My Electronics Home-Lab
I have friends that usually ask me about what I purchased for my electronics home-lab. So for those of you who wish to purchase the same items as me, I have listed them below.
I might move it to somewhere else on the website once I have figured out where to park this section.
Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope: Siglent SDS1104-X,
- 4 Channel 100 MHz B.W. (Upgraded to 200MHz)
- Purchased for SGD 778 from Caltron
- Connectivity: Ethernet (VXI-11), USB
- Personal Note: However, if you are thinking about this in 2023 or later,
- Consider Rigol’s newest DHO800 or DHO900 series with their new 12-bit ADC in a very compact form-factor
- It is capable of being powered by USB-C at at starting price similar to the SDS1104X-E
- Faster FFT performance also
- Go check out Dave from EEVBlog’s review. Can’t wait to see how Siglent will respond to this new product with such fantastic functionality and specs at such an entry-level price.
- Function Gen: Tektronix AFG-310,
- 1 Channel Arb., 12 bit, pm 50 ppm accuracy
- 10mHz – 16 MHz
- Purchased for SGD 180 from Carousell
- Connectivity: GPIB only
- Digital Multimeter (Bench): GWInstek GDM8351
- 5.5 digit, 120000 count
- Dual-display & measurement, True RMS
- Purchased for SGD 775 from Element14
- Connectivity: USB or RS232
- Digital Multimeter (Portable): Fluke 115
- 6000 count, True RMS
- Purchased for < SGD 200 through Singapore Poly’s student pricing
- Connectivity: NONE
- LCR Meter: DER-EE DE5000
- 19999 / 9999 count, Dua display
- 100 Hz/ 120 Hz/ 1 kHz/ 10 kHz/ 100 kHz/
- Purchased for SGD 231 from Amazon (JP)
- Connectivity: USB-IR (sold separately, which I did not purchase)
- Power Supply (Bench): Tenma 72-8345A, Rebranded from Manson NSP-3630
- 100W SMPS, 4 digit
- Lightweight @ 2kg (yay!)
- 1–36V, 0–3A, Less than 5mV, 20mA ripple
- Purchased for 232 from Element14
- Connectivity: NONE
Soldering
- Soldering Iron: Pine64 Pinecil V1
- 60W USB PD
- Compatible with TS100 tips (yay!)
- If you get it from Taobao (from a reputable seller), you may need to reflash the firmware with the English version of IronOS
- Purchased for around SGD 40 from Taobao (Chinese retail version)
- Solder: Nihon Superior’s SN100C blend (Manufactured by AIM metals)
- SN100C blend: Sn-Cu-Ni-Ge, 227 deg. C melting point
- No reliability degradation observed, as per infosheet, when mixing with SAC lead-free blends
- Lead-free (also, lovely shiny joints)
- 1 lb spool (450g), 2.5% no-clean flux core (CX18)
- Purchased from Mouser for around SGD 80 (for the 1.5mm core version)
- Iron tip cleaner: (Must-have!) Stannol Tippy
- Lead-free
- Purchased from Element14 for around SGD 15
Workspace
- ESD Mat: Engineer Inc. ZCM-04
- ESD Bonding Points: A generic one from Element14 but with a M5 stud
- ESD Grounding Cords: SCS LPCGC151M
- To extend the reach from the bonding point
- ESD Wrist Strap: A generic one from Element14
Testing and Measurement Accessories
I bought quite a number of things for this. The most useful of them lot is the following:
- 4mm system, Test Lead & Probe sets
- I bought those that are made by SKS Kontakt, Hirschmann Test & Measurement Products Link;
- The basic 4mm system set from Element14. Here are the must-haves:
- You can start off with the PMS 4 set
- Have a couple of 10A crocodile clips (AK 2S) for your power supply
- Clamp-type test probe (KLEPS)
- A bunch of measuring leads. (Be wary of the rated currents and voltage though. Try to get those that are more than 5A)
- If you can, try to purchase the 4mm SAFETY system instead. Sometimes I do not feel that comfortable with exposed bits hanging around with the normal 4mm system.
- Pomona’s 4723 5A rated Mini-grabbers, 4mm system
- Highly recommended. These things are small with great gold plated contacts
These test lead and probes are such a time-saver even if you are a beginner. No more of messing about with cheap crocodile clips clipping onto a bunch of single-core wire stubs jabbed into a breadboard/soldered onto PCBs. Also, if you value your life, don’t get the untested cables you could find off online shopping sites (you know what I’m talking about…).
