Well, we already had HP gear, such as 33120A ARB Function generator, HP 4263B LCR meter, famous 3458A and HP 3245A. But all these instrument are old enough to have genuine Hewlett-Packard logo on the front panel.

Before I share details, let me explain the reasoning behind this latest purshuase. I already own and use great general purpose SourceMeter Keithley Model 2400. It’s a versatile and useful tool, able to provide or take up to 22W of power and able to go up to 210VDC and 1A. I often use it weeks long for voltage references tests and circuits debug. But for more advanced tests, like opamp analysis and performance tests more than one SMU is required, and this bring us a question either getting second Keithley SMU, which are still expensive, or something else instead.

Shortly after I found this Agilent 4142B up for sale with minimum bid at 200$. Mainframe already have two dual channel voltage source/monitor modules and one 100V/100mA SMU module. I made an impulse $210 bid (usually I research item well before bidding) and did not expected to win, as same 4142B even without SMU modules sell for few K$ USD. But to my surprise, I won the unit and after quick but expensive EMS shipping it arrived.

I made over 140 photos of all boards and parts of the mainframe and modules, all of which are available in the new review and teardown of Agilent 4142B article. All modules and mainframe happen to work without any problems or errors, so it’s a score.

Looking forward to use it and do some experiments with opamps and plot some curve traces of various semiconductors. One more module, broken SMU 41420A is on it’s way as well, to further repairs and more coverage!