EEVblog #933 - Keysight U1272A EMC Issue

[PA0PBZ]

I still haven't seen a conclusive answer to the question if the 1270 series is the only series affected...?

[Muttley Snickers]

I like the poll and only the other week wondered just how many forum members owned the U1270 series meters but at the time didn't consider a poll as an option to gauge numbers, after now seeing it I should be able to get a rough indication and that was all I was after really.

Our meters were originally purchased only after thorough evaluation of available documentation and based also on Keysights excellent response to the first version issue, in addition a number of people conducted reviews on these meters and gave them a thumbs up and I expect many bought these meters as we did guided by those recommendations.

I've nominated to upgrade only one of the meters that we own to the U1280 series at this time for a number of reasons including the fact that I have years of saved and documented measurements from these meters that now require verification, Keysight have declared that they do not require us to return our existing nominated U1272A which is appreciated as I can now make comparisons against our existing figures.

[mrnuke]

I still haven't seen a conclusive answer to the question if the 1270 series is the only series affected...?

[TheAmmoniacal]

I have received a response from Keysight

"Hi *******,

Thank you for your response and for choosing the option to receive a higher performance U1280 handheld digital multi-meter. We are pleased to inform that your request is being processed, and we expect to have the U1280 handheld digital multi-meter ready for shipment on 19-Dec-2016.
The shipment address will be based on the information you provided as listed below."

I guess I'll consider this a Christmas present from Keysight 

[Muttley Snickers]

The final notification that I received was back on the 18th and although I'm not currently in front of the computer it was something along the lines of "...... you will be contacted by a Keysight representative in the next two weeks to arrange delivery......", I was half expecting a phone call and organised with she who burns stuff to bake a cake and everything for when the rep turns up, quality takes time or so I hear but the cake is now as black as their new bench top gear.

[PA0PBZ]

I still haven't seen a conclusive answer to the question if the 1270 series is the only series affected...?

*picture*

That's clear, now the next question: Is Keysight going to do anything about that?

[Iwanushka]

Sorry for asking without reading entire thread, but maybe someone can point me to the right direction where I should contact to get my U1272A replaced/fixed, I bought it in 2014 from elfa distrelec

[HighVoltage]

Sorry for asking without reading entire thread, but maybe someone can point me to the right direction where I should contact to get my U1272A replaced/fixed, I bought it in 2014 from elfa distrelec

https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2806392&id=2806392

[Iwanushka]

Sorry for asking without reading entire thread, but maybe someone can point me to the right direction where I should contact to get my U1272A replaced/fixed, I bought it in 2014 from elfa distrelec

https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2806392&id=2806392

Thank You!

Just finished reading the thread and looks like U1280A meter has the same issue plus it's missing all the smartohm/lowZ features.

Did anyone got response from Keysight if you get U1281A or U1282A for 1272A? U1281A compared to U1272A is kinda a joke.

Also if anyone opted for U1280 series did they tell you to send the old one? I'm afraid of import taxes (F**king EU) would have to pay at least 120eur VAT + ~50eur customs free + VAT for shipping charges, so its around 200eur to receive it and if I have to send it via DHL/w.e additional 50eur. Conclusion ~250eur for replacement would be insane when I  paid 500eur for it...

EDIT: went with U1280 series will see how it goes.

[TheAmmoniacal]

Sorry for asking without reading entire thread, but maybe someone can point me to the right direction where I should contact to get my U1272A replaced/fixed, I bought it in 2014 from elfa distrelec

https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2806392&id=2806392

Thank You!

Just finished reading the thread and looks like U1280A meter has the same issue plus it's missing all the smartohm/lowZ features.

Did anyone got response from Keysight if you get U1281A or U1282A for 1272A? U1281A compared to U1272A is kinda a joke.

Also if anyone opted for U1280 series did they tell you to send the old one? I'm afraid of import taxes (F**king EU) would have to pay at least 120eur VAT + ~50eur customs free + VAT for shipping charges, so its around 200eur to receive it and if I have to send it via DHL/w.e additional 50eur. Conclusion ~250eur for replacement would be insane when I  payed 500eur for it...

We don't really know the answer to any of those questions, but I can give my interpretation:
1. U1272A -> U1282A
2. They will ship it to you from Malaysia, so you most likely have to pay VAT on it.
3. You get to keep your old meter, it's not a replacement - but a "free promotion" to those of us here "afflicted" by the flaw. They just don't want to lose any reputation or status in the community (just be nice and don't sell it).

[Muttley Snickers]

I've been keeping an eye out on local auction sites and similar recently to see if there was a sudden increase in the number of listings in regards to the affected meters and Keysight handhelds do occasionally pop up on sites down here but they are certainly not as common as some other brands, anyway there is currently a used U1273A OLED meter listed on a local site and it looks to be in good order and reasonably priced, although tempted I won't be buying it but wondered if Keysight should perhaps amend their warranty status page to indicate that a meter has either a claim pending or is in fact void of any further claims or assistance due to a replacement already being made.

If I was interested in purchasing such a meter then my first action would be to ask the seller for the serial number in advance which they may or may not provide, should said information be provided then I could go to the Keysight warranty status page and check to see if the meter had already been processed in relation to the current issue at hand, I suspect that this scenario could take place and people that were not aware at the time of purchase could be caught out even for meters that are still covered under warranty, unfortunately this could become a tricky situation for some and as always the buyer beware policy prevails.

