East Tester ET3502 LCR-Bridge

[Martin72]

Now they want to send me a video tomorrow on how to do it.

Well...
2 videos even, but they are so compressed that you can hardly recognize what is happening on the screen.
But one thing I have to say explicitly is that East Tester makes a real effort to help, almost tirelessly.
However, the language barrier is a big factor, so we haven't found a solution yet and will continue tomorrow.
What I took away from today is that a different port address was entered in the video.
I only have the ominous port 6666 free.
I had found a program with which I could connect to the ET3502 via this port.
But if you send a command (in hex...), you get a quasi endless response until the device freezes.
Something is not quite right.
Perhaps this will be resolved tomorrow, then I can finally start with the actual testing.

[KungFuJosh]

It's possible your port sniffer missed the correct port for a number of reasons. If the port was blocked for any reason, including the LCR not being setup correctly for remote communication for example.

[Martin72]

We will hopefully see "tomorrow".
However, it is also a waste of time since it has become clear that the LAN connection is not the connection to a web server and therefore nothing can be done with it that could not also be done via the Usb or RS232 port.
But somehow I want it to work, so I'll stay on the ball and when this is clarified, I'll continue with the testing.

[Martin72]

The boys are killing me....
At first they thought I was too stupid for the LAN connection and kindly advised me to use USB or RS232 instead.
Then I sent them another video where you can see that there is an endless "response" from port 6666.
And then I made the mistake and sent a screenshot of the test controller program, where you can see that SCPI communication is possible, but everything that has to do with LAN, all status requests, are answered with "null".
What was the answer?
Whether I would have tried RS232 instead of USB....
OK.....I'll do them a favor and send them a screenshot of where I used the RS232.
And this time I have labeled the lines in good/fail.
Let's see what the answer is..

[ZhuraYuk]

Such emptiness inside, definitely not worth 450USD they were asking for it during summer sale.

[Martin72]

They can put in a few more stones for you to make it look like "more".

[thm_w]

You don't put the [SELF] part in brackets.
Brackets just means its optional, so a similar command would be:
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SELF:AUToip:STATe

https://rfmw.em.keysight.com/spdhelpfiles/33500/webhelp/us/content/__I_SCPI/00%20scpi_introduction.htm

[w.v.s.]

And you need to type less if you just leave out the non-capital letters.

[Martin72]

I just copied it directly from the manual and paste it in the commandline....
I will try it again, thanks guys!

[Martin72]

No changes...

[Martin72]

Not really, see pic.
And you know what?
It didn't matter to me, after I posted this screenshot ET, they came back asking me to test USB/RS232 - We get into an endless loop....
They are trying very hard, but I have the feeling that the person who is looking after me has no idea about the whole thing.
I'm going to ignore the LAN thing and concentrate on the device itself and post results.
I think I'll get back to it later tomorrow evening.

[Martin72]

Ready...
Comparison measurement of five different meters with the LCR values of the DMMCheck Plus.
I will complete the table tomorrow.
There were no surprises, only the realization that the Kelvin cables are not the best, not to mention the clips.

[Martin72]

So, the results.
I will also share them in the ET44/4510 thread and of course in the ST42 thread.
I left the test frequency at 10kHz as the reference was measured at that frequency.
And I repeated the R measurement because all devices except the ET3502 can do DCR measurements.
Overall a good picture, every measuring device can be used...
However, I went crazy when measuring the smallest L value with the leads of the East-Tester devices.
It is definitely worth buying better leads for these LCRs, they deserve it.
What follows here are other measurements on larger components, the presentation of the individual menus of the ET3502.
And later, say in 2 weeks, the presentation of the ET3503...

[mawyatt]

However, I went crazy when measuring the smallest L value with the leads of the East-Tester devices.
It is definitely worth buying better leads for these LCRs, they deserve it.

Get some Tonghui TH26011CS Kelvin Clip leads, they are much better

Also, for measuring small Z components at higher frequencies (like small L) consider using either an SMD fixture, or Leaded DUT fixture like Tonghui TH26048A and B&K TL89F1.

