Bench Power Supply and Function Generator Recommendations  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Kane
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2023, 09:41:54 pm
content: Hi,I've been searching the forums for information on a decent bench power supply and waveform generator and have found great information but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything as some of the posts are quite dated.The power supply I am looking at currently is the Rigol DP832. I was comparing it against the Siglent SPD3303X-E which is another popular recommended power supply on here but ch.3 is severely limited with no readback or voltage/current control, just a toggle switch for 2.5, 3.3 and 5V which is a pretty big dealbreaker for me. I also like the keypad of the Rigol.However, I have seen many complaints about power on spikes which were supposedly fixed but have popped up on the forum recently from time to time and I want to be assured that this isn't an issue or won't damage anything. Another question I had was does the display still not update until you finish turning the knob as shown inEEVblog #509What are the main big differences between these two that I may have missed? I know the Rigol ch.2 and ch.3 aren't isolated but I don't think this is an issue since you can just use channel 1 as the negative supply, 2 as the positive and 3 as the logic.Another issue with the DP832 is the size, does anybody know the dimensions without the big rubber feet, from back of the right angle cable to the front of the binding posts?On to the function generator, I've been looking at the Siglent SDG1032X to pair with my Siglent SDS 1104X-E so that I can produce bode plots for control loop stability testing and analysis. Is this good enough for this purpose or should I wait until I can get the Siglent SDG2042X?I am from the UK and the prices for the items are as follows:Rigol DP832: £450Siglent SPD3303X-E: £380Siglent SDG1032X: £280Siglent SDG2042X: £490

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2023, 09:59:07 pm
content: Quote from: Kane on May 16, 2023, 09:41:54 pmThat's just fine until the day youneed3 fully isolated supplies.And with SPD3303X-E you can seriesalloutputs for a total of ~69Vandrun multiple units in series up to 500V max above mains Gnd.You might not need such versatility.Quote2042X is certainly the better AWG being 16 bit andimprovableto 120 MHz yet 1032X here outsell it as a well priced GP AWG.Either will PnP just fine with your scope.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 10:24:54 am
content: "Improvable" cough cough as "Hackable" loll cough cough

author: woody
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 10:36:57 am
content: Might be over your budget, but I like the MX100T(P)https://www.aimtti.com/product-category/dc-power-supplies/aim-mxseriesNice power supply, silent enough, good support, and from Old Blighty :-)Regarding the FG, I concur with@tautech. The 2042X is great value for the money.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 02:24:08 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 16, 2023, 09:59:07 pmThat's fine, until you need threeadjustablechannelsand allwith metering? You might not need such flexibility, however.I find unmetered channels without variable current limit borderline useless. Why would I use a bench supply for that? I don't want to fry the digital logic either if something goes wrong.

author: Faranight
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 03:09:57 pm
content: I've been using the two models from Siglent (SPD3303X-E and SDG2042X, both hacked), and I'm very happy with them.Quote from: Kane on May 16, 2023, 09:41:54 pmYeah, I was just about to say. Do you *really* need 3 regulated power channels? I've been using this very PSU, and I have yet to use the third channel. SPD3303X-E can be hacked to the precision of SPD3303X, but I've heard that some people have been having problems with re-calibration on this model. Not sure, if those have been solved yet.Tautech, can you perhaps share an update? Last time I read that big thread I remember someone has been complaining about problems with the current limitation offset after they have hacked and re-calibrated the device.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 03:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: alm on May 17, 2023, 02:24:08 pmGood point about the 3rd channel, would prefer it be variable and have current voltage readings like the other 2 channels. The GW-Instek GPP-4323 has 4 independent channels, all settable and readable but cost almost 2 times the SDP3303X-E (which can easily be "expanded" to the higher res "non E" version of 1mv and 1ma). Both supplies produce low noise clean, accurate outputs without any hints of overshoot, which all are important for our work and why we have and use them (3 SPD3303X and 1 GPP-4323).Best,

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 03:23:24 pm
content: Quote from: Faranight on May 17, 2023, 03:09:57 pmThat likely was us having the SPD3303X cal issues. If you follow the cal instructionsexactly, then you shouldn't have any issues, we didn't and got the supply hosed up.Totally our own fault, and Siglent NA stepped in and resolved the issue at no cost, other than we paid shipping to Siglent NA, they even paid return shipping. This was a "hacked" SPD3303X-E to a SPD3303X by us, hosed up by us not following instructions (albeit a better Cal procedure would be welcome), and Siglent NA came to the rescueBest,

author: Faranight
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 03:27:12 pm
content: mawyatt:Could you share exactly what step of the calibration you did wrong?

