We just got our new power meter in last week and it won't recognize the HP 478A thermistor mount. The error message is "Unbal Volt/Open Wire detected Chan 1. " We've selected the proper configuration, loaded the cal factors and set the resistance. The meter does recognize the Tegam and Weinschel thermistor mounts, which have connections for both channels. Has anybody seen this yet?
I just set ours up and had no problems. You may need to try another mount cable, or possibly warranty repair.
That's what I was afraid of. Thank you!!
In the 1830A, Channel 1 is the one used for the RF thermistors in all mounts, so if that unit will balance TEGAM/Weinschel mounts then Channel 1 is fine inside the unit. The cable or the 478A probably has an open wire. The wiring in the connector at the 478A end of the cable is worth checking, or returning the cable is an option.
We updated our Power Sensor Calibration Software (PS-CAL) to support the Tegam 1830A. There is no GPIB, so we had to update our software to support it via TCP\IP.
Over all I like the meter. I think calibration techs in general will like it.
Mike Schwartz
It's a great little replacement for a 432A in day to day measurements.
Would I use it to run my Tegam mounts to do power sensors on a daily basis? Not likely.
Call me old fashioned (and I am WAY too young to be THAT old fashioned) but I would prefer an 1806 any day of the week. I simply don't trust meters that "Do it all for you".
And would it have been THAT hard to throw a GPIB connector on there? I love how a lot of manufacturers are going to LAN connections..... forcing the labs out there to "upgrade" software and hardware to "make the transition".
/steps off my soapbox
Sorry, hope you figure out your problem. I do know that SOME HP/Agilent mounts do not work with Type IV power meters. They "appear" to work, but you get screwy readings. Even big brother Agilent knows about it and can do nothing more than scratch their heads and shrug their shoulders. Try hooking your mount back to your 432A to see if it works there and then try another mount on your 1830A. Could just be you have one of those "screwy" mounts.......
J,
Manufacturer's are not adding USB and TCP/IP interfaces to make you buy new software (It is the O-Mighty Dollar). The hardware costs for USB and TCP/IP support is usually under $5 dollars. Were GPIB support is in the $300 dollar range. And both USB and TCP/IP are easier to implement and out preform GPIB.
The same goes for Windows Embedded Instruments. You will see more of this down the road. Agilent new Spectrum Analyzers MXA's are now running on windows.
We had to update our software to support the 1830's. We took a step back and added TCP/IP support for all instruments. Down the road I see the possibility to have a complete power sensor calibration station without any GPIB instruments. (And PS-Cal running on the Network Analyzer in the rack).
Mike
Mike,
I'm not gonna argue with you. I know it is a step in the right direction, but try telling that to the network guys. Unfortunately, all this USB and TCP/IP stuff has them running scared, especially when the items are running *gasp* Windows XP! I didn't even bother telling them you have to unhook from the network and use a crossover cable to hook directly to the 1830A to cal it, they probably would have slapped me in irons and hid me in Guantanamo or something. And thumb drives? HA! Even for moving cal kit files from one PNA to another, you have to hide em and disguise em to even have one.......
Working DOD has its upsides..... and its downsides.....
J,
The problem with the network guys, is they are not evaluated on how well you can do your job with their network. That is the problem with BIG IT, they forget about the little guy trying get his job done. So the lock the computer up so tight you can't do anything. I know plenty of people in DOD that just work off their personal computer, and email to their account at work. (It's just easier, for unclassified work).
I don't see thumb drives going away anytime soon. I know DOD can't use them, but the rest of the world has replaced Floppy Drives with Thumb Drives. I carry around two, on my key chain all the time.
I feel your pain, I do. but I am telling my customers to purchase a DCHP router and extra NIC card with every WorkStation. They way they can create a little mini network off of the WorkStation for all the TCP/IP controlled hardware associated with that station. Works pretty good, and the do not have to corrdinate with IT for every UUT you want to add.
...This should also solve you cross over cable problem with the Tegam 1830A's.
Mike Schwartz
Cal Lab Solutions
Thanks for the input. We haven't even looked ahead at trying to cal this. Not gonna fight the network guys before we have to, but its good to have some plan B's.
We do have the meter working now. Ended up contacting Tegam and getting the schematic for the cable. I don't think any of the pins were right. They got us a new one fairly quickly.
Yeah, we looked at getting an 1830A but since it didn't have GPIB we passed on it and got another 1806. We're moving away from 478A/8478B mounts except for the few we use to measure power meter references.