Integrated uCurrent in new Rigol DP2031 lab power supply?! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 09:33:29 am
content: Just saw this pop up today:https://www.rigol.eu/products/dc-power/dp2000.htmlRigol has added a low-range current readback mode where the resolution is improved by factor 100x. Programming is still in mA level.The programming and readback accuracies are slightly improved compared to the DP800 series. Readback is 0.15%+5mA (was 0.2%+5mA) and now also has a low-current range (up to 10mA) with 0.25%+28uA spec. The EEVblog's uCurrent does +/-0.1%+50uA in 1mV/mA range or +/-0.05%+50nA in 1mV/uA range, with a max +/-2.25A or +/-2.25mA measurement range, respectively..I suppose it's not a bad addition, but it doesn't look like it's going to beat the uCurrent in pure accuracy. 28uA offset is still quite high if you're targeting <100uA applications. It could be OK if the offset remains reasonably consistent across output voltage changes (high CMRR), and/or it's possible to zero the instrument's offset as you may typically do before starting a low current measurement..Other improvements are a (much) shorter processing time and dwell time.There are also seems to be a new DP900 series, but that doesn't come with an uA current range and output/sense terminals on the back.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 10:17:05 am
content: Looks like they copied this feature from theKeysight E36xxx series. Burden voltage, the distinguishing feature of the uCurrent, is not an issue for current sensing inside a power supply, because the sense lines will have been connected past the current shunt.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 10:46:10 am
content: Auto-ranging low-current readout is a feaure I find really useful on my Keithley 2280S.On a bench supply doing development it's a really useful feature - it doesn't really need to be that accurate most of the time, as long as offset isn't too bad.

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 02:59:07 pm
content: I wonder if they actually have the bandwidth to back up the 7.5ks/s sampling. It doesn't look like they have decreased the output capacitance (programming speed similar to DP832). If I remember correctly the fast-sampling Agilent PSUs used to have a separate high-frequency measurement path (current transformer?) to get around that.If they are actually serious about it, the analysis functions may need some work as well. It looks like there is no way to trigger measurements (just real-time/trend display) and statistics are very limited. But maybe they will improve on that with future firmware updates.

author: uski
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 07:41:46 pm
content: It is really unfortunate that they kept the same crappy user interface, with the circular numbers and everything... just give me a normal keypad already

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 08:10:10 pm
content: Yeah... When I saw the photo, I thought "well, it's a pity they didn't re-design the terrible front panel but I guess they wanted to save money". Then I realized that theydid. And not only did they keep the weird "keypad", they actually made it even worse by adding funky, slanted buttons around it. I mean, why?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 10:29:44 pm
content: Quote from: switchabl on September 12, 2022, 08:10:10 pmHave you actually used one?Its not perfect no, but, I prefer it slightly over the RD6006 with a standard numpad, and way better than anything without a numerical keypad at all. Its not like I am using it for 8hrs of data entry.On the Rigol I can hit: 1, 0, mA to set 10mA. On the RD6006 for example, you hit ISET, ., 0, 1. Still good, but, can be less intuitive sometimes.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 10:42:59 pm
content: Fully isolated channels, faster processor.Touch screen.. never thought of wanting that in a PSU?There is also the DP900. Seems like a good price for $379.https://www.rigol.eu/products/dc-power/dp900.html

author: MegaVolt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2022, 10:40:23 am
content: Looks like the DP932U version has hidden banana plugs

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2022, 02:33:25 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 12, 2022, 10:29:44 pmYes, it works ok and there are worse. But it is just such an unforced error. It is like they went out of their way to come up with something funky that is objectively worse than it could be. Same with the weird buttons on the new one. They had perfectly fine buttons and then someone went "wait, lets rotate the labels at different angles, nobody else does that".Quote from: MegaVolt on September 13, 2022, 10:40:23 amWell, it says +-240V to ground, if they take that seriously then they have to. They seem to be targeting the education market. Safety is kind of a big concern there.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2022, 10:08:37 pm
content: Quote from: MegaVolt on September 13, 2022, 10:40:23 amThe normal banana plug one is limited to 30V and is more expensive. New regulations?Quote from: switchabl on September 13, 2022, 02:33:25 pmEveryone who comes up with a new UI idea thinks its good/futuristic/whatever. No one is going to purposefully design something bad.But yeah didn't realize they played with the angles of the existing buttons. The only one that might make sense is they indented "Preset" perhaps someone complained it was too easy to press..

