Tag Archives: test equipment

Teardown, Accuracy Testing: LP7663 Kill-a-Watt-clone Power Usage Meter

Posted on December 24, 2015 by lui_gough

Sometimes when I mention an idea, I will quickly become fixated on it and try to flesh it out as best as I can. Just yesterday, I was mentioning about how low-cost power usage meters can mislead, and today, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Teardown: A Failed Efergy Elite (Classic) 1.0 Energy Monitor

Posted on December 23, 2015 by lui_gough

As part of a push to drive the home’s electricity consumption down and better understand how energy was being utilized, I installed a clamp-style wireless energy monitor from Efergy in the house. Operating over 433Mhz, the transmissions were also useful … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Standby/No-Load Power Consumption: Are we doing it right?

Posted on December 23, 2015 by lui_gough

The issue of energy efficiency has always been an issue with electrical appliances. With increasing adoption of ever-cheaper appliances, energy rating labelling initiatives and minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for a range of products have been put into place to … Continue reading →

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Modified: USB Charger Doctor as USB Current Shunt

Posted on December 19, 2015 by lui_gough

A while back, I had purchased and completely tore down some USB Charger Doctors. While they didn’t seem very modifiable at the time, I came across a need which could easily be fulfilled should I choose to modify one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Friday 13th November 2015: The Night the Power Went Out

Posted on November 15, 2015 by lui_gough

Friday the 13th, commonly known as Black Friday, is believed to bring bad luck. While I’m not a superstitious person, and I don’t believe in a fear of the number 13, it seems that something was special about this Friday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Review: Agilent U1241B 4-Digit Handheld DMM & Accessories

Posted on January 28, 2015 by lui_gough

Early in December, I made a trip to element14 to treat myself to an early Christmas present. Having posted about it on my element14 blog, inviting members to take a guess at what the surprise would be, I was surprised … Continue reading →

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Investigation: How Accurate is that 3.5 digit Multimeter?

Posted on November 17, 2014 by lui_gough

A few weeks ago, one of the commenters made a suggestion that I test some more inexpensive test equipment, after my stint at reverse engineering USB charger doctors/detectors and determining their accuracy. While I won’t go chasing low end test … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Testing: Charger Doctor and USB Detector Accuracy

Posted on November 2, 2014 by lui_gough

Ever since I got my Charger Doctors/USB detector, I have been fascinated with how they have been able to provide such a useful tool for a low price. After taking each of them apart and analyzing their circuitry and connections, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Reverse Engineering: The KW203 USB Detector

Posted on November 2, 2014 by lui_gough

Since I decided to take apart the other USB Charger Doctor unit to determine how it worked, my curiosity could only be satisfied if I took apart this unit as well. Out of the two units, this was the pricier, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Reverse Engineering: The USB Charger Doctor

Posted on October 28, 2014 by lui_gough

In my last post, I had a good look at the features of two different USB charger doctors, and went through a quick teardown. It was fascinating, especially for the blue unit, that they could make and supply such a … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Review, Teardown: Two Popular USB Charger Doctor/Detector/Current Meters

Posted on October 27, 2014 by lui_gough

There seem to be many circumstances where checking the current and voltage to a USB device could come in very handy. For example, maybe you are troubleshooting a slow charging device – maybe it’s cable related and the voltage is … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Tablet | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Quick Review: Tenma Insulation Resistance Tester 72-9400

Posted on September 29, 2014 by lui_gough

After my stint at ElectroneX 2014 on behalf of element14, I was rewarded with a gift voucher to spend with them. That’s not a problem, as there’s always something to buy. In the spirit of a bargain-hunting uni student, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

RoadTest Review: Tektronix PA1000 Power Analyzer

Posted on July 27, 2014 by lui_gough

A big thanks to element14 and Tektronix, as always, for sending me this gem for review. It’s been a long four months since I’ve received the Tektronix PA1000 for review, and due to a rather extraordinary set of circumstances, what … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

ADSL2+ Woes: What’s in a Training Signal?