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 03:53:30 pm
content: Recall we deviated from the sequence described in the Cal instructions figuring we were smarter than the instructions, which proved we were NOTThen we tried to patch things up, and flipped back and forth between versions and firmware releases, then multiple failed attempts to "correct" the calibration issues we had introduced. So basically just making things worse and eventually throwing in the towel and requesting help from SiglentAlso, you'll need a really good electronic load and quality DMM (6 1/2) to do a proper calibration, they already come well calibrated from the OEM, without the mentioned quality instruments we would not recommend a user calibration. Our needs differ from a typical use case, we need and demand very high levels of precision from most of our instruments, and these power supplies (all 3) were utilized extensively in the development of a highly complex 128 independent channel (256 limit) +-100V output AWG with ~16 bit precision.....and they performed admirably!!!Anyway, follow the instructions explicitly and you won't have any issues, as mentioned we have 3 of these and have calibrated all a few times now (they have settled in and don't need any more calibrations). Remember that you must make absolutely sure the calibration values entered are accepted and stored, leaving off a letter or forgetting to issue the store command can lead to problems.Edit: These SPD3303X are far from perfect tho, the UI is a little quirky and takes some time to get a feel for, and the placement of the output terminals is inexcusable, they are not on standard spacing and prevent using standard dual banana plugsIf you can put up with these flaws then these are likely one the best $ value power supplies available for personal use, especially considering the output quality. However, we would not consider them for a major company lab as the terminal issue would require 2 single banana types for each channel use, and we always used quality Pomona Dual banana types.Also, as others have mentioned the SDG 2042X AWG has proven for us to be an exceptional AWG and value. Again output quality is paramount for our needs, and this AWG has proven to provide excellent AWG waveform fidelity. UI is a little quirky but the superb output waveform quality can't be overlookedBest,

author: Faranight
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 05:13:03 pm
content: Quote from: mawyatt on May 17, 2023, 03:53:30 pmOh, yeah, that's something that I did forget to mention. The thing that bothers me about the UI are the two arrow buttons that switch between different parameters and the "Fine" button. These could have been designed better IMHO. The banana socket spacing on SPD3303 is also not the standard 3/4 inch (19.05mm), but rather something arbitrary. Kinda bummer, I think Dave did a wah wah wah in one of his review videos on this unit.EDIT: Found it:.EDIT2: Also, having watched this video over again, I can say that some of the things have improved since the video was shot. For example, the UI seems to have been upgraded (looking at my own unit) and is now displaying what Dave wanted to see (setpoint voltage/current/power and the actual output voltage/current/power). The banana sockets seem a bit better than the ones in the video (at least mine don't wiggle as the ones on the video did). The relay switching works fine (I can hear clicks once the output is enabled). The fan is pretty silent. I don't know, I haven't opened the thing to check for rust.The good thing about it though is that it also has a LAN port on the back, so, you can control it remotely over SCPI. I'm planning to upgrade my bench in the near future and install a switch for all the instruments that I use (or will use in the future). The vast majority of them have a LAN port available (SDG2042X included).

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 05:54:16 pm
content: Did you note the use of the ADI AD7792 ADC and ADR03A Voltage Reference in Dave's video, these are not cheap ICs. One of the many reasons the SPD3303X produces clean, accurate and stable output results!!Sometimes you get a little more that you paid for, seldom much more, but often much less!!!Best,

author: Brad808
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 01:11:36 am
content: Quote from: Faranight on May 17, 2023, 05:13:03 pmI've been using mine for 2.5 years and it still screws me up. I don't know who thought that was a good design.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2023, 07:44:34 pm
content: My choice for decent, multi-channel bench PSU would be the GW Instek GPP-4323 (or a different model from the same series) if budget permits. This is the least compromised model compared to the Rigol and Siglent units mentioned earlier. On top of that, the GPP-4300 series can also be used as a DC load which could come in handy.

author: Kane
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2023, 08:40:25 pm
content: Thanks for all the replies, I agree the GW Instek GPP-4323 is a nice supply but it is £830 here which around double what the Rigol DP832 and Siglent SPD3303X-E are. I decided on the Rigol DP832 and the Siglent SDG2042X instead of the 1000x series. They should be coming on Monday or so.Can somebody point me to the relevant threads for "improving" the DP832 and SDG2042X

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2023, 01:08:05 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 16, 2023, 09:59:07 pmI have the SPD3303X-E, hacked to 1mV/1mA steps. I didn't know you could put the little rail in series with the other 2. Or that you could have a few of the units in series up to 500V. I'm ok for now, but sometime when I need another non-homemade PSU, I'll remember to get a 2nd SPD3303X-E.One of the days I'll fiddle with the small rail, and add some more protections/shutdown's. And even a little meter.