Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 10833B vs Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 10833A
This comparison covers the Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent HP) 10833B and 10833A GPIB (IEEE-488) instrument control cables. Both products are designed for integration into automated test equipment setups, providing reliable communications and robust shielding against electromagnetic interference. While they share identical interface designs and electrical capabilities, their physical layout differences dictate how they are deployed within an instrument rack or test bench.
- 10833A Cable Length
- 1 m (3.3 ft)
- 10833B Cable Length
- 2 m (6.6 ft)
- Locking Screw Thread
- Metric M3.5 x 0.6
- Maximum Connected Instruments
- 15
- Shielding Design
- Double-shielded
Specifications
| Specification | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)10833B | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)10833A |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Interfaces | GPIB (IEEE-488) | GPIB (IEEE-488) |
| Physical & Mechanical Properties | ||
| Cable Length | 2 m (6.6 ft) | 1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Locking Screw Thread Type | Metric M3.5 x 0.6 | Metric M3.5 × 0.6 |
| Outer Jacket Color | Gray | Gray |
| Shielding Type | Double shielded | — |
| Locking Screw Finish / Color | — | Black (signifying metric M3.5 thread) |
| Number of Conductors | — | 24 |
| Connector & Interconnect Configuration | ||
| Connector A Type | 24-pin GPIB (IEEE-488) Male / Female | 24-pin GPIB (IEEE-488) Male/Female Stackable |
| Connector B Type | 24-pin GPIB (IEEE-488) Male / Female | 24-pin GPIB (IEEE-488) Male/Female Stackable |
| Stackable Connector Design | Yes (Piggyback) | Yes (Piggyback configuration) |
| System Integration & Topology Limits | ||
| Maximum Number of Connectable Instruments | 15 | 15 |
| Maximum Recommended System Cable Length | 20 m | 20 m (or 2 m per device, whichever is less) |
| Maximum Recommended Stack Height | — | 3 connectors |
| Compliance & Certifications | ||
| IEEE-488.1 Compatibility | Fully compatible (mechanical specification) | Fully compatible (mechanical specification) |
| IEEE-488.2 Compatibility | Compatible | — |
| Physical | ||
| Cable Length in Feet | — | 3.3 ft |
| Connector Contact Plating | — | Gold |
| Shielding | — | Double-shielded (braid and foil) |
| Compliance & Standards | ||
| RoHS Compliant | — | Yes |
Cable Length and System Topology
The primary difference between these two cables is physical length. The 10833A measures 1 meter (3.3 feet), making it ideal for short runs between stacked instruments. The 10833B measures 2 meters (6.6 feet), providing extra reach for devices positioned further apart within a rack.
When planning system topology, engineers must consider the recommended maximum system cable length of 20 meters (or 2 meters per device, whichever is less). Connecting up to the maximum of 15 instruments requires careful management of individual cable lengths to remain within these signal integrity limits.
Connector Design and Shielding
Both cables employ a stackable piggyback connector design, allowing multiple GPIB connectors to be layered on top of one another. The 10833A features gold connector contact plating and has a maximum recommended stack height of 3 connectors to prevent physical strain on instrument backplanes.
Each cable uses a metric M3.5 x 0.6 thread type for its locking screws. On the 10833A, the locking screws feature a black finish to signify this metric thread standard. In terms of construction, both feature a gray outer jacket and double-shielding to minimize external interference; the 10833A explicitly specifies a braid and foil construction.
Frequently asked questions
- Are these cables compatible with the IEEE-488.2 standard?
- The 10833B is specified as compatible with the IEEE-488.2 standard. Both the 10833A and 10833B are fully compatible with the IEEE-488.1 mechanical specification.
- How many conductors are inside the 10833A cable?
- The 10833A cable contains 24 conductors.