DP832 - Firmware versions and bugs/issues
Here is a list of Rigol DP832 firmware versions and summary of known firmware bugs and hardware issues. The formatting is based on that developed by
marmad.
Known Firmware Versions
Before firmware 01.09, only "Normal" firmware update was provided. In 01.09 and later there is additionally a bootloader update. This list will be updated as new firmware becomes available.
00.
01.01.02.04, bootloader 01.05 (released: 12/13/2012)
00.
01.02.00.03, bootloader 01.05 (released: 01/31/2013)
00.
01.03.00.02, bootloader 01.05 (released: 03/18/2013)
00.
01.04.00.02, bootloader 01.05 (released: 05/23/2013)
00.
01.05.00.00, bootloader 01.05 (released: 06/27/2013)
00.
01.06.00.00, bootloader 01.05 (released: 07/24/2013)
00.
01.08.00.02, bootloader 01.05 (released: 11/06/2013)
00.
01.09.00.01, bootloader 01.06 (released: 01/16/2014)
00.
01.10.00.03, bootloader 01.09 (released: 05/09/2014)
00.
01.11.00.00, bootloader 01.09 (released: 07/08/2014)
00.
01.13.00.01, bootloader 01.09 (released: 11/18/2014)
00.
01.14.00.03, bootloader 01.09 (released: 04/24/2015)
00.
01.16.00.02, bootloader 01.09 (released: ??/??/2019)
Known Firmware Bugs
(strikethrough indicates bug resolved, bold indicates firmware version in which bug is fixed)
1. Ammeter reading is incorrect on channel 1 with no loadIssue mentioned
here[00.01.03.00.02] [
00.01.06.00.00] [
00.01.08.00.02]
2. Some SCPI commands not workingjkw
reported that commands like ":Cal:Start 2012,CH1" and ":Cal:Clear CH1,ALL" appear to time out.
>> RESOLVED: This appears not to be a bug, but rather unclear/incorrect instructions regarding the calibration procedure causing SCPI commands to fail when attempting calibration. See
this post for further details, and the
Calibration section below.
3. When in tracking mode and CH1 and CH2 are set to enable/disable their outputs simultaneously, a reboot of the power supply resets the option.Bug described by Sebastian
here and
here.
>> RESOLVED: Apparently the behavior is "by design" and not a bug.
4. Trigger option disabled in firmware 01.08 and 01.09
For DP832, the Trigger option is lost when upgrading to 01.08 or 01.09. This appears to be a firmware bug as the trial for evaluating Trigger is not active on new units. All options can be enabled in firmwares
prior to 01.08.
[
00.01.03.00.02] [
00.01.06.00.00] [00.01.08.00.02] [00.01.09.00.01]
5. Temperature reading incorrectThe temperature value shown on the Test/Cal screen became incorrect in 01.09. See
here and
here.
[
00.01.03.00.02] [
00.01.06.00.00] [
00.01.08.00.02] [00.01.09.00.01] [00.01.11.00.00] [
00.01.13.00.01] [
00.01.14.00.03]
6. Calibration inaccuracyFor DP832A (and possibly DP832) problems with calibration being inaccurate have been reported (see posts on page 26 of
this thread). Apparently the issue is resolved in 01.09.
[00.01.08.00.02] [
00.01.09.00.01]
7. Calibration broken in 01.11It is reported
here and discussed in subsequent posts that manual calibration on either V DAC or I DAC is broken. It is recommended to avoid manual calibration in 01.11. Manual calibration was reported to
work successfully in 01.08.
Update: Manual calibration
seems fixed in 01.13.
See Calibration section below.[
00.01.08.00.02] [00.01.11.00.00] [
00.01.13.00.01] [
00.01.14.00.03]
8. CH3 OCP bug in 01.13 (and earlier?)kjdotts reports
here of a firmware bug in which Over Current Protection (OCP) fails to work correctly on CH3. This bug is confirmed later to be
fixed in 01.14 by vovets.
[00.01.13.00.01] [
00.01.14.00.03]
9. ManualCal/Key Lock Password bug in 01.13 (and earlier?)
kjdotts reports
here that power-cycling the DP832 will revert changes to the ManualCal/Key Lock password to the factory default "2012". That is, password updates are not retained after a power cycle. This is not necessarily a bug -- it may be the intended behavior.
[00.01.13.00.01]
10. Ethernet IP address assignment / PSU drops off network in 01.14 (and earlier?)Rare issue reported by a couple of users. jc101
reports that occasionally PSU will drop off the network. Similar experience reported by ornea
here, with summary by eelliott
here. Issue was reported and acknowledged by Rigol
according to rgarito, Furthermore
beta firmware 01.16 fixes the problem. For unknown reason the firmware 01.16 is not yet officially released. Contact Rigol or download from link above.
