Review/Teardown of an SG-003A Multi-Functional Signal Generator/Process Meter

[@KerryWongBlog]

Please turn off "Stable Volume" in the video playback setting (the first menu item after clicking the gear icon) as for some reason, this new KZbin playback feature made the video much noisier than usual.

[@JSMCPN]

Bricked mine by following the firmware update instructions exactly.

[@puits-de-science]

Thank you for this excellent presentation of sg-003a, it was very helpful for me to get started because the documentation is not really good. Your presentation is outstanding.

[@janeklof2769]

Many thanks for an interesting review of this gadget.Greetings from Stockholm ( Sweden ) and Jan Eklöf

[@gustavomuller4751]

Tks for the review. The range function is to be used when you know the process variable and want to use it instead of using a calculator to check the conversion scale. For example, if you know that the 0ma is 0psi and and 24ma is 50psi, you can configure the range to 50 and work using the psi scale ....

[@Jim_One-wl4ke]

I hv bought one, still figuring how to use. Thank you very much for making this video ❤ good job

[@unknown_1337]

Great info, excellent presentation, and excellent channel! Thank you for providing detailed reviews to the WORLD for FREE! 🙏

[@nethgardner4224]

The second format is if you wanted to map the 4-20 mA to an enginnering Units. By default 4-20mA is ranged to 0-1000 but you can change this to what ever range you choose. I actually find this ranging to a process engineering unit useful for temperature, pressure, and percentage open for valves.

[@andymouse]

I've seen this at about 50 quid which is good value and a nice review...cheers.

[@Byron88]

I was going to get a Fluke 715 to generate dcv and ma , but came across this in Amazon it was $119CDN so I figured it was worth a shot compared to paying $2100CDN for the fluke, I'm super impressed with its precision, maybe not as good as the fluke but for my needs it's more than enough. Great review

[@three-phase562]

It is an interesting unit with lots of functionality built into it. I purchased one of this and have been testing it. I struggled to get the accuracy out of the measurement function across its range. The error doesn't appear to be linear starting out with having a plus tolerance, going into a negative tolerance at mid-range, which is where mine goes out of specification, and then back to a plus tolerance at the top of the range. Yours seems to show something similar, but not as pronounced as my unit. I have had a play with the calibration constants and can get it a bit better and can adjust a bit more to get better accuracy over my favoured 4-20mA measurements instead of the complete range. It seems much more accurate when sourcing and all those reading are in specification for my tests.

[@bannon315]

just got this... thaks for the review

[@paulho9193]

A follow-up on my previous question regarding generating a square wave. Can I use the PWM, say at 10V amplitude with 25% duty cycle, to get what I'm trying to do? If yes, can you show me how to do it on the SG-003A? Thanks again, Paul

[@colinstamp9053]

I'm guessing the "Range" option at 8:20 is to allow you to work in whatever units the sensor or display device you're testing uses. e.g. if you're testing a 4-20mA pressure sensor with a full scale of 5 Bar, you can set the unit to display in Bar directly. It would mean you would need to be able to set both an offset and a slope. I didn't see the offset setting in the video, but it may be buried somewhere, or just assumed to be 4mA.

[@Brentisrad]

I agree, this function is very useful to represent the real world value that you're simulating, temperature, pressure, weight etc. Very handy

[@paulho9193]

Do you think I can use the SG-003A to generate a continuous square wave at 10V and 100-200Hz (or a square pulse of any frequency)? I'm trying to use it for an experiment but am having trouble getting it to do this. Can you help? Thank you, Paul

[@JAKOB1977]

The Unit T got an impressive accuracy at 0.05% + 5 counts (though dont know if its actually meets that) but in theory according ot 61E+ specs ' it could be out +/-10 count at that scenario and still be inside spec. 11:33 the SG003A is 0.1% + 5 counts so 15 counts out from 11:33 (so yes 0.9986 ) -14 count is dancing on the edge of spec (15 counts) if we take for granted that 61E+ is a reference value. but 61E+ + SG003A on top of each other, that reading could in theory be out by 25 count 61E+ with 10 count and SG003A with 15 count and still be inside spec with a reading of 0.9975 (25 count off) one really needs reference gear for such tools and conclude what is down to what

[@Halabaloosa]

What is the voltage level of the pwm output? I don’t remember hearing it and cannot find the info on the amazon store page.

[@KerryWongBlog]

Peak voltage can be adjusted from 0-24 volts from the output menu.