author: Remek
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 03, 2022, 12:10:07 am
content: Do you know if It is possible to hack lower models to DP2031? I am expecting my new DP932E to arrive tomorrow and wondering if it would be possible to “upgrade” it. Having integrated uCurrent sounds useful

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2022, 07:24:30 am
content: Quote from: Remek on November 03, 2022, 12:10:07 amCan you share your first impression about the DP932e? I’m really interested, but the lack of the timer (arbitrary generator) (exclusive for the A and U version) holds me back.

author: KrzysztofB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2022, 09:16:37 pm
content: I can soon give impressions of DP2031, as I'm hoping to pick one up tomorrow (Monday)

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2022, 07:05:01 pm
content: Grrr... same silly circular numeric keypad.Imma nope out of this one too.

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 08:22:42 pm
content: Hi, some news for the DP932E? I'd like photos, expecially from the back of the power supply. Thanks

author: radensb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 09:43:22 pm
content: Any updates on these new DP900 and DP2000 models? Im interested in the HW differences and if they can be "upgraded"I was all set to pick up a DP832 and perform the DP832A upgrade, but the DP932E offers some nice features that are easily worth the extra $50 (if it can be upgraded).

author: KrzysztofB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 10:26:15 pm
content: I can post some pictures when mine arrives, causes it's sealed and delayed and delayed. But ETA is Monday.

author: radensb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2022, 02:19:47 am
content: Quote from: Remek on November 03, 2022, 12:10:07 amHow are you liking the DP932E? Would you be able to share front and back pics?I am also curious about the upgradability. Have you tried the procedure to update the DP832 to the DP832A??https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/need-help-hacking-dp832-for-multicolour-option/msg4028779/#msg4028779It would be great to know if any (or all) of the exiting procedure works!

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 06:35:32 pm
content: Quote from: radensb on November 26, 2022, 02:19:47 amI think that asking for trying the dp832 hack has no sense for the newer model. Maybe I'm wrong?

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 06:36:57 pm
content: Quote from: KrzysztofB on November 25, 2022, 10:26:15 pm

author: KrzysztofB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 07:47:32 pm
content: Quote from: giubin on November 28, 2022, 06:36:57 pmThat is coming. Just received it today.

author: radensb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 07:53:08 pm
content: Quote from: giubin on November 28, 2022, 06:35:32 pmI dont see how it could hurt. My assumption is that to make these things a cheap as possible, they reuse as much as possible and perhaps the same exploits remain? It may very well be the same core OS and configuration as the Dp800 series.

author: radensb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 07:54:29 pm
content: Quote from: KrzysztofB on November 28, 2022, 07:47:32 pmSexy.Stress test time?

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2022, 09:05:53 pm
content: Quote from: radensb on November 28, 2022, 07:54:29 pmReally sexy... btw i'm waiting some news about the dp932e

author: KrzysztofB
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2022, 09:26:44 pm
content: Yes.I need to admit that except some small minor things in UI so far I like it.But don't think it's gonna be possible to get uA measurements on DP900series.

author: radensb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2022, 10:18:58 pm
content: Quote from: giubin on November 29, 2022, 09:05:53 pmSAME!

author: electronic_eel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2023, 04:09:19 pm
content: @KrzysztofBHow is the noise of your DP2031?Constant fan noise, even with low load or outputs off, is an issue I have with some other power supplies. I now consider getting a DP2031 and would like to know if they have implemented a proper thermal fan throttling in the DP2031.Thanks.