Known Hardware Issues
1. LM317 voltage regulator overheating and causing shutdown
Rigol have "resolved" this issue with a v02.10 board revision as shown in
these photos by Dave. Apparently this revised board is shipping in all new units manufactured from roughly Oct/Nov 2013. For units manufactured before that date, Rigol plans to
replace units with older boards for free.
>> DIY: A number of users have posted custom fixes, typically replacing the LM317 for an alternate regulator. Refer to
this post by ted572 for a professional looking and inexpensive solution ($1.44), which would probably save time as well.
2. Output voltage spikes when unit is turned on
Currently not believed to be resolved by any firmware update or hardware changes. To be safe, best practice is probably not to have anything connected to the power supply when you turn it on.
3. Current sense between channels 2 and 3
Issue documented
here. Rigol investigated and responded with the attachment "DP832 Recommended Connections.pdf". In brief, Rigol recommend a heavy-duty low-resistance wire between the GND terminals of channel 2 and 3 to reduce the measurement error.
4. Banana plugs won't fit positive terminals
There are some reports (see
here and
here) that standard 4mm diameter banana plugs do not fit the positive terminals of some units. Many people have no problem with many different brand banana plugs so this seems to be an issue of tolerance and quality in manufacturing of those components that affect some units. McBryce reports on "drilling out" the posts to allow plugs to fit in
this post.
5. AC coupling between Earth and output terminal(s)
lunxg reports
here (YouTube video linked by Owen
here) of ~30 VAC coupling between Earth and the output terminals when the outputs are turned off. Many users have confirmed the finding. While the issue exists it is not isolated to Rigol DP800 series power supplies and most users have not reported ill effects. Our resident expert Dave
chimes in with his view.
6. Random reboots
Rare issue reported by a couple of users: random rebooting of the power supply. See
here and
here. A summary is compiled by eelliott
here. Currently reason for reboot is not identified.
Important Notes
1. If a firmware update includes a new bootloader, most likely it will prevent downgrading to a previous firmware released based on an earlier bootloader. For example, it is
not possible to downgrade from 01.09 to 01.06. See
here. Also, it was reported
here that it is
not possible to downgrade from 01.11 to 01.10 (which use the
same bootloader).
Firmware Version InformationTo get the full firmware version information press
Utility, Sys Info, M1, M3, M2 Note: The soft buttons under the LCD are: M1 (left) to M5 (right).
Firmware Updates and Install InstructionsOfficial firmware releases: It is recommended to obtain firmware releases directly
from Rigol.
Installation instructions: See attached PDF files ("DP800 Firmware Upgrade.pdf" or "DP832 Firmware Upgrade 00.01.13.pdf" for recent firmware releases). While installation instructions have changed slightly over time (e.g. with reference to specific bootloader or firmware versions) the fundamental procedure has remained the same.
CalibrationVoltage and Current can be (re)calibrated if necessary. See attached PDF file "DP800 Calibration Guide.pdf". However, there have been reports of calibration failing, possibly because of difficulty with SCPI commands (at least in 01.08); refer to issue 2 of "Known Firmware Bugs". Furthermore, firmware 01.11 introduced a bug in calibration as described
here and subsequent posts.
Update 1: TooOldForThis posted a Calibration Guide allowing manual calibration with SCPI commands that can be used successfully (and especially to recover from a previously failed calibration). Furthermore,
ted572 posted a Calibration Procedure as a summary of the steps described in TooOldForThis's guide.
Update 2: It has
been reported manual calibration is fixed in firmware 01.13.
DP832 Calibration Script (MATLAB): LaurentR has
contributed a MATLAB script based on the SCPI commands and calibration process documented by
TooOldForThis and
ted572. The script automates calibration of the DP832 using an Agilent 34461A 6.5 digit DMM.
DP832 Calibration Script (Python): bson has
ported the DP832 calibration script of LaurentR (mentioned above) to Python. This is great for those who don't have MATLAB.
Other DocumentsSeries and Parallel connections: Rigol outline correct connections between terminals for series (higher voltage) or parallel (higher current) operation. See attached PDF "DP800 Outputs in Series and Parallel.pdf".
Performance Verification: Instructions for performing tests to verify the operating performance of DP800 series power supplies is given in the "DP800 Performance Verification Guide.pdf" which can be found in
this post.
Rigol SoftwareRigol's Ultra Sigma Windows PC software (providing SCPI utility) can be
downloaded at no cost from Rigol.
If anyone discovers additional bugs, or has corrections to the summary above, please post in the thread and I'll try to keep this post updated.Big thanks to
ted572,
Michael,
TooOldForThis,
LaurentR and
bson for helpful contributions! Most appreciated!