Upgraded SG-003A Signal Generator, 4-20mA 0-24V Adjustable Analog Current Voltage Generator Simulator with Real-time Curve, Historical Record, Multiple Signal Programmable Function Generator

I am mostly interested in this device as a precision CCS and CVS. This can be adjusted in 1uA increments from about 1uA up to 24mA which is great for testing and profiling components like phototransistors and other assorted devices. I dont use it for process control testing (not even sure what all that involves), but it is a decent device for GP electronics design. It should be noted that when testing high impedance stuff in CCS mode (like 100k or even 10k ohm for example) you will see a fluctuation on the order of like 5 or 10 seconds resembling a sawtooth wave. This is the meters PID trying to maintain a <1uA current accuracy and that fluctuation being multiplied by the resistance (larger the impedance the larger the voltage swing). So this may show up as a 0.5v slow ramp if observing a 1Mohm load - a big deal if you are working with 2 or 3 uA current levels - so be aware of this if you use it this way (unintended by the mfg'r to be sure). I just wanted to write this review to point out the uses OTHER THAN PLD troubleshooting this thing has.

I have worked with electronics my whole life and have my ham license. I have all sorts of test equipment and am what you would call a test equipment junkie so when I saw this I had to have it even though I wasn't exactly sure what it could do but figured I could figure it out. I expected it to be some sort of audio or radio frequency generator using sine, square or sawtooth waves. It can do some of that but that isn't really what it was designed for. It is more for reading and generating specific current, voltage levels and frequencies also for converting those levels into another format. For example reading a repeating pulse and converting it into a current or voltage that can be read and maybe control another device. I think this would be used a lot on automobiles and also industrial applications. On cars it could be used to read and test a CPS (crankshaft or camshaft position sensor) or wheel speed sensors and also to generate the signal that those should provide. It could be used for electrical motor speed control and also for step motors and other positional sensors. I think it also could be used to generate and read serial bus communications. The manual states that it can communicate via RS-485 serial standard but it is unclear if that is over the input/output ports or over the USB connection that is used to charge it and also to update the firmware (it has a USB drive called "Bootloader" that can be mounted on a PC). The manual does have a chart that lists the available addresses and registers. At first read of the manual I was very confused, not only by what its capabilities were but also on how to control it from the buttons and its menus. The very first problem I ran into was simply turning it on. The buttons on the front has one in the center labeled On/Off. I assumed that was the power button and even after charging it fully no matter what I tried it would not turn on. I thought I had a defective unit. But after rereading the manual it shows the charging port and next to it there is what I thought was just a charging indicator (it glows red while charging and green once it is fully charged). It turns out that indicator is also the power button. Success! Once I got it turned on I started exploring the menus and at first they are confusing but as you read the manual and work your way through the menus it started to make a lot more sense. Initially the menus are a bit clunky but as you get more used to them it seems logical and much easier to use. It has a very nice display that shows the levels and waveforms in both a graphing format and digital. I connected it to my oscilloscope to compare and it appears to be very accurate. I think you could even used this to calibrate other devices. It does have calibrate settings in the manual for each function and it appears those have been set at the factory. You can change them but I would suggest leaving them alone as the accuracy is very, very good. Final thoughts: While this isn't what I expected I am very pleased and excited to use this. I can start thinking of all sorts of things this will allow me to do that I never could before. This has capabilities that I would only expect from something many hundreds of dollars more and be much larger. So a great price for a nice small unit that doesn't take up a bunch of bench space and you can pull it out whenever you find a use for it.

Works well. Build quality is fine. Typical for its price point

I missed the return window, contacted supplier through Amazon they responded within a couple of days wanting a video of the problem, I sent them a video of the unit failing to operate that included the Amazon order number, but they missed it, so I responded again with a copy of the order. It was crickets after that, I contacted them a couple of times after but didn't hear back. I would not suggest buying this product. Can't give it a zero star review.

This product works as advertised. i use it not quite on a daily basis but pretty close. The only problem is the screen is horrible in sun light and will need some shade

Nice little tester, works well and is very accurate. Very handy

This signal generator might be very good. The construction and packaging seem excellent. The user manual is a poor translation and incomplete. The unit is intended for industrial use - not the hobbyist market. It is not a general purpose signal generator. Read the manual at the FNIRSI website before you buy.

I was looking for a cheap alternative to carry with me. This little tool is easy enough to travel with, and I checked it against a Fluke 725 and found it’s dead on.