know why a programmable(!) PSU isn't offered with LAN as standard. If GWI just offered one variant then the savings from having a single GPP-4323 variant would most certainly exceed the optional costs of the LAN port.QuoteTrue, although the difference between GPE and GPP is easily visible (GPE lacks the keypad), also the GPP-4323 can be easily distinguished from the other GPP models by the number of output portsQuoteI'm considering buying from the US (actually, pretty much all test gear I own aside from my DS1054z was bought in the US), not just because (should the decision go to the Rigol) Batronix is out of stock (with a 3-4 weeks forecast for new stock) and the GPP-4323 seems to be notably more expensive over here.QuoteI found that one. It's a really good review but unfortunately also the only one I really found.QuoteI hear you. I don't mind paying a bit more to get the load functionality (and a fourth channel). But paying extra for the LAN as well is beginning to stretch it.QuoteThe quadrant notion applies to individual power supply channels, not external configuration. Ch1 and 2 on the GPP-4323 are 2 quadrant as they produce a positive voltage only (and although they are floating they can't produce a negative voltage without changing the external configuration), but both can source and sink current. Ch3 and 4 are single quadrant only (can source a positive voltage).Quote from: jjoonathan on February 23, 2020, 10:17:41 pmThat doesn't sound good

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 01:23:00 pm
content: Well, I finally made a decision (*drumroll*) - I bought the Rigol DP832 from Batterfly.One reason was that the GPP-4323, especially with LAN port, costs notably more. It has more channels and can be used as load, but for what I need this didn't really matter. Then there is the issue of getting a GPP-4323 version with LAN, the uncertain delivery situation and the poor documentation (poor spec sheet, no service manual).I also have to say I really like the display layout of the DP832 (don't like the colorized A variant, though). And based on what I've seen I also prefer the Rigol's internal design.I'm sure the GPP-4323 would have worked fine, but at the current price (EUR408+VAT) the Rigol GP832 was just too good to missThanks to all who replied for the information!

author: jjoonathan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 04:32:22 pm
content: News from the GW Instek factory via my distributor: GPP-4323 with LAN will be available April 1.(Keep a straight face, dammit!)

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 04:48:57 pm
content: I'd be pretty upset to get recessed banana jacks, that's a strong reason to avoid for me until it's a guarantee that wouldn't happen.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 04:55:03 pm
content: Quote from: maginnovision on February 25, 2020, 04:48:57 pmThe datasheet mentions a difference between European test leads (for recessed banana socket) and normal test leads. When in doubt I'd ask the seller. Given the weight it will be better to buy it locally anyway. But I agree: I'd want a PSU with binding posts too.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 05:41:02 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on February 25, 2020, 04:55:03 pmI don't have a problem with the recessed safety sockets *if* some adapters to turn them into binding posts were included (I know, not ideal, but for the stuff I need this PSU for it would have been fine). But they aren't.At the end of the day it's just another hassle I don't feel inclined to deal with.