Anyone bought a UNI-T UTL8211 or UTL8212 electronic load? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: codaroma
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 12:23:07 pm
content: Anyone bought a UNI-T UTL8211 or UTL8212 electronic load?I'm wondering how they compare to the ET5410, ET5420 or the KP184.https://au.banggood.com/-p-1836050.html

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2022, 09:10:38 pm
content: https://instruments.uni-trend.com/list_83/1000.htmlFrom ebay: $240 for the 8211 and $290 for the 8212.The two channel unit looks interesting, if that was needed for some reason.

author: vutt
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2022, 12:35:54 pm
content: Well I'm glad you asked. My package arrived todayJust played around with it 1h or so. It's my first proper bench DC load. With my beginner level I have only experienced "aliexpress level" FZ35 DIY type of devices so far.I was thinking about East Tester devices but with very similar features I pulled trigger on this one. I somehow trust more Uni-T brand. Pity it lacks sense ports. Although there seems to be unpopulated sense connector space on PCB.Anyways I went trough most of the features and it seems to be working as advertised. Even managed to test reverse polarity warning messageIt feels solid. I measured - case is from 1,5mm steel sheets.Also it looks like main action is done by Infineon IRFP250M mosfets.I'm happy to answer any questions. Can test stuff although not with heavy loads. I have only30V 5A bench power supply.Edit: I did some 3Cell 1500mha 70C rated LiPo battery testing with short 350W+ bursts - seems to be working. Although I do not have DMM-s which can measure 30A+ current to verify it objectively.Here attached also few quick snaps I took.

author: vutt
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2022, 05:57:38 pm
content: Few days later. Well it is still working, but I'll add few more observations.1) Display values will go crazy with very low current. Use case - I tried to discharge old LiPo battery to as close to zero as possible for disposal. Not working correctly below 100mA2) I'm slightly disappointed with current readback accuracy. Even my dirt cheap "aliexpress level" el load displayed current more accurately. See attached pics below. Also note to myself I should have put aside more cash in order to get proper bench dc load with sense connectors. I wonder if HP/Agilent have DC Load units from the same series/format I have my 34401A and E3641A?

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2022, 07:25:25 pm
content: Insides of the UNI-T DC load looks very similar to East Tester DC loads (e.g. ET5410) - front panel metal mounting seems to be exactly the same, top PCB very similar.Overall East Tester, Kunkin, UNI-T, Itech and some other brands has very similar appearance internal construction. Not sure what is original design/manufacturer, what is copy or improved version. AFAIC all these DC loads performs well enough for many tasks.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 04:50:51 pm
content: Thx for the feedback..also in the market for an Electronic load and came by this model from UNi-TI can see that this Uni-T looks a lot like the new upgraded East tester 54xxA+ variant and was curious to see what the difference are, and if it makes sense to go with the new model "East Tester 54xxA+" / UTL821x or purchase the old model East tester that is quite a bit cheaper.. this new model is like +28% more expensive and curious if it that extra cost is also backed up by inner value or features.??Picture of the UNiT-UTL-matching "upgraded" East tester variant (54xxA+) and its specs versus the old East tester model to see if something stands out..The obvious is the added buttons, but unsure if there is added feature or other aspect that validate that extra +25% cost..Uni-t UTL 8211which seems to look somewhat as the new upgraded East Tester model ET5410A+. (old model did not have the "A+" ending)General Information:ET54A+ series single-channel/dual-channel programmable DC electronic load, using high-performance chips, high-speed, high-precision design, providing the highest resolution of 1mV, 1mA, excellent performance, can be widely used in chargers, switching power supplies, linear power supplies, various Production line testing in industries such as batteries, research institutes and other experimental research and development fields.Humanized Design:Using a 2.8-inch TFT high-definition LCD display with rich display content, supports Chinese and English display; The operation process is simple and convenient, and with the intuitive interface display system, it is easier to get started;With key lock function to prevent misoperation;High Performance Loads: Provides 6 basic measurement modes, CC, CV, CR, CP, CC+CV, CR+CV, and 6 professional measurement function modes;Provide battery test function: it can be used for capacity test of various batteries;Provide LED test function: it can be used to simulate the performance test of LED power supply;Provide dynamic test function: it can be used to test the dynamic output performance of power supply;Provide scan test function: it can be used to test the continuity of power supply output within a certain range;Provide list mode function: it can be used to simulate a variety of load state changes;Provide short circuit test function: it can be used to simulate load short circuit;Provide battery/power supply internal resistance test function;Provide qualified testing function;Provide remote compensation function; Power off to keep data storage function;Provide one-key entry and one-key exit operation buttons, which are easier to use and operate;Support external trigger input;Built-in buzzer alarm;On-line operation can be performed through the standard USB communication interface;Multiple Security Protections:It has overvoltage, overcurrent and overpower protection functions, and can flexibly set overvoltage and overcurrent parameters to effectively protect the load;It has a secondary over-temperature protection function to realize double over-temperature protection of software and hardware; With intelligent fan speed control function, effectively reduce fan noise during work;With output polarity reverse protection;General Technical Specifications: Power supply voltage: 110V~220V.AC±10%, 45-65Hz;Display: 2.8-inch TFT high-definition LCD screen, resolution 400×240;Operating temperature: 0℃ to 40℃;Storage temperature: -10℃ to 70℃; Relative humidity: <80%;Interface: Standard USB communication interface; Dimensions: 90mm×190mm×300mm (width×height×depth);Weight: 2.9kg;East tester ET5410A+ (Upgraded model)The old East Tester specs, seems more or less the same?? but all these sentenced # spec-features that are written above.. it's difficult for a non-owner, & new to bench-electronic loads, to sense what is new and what ain't..??If anybody got an overview of the differences, would love to hear.. there is an +28% price difference (+45USD) from the old East Tester 5410 to the new variantUnit-T UTL-8211 .. the menu and button layout.. seems to differ,

