Gough Lui's Blog

Keithley 2450 SMU Follow-Up #3 – Calibration Checks for Everything!

Gough Lui

Now that I’ve had my 2450 SMU serviced, returning with a fresh calibration, the first thing I thought I’d do was to check the calibration of the 2450 SMU against my suite of instruments - or more accurately, check the calibration of my instruments ag...
- 18 Dec 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU Follow-Up #2 – RMA, Prelim Checks & KickStart 2 Update

Gough Lui

Things have been quite busy, so I haven’t had a chance to bring everyone an update on my Keithley 2450 RoadTest. Since I delivered the original review with caveats, I’ve completed two RoadTests (Omron 2JCIE-EV-AR01 Environmental Sensor and Vishay SiC...
- 18 Dec 2020
Post-RoadTest Update: Omron B5W-LD0101 Air Quality vs. Sensirion SPS30 PM Sensor Redux

Gough Lui

I worked hard to quickly deliver a comprehensive Omron Sensor Evaluation Board 2JCIE-EV RoadTest Review as it seemed to be a rather straightforward. This was because I had other things to worry about including the current RoadTest I'm undertaking...
- 27 Sep 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU Follow-Up #1 – CR2032 Tests, F/W Update & RMA

Gough Lui

I was the first to publish my review of the Keithley 2450 SMU in July this year, however, the review itself was couched in a major caveat. This was the fact that the instrument was not performing correctly under certain circumstances and appeared to ...
- 22 Aug 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch7 – Instrument Performance Tests

Gough Lui

For most instruments, this chapter is perhaps the most exciting one as I delve into the instrument’s performance capabilities across a number of parameters. However, this time around for some metrics especially, I have been thwarted by two considerat...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch6 – I-V Tracer App Comparison

Gough Lui

This in-depth blog posting considers the ways in which I-V testing can be performed “on-device” using the Keithley 2450 SMU in standalone operation. On-Device I-V Tracing, Let Me Count the Ways!Performing I-V testing on the Keithley 2450 SMU can...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch5 – KickStart 2 & I-V Characterizer

Gough Lui

This blog focuses on using the Keithley KickStart 2 software with the 2450 SMU, which provides the I-V Characterizer function for PC-connected I-V tracing. *PLEASE READ* - This Review is with Caveats!Unfortunately, the SMU I received appears to ...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch4 – Remote Interfaces & Programmability

Gough Lui

This blog looks at the Keithley 2450 SMU’s remote interfaces and programming capability. USB ConnectivityThe Keithley 2450 offers both a front panel USB-A connection and a rear panel USB-B connection. The front panel supports the use of USB Mass...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch3 – User Experience & Documentation

Gough Lui

What is the Keithley 2450 SMU like to use and what do I think of it? This blog looks at the process of getting up-and-running with the 2450 SMU, the user interface and features, my opinion on the user experience, the quality of the documentation and ...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch2 – Unboxing Introduction

Gough Lui

This blog posting will concentrate on the unboxing process, providing our first introduction to the Keithley 2450 SMU. Unboxing ProcessThe unit comes inside a long cardboard box, with the distinctly Keithley logo in the top left corner of the si...
- 11 Jul 2020
Keithley 2450 SMU In-Depth: Ch1 – Intro to SMUs & Market Survey

Gough Lui

This blog looks at what a source-measurement unit is, what it does, why you might want one, how it might simplify your test regimes and what you might use it for. Then, we discuss the specifications of the bench-top style SMUs on the market and their...
- 11 Jul 2020
Rohde & Schwarz HMP4040.04 Repair - Part 3: A Happy Ending?

