Siglent Bench DMMs SDM3065X, SDM3055 and SDM3045X

[KungFuJosh]

I don't know how you're calculating the counts, but the SDM3055 I had was certainly a true 5.5 digit meter. But it was my least favorite of my bench DMMs, so I sold it. Right now I have the SDM3045X upgraded to the SDM3055X-E, and that's great (5.5 digits, and no fan). But my favorite is my SDM3065X. There's no comparison for me. I'll eventually have a second SDM3065X.

Probe Master probes make most other brands look like junk. I don't even unpackage the probes that come with devices. 🤷

[klausES]

Well, what do you expect when putting the tips on each other ?
Or did I misunderstood it ?
Without an appeal pressure, greasy fingers on a metal surface would enable a variance of almost zero to almost infinite.

[klausES]

...I don't even unpackage the probes that come with devices. 🤷

This is a mistake. 
Better unpack. I have to search for a very long time to find others who were little or no better.
For a measuring line that is included in a device, those of Siglent are really first class.
I actually prefer to use them today than the expensive bought ones who are all hanging around here.

[KungFuJosh]

...I don't even unpackage the probes that come with devices. 🤷

This is a mistake. 
Better unpack. I have to search for a very long time to find others who were little or no better.
For a measuring line that is included in a device, those of Siglent are really first class.
I actually prefer to use them today than the expensive bought ones who are all hanging around here.

I use Probe Master probes. They're reasonably priced, and excellent. It's not a mistake; I don't waste my time when I already have something better. 😉

[valcher]

Hi all!
About a month ago I purchased an SDM3065X (AKIP-2102/2), and now its mileage has reached 500 hours.
I'm a little worried about the lack of zero at the closed inputs, only REG saves me. Everything else is within the stated error.
Please look at the cold start of the multimeter with shorted inputs, reassure me or ....

[inzekt]

I don't know how you're calculating the counts, but the SDM3055 I had was certainly a true 5.5 digit meter. But it was my least favorite of my bench DMMs, so I sold it. Right now I have the SDM3045X upgraded to the SDM3055X-E, and that's great (5.5 digits, and no fan). But my favorite is my SDM3065X. There's no comparison for me. I'll eventually have a second SDM3065X.

Probe Master probes make most other brands look like junk. I don't even unpackage the probes that come with devices. 🤷

Being a true 5.5 digit multimeter can be totally different for every DMM. The 3055 is clearly a true 5.5 digit one, but calculating the counts what does not match. With a 240 000 count meter, the range switch should be at 2.39999 Volts, 23.9999 Volts, etc, that's why it is 240 000. This multimeter advertised like that. Instead it switches ranges at 2.19999V, 21.9999V, etc..

[inzekt]

Well, what do you expect when putting the tips on each other ?
Or did I misunderstood it ?
Without an appeal pressure, greasy fingers on a metal surface would enable a variance of almost zero to almost infinite.

I have like 20 pair of testleads, mostly Probemasters, a bunch of Brymen and a few Fluke TL175 and TL71s. If I put them together, holding the leads by their strain release, every one of them beeps at continuity quite steadily. (maybe exept 1-2 chinese no-name, or Uni-T ones don't) I would just expect this Siglent ones to be better, as if feels quite solid in hand, that's all. Unfortunately my only straight jack Probemaster leads are 90cm/3ft ones, so it is not long enough for bench usage, my longer ones are all angled, so have to order new ones for this.

Of course I cleaned with IPA beforehand, so there were no greasy fingers involved

[tautech]

I just recently bought an SDM3055, but it still stuns me, that even if it is a brand new unit, latest firmware, etc, the meter is only 220 000 counts. Even the official data spec sheet cover shows a unit with 2.39999 DCV on it and clearly states that it is a 240 000 counts meter. I thought that older units were 220000 or something, but it is for sure has been resolved and they would not lie to the customers. Am I doing something wrong or misunderstand something?

Range changing value might be confusing you. 

If I get a chance with one with the latest FW, just a month old, I'll check where the 2V range switches.

[KungFuJosh]

Being a true 5.5 digit multimeter can be totally different for every DMM. The 3055 is clearly a true 5.5 digit one, but calculating the counts what does not match. With a 240 000 count meter, the range switch should be at 2.39999 Volts, 23.9999 Volts, etc, that's why it is 240 000. This multimeter advertised like that. Instead it switches ranges at 2.19999V, 21.9999V, etc..

Thanks, I see what you're saying now. If you search this thread for 240,000 - you'll see other people mention this as well. It doesn't look like the count discrepancy was ever really resolved, or maybe I was too lazy to look deeper.

The 3055X-E behaves the same way, changing above 2.199.

Range changing value might be confusing you. 

Are people misunderstanding how the counts effect range changing value? I don't know the specifics of that at all, so I'm curious.

[inzekt]

Looking at the datasheet it is confusing, all right. It clearly states something what is not. But I'm actually looking the manual and it does not say anything about the counts. Not even the specification part. Even the cover photo has been changed to 2.19999V

So the manual is kind of following the 220000 count way, which is ok. But they advertising differently and it is confusing.

A bit more confusing is when I switch to AC Volts, and put it in Dual display with Frequency, it shows an extra digit and even way beyond the 240 000

[InvisibleMan]

The manual implies (in bad English) that there is a 20% over-range tolerance on all ranges. So, for say 2V range this would imply a value of 2.40000 before 'Overload' is displayed:

[inzekt]

The manual implies (in bad English) that there is a 20% over-range tolerance on all ranges. So, for say 2V range this would imply a value of 2.40000 before 'Overload' is displayed:

Thanks, good catch. So it does indicates 240 000 counts. But it still does not do it. Strange. The SDM3065X user manual states 10% for the 6.5 digits, what is true, as they are selling it as a 2 200 000 count unit.