With a proper test fixture and/or quality Kelvin Clips measurement uncertainty should be reduced, enhancing repeatability

Best,

[Martin72]

TongHui....Sourcetronic.
I then had a look at their website:

https://www.sourcetronic.com/shop/en/lcr-meters/accessories/?p=1

Three (!) pages of accessories...
I think I'll probably spend some money.
For the ET35xx range it would definitely be worth it, for the smaller ET44/45xx possibly too, but I'm out of the game there.
I will only keep the ET35xx, because even if it has one or two "pitfalls" due to the cost, it is basically very accurate in the things I have tested so far and therefore gets better test leads/adapters from the proceeds of the smaller devices.

[mawyatt]

All these fixtures/cables/clips appear to be Tonghui rebrands, our comments refer to the Tonghui specifications.

The ST26011B is specified out to 5MHz, worth the extra $ considering.

The ST29009B Tweezers are good to 15MHz, we have these too (the tweezer end of the ST26029B appear to be the very poor tweezer types, best to avoid). Rarely use the Tweezers for SMD devices tho, the SMD mounts like the ST29008A (clones) are what we find more useful.

The ST2048 leaded fixture is also very good, don't forget the shorting bar ST26010.

Many of the quality fixtures/cables came with our TH2830 like the TH26011C, TH2048A and TH26010 as standard, making the TH2830 LCR meter a good value IMHO.

Anyway, SourceTronics looks like a good Tonghui resource for you folks across the pond

Best,

[KungFuJosh]

Anyway, SourceTronics looks like a good Tonghui resource for you folks across the pond

Sourcetronic also has excellent customer service, something I would never accuse TongHui of. 😉

[Martin72]

What follows here are other measurements on larger components, the presentation of the individual menus of the ET3502.

I'm still a bit busy with the camera settings, you're not used to taking screenshots with a camera anymore...

And later, say in 2 weeks, the presentation of the ET3503...

I actually did that, I bought another ET3503, of course it costs more than a 3502, but as a 300kHz model it would be much cheaper than anything else on the market.
Why did I do that?
Well, after an endless number of correspondences between me and East Tester, they must have realized that the LAN interface on my device was actually defective - or they gave up and thought I was an idiot who could only be stopped by agreeing with him.
They then offered a small discount because a) I still had the RS232 and USB interfaces that worked and b) they didn't want to take the device back because the loss would probably be too great.
a) is definitely true, because the LAN interface has nothing that the other two don't have.
However, I'm a “monk” when it comes to such things, I don't like them.
So I wanted to buy another device and thought, wait a minute, if I'm going to do this, then at least one frequency higher.
The 500kHz and even more so the 1Mhz version fell flat, they would be super cheap compared to other manufacturers with the same frequencies, but too expensive for testing.
But it had to be a different, higher frequency - you can imagine why...
So the ET3503.
Costs over €200 more but it was worth it to me.
I will then offer the ET3502 very cheaply, so to speak with the discount.
But only when I have compared the two.

[Dwaine]

Hi...
My new toy arrived today, a ET3502.
The prices were so good in June that I thought OK, it's worth a try.
This bridge is available with measuring frequencies from 100kHz to 1Mhz, I bought the 200kHz version, of course in the silent hope that something could be done about it.
But even if not, at the moment the parts are so cheap that I would have no problem buying the 3510, if it's any good.
And we'll find out in this thread.
It arrived in just under 14 days, which is fast.
I also had to pay less import fees than I thought, which is a bit annoying because I could have bought the 300khz version straight away.
Here are pictures after arrival, more will follow when I have had a closer look.
There was also a small CD in the box, but broken in half - I have made an inquiry to ET...

I have the original CD if you need it.   It has the huge manual for the unit.
Here is the manual:
https://www.easttester-cn.com/uploads/ET35-SERIES-BENCHTOP-HIGH-FREQUENCY-LCRMETER-LCR-BRIDGE-USER-MANUAL.pdf

Can you provide the details around the firmware update?    When I asked them about two years ago they did not have one.   Attached screen of the version numbers.

