Agilent Technologies Inc. Has announced the Agilent U8480 Series USB thermocouple power sensors. Based on the same front-end design as the Agilent 8480 and N8480 Series power sensors, the new U8480 Series offers improved specifications, including a measurement speed of 400 readings per second, 10 times faster than the legacy series.
 The U8480 Series provides accuracy in Agilent’s power-meter and sensor portfolio and comes with a power linearity of less than 0.8 percent. As Agilent’s first power sensor with the ability to measure down to DC, the U8480 Series covers a broader range of test applications. DC-range measurements are frequently used for source calibration, as power-measurement references, and for testing select electromagnetic compatibility.
With USB functionality, U8480 Series power sensors plug directly in to PCs or USB-enabled Agilent instruments and offer users the ability to measure power without needing an external power meter or power supply.
“Thermocouple -based power sensors are known for providing accurate power measurements but with a trade-off of slower measurement speeds,” said Ee Huei Sin, vice president, Agilent’s Basic Instruments Division. He added, “The U8480 Series overcomes this limitation and offers a significant improvement in measurement speed, making these sensors ideal for users who require high throughput and accuracy.”
