# HP 3245A Universal Source (Pre-Owned)

# HP 3245A Universal Source (Pre-Owned)

## Key Features At A Glance

-   Precision DC outputs with 6.5 digits of resolution and 24-bit high-resolution mode
-   Synthesized AC with 0.4% amplitude accuracy across sine, square, triangle, ramp, and arbitrary waveforms to 1 MHz
-   Phase-continuous frequency changes with 0.001 Hz frequency resolution and 50 ppm frequency accuracy
-   Floating outputs with selectable 0 ohm or 50 ohm output impedance
-   Nonvolatile storage of up to 14 instrument setups
-   Optional second-channel output for two independent or phase-related waveforms
-   Optional 100-volt high-voltage amplifier (Option 002) extending output to ±100 V DC or 200 V peak-to-peak AC
-   HP-IB interface with downloadable subroutines and BASIC-like programming constructs for system operation

The HP 3245A Universal Source is a synthesized signal source that combines precision DC voltage and current output, synthesized AC waveform generation, and arbitrary waveform capability in a single 3.5-inch tall instrument. As described in its product documentation, the 3245A is designed to serve as a versatile bench source while also fitting into computer-aided test systems, providing the capabilities of AC, DC, ARB, and second-channel options in one chassis.

Listed applications include testing A/D converters, voltage-to-frequency converters, VCOs, transducers, and other equipment that requires a highly accurate DC voltage or current source. The arbitrary waveform capability supports modem testing, tone-sequence generation, DTMF generation, and FSK generation, particularly when the optional second channel is installed. The instrument is positioned for use both as a standalone bench source and as a component in automated test systems.

ValueTronics International has specialized in new and pre-owned electronic test equipment since 1992, with operations centered at our 20,000 square foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Every pre-owned instrument we offer is inspected and tested by our in-house technical team before it is listed, and each unit ships with documentation that reflects what was actually measured rather than what was assumed. For buyers who need a working, supported HP 3245A for an existing test fixture or development bench, this in-house verification is the difference between a documented purchase and an unverified gamble.

## Brand Heritage

The HP 3245A was originally manufactured by Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement division. In 1999, that division was spun off as Agilent Technologies, and in 2014 the electronic measurement portion of Agilent was transferred to Keysight Technologies. Instruments carrying the HP brand on the front panel, including the 3245A, trace through this corporate lineage and are sometimes referenced in customer test procedures under any of the three names.

## Product Core & Specifications

DC Volts Output

High-resolution (24-bit) mode

Range

0 Ω Mode Resolution / 50 Ω Mode Resolution

1 V

1 µV / 0.5 µV

10 V

10 µV / 5 µV

Low-resolution (12-bit) mode

0.078125 V

— / 40 µV

0.15625 V

79 µV / 79 µV

0.3125 V

157 µV / 157 µV

0.625 V

313 µV / 313 µV

1.25 V

625 µV / 625 µV

2.5 V

1250 µV / 1250 µV

5 V

2.5 mV / 2.5 mV

10 V

5.0 mV / —

Current compliance

100 mA on all ranges

Settling time (Delay 0)

High-resolution: 0.1% of step

20 ms

High-resolution: 0.001% of step

40 ms (1 s if function changed)

Low-resolution: 0.1% of step (0 Ω Mode)

100 µs

Low-resolution: 0.1% of step (50 Ω Mode)

25 µs

Low-resolution: 0.5% of step (50 Ω Mode)

5 µs

Overshoot (High-res)

< 5% of step + 0.15% of range

Overshoot (Low-res)

< 30% of step + 2% of range

DC Volts Accuracy (<10 Hz noise): ± (% of programmed output + volts), impedance mode, >1 MΩ load. Tcal 18°C to 28°C. One hour warm-up.

24 Hour, Tcal ±1°C, 10 V High-Res

0.0007% + 85 µV

24 Hour, Tcal ±1°C, 1 V High-Res

0.0008% + 15 µV

24 Hour, Tcal ±1°C, Low-Res (all ranges)

0.09% of output + 0.02% of range

90 Day, Tcal ±5°C, 10 V High-Res

0.0036% + 180 µV

90 Day, Tcal ±5°C, 1 V High-Res

0.0042% + 31 µV

90 Day Low-Res 10 V

0.17% + 37 mV

90 Day Low-Res 5 V

0.17% + 19 mV

90 Day Low-Res 2.5 V

0.17% + 9.2 mV

90 Day Low-Res 1.25 V

0.17% + 4.6 mV

90 Day Low-Res 0.625 V

0.17% + 2.5 mV

90 Day Low-Res 0.3125 V

0.17% + 1.3 mV

90 Day Low-Res 0.15625 V

0.17% + 0.73 mV

DC Volts Accuracy with Option 002

Ninety-day accuracy in low-resolution mode is ±(0.2% of output + 370 mV) for 10-volt range (10x amplifier; 100 volts output)

