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general_information:ac_power_connectors

AC Power Connectors

HP/Agilent/Keysight test equipment spans decades, and many instruments predate the availability of the now-ubiquitous IEC 60320-C13 connector.

Earlier HP instruments employ type PH-163 “oval” connectors on the instrument end. These cables were originally manufactured by Belden, whose power cable division was sold to Volex. In any case, this connector series has long since been discontinued. The Belden/Volex part numbers are 17952 and 17280. These are the same connector but they are wired differently. On both, ground is the center pin, but hot and neutral are reversed between them. HP used the 17952 pinout.

To identify a power cable of this type, hold the cable so that the PH-163 connector's center pin is down, and look into the end. The pinout is as follows:

  • 17952 (HP): left is neutral, right is hot
  • 17280 (UL 817/CSA 895B): left is hot, right is neutral

These cables can be difficult to locate. They've been modeled for 3D printing, so you can make your own if you have a 3D printer. The model is available here. The user assumes all responsibility; please take great care if you do this.

general_information/ac_power_connectors.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/14 16:35 (external edit)

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