Rigol DP832 with standard banana plugs

Summary

This is more an 'instructables' rather than a blog post and relates to the undersized banana post holes on older model DP832 power supplies.

Rigol DP832

Undersized Binding Post - Early Models

Although I had been using the Rigol DP832 for some time, there only recently became a requirement to upgrade the leads used with the power supply. There has been an issue with the early model DP832 binding posts which had been mentioned on a number of forums such as the EEVBlog.

It should be noted that the newer DP832 models (second half 2017 builds and possibly earlier) have the larger 4mm sized internal hole in the binding posts.

Binding Post Drilling
Armed with a 4mm drill bit in the drill, the first binding post was carefully brought into a state of banana compatibility.

DP832 drilling binding posts

After the first binding post was drilled and the metal shavings removed, a new banana plug was tested - snug fit! Disclaimer - Modify the binding posts at your own risk. This posts shows how the binding posts were modified on my Rigol DP832.

DP832 new banana plug test

Using the 4mm bit results in a fit for the banana plug which is tight and my preference when handling anything power related. A 4.1mm bit was not tried however this was mentioned in the EEVBlog forum.

DP832 with newly drilled binding posts

The depth to drill the binding post is somewhat dependent on the original hole depth. 

DP832 binding post hole depth

On average the depth of the hole in the DP832 binding posts that were drilled was between 16-18mm. It should be noted the exposed metal section of a standard banana plug is approximately 18mm, however contact with the banana plug is achieved in the first 12mm of the banana plug only.