DC Current Output Resolution

0.1 mA

High: 0.1 nA / Low: 50 nA

1 mA

High: 1 nA / Low: 500 nA

10 mA

High: 10 nA / Low: 5 µA

100 mA

High: 100 nA / Low: 50 µA

DC Current Accuracy, 90 DAY: Tcal ±5°C, after one hour warm-up

100 mA High-Res

0.0202% + 3.3 µA

10 mA High-Res

0.0074% + 220 nA

1 mA High-Res

0.0052% + 20 nA

0.1 mA High-Res

0.0052% + 3.3 nA

100 mA Low-Res

0.32% + 400 µA

10 mA Low-Res

0.30% + 52 µA

1 mA Low-Res

0.25% + 3.7 µA

0.1 mA Low-Res

0.25% + 0.38 µA

AC Volts Output Characteristics (sine, square, ramp, arbitrary)

Frequency range (sine, arbitrary, square at 50% duty cycle)

0 to 1 MHz

Frequency range (ramp)

0 to 100 kHz

Frequency range (square w/duty cycle not equal to 50%)

0 to 100 kHz

Amplitude and/or offset resolution

.15625 V (Peak-Peak)

50 Ω: 79 µV / 0 Ω: —

.3125 V

50 Ω: 157 µV / 0 Ω: 157 µV

.625 V

50 Ω: 313 µV / 0 Ω: 313 µV

1.25 V

50 Ω: 625 µV / 0 Ω: 625 µV

2.5 V

50 Ω: 1250 µV / 0 Ω: 1250 µV

5 V

50 Ω: 2.5 mV / 0 Ω: 2.5 mV

10 V

50 Ω: 5.0 mV / 0 Ω: 5.0 mV

20 V

50 Ω: — / 0 Ω: 10.0 mV

Amplitude range

10% to 100% of range

AC Amplitude Accuracy (sine, ramp, arbitrary)

24 Hour, Tcal ±1°C

0.16% of output + .25% of range

90 Day, Tcal ±5°C

0.29% of output + .36% of range

AC Amplitude Accuracy with Option 002

Ninety-day accuracy is ±(0.32% of output + 3.6% of range) for 10-volt range (10x amplifier; 100 volts output)

Sinewave characteristics (50 Ω Mode)

<3 kHz

Harmonic/Spurious (amp1 ≥50%): <-62 dB; THD (amp1 ≥50% of range): <-56 dB; Flatness ref 1 kHz: .07 dB

to 10 kHz

<-62 dB; <-50 dB; .07 dB

to 30 kHz

<-52 dB; <-48 dB; .07 dB

to 100 kHz

<-46 dB; <-46 dB; .20 dB

to 300 kHz

<-40 dB; —; .60 dB

to 1 MHz

<-37 dB; —; 2.00 dB

\*Additional fixed spurious response > 4 MHz: 500 µVrms

Squarewave characteristics (50 Ω Mode)

Rise time

< 250 ns, 10% to 90%

Settling time

< 1 µs to 1% of amplitude

Overshoot

< 5% of peak-to-peak amplitude

Duty cycle range

5% to 95%, 0 to 100 kHz; 50% above 100 kHz

Duty cycle accuracy

±(0.8% of period + 120 ns)

Frequency resolution

0.001 Hz

Frequency accuracy

±50 ppm, 18 to 28°C

Frequency temperature coefficient

±1 ppm/°C

Phase offset range

\-360 to +360°

Phase offset resolution

<0.001°

Ramp linearity to 1 kHz (50 Ω Mode)

0.3% of peak-to-peak value measured @ 50% duty cycle from 10% to 90% point

Ramp duty cycle range

5% to 95% with < 0.1% resolution

Arbitrary waveform sample rate

~4.3 MHz, run through 1.25 MHz 5-pole low-pass filter

Arbitrary waveform array depth

2048 bytes

Nonvolatile setup storage

Up to 14 setups

Interface

HP-IB

**Important:** The Option 002 high-voltage amplifier and the Option 001 second-channel output cannot be installed in the same instrument.**Important:** It is not possible to have both the Second Channel (Option 001) and the High-Voltage (Option 002) options installed in the same instrument; the second channel slot is used for the high-voltage option.

## About this used unit

-   Warranty included
-   Functional verification included
-   Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
-   Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

**Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.**

## Details

- **Price:** 0.0 USD
- **Vendor:** HP
- **Type:** Func Gen
- **Tags:** Agilent, Agilent Keysight, Function, Manufacturers, product_manual_group_1, Product_used, Signal Generators

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| None | 0.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable | 0.00 USD | In stock |
| NIST Traceable with Full Data | 0.00 USD | In stock |
| ISO IEC 17025 Accredited | 0.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- HP 3245A Universal Source (Pre-Owned)

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> Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/3245a-agilent-function-generator-used)
> Updated: 2026-05-30