[@Llleee09]

@@KerryWongBlog Alternatively, can pwn output amplitude also be controled by adjusting amperage? Thanks

[@ozkarah]

According to the manual it can be controlled under MODBUS Slave mode and at the end of the manual there are tables of MODBUS functions. But, the manual does not describe how to connect the wiring. Does anyone know how to communicate and control this device using MODBUS (RS485) ?

[@nomadchad8243]

I need to generate a 175hz square wave frequency to trick a helicopter into thinking it's in flight. I bought one of these to do troubleshooting on the ground instead of in flight. It's a lot less money and time not to mention stress to work on something quietly in the hangar.

[@nomadchad8243]

I just need to learn how to use it now.

[@TheViewTubeOfficial]

Can this be used to output a 5V square wave signal to a vehicle speed sensor?

[@johnnymotorboat8824]

I've verified the accuracy of these with several high end meters and it's barely .001 off from a 7.5 digit key sight.

[@RodolfoTiburcio]

Hi, thank you for this video, how do you connect and configure for the loop measurement at 12:28, I connect red to yellow and black to blue, mA output, and the input give me 8 mA less that the output

[@LukeSkaff]

Is there a way to factory default this unit? I changed the calibration values on the 24V output and now the ma reading is broken

[@JAKOB1977]

contact Fnirsi.. there likely is one, with some keycombo that returns it to factory state. otherwise your can try upgrading it... i cant post the bin-file here, but if you ask in the relevant thread on EEVblog. SG-003A SG-004A i can post the bin there, though I don't know if it reset the cal values to scratch or it honors your settings.. the highlighted change/features on that bin is for spelling errors like ULSE that will be changed to PULSE..

[@scottshaw1310]

Good review on an interesting piece of process kit. The display is good, but the overall functionality misses the mark for me. Sure, the option to convert the input to output signal will have a place in industry (possibly replacing a failed part of a control loop) to maintain operation. Other than this, I feel that the LB02A (which I own) offers greater functionality, with K, J & T thermocouple and PT100, PT1000 plus other less common types. The ability to simulate or measure these make it far more useful to process engineers! Accuracy on my LB02A is good, 4-20mA (tested on certified 6.5 digit DMM) within +/- 0.008mA, and temperatures approx +/- 0.5°C. Value for money (sub 100 euro/dollars) is superb, but I agree that any operating manuals are poor in execution, and would benefit a rewrite!

[@JAKOB1977]

Its the SG004A that has these features and also 0.01, not the SG003A. also have in mind there us an old SG003A on the market that looks quite inferior. and take the accuracy with a pinch of salt... as ut aint like a Unitt 61E+ is a reference..you need a reference to sort out a ref ballpark, though you also have calibration featues in thes3 units but I dont know how liniar it is.,. Just got the SG003A like above vid, and costed me 46 USD and that is with incl. 25% danish VAT and incl. shipping to Denmark. The bigger model SG004A is quite a bit more expensive at + 100 USD. (yellow) But the inner price is quite a bit lower if thirdparty sellers with ship and VAT can sell it for that. extremely nice wellbuild unit with a beatiful display. one of the most polished products I have seen from Fnirsi. (not that it alone says a lot, but stil) if its actually Fnirsi that are making it and it aont some thirdparty where Fnirsi just slaps their name on it. with the price in mind, its a nice little well build unit, if I was handed this unit and should guess the price.. I would have guessed a few hundred bucks..

[@zurchero]

I wonder if its possible to upgrade the battery to 4000 or 5000mAh 🤔

[@choosers5177]

Does it design the waveform?

[@bertbronson8395]

Have you ever put one of these SG-003A on a scope? The one I just bought from Amazon is noisy as hell. Both on CC & CV they are very unstable also - even as measured on the units own v-meter let alone on my fluke and owon DMMs and my scope. I was mostly interested in this device as a low level CCS standard/tool for testing things like phototransistors and as a standard voltage ref for GP use (volts, mv etc that a bench supply would be sloppy at)... but this thing is capricious. As an example, on cv at 3v output (any voltage is same result generally) if you go from a 10k load to 1M, the voltage level changes 100mV! I am not familiar with PLD process meters so perhaps they dont need very tight equipment - but I couldnt IMAGINE this being useful for any sort of testing application. BTW I had it BOTH connected to PC and not connected to PC, with minimal effect (little less noise when not connected - but nothing compared to its general tolerances). I expect a precision v source to have some drop, but not on the level of 100's of mV's for 100's of microamps changes - plus 180mV or so noise SMH.