Also, another trap that you might see. The device does not boot when there is DHCP set to "ON" and no network cable plugged into the device.   You have to have the network cable plugged in.

[Dwaine]

We will hopefully see "tomorrow".
However, it is also a waste of time since it has become clear that the LAN connection is not the connection to a web server and therefore nothing can be done with it that could not also be done via the Usb or RS232 port.
But somehow I want it to work, so I'll stay on the ball and when this is clarified, I'll continue with the testing.

You are correct.   There is no webserver installed on the device.  No web interface.

Dwaine

[Martin72]

Hi,

Attached screen of the version numbers.

How did you manage that, is there a screenshot function?

[watchmaker]

So, the results.
I will also share them in the ET44/4510 thread and of course in the ST42 thread.
I left the test frequency at 10kHz as the reference was measured at that frequency.
And I repeated the R measurement because all devices except the ET3502 can do DCR measurements.
Overall a good picture, every measuring device can be used...
However, I went crazy when measuring the smallest L value with the leads of the East-Tester devices.
It is definitely worth buying better leads for these LCRs, they deserve it.
What follows here are other measurements on larger components, the presentation of the individual menus of the ET3502.
And later, say in 2 weeks, the presentation of the ET3503...

As a naive amateur, the lesson I take home is that unless/until one is working in RF, the Shannon Tweezers cannot be beat.

I do understand that capacitance changes drastically depending upon the circuit in which it is used, by 80%?  So I get the need for a modern bridge for advanced work. But for those of us starting the hike, the ST 42 is looking to be the way to go.

I am going through Dave's Capacitor playlist, and I am learning choosing capacitors is not as "easy" as it was 60 years ago. Fascinating.

[Martin72]

Hi,

As a naive amateur, the lesson I take home is that unless/until one is working in RF, the Shannon Tweezers cannot be beat.

You can see it that way, although of course it has a few limitations compared to LCR bridges.
But for ‘normal’ use, nobody needs to set up a benchtop meter, the tweezers are easily sufficient, no question.
And in case you need to measure larger components, see here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/shannon-st42-lcr-tweezer-test-and-comparison-thread/msg5579359/#msg5579359

[mawyatt]

As a naive amateur, the lesson I take home is that unless/until one is working in RF, the Shannon Tweezers cannot be beat.

I do understand that capacitance changes drastically depending upon the circuit in which it is used, by 80%?  So I get the need for a modern bridge for advanced work. But for those of us starting the hike, the ST 42 is looking to be the way to go.

I am going through Dave's Capacitor playlist, and I am learning choosing capacitors is not as "easy" as it was 60 years ago. Fascinating.

With all due respect for the Shannon Tweezers if one studies the specs and features this generally favors the handheld LCR meters unless one is constantly dealing with SMD and SMD already on PCB (Repair Shop), the Handheld LCR meters such as the DER-5000 are the more useful GP Instrument (larger display helps). Also, one can always use available tweezers cables so SMD devices aren't off limits for handhelds.

Of course in a proper lab one should have both

Then the Lab Grade Bench LCR Meters like the ET comes into play and the deep dive begins, don't ask how we know

WRT Capacitors, they are the most variable electronic component of all (outside semiconductors), with so many variations it's hard to keep up. Even within a given capacitor type like Ceramic, you have all the dielectrics materials and parameters to deal with, and all the physical variations, then the Plastic Film types and Electrolytics, Aluminum/Tantalum, Polymers and on and on.

It's almost like one needs a PhD in capacitors to just understand them!!

Best,

[KungFuJosh]

With all due respect for the Shannon Tweezers if one studies the specs and features this generally favors the handheld LCR meters unless one is constantly dealing with SMD and SMD already on PCB (Repair Shop), the Handheld LCR meters such as the DER-5000 are the more useful GP Instrument (larger display helps). Also, one can always use available tweezers cables so SMD devices aren't off limits for handhelds.

I hated the tweezers that came with the DE5000, so I killed them and used the connector to make kelvin clips instead.

I 100% agree that people should have both smart tweezers and an alternate LCR meter.