[volt-nuts] HP 3457A

[J. L. Trantham]

Joe,

I looked at the listing you posted. The unit looks very nice.  However, the
units are selling in the $150 -  $250 range, although I note some of the
units you linked to have sold for the price asked.

There has been considerable discussion on the list about the 3457A and some
differences between units, depending on serial number, having to do with the
circuitry about the backup battery for the RAM.  I would recommend you
search the archives about that.  Also, there are various options for the
rear compartment that may or may not be useful so being able to see the back
of the unit to see what is installed and what the serial number is would be
useful.

I prefer to use the original manufacturer's calibration services when it
comes to Agilent or Fluke just to be able to eliminate the 'trust
uncertainty' with 'outside labs', since I have little experience in using
various calibration labs.

Therefore, my choice would be to look for a desirable 'used' unit then clean
it up myself, check the date on the backup battery and possibly change it
(with the need to keep voltage applied to the unit while unsoldering the
battery lest losing the CAL data - careful there - 'Danger, Danger, Will
Robinson') then send it to Agilent for calibration ($204.22 for the Agilent
Calibration).

If you are looking for a currently supported unit, I would consider the
Fluke 8846A.  Can be had for under $1000.  A bit more expensive but
currently available and currently supported.

Good luck.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: volt-nuts-bounces at febo.com [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On
Behalf Of Joseph Gray
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2013 9:20 PM
To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement
Subject: [volt-nuts] HP 3457A

If I want to buy a used 3457A, is it better to buy one "as-is" and send it
for calibration, or perhaps spend a bit more and get one already calibrated?
Just one example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-3457A-6-5-Digit-Lab-Quality-Front-Terms-Fully-Ref
urbished-NIST-Cal-/300928374155

Joe Gray
W5JG
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