Gough Lui

I reviewed the Rohde & Schwarz HMP4040.04 back in October 2018, which was unfortunately damaged in transit. After almost a year without any resolution, I decided to crack it open and attempt a repair. The first time I opened it, I found a bunch o...
- 7 Jul 2020
R&S RTM3004 Update – F/W 1.600 & K37 Spectrum Analysis Option

Gough Lui

The Rohde & Schwarz RTM3004 which I was fortunate enough to RoadTest has been a very capable and versatile instrument. Aside from doing serious work with it now that I’ve been working from home, it even featured in a number of “fun” posts such as...
- 15 May 2020
Review: Tenma 21-2310 UK (AT980D) 80W Soldering Station

Gough Lui

The final part of my the tools from my prize winnings that has not been reviewed yet is the soldering station. Originally, they intended to include the Multicomp Pro MP740139 80W ESD Safe Soldering Station, however, this turns out to be a 120V-only p...
- 8 May 2020
Review: Multicomp Pro MP730026 3.75-digit BLE Digital Multimeter

Gough Lui

The next product from the prize bundle to be subjected to my stringent critique is the Multicomp Pro MP730026 3.75-digit handheld Bluetooth Low-Energy-enabled digital multimeter. This unit is listed at a price of US$38.57 through Newark and AU$77.98 ...
- 5 May 2020
Review: Duratool D03288 Fume Absorber & Fan (220-240V/50Hz/23W)

Gough Lui

I'm on a roll and it's the weekend, so why not do another review, this time of the Duratool D03288 Fume Absorber and Fan, currently listed at AU$68.97 inc GST for the UK plug version as delivered. This was the specific model that I received in lieu o...
- 3 May 2020
Quick Review: Multicomp Pro MP700130 12-in-1 & MP700124 11-in-1 Screwdrivers (Updated)

Gough Lui

The next items I decided to review from the bundle of stuff I received were the two Multicomp Pro Screwdrivers - the MP700130 12-in-1 Ratchet Screwdriver Set (currently US$11.99 or AU$33.62 inc GST) and the MP700124 11-in-1 Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set ...
- 3 May 2020
Quick Review: Multicomp Pro MP700136 & MP700151 Wire Cutter/Crimper/Stripper Tools

Gough Lui

From my recent prize haul, the first items to be reviewed are the two Multicomp Pro MP700136 and MP700151 Wire Cutter/Crimper/Stripper tools, both of which are available from Newark for a relatively inexpensive US$13.99 and US$11.49 respectively at t...
- 2 May 2020
Project14: You've Got Mail! (Actually, a Massive Parcel!)

Gough Lui

The COVID-19 situation has thrown the whole world into a loop - myself included. In mid-March, I was supposed to begin a month-long holiday but that plan fell right apart after just eight days overseas, as the Australian government implored all its c...
- 2 May 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch7 – Teardown

Gough Lui

In this section, I will focus on the internals of the DAS240-BAT main unit and channel module to uncover what powers this multi-channel recorder and what the unit looks like under the hood, both hardware and software. Disassembling the Main Unit...
- 25 Feb 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch6 – Simulated Field Tests

Gough Lui

In this chapter, we will put the B&K Precision/Sefram DAS240-BAT Multi-Channel Recorder through some tests which are relevant for field usage and simulate potential use scenarios. Battery LifeOne of the key parameters of interest would be ba...
- 25 Feb 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch5 – Instrument Performance

Gough Lui

This chapter is concerned with instrument performance, perhaps one of the most important metrics of test and measurement equipment. It involves in-depth testing of power consumption, charging current profile, analog channel accuracy, digital timing c...
- 25 Feb 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch4 – Remote Control Interfaces & Software

Gough Lui

This section goes into depth regarding the various remote control and network access features of the DAS240-BAT, including the bundled software. Ethernet (LAN) or 802.11b/g/n Wireless (Wi-Fi) OptionFor remote control access, the DAS240-BAT offer...
- 25 Feb 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch3 – User Experience

Gough Lui

In this chapter, I will cover various aspects related to the user experience of the DAS240-BAT, including build quality, ergonomics, user interface, capabilities and documentation. Testing was performed with the shipped Firmware V2.0 and the download...
- 25 Feb 2020
B&K DAS240-BAT RoadTest-in-Depth: Ch2 – Unboxing

Gough Lui

Now that I have the B&K Precision / Sefram DAS240-BAT package in my hands, lets document the unboxing experience and go through the supplied parts. UnboxingThe unit came inside an Avnet box that was a little bit crushed on a corner, along wi...
- 25 Feb 2020