3458A short - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: drhex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 03:20:57 pm
content: Hi,am in the process of ordering a few shorts for my 3458A, simple board connecting the four relevant posts. Contemplating having it gold plated - is that better than blank copper (which would obviously oxidize over time)? To my understanding I would have thermal voltages between the post and the gold plating but how about the gold and the copper trace?Thanks,Florian

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 03:28:34 pm
content: There is a lengthy thread about different ways to design shorts for the various DMM.The copper wire as described in the manual is just fine, any other solution is simply over-engineering.I bent two of them, one for front, the other for the rear jacks.Before usage, I remove the oxide by using a bit of steel polish.Frank

author: drhex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 04:28:48 pm
content: Danke, 2.5 mm2 ?

author: mendip_discovery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 06:46:21 pm
content: PM me, as I have a few of the Marco Reps ones, I got them made a few months back when I did an order for some other stuff.Seehttps://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/3458A_Short_circuit_edd2961b.html

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 09:47:48 pm
content: Quote from: drhex on February 03, 2025, 04:28:48 pmI don't remember, the gauge is mentioned in the manual. I took it from a mains wiring (or how it's called.)You'll use this thing very rarely, last time was in 2019, that I really needed it for adjustment.For daily use, ie. to protect the input, I use a 2 pole multi contact short.Frank

author: DH7DN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 10:00:35 pm
content: I am using this Reps-shaped PCB, no problems whatsoever for my application.Otherwise I'd stick to the bent copper wire as #1 option. Dr. Frank already said everything importantCovering the binding posts to prevent rapid temperature changes due to air streams can be done inexpensively with some foam packaging or a 3D-printed cup...

author: laichh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 02:28:54 am
content: Fluke does include 2 pcs of 8588A-SHORT PCB in their 8588A delivery.https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/accessories/other/8588a-short

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 10:02:29 am
content: Helloanother is to use chemical etching on copper sheetpurchase a copper on aliexpress no need extra thick copperpaint both sidedry trace ( cut the paint coat up to copper ) the shape you want / needuse a mix of hydrochloric acid / peroxide / water at etchantthe shape will be cut easyremove burrsremove paint with acetone or thinneryou have your part ready to useRegardsOS

author: drhex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 03:15:58 pm
content: Thanks everybody, I have ordered a few of the PCBway shorts but added gold plating (which is why I started the thread) - got five on the way, happy to pass some round in case anybody needs/wants some for testing.

author: CalibrationGuy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 11:22:12 pm
content: +1 For copper from mains wiring like Dr. Frank said. Use it all the time, just bend it like the picture in the manual.TomG.