EEVblog #933 - Keysight U1272A EMC Issue

[Barny]

HP / Agilent / Keysight didn't write which one of the Series you'll receive.
Its possible that everyone who choose the higher version, receive the 1281A.
Everything else is speculation.

[Muttley Snickers]

I do have this in writing relevant to my own submission and it will be either a U1282A or a U1281A dependent on stock availability, I specifically requested the U1282A in correspondence and offered to pay if required but that in itself is no guarantee as to what might turn up.

I understand and was told that at this point each claim will be dealt with independently until such time that a formal follow up statement is made.

[bernroth]

I do have this in writing relevant to my own submission and it will be either a U1282A or a U1281A dependent on stock availability...

This is what Keysight told me as well.
For my two meters I have chosen to upgrade one to U128xA. The other meter can be swapped in 2017 for the redesigned model.

I do still like the U1272A for its features. Its a great meter but something must have gone really wrong because of so many issues in firmware and hardware.

[TheAmmoniacal]

I'm looking forward to the redesigned U1272A, I hope they will do more than just fix the EMC issue. The slow as frig continuity buzzer on it keeps annoying me, as I don't have any faster alternatives around 

[D3f1ant]

If they sent me a 1281 I'd be somewhat disappointed. They really should be up front about what's being sent, if I knew I was getting a 1281 I'd opt to wait until Feb for a replacement 1272.

[Muttley Snickers]

@bernroth

I did the same, I have two U1272A meters but only made the submission for one and I'm satisfied with that, my bigger concern is that the vast majority of measurements that I have taken with these meters over many years in various environments and on a large variety of systems, equipment and devices is now questionable, I do have serious concerns.

[bernroth]

The only statistics measurements you can trust are those you falsified yourself 

[salbayeng]

A bit off topic, but while testing a 160W PV booster, I had EMC issues with an ancient Priority Electronics PE-008 , it was about 1.5m from the actual booster (running at 60kHz), down by the dummy load.
 It was used for current measurement (but volts were just as bad) It would read off by a loong way (like 1/4 full scale), it was a pretty stable offset, but it changed when you moved the meter around or touched it, it was worse on the floor compared to sitting on a plastic bucket.  Still showed a reading with leads unplugged and input shorted. I have a dozen or more other meters and none were affected, even the cheap ones.

[Muttley Snickers]

The only statistics measurements you can trust are those you falsified yourself 

Yes well, I could certainly do without a meter or two that fall within specification when regularly tested in a known clean environment but then have the potential to become erroneous and untrustworthy out in the field, pun intended.

I've posted here more information on my particular case than I ever intended but just to finish with I do get to keep the existing nominated U1272A meter and again this is documented, other peoples submissions may be different elsewhere, Keysight will notify individuals accordingly.

[hayatepilot]

If they sent me a 1281 I'd be somewhat disappointed. They really should be up front about what's being sent, if I knew I was getting a 1281 I'd opt to wait until Feb for a replacement 1272.

+1

Especially because the U1281A lacks the 60 Ohm range, which is brilliant when tracking shorts.

[mtr]

Just talked to Keysight Germany in Böblingen, they confirmed to replace my U1272A with a redesigned U1272x.

[Barny]

Replace or giving an additional DMM?

[mtr]

That is the question:-)

They were quite vague in answering this question if I have to send back my old one.

[bernroth]

Keysight could ask you not to resell the old meter as a condition to get the replacement.

This would save cost and the environment.

You could block the amp jacks with some glue, put in in the trunk of your car and use it as emergency meter.

Just my 2 cents

[TheAmmoniacal]

If Keysight are concerned about people reselling the meters, I would be happy to give them my promise not to. Hopefully in an act of good faith they would let me keep it.

[bitseeker]

I'm looking forward to the redesigned U1272A, I hope they will do more than just fix the EMC issue. The slow as frig continuity buzzer on it keeps annoying me, as I don't have any faster alternatives around 

The continuity mode on the U1250 series is slow too. However, by manually setting it to one of the Megohm ranges, continuity response is nice and fast. See if your U1272A behaves similarly.

[TheAmmoniacal]

I'm looking forward to the redesigned U1272A, I hope they will do more than just fix the EMC issue. The slow as frig continuity buzzer on it keeps annoying me, as I don't have any faster alternatives around 

The continuity mode on the U1250 series is slow too. However, by manually setting it to one of the Megohm ranges, continuity response is nice and fast. See if your U1272A behaves similarly.

That does help, thanks!

[mrnuke]

The continuity mode on the U1250 series is slow too. However, by manually setting it to one of the Megohm ranges, continuity response is nice and fast. See if your U1272A behaves similarly.

I absolutely love setting my 1253B for tone continuity settings and listening to it sing to me while I look for shorts.

[Keysight Technologies Rep]

Thank you for the continued discussion on electronic test and measurement, especially to the individual blogger who requested feedback on electromagnetic immunity for the Keysight hand-held digital multimeters.  Please contact us directly at this email address --  hh_promo@keysight.com -- so that we can better understand your measurement setup. Our goal is always to support you in your electronic test and measurement work, and continuously improve the quality of our products.  We look forward to discussing your specific situation with you directly.

[Brumby]

That's a positive indication.

If I were in Keysight's shoes and were interested in nailing down the issue, I'd be taking interest in specific cases too - for either confirmation of existing theories or adding a new dimension to the problem.

[eliocor]

Just received today:

Hi Elio
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 16-Dec-2016.
The shipment address will be based on the information you provided as listed below.



Your Name:                xxxx yyyyyy

Your mailing address: aaa bbbbbb cccccc, Italy

Your phone number:   +nn-nnn-nnnnnnnn
 

Please contact hh_promo@keysight.com if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support to Keysight’s products.


Thanks and regards,
 
Exxxxxn Cxxk
Business Process Coordinator
Keysight Technologies

It seems they do not require to return the old unit!
When it will arrive I will decide what to do with the other U1272A I own: I discovered that the U1282A is a bit larger than the U1272A, so I'm not sure it will suit its carrying bag...

[saturation]

I received a similar notice too.

It would be good to see a poll of how many readers have opted for an upgrade.

Anyone could set one up but it would be better on this thread?

""

in regards to the 1272A EMC Issue and the Keysight offer posted:

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

Choose One:

• Have contact Keysight to receive a higher performance U1280 series handheld digital multimeter
  
• Have contact Keysight to receive a redesigned U1270 series handheld digital multimeter available in February, 2017
• Will keep what I have and do nothing
• I am reading this thread but do not own the affected DMMs

""

[Tom45]

I haven't heard anything further from Keysight but since I chose the upgraded model not due until February there probably isn't any news to be had until we get closer to February.

[TheAmmoniacal]

I requested a U1280-series, the 16th this month. Said they would come back to me in 2 weeks, which would be tomorrow. We'll see!

[saturation]

I put a poll here:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/in-regards-to-the-1272a-emc-issue-and-the-keysight-offer-posted-see-message/msg1080779/#msg1080779