kiriakos-gr
Member
Kiriakos Triantafillou – Greece July 18, 2011
Agilent U1272A review – By the eye of the Industrial electrician.
It was a true surprise the email that I received from the Agilent HH marketing organization before 45 days or so, in was an invitation about to use - test and evaluate an Agilent HH DMM.
I am a Greek industrial electrician, forty-two years old, and I do both electrical and electronic projects, currently I own one wide range of tools, capable for a wide range of measurements.
How Agilent found me?
I am sharing my experiences about multimeters and measurements with my friends in the EEV Blog forum for about fifteen months now, I am helping them, and they helping me too, about the understanding of electronics and technical terms.
Up to a point I feel very lucky because in this community I found well educated technicians with lots of experience in the field, and one of our favorite subject of conversation are the hand held multimeters.
I thought as interesting the idea about writing small tutorials with subjects like: Multimeter accuracy / reference sources / restoration of old bench type multimeters/ AC-DC clamp probe functionality/ HV 40KV probe operation/ Test leads and test lead accessories.
The main idea or concept was to present pictures of measurements by the use of professional tools to the young ones, just as one piece of information.
The most recent multimeter from the seven that I own, are the Fluke 28II,
I got so excited with it and probably I did make more buzz about it than the usual, and so I got detected.
And so I did accepted the challenge, as I do love comparisons, that’s how I had select so far all the tools that I own, made from major manufacturers from all over the world.
By getting the demonstration unit, the first impression was positive.
The unit is large, feels good in your hand, large LCD display easily viewable from a distance.
No problems by viewing it on bright daylight or in low light conditions.
The back light is very effective, and transforms the multimeter in to an object of desire. (I love that Orange tint)
Some older in age electricians they will found the secondary display line as hard to see, but with the back light on, the contrast gets higher and even those smaller digits becomes visible.
The range switch is smooth enough, but I did find a small annoyance on it.
The internal perimeter of the knob it is curved in a way that my large fingers they have to grab it and hold it exactly from the center of it.
I would prefer to was not curved = more space for the fingers.
The battery compartment contains four AAA batteries, and the battery cover has on it some tiny cross type screws.
The small screw heads can cause some annoyance, if you do not carry with you such small screwdrivers.
I would prefer non cross type screws in there, or even better, screws with large plastic heads, which you can turn them with just your bare fingers.
The selection of the AAA batteries, for such an instrument with Data logging capability leads me think, that this unit was made for people who will occasionally use this function.
The supplied test leads are well made.
The cables haves this new modular design that you can hook on them test probes of any diameter, or large Alligator Clips, or even cable extensions.
On the 2mm Test probes you can add one range of smaller accessories for example Alligator Clips / SMT Grabbers / fine tips, they are Anti-slip with nice finger guards, in the bag there is two sets of probes, fully isolated for electrical work and standard 2mm for automotive – electronics etc.
Among the standard accessories there is also and one K type thermocouple.
Extra accessories: (That it I would recommend to get.)
The soft carrying case part code U1174A.
Fine Tip Test Probes part code U1164A. (Automotive work or electronics)
And the IR-USB cable for PC connectivity, part code U1173A
Agilent offers one wide variety of temperature probes, among them the surface temperature probe U1182A that it looks to target industrial applications, I am positive in the idea about having the chance to test it too, in to a later time.
Part – 2
U1272A – Evaluating the additional features
By reading the 161 pages of the User’s Guide,
I realized that this unit it’s not just a shiny DMM for generic use.
The U1272A was designed so to serve in a wide range of measurements.
But in this review I will focus on the ones who work best for electricians.
At the page 83 (User’s Guide) they are the additional features.
Making Relative Measurements (Null)
Making Scale Transfers (Scale)
Capturing Maximum and Minimum Values (MaxMin)
Capturing Peak Values (Peak)
Freezing the Display (Trig Hold and Auto Hold)
Recording Measurement Data (Data Logging)
Performing manual logs (HAnd)
Performing interval logs (AUto)
Performing event logs (triG)
Reviewing Previously Recorded Data (View)
I did explore them all, and I found the one that I do favour the most, and this is the Scale Transfers (Scale).
It does a Scale conversion of the output in mV of one Hall type (AC/DC) clamp probe, in to Amperes.
I own one such (AC/DC) probe, with dual ranges for 40A or 400A.
0.4 – 400A = 1mV/A
0.1 – 40A = 10mV/A
The 10mV/A output it is very confusing to watch and converting it by naked eye … you are always close to mistakably evaluate the reading.
The U1272A converts the scale by it self, and in the screen I get an easy to read scale of amperes, in the rich 30.000 counts resolution.
I like to publicly thank the designer’s team of the HH department at Agilent technologies, their simple in concept idea it does help about accelerating measurement tasks.
With the U1272A I can remain focused on my work, no more confusing digits on the display of my DMM, and this translates to more speed and effectiveness.
The next interesting feature is the Data logging (Auto) it was a missing feature from my current set of tools.
As soon I learned how it works (with a small learning curve) I feel much better now, with it I can expand the methods that I was using so far about troubleshooting, finally I am able to monitor anything with out the need to be physically present.
