ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Electrical Metrology | Measurement Tips & Products | Calibration standards => Electrical Standards & calibration accessories => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on April 09, 2026, 09:34:47 AM
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Keysight 34171B Input Terminal Block, this has identical housing and product appearance, to 34172B Calibration Short.
An close-up inspection, it will reveal that Keysight does not use banana plugs but copper rods instead. ;)
An pack of five 4mm rods, this is far more easy to plug-in and un-plug, when there is not any other mechanical forces.
An regular 4mm banana alone, this count at it expanded cage for best electrical contact.
An pile of rods, does not need that.
From the Keysight 34171B Input Terminal Block we can extract the conclusion that they use rods.
From the Keysight 34172B Calibration Short we can come up with the hypothesis (guessing), that it copper rods they are simply connected (bridged), with identical in diameter of thin copper wire.
And naturally there is soldering work involved.
What we can learn from both designs?
The message is obvious, you do not need any PCB .....
Are these things compatible with FLUKE 884X DMM?
Yes and No, spacing of 19.05 x 19.05mm this is compatible.
But, FLUKE 8845A and 8846A they use split terminals at INPUT HI & LO
FLUKE used the help of Pomona, so 884X SHORT, this to be constructed by banana plugs, with unified expansion points.
Regular 4MM bananas they use add-on cage.
FLUKE considers as Low Thermal, the banana plug this not having an add-on cage.
At this regard, the rods at 34172B Calibration Short, this is best equivalent that Agilent / Keysight , this could come with.
In contrast, Staubli design of banana plugs, due the added cage, they are not considered as Low Thermal.
Gold plating over Staubli products, this aiming protective layer against corrosion.
If Staubli wanted to go Low Thermal? then they would had seek first an advice from FLUKE or Agilent / Keysight.
FLUKE Corp, Tektronix, Keithley, Pomona, and FLUKE Calibration, they are under common management.
It would be easier for Keysight to work together with Staubli, but they did not do it, because copper rods manufacturing, this is cheaper and electrically acceptable solution.
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Aha moment for me at least. :)
Someone did take apart, this 34172B Calibration Short, before two years ago.
This photograph alone, this is equal to 1000 words.
The short version of this story, according to my own thoughts.
Agilent / Keysight this consider as top priority their Calibration Short to offer Hyperconductivity along be as Low thermal
I do see three details here:
a) Simple bridge of silver plated copper of small diameter.
b) Silver platting this connects over to Gold plated cooper rod (banana)
c) Soldering this is also made with solder alloy this including Silver.
Indeed, a connection line this consisting of exclusively silver plated and gold plated copper, this is the ultimate Low thermal solution over planet Earth.
From the other hand, Agilent / Keysight engineers they appear as generous at the selection of actual wire diameter.
I do not doubt that this Calibration Short at room temperature of 23C +/-1C, this is designed to be ideal.
But about replicating it?, this is impossible by simply looking an photograph.
At room temperature of 23C +/-1C any calibration short, this by design includes a portion of electrical resistance.
What is this portion of electrical resistance at 34172B Calibration Short?
You should measure it so to find it. ;)
Why Agilent / Keysight chooses silver plated copper wire as a bridge?
Because it is easy to measure it electrical resistance, also you have better control of how much you need to use.
And you may also perform QC at its one of these SHORT Plugs, at room temperature of 23C +/-1C .
By reading my own words, I now gaining more understanding of the larger picture. ;)
Production of calibration SHORT plugs, involves manual labor, and manual inspection.
And constant inspection of all sourced parts these forming this plug.