Recommendations - Yokogawa 2553A or Similar?

[Matt Coates]

Hi all,

I'm looking for reccomendations for a DC voltage source to use for testing sensor conditioning circuits that I have designed. The primary use case will be calibrating offset and linearity in our designs by measuring input vs output voltages (as measured by the ADC), and also correcting any offset in the MCUs voltage reference.

The Yokogawa 2553A looks like a good unit, although I haven't been able to find any similar products from other manufacturers. Has any body had experience with this unit or somthing similar?

https://tmi.yokogawa.com/eu/solutions/products/generators-sources/standard/precision-dc-calibrator-2553a/

Alternatively are there any other cheaper methodologies for achieving the same results? Ideally that none that involve any DIY reference circuits.

Thanks,
Matt

[alm]

Can you be more specific what you need? What ranges, what kind of accuracy / stability / noise / linearity, control interface, speed, new/used, budget, etc.

So I'm guessing you are talking about newly available equipment? As a hobbyist, I would consider some of the lower-end DC calibrators that might be available used for a few hundred US$ like the various EDC/Krohn-Hite calibrators, Analogic/Data Precision 8200, Valhalla 2701A/B/C/2707 and Keithley 230. Many of them have (optional) remote control via GPIB. Maybe a precision power supply like the HP/Agilent 6625A/6626A/6628A/6629A, would work? If you're lucky, you can find these for almost the cost of shipping. I think I paid US$ 20 (+ much more in shipping) for one.

Of the devices that are available new, the alternative that I can think of is the IET VI-700. There is a GPIB option. It performs fine, but is quite clunky to use. It has a GPIB option, but the GPIB control is limited to the current range, it can't switch ranges via GPIB. If you have to pay IET prices, price/performance probably sucks.

Could you use a less accurate (but stable) source with a DMM connected that continuously monitors the voltage work?

[TimFox]

IET lists the VI-700 as "discontinued", and there are no other voltage sources on their website.

[alm]

Ah, I see, though they do a very bad job showing that, still allowing you to request a quote.

[threephase]

Time Electronics do a number of DC Voltage Calibration Units, one of which may meet your needs.

https://www.timeelectronics.com/products-by-function/voltage/

You will need to scroll down the screen to get to the DC Voltage Calibrators. I have used a number of their products over the years and they have always been reliable.

You could also take a look at the Meatest M160 DC Calibrator.

https://www.meatest.com/products-m160-precision-dc-calibrator-detail-3918?tabs=specifications