With the (Auto) Data logging, the stored entries could be from 1 to 10.000, and so definably you will need one computer as aid about reviewing it.
If you do data logging with the DMM connected on the computer, the Agilent software (Data logger GUI) offers time and date stamps, and your life gets allot easier with it.
If you do data logging (Auto) with just the DMM, by keeping few notes in a paper like the starting time, you can detect the time that its event had occur, by few simple calculations with the help of a pocket calculator.
The manual logging (Hand) it is very easy to do and review the stored logs.
100 entries (Hand log) sound more than enough.
Any of the additional features, it is an extra tool for the right task.
Personally, I found most of those features as useful, probably because I do both electrical and electronics maintains and troubleshooting.
Part – 3
U1272A – Exploring the basic features
Z-Low: low impedance modes to eliminate stray voltages.
By reading the Agilent Data sheet about this feature, commonly known as detect ghost voltages.
My mind traveled back to the elder experienced electrician’s who was teaching us small useful secrets of how to detect ghost voltages and many more tricks, with the use of simple practical methods.
The Z-Low on the 1272A it is a much modernized approach and it is combined with voltage measurement, I like it.
Smart Ohm: It is smart I can verify it too.
Smart Ohm is a mixed mode, resistor measurement and testing continuity.
Continuity test mode:
The U1272A comes with a laud beeper and activates the illumination of the back light display simultaneously.
In the advanced menu settings, you can adjust the beeper volume under your personal taste, plus you can disable the backlight activation (A-bLit) menu option.
Continuity test mode Part 2:
Did you ever have to verify the condition of one stopper switch?
Those little stopper switches they can be wired to trigger the control circuitry with open or close contacts, with the U1272A there is no worries, by pressing the Dual/Exit button, the DMM adjusts it self according to your needs.
And so you get both warnings for open or close contacts.
Part – 4
U1272A – Combining the power of basic & advanced features
By combining The Smart Ohm + Auto Hold + Trigger log
You can transform the U1272A in to a counter that can measure how many times one stopper switch got activated. (Open or close contacts)
The U1272A stores the logs with an accenting order, and what I managed to do was to trigger with the continuity mode the trigger log.
By this trick I managed to succeed one combination of triggering and instant logging.
Every new logged entry gets the next available number in an accenting order, by inspecting the last recorded one we know the sum of the events.
Example E00106 = 106 times got triggered.
The Triggering interval time it can no be less than one second per event, but there is no limit about larger intervals.
Who would ever expect that the U1272A it can act as one industrial counter?
That’s amazing.
Agilent U1272A review – By the eye of the Industrial electrician.
It was a true surprise the email that I received from the Agilent HH marketing organization before 45 days or so, in was an invitation about to use - test and evaluate an Agilent HH DMM.
I am a Greek industrial electrician, forty-two years old, and I do both electrical and electronic projects, currently I own one wide range of tools, capable for a wide range of measurements.
How Agilent found me?
I am sharing my experiences about multimeters and measurements with my friends in the EEV Blog forum for about fifteen months now, I am helping them, and they helping me too, about the understanding of electronics and technical terms.
Up to a point I feel very lucky because in this community I found well educated technicians with lots of experience in the field, and one of our favorite subject of conversation are the hand held multimeters.
I thought as interesting the idea about writing small tutorials with subjects like: Multimeter accuracy / reference sources / restoration of old bench type multimeters/ AC-DC clamp probe functionality/ HV 40KV probe operation/ Test leads and test lead accessories.
The main idea or concept was to present pictures of measurements by the use of professional tools to the young ones, just as one piece of information.
The most recent multimeter from the seven that I own, are the Fluke 28II,
I got so excited with it and probably I did make more buzz about it than the usual, and so I got detected.
And so I did accepted the challenge, as I do love comparisons, that’s how I had select so far all the tools that I own, made from major manufacturers from all over the world.
By getting the demonstration unit, the first impression was positive.
The unit is large, feels good in your hand, large LCD display easily viewable from a distance.
No problems by viewing it on bright daylight or in low light conditions.
The back light is very effective, and transforms the multimeter in to an object of desire. (I love that Orange tint)
Some older in age electricians they will found the secondary display line as hard to see, but with the back light on, the contrast gets higher and even those smaller digits becomes visible.
The range switch is smooth enough, but I did find a small annoyance on it.
The internal perimeter of the knob it is curved in a way that my large fingers they have to grab it and hold it exactly from the center of it.
I would prefer to was not curved = more space for the fingers.
The battery compartment contains four AAA batteries, and the battery cover has on it some tiny cross type screws.
The small screw heads can cause some annoyance, if you do not carry with you such small screwdrivers.
I would prefer non cross type screws in there, or even better, screws with large plastic heads, which you can turn them with just your bare fingers.
The selection of the AAA batteries, for such an instrument with Data logging capability leads me think, that this unit was made for people who will occasionally use this function.
The supplied test leads are well made.
The cables haves this new modular design that you can hook on them test probes of any diameter, or large Alligator Clips, or even cable extensions.
