Description
The PRS-330 was designed with the right mix of features for to be efficient for both manual and automated application in both laboratory and production environments such as; calibration of resistance meters, calibration of temperature controllers and indicators, automated test systems requiring a precision resistive load.
With its wide resistance range and 6-digit resolution, the PRS-330 was designed to replace multiple decade boxes and reduce test time.
With its industry leading 5-year warranty all aspects of the PRS-330 focus on reliability, reduced ownership costs and simplicity out of the box.
User interface
The PRS-330 utilizes a large state-of-the-art color capacitive touchscreen which provides super-fast response time. Even in low or bright light conditions, the display provides exceptional clarity with large fonts and easy-to-read menus.
The user interface also features softkeys and a numeric keypad allowing the use of the user interface without using the touchscreen.
Interface and drivers
The operation is both local using a color touch screen, soft keys, and numeric keypad or remote control with standard USB, Ethernet, and IEEE-488 interfaces. The versatility of USB, Ethernet or GPIB interfaces allows you to completely automate your testing.
Highest quality components
The programmable resistance box employs high-quality gold-plated tellurium-copper five-way binding posts serve to minimize the thermal emf effects, which would produce errors in dc resistance measurements. Resistors are custom Z-foil and low inductance wirewound for low TC and excellent stability.
RTD calibration
Built-in tables for PT100 and PT1000 RTDs and direct resistance substitution makes the PRS-330 ideal for RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) simulation. User-defined tables can also be created for use with other RTDs. The operator can enter temperature directly and the correct resistance will automatically be programmed.
No zero resistance. 0.1 Ω is 0.1 Ω
The PRS Series programmable resistance box employs very low resistance, low thermal emf relays with gold-clad silver-alloy contacts. A special design keeps contact resistance to a minimum. The gold plating keeps the silver contacts from becoming tarnished when unused, or when only low currents are passed through them. This is most often the case when only minute test currents are drawn by digital multimeters and other test instruments. Contact resistance remains low and repeatable through the use of multiple contacts.
Switching between resistance changes
The relays can be switched via fast, short or open. Fast switching changes resistance values with a switch time of less than 10 ms. Short and open allows a known state when resistance values are changed either manually or programmatically however more time is required between switching. Short switching introduces a short (0.1 Ω) in between resistance changes. Open switching introduces an open between resistance changes.
ac performance
The PRS-330 programmable resistance box is a precision resistance source with excellent characteristics of stability, temperature coefficient, and power coefficient. The use of low inductance wirewound and Z-foil resistors allows the PRS-330 to be used in ac applications with minimal resistance change below 1 kHz.
See PRS Decade Resistor ac Performance Application Note for additional information.
Resistor carousel
Built-in EIA “preferred value” resistance tables of 1% (E96), 5% (E24), 10% (E12) increments or user specified increment allows the PRS-330 to be used as a resistor carousel.
Further improve on accuracy to <15 ppm
Additionally, if you own an 8.5 digit DMM, Fluke 8508A, 8588A or the Keysight 3458A, for no additional cost, the PRS-330 can be used as part of the PRS-DMM system which will further improve on the accuracy of the unit to However, unlike the PRS-370 this requires a separate PC for operation.
If you own or consider buying one of these DMM’s you should strongly consider the PRS-370 instead of the PRS-330
The Patented PRS-370 Programmable Resistance Standard can control an 8.5 digit DMM like Fluke 8508A, 8588A or the Keysight 3458A, and automatically adjust the source resistance to achieve an accuracy of <10 ppm without the need of an external computer
Calibration history
Calibration history of each internal resistor can be reviewed to show drift and performance. The calibration history data can be retrieved via SCPI command for further analysis. Pressing a switch on the front panel allows access to calibration history and adjustment menus minimizing unauthorized access.
Cybersecurity statement
The PRS-330 contains a microcontroller, and runs proprietary firmware. The firmware can only be updated via a JTAG or similar cable and only accessed by removing the top cover of the instrument. There are no facilities to update firmware via the USB, Ethernet or GPIB interfaces on the PRS-330.
Windows or Linux are not used in this product. A factory reset is provided which will reset the PRS-330 back to factory default including calibration data history and all other data that can be saved by a user.
Optional Rack Mounting
The PRS Series programmable resistance box may be rack mounted to serve as components in measurement and control systems.
USB driver for Windows 7 and Windows 10
The USB interface uses a MCP2200 Driver. If the driver is not automatically installed by Windows this can be download and installed using the link below.
For USB interface: Download: MCP2200.zip
Unzip the file and follow instructions to install.
Ethernet interface
For Ethernet interface: Download: ICS_VXI-11.zip
Unzip the file and follow instructions to install. The application allows the user to change IP address and communicate with the PRS. Please see PRS-330 instruction manual for more information.
