reading Keysight 3458A serial number - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 02:27:33 pm
content: I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this but I was referred to here by another user from EEvblog Test Equipment forumI have a 3458A with the S/N sticker missing.The firmware revision is 9.2Is there any way I can read the serial number of the instrument?ID? only says HP3458A and it does not understand SCPI

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 03:19:19 pm
content: The serial number is not stored in firmware. If someone ripped it off the back, it is gone forever.

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 03:36:50 pm
content: Quote from: TheSteve on April 18, 2024, 03:19:19 pmyes it looks like it has fallen offisn't it stored in any NVRAM that can be dumped?

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 03:40:55 pm
content: Quote from: analogRF on April 18, 2024, 03:36:50 pmNo.Even inside the instrument, there is no redundant sticker.Frank, one of the first HP3458A users (1989)

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 03:50:38 pm
content: do you have a cal sticker on it, sometimes you can do a reverse search if it was stored at the cal facility, traceable

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 05:49:57 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on April 18, 2024, 03:50:38 pmit only has an Electrical Safety Check sticker by Keysight from July 2023 but that does not have any work order number on it.Cal seals on the screws are intact.it seems to be working properly. Passed self tests and ACAL ALL at least 15 times by now. No errors but I am still not sure it is reallyflawless or not. So maybe it has a drift problem which needs long term testing? I dont know...I am not a volt nut and never had a 3458A before and never studied about them so it's all new to me.I am contacting the seller to see if he knows anything. I can return it if he cannot provide a reasonable answer

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 05:54:18 pm
content: you have to be careful there is a now known problem on the A3 boardhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/hp-3458a-ad-board-spare-part-availibilty-and-cost/if you can do some tests .... because it can be a very expensive problem to solve

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 05:55:54 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on April 18, 2024, 05:54:18 pmis this related to service note 18A (too much drift) on the newer models? because that was my first thought but I need to read that threadthis machine is Keysight branded. Not even Agilent!

author: manupthehills
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 12:39:24 am
content: Worth checking if is stored in the calibration string. CALSTR? from GPIB or keypad

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 12:53:15 am
content: Quote from: manupthehills on April 20, 2024, 12:39:24 amBRILLIANTTHANKSYES the calstr? has the S/N at the end of it and it is 2823Axxxxx

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 12:55:03 am
content: Still I would like to do the short term A3 drift test (as per service note 18A) using the CAL? 72 but I cannot keep the unit running 24/7 for 7-10 days.I can run it for like 5-6 hours per day.Is it ok to run it say 6 hours a day and get the temp and cal?72 after an ACAL at the end of each day and then turn it off and repeat the next day togather enough data?or is it mandatory to run the unit 24/7?

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2024, 02:16:35 am
content: It doesn't count if it isn't running, needs to be 247.

author: Oldtestgear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2024, 12:03:26 pm
content: I tried this on two of my 3458a DMMs & it does not work. Firmware rev 7.2 It does work with Rev 8.2 on a later machine. Shame as one of the early ones I have is missing the serial #.Phil

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2024, 10:38:00 pm
content: Quote from: analogRF on April 18, 2024, 05:55:54 pmThe drift problem exists for a wider range of serial numbers than those indicated in service note 18A so it would pay to check your unit against this procedure.