On the 2mm Test probes you can add one range of smaller accessories for example Alligator Clips / SMT Grabbers / fine tips, they are Anti-slip with nice finger guards, in the bag there is two sets of probes, fully isolated for electrical work and standard 2mm for automotive – electronics etc.
Among the standard accessories there is also and one K type thermocouple.
Extra accessories: (That it I would recommend to get.)
The soft carrying case part code U1174A.
Fine Tip Test Probes part code U1164A. (Automotive work or electronics)
And the IR-USB cable for PC connectivity, part code U1173A
Agilent offers one wide variety of temperature probes, among them the surface temperature probe U1182A that it looks to target industrial applications, I am positive in the idea about having the chance to test it too, in to a later time.
Part – 2
U1272A – Evaluating the additional features
By reading the 161 pages of the User’s Guide,
I realized that this unit it’s not just a shiny DMM for generic use.
The U1272A was designed so to serve in a wide range of measurements.
But in this review I will focus on the ones who work best for electricians.
At the page 83 (User’s Guide) they are the additional features.
Making Relative Measurements (Null)
Making Scale Transfers (Scale)
Capturing Maximum and Minimum Values (MaxMin)
Capturing Peak Values (Peak)
Freezing the Display (Trig Hold and Auto Hold)
Recording Measurement Data (Data Logging)
Performing manual logs (HAnd)
Performing interval logs (AUto)
Performing event logs (triG)
Reviewing Previously Recorded Data (View)
I did explore them all, and I found the one that I do favour the most, and this is the Scale Transfers (Scale).
It does a Scale conversion of the output in mV of one Hall type (AC/DC) clamp probe, in to Amperes.
I own one such (AC/DC) probe, with dual ranges for 40A or 400A.
0.4 – 400A = 1mV/A
0.1 – 40A = 10mV/A
The 10mV/A output it is very confusing to watch and converting it by naked eye … you are always close to mistakably evaluate the reading.
The U1272A converts the scale by it self, and in the screen I get an easy to read scale of amperes, in the rich 30.000 counts resolution.
I like to publicly thank the designer’s team of the HH department at Agilent technologies, their simple in concept idea it does help about accelerating measurement tasks.
With the U1272A I can remain focused on my work, no more confusing digits on the display of my DMM, and this translates to more speed and effectiveness.
The next interesting feature is the Data logging (Auto) it was a missing feature from my current set of tools.
As soon I learned how it works (with a small learning curve) I feel much better now, with it I can expand the methods that I was using so far about troubleshooting, finally I am able to monitor anything with out the need to be physically present.
With the (Auto) Data logging, the stored entries could be from 1 to 10.000, and so definably you will need one computer as aid about reviewing it.
If you do data logging with the DMM connected on the computer, the Agilent software (Data logger GUI) offers time and date stamps, and your life gets allot easier with it.
If you do data logging (Auto) with just the DMM, by keeping few notes in a paper like the starting time, you can detect the time that its event had occur, by few simple calculations with the help of a pocket calculator.
The manual logging (Hand) it is very easy to do and review the stored logs.
100 entries (Hand log) sound more than enough.
Any of the additional features, it is an extra tool for the right task.
Personally, I found most of those features as useful, probably because I do both electrical and electronics maintains and troubleshooting.
Part – 3
U1272A – Exploring the basic features
Z-Low: low impedance modes to eliminate stray voltages.
By reading the Agilent Data sheet about this feature, commonly known as detect ghost voltages.
My mind traveled back to the elder experienced electrician’s who was teaching us small useful secrets of how to detect ghost voltages and many more tricks, with the use of simple practical methods.
The Z-Low on the 1272A it is a much modernized approach and it is combined with voltage measurement, I like it.
Smart Ohm: It is smart I can verify it too.
Smart Ohm is a mixed mode, resistor measurement and testing continuity.
Continuity test mode:
The U1272A comes with a laud beeper and activates the illumination of the back light display simultaneously.
In the advanced menu settings, you can adjust the beeper volume under your personal taste, plus you can disable the backlight activation (A-bLit) menu option.
Continuity test mode Part 2:
Did you ever have to verify the condition of one stopper switch?
Those little stopper switches they can be wired to trigger the control circuitry with open or close contacts, with the U1272A there is no worries, by pressing the Dual/Exit button, the DMM adjusts it self according to your needs.
And so you get both warnings for open or close contacts.
Part – 4
U1272A – Combining the power of basic & advanced features
By combining The Smart Ohm + Auto Hold + Trigger log
You can transform the U1272A in to a counter that can measure how many times one stopper switch got activated. (Open or close contacts)
The U1272A stores the logs with an accenting order, and what I managed to do was to trigger with the continuity mode the trigger log.
By this trick I managed to succeed one combination of triggering and instant logging.
Every new logged entry gets the next available number in an accenting order, by inspecting the last recorded one we know the sum of the events.
Example E00106 = 106 times got triggered.
The Triggering interval time it can no be less than one second per event, but there is no limit about larger intervals.
Who would ever expect that the U1272A it can act as one industrial counter?
That’s amazing.