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 06:18:30 pm
content: Pretty sure this is a clone or rebadge of the Dingchen load - from a quick look at the photos my DCL6104A is VERY similar, other than it being a 500V version. Will do a more in depth comparison later.Edit: yep, same PCB layout and version numbers (at least for the top board, there is a chance that the front panel is different but I can't check unless I open mine again). Some minor mechanical differences, and the useless USB port on the front has been removed (I don't even know what it does!). Some info and mods that I made are shown here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/et5410-or-dcl6104-or-a-third-programmable-electronic-dc-load-in-the-budget-cat/- since making my comments there I've put sense connections on the front (connected via the relay option I showed in that thread). Would be interested in whether shift+CH turns on external sense (as with my unit), and if some of the same issues are present. If anyone has firmware files for these units I'd also be keen to look at them - I didn't manage to read anything from mine when I tried (I think the STM32 is locked).

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2022, 01:20:27 am
content: Yep..I reckon your right.. the button layout also seems to align..been wondering about getting an Electronic load for some years, as my old cheap PCB board fan unit from Aliexpress doesn't work anymore..this unit and its values all over the place. like its lost its reference...https://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i4/703475217/TB2SD96XEQIL1JjSZFhXXaDZFXa_!!703475217.jpgIt's the 40A variant I'm looking at and a general use-case scenario and not least to test batteries etc and just get familiar with a somewhat decent budget electronic load from either "DCL6104" or "UnitT 8211" or "East Tester ET5410", but it seems to be pretty much the same board design, spec-tolerances, fannoise and features across the board.. as far as I can tell' nothing really stands out between them, as a decisive call..So' in that light... Just get the one that is cheapest' which in this case would be ET5410.. there don't seem to be any crucial features your missing out on, in regards to the other. or newer variant... its mostly cosmetic and interface handling..?

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2022, 10:15:57 am
content: There's also a Korad load (KEL103?) or one of its rebadges (e.g. as tenma/multicomp by farnell/E14/Newark, don't have the model number to hand sorry) that is also inexpensive and probably better quality than one of these east-tester/kunkin/dingcheng options (it has LAN as well which the others don't). Haven't tried one myself though as I needed the 500V capability and the Korad doesn't have a HV model.