ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Electrical Test and Measurement instruments => Bench-top multimeter => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on June 21, 2026, 06:44:49 PM
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I still love the fact, that ITTSB has closed it doors to hobbyist.
Now I have to steal funny stories from other forum boards. ;D
Someone got an used HP/Agilent 34401A (eBay) this seemed Completely Dead.
Power on switch, this was not moving freely.
After some gymnastics exercise, this thing made electrical contact and worked.
My message to the globe, an thirty years old hardware it needs Power-On switch replacement, even if the old appears working.
Unseen sparking at mains switch contacts, this it can and will spoil the day.
I feel somewhat blessed, that 8846A this has analog PSU plus soft-on mode.
8846A actual power switch, this accepts 5% of workload, in comparison to 34401A, when both have identical numbers of hours in use.
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Power-On switch failure, this it can be predicted.
The best Japanese power switch this can last 10000 times / operations.
The average Japanese ones, 5000 times / operations.
I have no clue of actual Power-On switch at 34401A.
The ones owning this thing, they should find electrical specification and mechanical number of cycles, life limits.
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Long story in short.
My first impression, this is ALPS - Japan, component.