Power supply choice KS E36313A vs multiple E3610xB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TAMU98
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 07, 2025, 03:32:29 pm
content: This is my first post, but I have been reading the sight for years. Dave is my hero!I have read every Keysight power supply post on this site (multiple times) and would like to ask for some help from people more experienced than myself.I've got a Siglent SDP3303x-e. It is not bad, but I do not care for the controls and burned out a DUT do to user error in a stressful situation (Fine vs arrows). It is great for the price point, but it is time for me to move on. I also recently acquired an E36102B which I like a lot... Simple and the controls are laid out in the way my mind thinks. I do not do a lot of design just troubleshooting.I have decided to get EITHER one E36313A or multiple E3610xB. I have spent weeks ruling out all of the models from other brands. There are good ones, just not what I am looking for. The budget covers either option here.E36313A Pros:One box does it allA little more volts / ampsHas the ability to tie multiple outputs together in the unitHas numeric keypadE3610xB Pros:Simple interface and very easy to read.Hard power switch unlike the constantly powered E36313AEasier to fit a few in tight spaces than one bigger box.Questions:There were a lot of critical posts about the E36313A in 2017-2020 about bugs and UI issues. Did they all get resolved?Does any one have any fan noise comparisons between the two?If you were choosing between them, what would you do and why?There is very little out there about real world use of the E3610xB can anyone speak to longevity of the E3610xB or E3610xA?I have learned an incredible amount from Dave and you guys. Any input would be very appreciated.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 12:39:04 am
content: I have a couple of the E3610xA units. The fan noise is annoying to me, so I only use them when needed. How is the fan noise on the B generation? I find the controls are decent considering the size limitations.I also have the E36313A. For sure it still has one terrible UI design decision that Keysight for whatever reason doesn't want to fix. Specifically you cannot select an individual digit and adjust it with the knob. Otherwise, I like it plenty and it's typically my primary bench PSU. The fan noise is very low.Your bench should have a main shut-off switch, because there is a lot of test equipment that continues to draw power when off. (I also suggest lightning/surge suppression and a pure sine wave UPS for additional protection.)$2k+ is a lot of money for the E36313A. Are you sure you want/need it? You could also check out the Rigol DP900 series. I picked up the DP932E for cheap and unlocked the DP932A features (it won't have the colored buttons/labels, though). Accuracy is lacking. I use it for the somewhat riskier operations so I don't care if I blow it up.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 07:26:19 am
content: Quote from: TAMU98 on April 07, 2025, 03:32:29 pmHave you considered one of the 4ch SPD4000X models ?These are a new design, webserver and with a full keypad for settings.

author: TAMU98
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 07:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on April 08, 2025, 12:39:04 amAccording to my ear, the E36102B is not significantly louder than my 34465A, so it doesn't bother me too much (at low/med output). Little higher pitch but definitely not the loudest piece of equipment I have. If you run it at higher power it starts to get what I would consider loud. Of course this is all very subjective.From what I have gathered people like the E36313A though I had seen the 2017-2018 gripe list and was scared off. I scoured the internet for hours looking for the "everything is fixed" post and just could not find anything to make me feel better about it. I can live with the knob quirk. The UI though is a big deal to me. I know that KS may not be the absolute best and it comes at a price premium, but it is a known quantity and seems intuitive to me. My projects vary greatly. 15 min here and there has a cost too, and over 5 years I feel it will justify the price not to mention the hours spent when your equipment is behaving differently than you expect. If I had the experience that some on this board have, I could do more with less, but at my level I have to put more trust in the equipment performing as intended.I do have a cutoff, but I am just not a fan of soft power buttons. I like knowing that the device is not doing anything when power is applied/removed. IMO it is not always best when a designer/developer/programmer expects a graceful shutdown either.I really appreciate the feedback.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 03:47:37 pm
content: I use an E36313A as my daily driver bench PSU. I bought it when it just came out so it had to be replaced due to a power-on glitch. From then it always works as expected. The user interface doesn't really bother me. If I'd need buy a bench PSU nowadays, I'd take a long look at the GW Instek GPP4000 series.The soft powerswitch on the E36313A is a downside though. On my bench it basically is on 24/7 unless I'm away for longer than a few days.

author: chilternview
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 04:02:02 pm
content: You might want to look at the Keithley 2231A-30-3, a bit less current than the KS (2x0-30v 3A plus 0-5v 3A). Quite a bit cheaper than the KS, but beware the need for a usb/rs232 interface as an extra.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 04:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: chilternview on April 09, 2025, 04:02:02 pmAFAIK those are BK Precission / Tonghui rebadges.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 05:49:28 pm
content: I really like the E36313A. I've pushed mine quite hard with no issues. I often run the 25 volt supplies in parallel.

author: TAMU98
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 12, 2025, 01:07:29 am
content: I pulled the trigger on a E36313A. It came in today. I think it was the best choice. Thanks everyone for the input.Wow it is quiet...