Keysight Warranty Status Page.
https://service.keysight.com/infoline/public/details.aspx? 

[Cerebus]

I've been keeping an eye out on local auction sites and similar recently to see if there was a sudden increase in the number of listings in regards to the affected meters

I've observed that there's generally quite a lag between some event that pushes kit towards the secondhand market and it actually appearing on that market. When the HP 34401 went off-sale it took about six months before they started showing up on the secondhand market in increased numbers.

[Muttley Snickers]

I have received a response from Keysight

"Hi *******,

Thank you for your response and for choosing the option to receive a higher performance U1280 handheld digital multi-meter. We are pleased to inform that your request is being processed, and we expect to have the U1280 handheld digital multi-meter ready for shipment on 19-Dec-2016.
The shipment address will be based on the information you provided as listed below."

I guess I'll consider this a Christmas present from Keysight 

I've just received another email from Keysight, the first message on 18-Nov-2016 stated that I would be contacted by a representative and the current one is identical to the quoted post above except the date which is 21-Dec-2016, I'm planing on a boxing day battle between the sporty but confused U1270 series and the big fatso heavyweight U1280 series.     

[FrankT]

and the big fatso heavyweight U1280 series.   

Come on.  Enough with the fat shaming; it's only a little bigger...

U1272A  92 × 207 × 59 mm
U1280   96 x 218 x 59 mm


Although it is heavier... (big bones?)

U1272A 520 grams (with batteries)
U1280  701 grams (with batteries)

[EEVblog]

Come on.  Enough with the fat shaming; it's only a little bigger...

U1272A  92 × 207 × 59 mm
U1280   96 x 218 x 59 mm

It FEELS a lot bigger than that.
Just had my custom EEVblog meter without it's holster next to it and wow, what a difference 

[Barny]

I have received a response from Keysight

"Hi *******,

Thank you for your response and for choosing the option to receive a higher performance U1280 handheld digital multi-meter. We are pleased to inform that your request is being processed, and we expect to have the U1280 handheld digital multi-meter ready for shipment on 19-Dec-2016.
The shipment address will be based on the information you provided as listed below."

I guess I'll consider this a Christmas present from Keysight 

I've just received another email from Keysight, the first message on 18-Nov-2016 stated that I would be contacted by a representative and the current one is identical to the quoted post above except the date which is 21-Dec-2016, I'm planing on a boxing day battle between the sporty but confused U1270 series and the big fatso heavyweight U1280 series.   

I got the Date 22. Dec. 2016

[Berni]

Come on.  Enough with the fat shaming; it's only a little bigger...

U1272A  92 × 207 × 59 mm
U1280   96 x 218 x 59 mm


Although it is heavier... (big bones?)

U1272A 520 grams (with batteries)
U1280  701 grams (with batteries)

Hmm i expected there to be a bigger difference, must be the look of the design that makes it look bigger.

Also some of the weight might be coming from the fact that it uses AA batteries instead of AAA.

[Dwaine]

My request got approved.  They are sending the USB cable

Hi Dwaine,
 
Thank you for your response and for choosing the option to a redesigned U1270 series handheld digital multimeter (available in February, 2017), and in the meantime, receive a complimentary U1173B IR-USB PC connectivity cable so you can upgrade your current multimeter to the latest firmware version. We will process your request based on the information you provided as listed below.

[bernroth]

Just received a Keysight newsletter which advertises their universal instruments.
It links to following document:

http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5990-6425EN.pdf

It's from May 2016 an back in the good times the EMC issue was not yet known.

The U1272A is still a great meter but will customers get a "U1272B" (redesigned Feb 2017 model) delivered or the old stock?

I would have expected an updated document or EoS announcement... or something else. Wondering...

[Muttley Snickers]

I'm not sure what's happening other than as I pointed out earlier one email I received indicated that they would make a follow up statement or announcement, also the following two emails were from Keysight promo or similar just as everyone else received so I have no clue what that is all about.

Only tonight I was running some more tests at lower frequencies and amplitude to simulate particular equipment and environments that I regularly encounter both with and without the filter enabled, the filter does make a big difference but unfortunately in the past I generally always had it disabled, a bad blue on my part.

Anyway bernroth I'm not sure if anybody else has of yet but I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank you personally for both finding this issue and pointing it out, some of us do actually count on this type of equipment for a living and feel like we have dropped the ball, that's how I feel about it anyway.

Regards and many thanks.     

[Sbampato12]

Anyone received the replacement yet?

[Barny]

I think, the first will arrive in one to two weeks.

[TheAmmoniacal]

Anyone received the replacement yet?

I've been give the date of 19th of December for a U1280-series, I believe this is the earliest date.

[Lockon Stratos]

Just out of curiosity is there someone who got an e-mail form keysight stating that they cant verify your purchase based on the the data provided? I bought it about 1,5 year ago so i was pretty surprised... 

[saturation]

I have.  They asked I email pictures of the DMM showing serial and then all was good. 

Just out of curiosity is there someone who got an e-mail form keysight stating that they cant verify your purchase based on the the data provided? I bought it about 1,5 year ago so i was pretty surprised...