I did ask this from the Siglent EU support, waiting for them to answer.

[skander36]

Hi all!
About a month ago I purchased an SDM3065X (AKIP-2102/2), and now its mileage has reached 500 hours.
I'm a little worried about the lack of zero at the closed inputs, only REG saves me. Everything else is within the stated error.
Please look at the cold start of the multimeter with shorted inputs, reassure me or ....

I don't have time to test for an hour, but indeed it should be zero.

[tautech]

The manual implies (in bad English) that there is a 20% over-range tolerance on all ranges. So, for say 2V range this would imply a value of 2.40000 before 'Overload' is displayed:

That might be up for debate. If it's 20% over ranges, not counts: for the range of 2V, then 20% above is 2.2V.

Not when I went to school. 
2.0/5 = 0.4

[inzekt]

The manual implies (in bad English) that there is a 20% over-range tolerance on all ranges. So, for say 2V range this would imply a value of 2.40000 before 'Overload' is displayed:

That might be up for debate. If it's 20% over ranges, not counts: for the range of 2V, then 20% above is 2.2V.

If 2V is the range the 120% of it is: 2V x 1.2 = 2.4V

[KungFuJosh]

My brain wasn't functioning oops. 🤣

Okay then, what gives? Where's the 2.4V?

[InvisibleMan]

And the weird thing is that 'Dual' mode is a bit buggy still and you can persuade it to show you extra digits (I think the first time you use it in a session). So, for example, here it is giving me slightly more than 2.4V in the 2V range:

[Mortymore]

And the weird thing is that 'Dual' mode is a bit buggy still and you can persuade it to show you extra digits (I think the first time you use it in a session). So, for example, here it is giving me slightly more than 2.4V in the 2V range:

And up to 999,999 counts

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-new-bench-dmm-sdm3055/msg4618153/#msg4618153

[KungFuJosh]

That's interesting. My SDM3055X-E doesn't do that, I think it really is 220,000 counts. In dual mode, if I even go above 2.2 it switches the range...or at least they convinced it better that it's 220,000.

[Mortymore]

Just tested now and...

With the latest firmware my SDM3055 in dual mode seems to be behaving like a 220,000 count meter now, where once it was like a 999,999 count meter.

[klausES]

...
I have like 20 pair of testleads, mostly Probemasters, a bunch of Brymen and a few Fluke TL175 and TL71s. If I put them together, holding the leads by their strain release, every one of them beeps at continuity quite steadily. ...
...Of course I cleaned with IPA beforehand, so there were no greasy fingers involved

If now, of all things, a mistake did not happen for your probes, a poor transition, for example, for the cable for the cable during production
can I only imagine that a very thin layer, possibly from plastic steams, is either from the production or packaging on the surface ?

Maybe the surface should be made more than just with a cleaner. Really metallic blank.

Of course, you could now say that the cable is not worth a word, but the details are always important and probes are an important detail when measuring.
I only write this in detail because my probes are flawless. If that were as with you, it would notice me uncomfortably every day.

[inzekt]

I just used acetone and a slightly abrasive sponge to clean it. Improved a lot. Of course still twice the resistance than the ProbeMasters, but it is now on par with the Fluke ones at least with around 0.06Ohm, which is not surprising as neither of them are gold plated.

I'm satisfied with them now, thanks for making me not letting them go

[inzekt]

I just got a response from the Siglent EU support:

"thank you for the information.
In the meantime, we found out that we forgot to adapt the documents to the function.
The complete SDM3 series is working actually with 10% overload.
Sorry, for the mistake in the documentation.
My colleagues in the head quarter will change that as soon as possible.
For the moment there is no way to get the 20% overload with your device.
Sorry, again."

So I think, that's it, case closed bummer. I don't really understand what has to be adapted, as it never did 240 000 counts, so the documentation has been wrong for like 8 years, but whatever.

[TheDefpom]

I don't know how you're calculating the counts, but the SDM3055 I had was certainly a true 5.5 digit meter. But it was my least favorite of my bench DMMs, so I sold it. Right now I have the SDM3045X upgraded to the SDM3055X-E, and that's great (5.5 digits, and no fan). But my favorite is my SDM3065X. There's no comparison for me. I'll eventually have a second SDM3065X.

Probe Master probes make most other brands look like junk. I don't even unpackage the probes that come with devices. 🤷

Being a true 5.5 digit multimeter can be totally different for every DMM. The 3055 is clearly a true 5.5 digit one, but calculating the counts what does not match. With a 240 000 count meter, the range switch should be at 2.39999 Volts, 23.9999 Volts, etc, that's why it is 240 000. This multimeter advertised like that. Instead it switches ranges at 2.19999V, 21.9999V, etc..

24 count is used on the 3065, the 3055 is 22

UPDATE, I take that back, my 3065X is 22 as well, I am sure it used to go to 24... oh well, don't care.

[PushUp]

Never had a Siglent SDM 3055, sold my Rigol 3068, kept my R&S 8012-G, which is 5¾-digit with 480.000 counts, but I found this footage in my YouTube-Collection by mjlorton:

Siglent SDM3055 5.5 Digit Bench Multimeter Review - Pt1 (1080p_30fps_H264-128kbit_AAC)




The time stamp of my snapshot is at the bottom: 21.03 min. from 29.50 min.

This is obviously a very old FW, so that I don't know, whether this post is still useful for anyone to prove whatever...but who knows... 





Cheers!