[@JAKOB1977]

Its weird because when your dialing down it will adjust with the last value all the way down into the floor with just a few mV but when dialing up, it needs a lot of voltage before its register on my DMM. but my first impression' is jawdropping for the price. been in the market for a process meter for some time, not because I need it as per se.. just as a meter-nerd, and have a new gadgeet to test things with.. I been looking at the Victor 77 but that process-meter is close to 100 usd and one of the cheapest unit I could find, as a somewhat selfcontained decent unit and not something resampling a DIY project,.. Took the plunge on this SG003A but here from Denmark (EU prices) we also has to deal with +25% VAT on top , but even with that VAT incl. and incl. shipping I got it for 46 USD and IMO looks great.. very nice display, great packaging and decent 4 testleads. I dont have any reference gear to check accuracy with, or calibrate my new process calibrator. 🙃 There is also the bigger brother the yellow SG004A but thta is more then double the price. // my unit is the same and peaks at 23.35v but I do like the 1mV resolution ablelity and being able to dial in DMM's etc.. on my Habotest HT208D I'ts +3mV out at 23v

[@jasonstewart5942]

Do you happen to have the firmware for this device you could send me. I can't find it on Google because i just recieved this device and it's in chinese.

[@jasonstewart5942]

Nevermind. I figured it out. Yeah these instructions are absolutely horrible.

[@bendavies1088]

Sadly mine was bricked straight out the box.🙁

[@KerryWongBlog]

Product defect?

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

All you had to say was, "FNIRSI." Hard Pass.

[@barrybogart5436]

I agree. Not the best reputation..

[@JAKOB1977]

go ahead and get your self a fluke 726 and lay down 5000 bucks or get yourself a Fluke 754 and lay down 10 grand. look thrue specs of an entry Fluke process calibrator. 726 to 5 grand . Measurement Accuracy Voltage DC 30.000 V 0.01% + 2 mV (upper display) 20.000 V 0.01% + 2 mV (lower display) 90.00 mV 0.01% + 10 μV -10.00 mV to 75.00 mV 0.025% + 1 count (via TC connector) Current DC 24.000 mA 0.01%+ 2 mA Resistance 0.0 to 4000.0 Ω ± 0.015% Frequency 2.0 to 1000.0 CPM 0.05% + 0.1 cpm 1.0 to 1000.0 Hz 0.05% + 0.1 Hz 1.00 to 15.00 kHz 0.05% + 0.01 kHz Sensitivity 1 V peak-to-peak-minimum Pressure Accuracy from 0.025% of range using any of 29 pressure modules (for detailed specifications refer to pressure modules in options and accessories). Modules available for differential, gauge, vacuum, absolute, dual and high pressure. Source Accuracy Voltage DC 100.00 mV 0.01% + 10 μV 20.000 V 0.01% + 2 mV -10.00 mV to 75.00 mV 0.025% + 1 count (via TC connector) Current DC 24.000 mA (Source) 0.01% + 2 μA 24.000 mA (Simulate) 0.01% + 2 μA Resistance Range, accuracy (percent of reading + floor) and excitation current 5 to 400 Ω, 0.015% + 0.1 Ω, 0.1 to 0.5 mA 5 to 400 Ω, 0.015% + 0.05 Ω, 0.5 to 3 mA 400 to 1500 Ω, 0.015% + 0.5 Ω, 0.05 to 0.8 mA 1500 to 4000 Ω, 0.015% + 0.5 Ω, 0.05 to 0.4 mA Frequency 2.0 to 1000.0 CPM 0.05% 1.0 to 1000.0 Hz 0.05% 1.0 to 10.0 kHz 0.25% 10.0 to 15.0 kHz 0.5% Waveform 5 V p-p squarewave, -0.1 V offset RTDs and Thermocouples Measure and source accuracy Cu10 1.8°C NI-120 0.15°C PT-100 (385) 0.45°C PT-100 (392) 0.35°C PT-100 (391-JIS) 0.35°C PT-200 (385) 0.95°C PT-500 (385) 0.55°C PT-1000 (385) 0.35°C RTD Resolution 0.01°C (0.01°F) Cu10.01 C 0.1°C (0.1°F) J 0.4°C K 0.5°C T 0.4°C E 0.4°C R 1.4°C S 1.4°C B 1.4°C L 0.45°C U 0.45°C N 0.6°C XK 0.4°C BP 1.1°C TC Resolution J, K, T, E, L, N, U: 0.1°C, 0.1°F B, R, S: 1°C, 1°F and then look at Fnirsi SG004A (the yellow one) tht is around 100 bucks not the blue that is only 0.1 spec. I just picked up this blue one SG003A and I paid 45 USD with incl. shipping and incl. 25% danish VAT: when you judge this Fnirsi tools.. you really need to have the price in mind, as some of them are jawdropping low priced and performs decent to the price in the right circumstance..