Posted on May 19, 2014 by lui_gough

Visitors who have explored the site quite a bit will probably know that I’ve got a bit of a thing for modems – specifically, the sound and behaviour of different dial-up modems. The sound of the modem handshake, formally known … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Telecommunications | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Quick Review: Agilent Technologies U1733C Handheld LCR Meter

Posted on May 7, 2014 by lui_gough

As a result of me giving a webinar about Getting Started with Raspberry Pi and Accessories for element14, I was rewarded with a gift voucher which allowed me to purchase some much-desired equipment from element14. I decided that it would … Continue reading →

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RoadTest: Pico Technology PicoScope 2205A

Posted on April 13, 2014 by lui_gough

It’s been a little while since my last post – one of the reasons was feeling somewhat unwell, but another reason was that I’ve been putting a mammoth effort into reviewing the Pico Technology PicoScope 2205A – a budget 25Mhz … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Review: TBS TBS6925 PCI-e Professional Satellite Tuner Card

Posted on October 7, 2013 by lui_gough

It’s been a very long time in the making – prior to purchasing this card in 2011, TBS had been in contact with me as I was helping them with some bug-fixing for a different model of card, and they … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion, Satellite | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Salvage: HP 5243L/5245M/5426L Frequency Counter Plug-in Modules

Posted on June 20, 2013 by lui_gough

Time’s always been an issue – but salvage doesn’t wait for a blog post! A month ago, while visiting the Electrical Engineering (is not a) dumping ground at UNSW, I came across four modules, each inside its own cardboard sleeve … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Salvage: Newtronics Model 200SPC Sweep/Pulse/Function-Generator

Posted on May 19, 2013 by lui_gough

It feels like we’re on a roll today – here’s another “salvage” thanks to the Electrical Engineering “dump pile” at UNSW. This unit will be familiar to most of the Electrical Engineers of UNSW – it’s a Newtronics Model 200SPC … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Salvage | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Review: Manson HCS-3102 1-36v/0-5A Switch-Mode Benchtop Power Supply

Posted on April 13, 2013 by lui_gough

One of the most basic pieces of test equipment in the arsenal of an Electrical Engineer is the humble benchtop power supply. While I have gotten away with using old plugpacks, AT/ATX power supplies as surrogates, they have never had … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Salvage: Axiom Technology AX5411/AX5411H DAQ Card

Posted on February 9, 2013 by lui_gough

A little while back, I salvaged these cards from boxes just outside of UNSW Electrical Engineering Room 201. Special thanks goes to Mr. Chris Lu for giving me permission to remove these and keep them. AX5411 (specs from here) 60kHz … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Electronics, Salvage | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Salvaged: Dranetz Series 606-3 Line Disturbance Analyzer

Posted on February 8, 2013 by lui_gough

Another day, another salvage – this time, a Dranetz Series 606-3 Line Disturbance Analyzer. Just a forewarning – this post is image-heavy! Anyway, this is another one of those items being thrown out by UNSW Electrical Engineering, who can resist … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Obituary, Salvage | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Saving the Adret Electronique CS201 Frequency Generator Synthesizer

Posted on January 31, 2013 by lui_gough

So I salvaged an Adret Electronique CS201, but I wasn’t able to test it owing to the fact that the power connection was made by an odd connector. One could always give in now and just throw it out or … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Salvage, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Salvage of the Day: Adret CS 201 Generator Synthesizer

Posted on January 31, 2013 by lui_gough

As the beginning of the year comes, it seems like everyone in EE at UNSW is cleaning out. One thing I managed to lug home today is an Adret Electronique CS 201 Generator Synthesizer. I’ve never heard of the brand … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Salvage, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Seeedstudio DSONano v2

Posted on January 26, 2013 by lui_gough

This is probably my most favourite piece of test equipment for the past year. It’s a Seeedstudio DSONano v2. I got mine from Little Bird Electronics for about $100 a year ago. (Nevermind the scuff on the screen – that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Tech Flashback: Tektronix 1106 Oscilloscope Battery

Posted on January 25, 2013 by lui_gough

Those who are my direct friends on Facebook and have been following the comments on the BWD 141 Function Generator posts would have seen my friend Charith talk about this. Also thrown out in the same pile of trash in … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tech Flashback: BWD 141 Signal Generator

Posted on January 24, 2013 by lui_gough

Just the other day, roaming around UNSW’s Electrical Engineering building, I saw an old signal generator carelessly discarded into a pile of rubbish. Look at it – it is so pretty. It looks like an old radio! Nice large analog … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments