Companies that will supply Schematics for their test equipment - list - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2015, 06:53:42 pm
content: I thought a topic detailing companies that are willing to supply schematics or service manuals for their test equipment might prove useful to the membership.I will kick it off by providing the following Companies1. HamegNow part of Rohde & Schwarz. Hameg used to include the schematic diagram in the rear of user manuals but this has ceased. An email to their technical support requesting the schematic diagram for a piece of their equipment has normally resulted in the diagrams being sent by return email. I have had great service over many years from this company.Hameg TS : support@hameg.com2. Thurlby Thandar Instruments (TTi)TTi have a user friendly policy of selling the service manuals for their products at cost price. The manuals usually cost £24 and are of high quality. An email to technical support will usually elicit a friendly response and quote for the manual.TTi TS (via sales) : sales@tti-test.comor via technical query form:http://s112512237.websitehome.co.uk/tinc?key=qecfYWKb&formname=contact_tti_23. Digimess Instruments (Ex. Grundig)Digimess Instruments continue to provide test equipment that was originally sold under the Grundig brand. Service manuals are available at a cost of £40+ (Ouch!) Contact technical support for a quote.Digimess TS : support@digimessinstruments.co.ukPrice list including the service manual costshttp://www.digimessinstruments.co.uk/pricelist/digimessuk.pdfAurora

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 06:56:42 am
content: TTI have sent me PDF service manuals before without having to pay. Great company IMHO. Use the technical query form rather than sales however.

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 07:14:00 am
content: Delta electronika (not the chinese delta psu company but the dutch one) helped me out multiple times, even for personal use. One time they even sent me information where to look for for an issue with my personal 10 or 20 year old PSU. You can find them atwww.delta-elektronika.nl.BTW i don't know about there more powerfull (mode deadly) power supply range.I have contacted Keithley multille times. Up to 5 years ago they where verry helpfull. Now their helpdesk is just as sh#tty as their website. I rarely get any info I have requested. Too bad, their hardware is great.

author: guido
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 11:11:54 pm
content: Prema very helpfulIwatsu got the schematic for a scope after two mail attempts (i suspect a language barrier).

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 02:23:27 am
content: Krohn Hite, many have found them helpful.

author: Mr Simpleton
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 08:03:32 am
content: TTi refused to sell the service manual/schematics to me when asked nicely!Answer were: "You need a jig to calibrate so we do not offer a service manual nor schematics"I'm not too keen on TTi after thatR&S had schematics included in the user manual binders in the 80:s .... not so any more.HP used to include (or sell) full docs... not so any more

author: smjcuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 08:28:08 am
content: Quote from: Mr Simpleton on April 05, 2015, 08:03:32 amDid you ask their tech or sales? Sales will always try and sell you something; it's their job.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 10:20:00 am
content: Some companies also state that they do not have a service manual. The reason is that they are not the OEM for that specific unit. I.e Some Konig equipment was made by Promax.Some equipment does need hardware or software jigs and that can be an issue. PC diagnostics are a PITA if you cannot buy the bespoke software. That's large scale integration and progress I suppose.Aurora

author: Mr Simpleton
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 10:27:46 am
content: Quote from: smjcuk on April 05, 2015, 08:28:08 amI cannot recall who I contacted, was 20 years ago, but still was a bit surprised at the answer nobody did try to sell me anything... I think I recall it was the support dept.. must have been 25+ years ago. But at that time most companies at that time did offer schematics at least, so this did surprise me. Unit still works and I have managed to live with-out adjusting.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 11:26:35 am
content: 20 years ago, almost all companies supplied a service manual and schematicsThese days almost no company is willing to give out schematicsAgilent/ Keysight is not even giving schematics for new equipment to their own service centers.At one time in the US, I needed a schematics for an outdated but high quality digital temperature gauge for 4W RTD for repair and calibration.I was surprised when a "box" arrived.The schematics (blueprint) was printed on a 2m x 2m paper, covered more than the lab table and had all details.Those days are over.I am surprised that equipment is not potted already these days.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 11:34:32 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on April 05, 2015, 11:26:35 amPotting compound is expensive and you need a sealed case during cure. Only reason why they do not do it, plus shipping is more expensive.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 11:49:35 am
content: The reason most companies don't provide service info these days is simply that there is way, way less repair activity going on.Stuff is much more reliable, so less likely to need it, and much cheaper, so less economically viable to repair compared replacing.Couple this with increasing use of bought-in subassemblies (PSUs in particular), the impracticality of repairing high density boards at component level, and shorter product development and lifetime cycles, it is simply not worth anyone's time to produce any more than module-exchange level service info.

author: embeddedbob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 11:57:40 am
content: TTI couldn't have been more helpful when I had an issue with a signal generator. TBH Im surprised they give out schematics, you only need look at a certain Chinese brand ripping off Agilents products.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 12:54:24 pm
content: Quote from: Mr Simpleton on April 05, 2015, 08:03:32 amMy R&S CMU200 came with the full Service Manual on CD (and this unit is from 2007).And for most other R&S kit Service Manuals can be downloaded if you have an R&S GLORIS account (which probably most R&S customers do, as this is where service and calibration is managed). Unfortunately often without more detailed schematics, but considering the difficulty in repairing the highly integrated boards there's not much point for them anyways).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 07:57:50 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 05, 2015, 11:49:35 am+1Most Siglent products are supplied with Service manuals on CD to the customer at time of purchase.There are test points and proceedures listed to find faults for whole PCB replacement when needed.A faulty board I recently replaced was supplied from China to NZ in 5 days.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2015, 09:42:20 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 05, 2015, 11:49:35 amAKA...They prefer to sell hardware that last less to sell newer models, the old known programmed obsolescence in modern capitalism.Nothing new to see, but it's harder for poor people like me to get electronics equipment and fix it. Rich guys and corps don't care at all.Less science for everyone, more consumers and less prosumer way.

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2015, 09:53:16 am
content: Quote from: Circuiteromalaguito on April 06, 2015, 09:42:20 amThat's a flat out lie and you know it... we've never had it so good, the situation for DIY electronics people is better than ever. Never before was T&M equipment more affordable (new Chinese equipment and used high end gear), more information and resources available to DIY people and so on.Not so long ago essentially no one could afford a DSO. Now? 1 GS/s deep memory DSOs are everywhere today!

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 06, 2015, 10:10:18 am
content: On the infrequent occasion when I buy new, good gear, if I get asked for a customer survey I always put in a plug for good online documentation as it helps resale value of my recently purchased product and will "greatly influence" my next purchase. I suspect the Military and the Unis are the big guys main sales.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2015, 02:04:17 pm
content: Quote from: dom0 on April 06, 2015, 09:53:16 amWell, maybe I'm too newbie and ignorant to find good deals. I see some nice stuff from USA and Germany on eBay, but I don't know what are good picks or not with the exception of classics (HP/Agilent, Keithley...).I also live in Spain, I'm unable to find good used electronics testing equipment in my country, most of it is old junk. There's lots of overpriced and old Ham radio equipment here in second hand sites (a bit similar to craigslist) too.