# HP 432B Thermistor Power Meter (Pre-Owned) # HP 432B Thermistor Power Meter (Pre-Owned) ## Key Features At A Glance - Automatic self-balancing power meter for use with temperature-compensated thermistor sensors - High accuracy with low thermoelectric error — ±0.2% ±0.5 μW achievable on sensitive ranges - Seven full-scale ranges from 10 μW to 10 mW (432A); also calibrated in dBm from −20 dBm to +10 dBm in 5 dB steps - 13-position calibration factor control normalizes meter reading from 100% to 88% in 1% steps to compensate for mount losses - Taut-band suspension mirror-backed analog meter with milliwatt scale over 108 mm (4.25 in.) long - Recorder output proportional to indicated power with 1 volt corresponding to full scale - Noise less than 0.25% of full scale peak (typical); response time 35 ms at recorder output - Automatic front-panel zero with less than 0.50% zero carryover on most sensitive range The HP 432A is an automatic, self-balancing thermistor power meter designed for use with temperature-compensated thermistor sensors. It measures the output voltage of the thermistor bridges and computes the corresponding power, allowing high accuracy to be maintained even on the most sensitive range because the error due to thermoelectric effect is reduced to a negligible level. The 432A is used with HP thermistor mounts and microwave sensors (including HP 478B, 8478B, and 486 series mounts) to perform RF and microwave power measurements across the operating range of the mount. Each thermistor mount is furnished with data stating the Calibration Factor and Effective Efficiency at various frequencies, and the 432A's front-panel 13-position calibration factor control — calibrated in 1% steps from 88% to 100% — compensates for losses in the mount and eliminates the need for separate calculation. ValueTronics has supplied refurbished and tested HP, Agilent, and Keysight power measurement equipment to RF, microwave, and calibration laboratories for over three decades. Each {{CONDITION}} HP 432A passes through our 20,000 sq ft secure facility at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois, where it is performance-tested, cleaned, and prepared for shipment by technicians familiar with the thermistor power measurement family. ## Brand Heritage Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement business was spun out as Agilent Technologies in 1999 and then transferred to Keysight Technologies in 2014. HP 432-series power meters and the companion 8477A calibrator predate both transitions but remain part of the lineage now associated with Keysight's power measurement product line. ## Compare Other Models in This Series The HP 432 Series consists of two thermistor power meters that share the same automatic self-balancing measurement architecture and temperature-compensated thermistor sensor compatibility, differing primarily in display type and range coverage. Both instruments are designed around the same accuracy class — high accuracy with negligible thermoelectric error — and both use the same calibrated thermistor mounts with front-panel calibration factor control. The 8477A is not a power meter but the dedicated calibrator for the 432 family. It allows users to verify full-scale meter readings on all ranges and confirm meter tracking by connecting three cables between the power meter and calibrator, without requiring charts or additional instruments. Each pre-owned model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing and availability. Select the model that fits your application, then choose the condition tier that fits your budget and documentation requirements. The 432A is the analog-meter member of the family, featuring a taut-band suspension mirror-backed meter movement with a milliwatt scale more than 108 mm long across seven full-scale ranges from 10 μW to 10 mW. It is the lighter and lower-power-consumption variant (1.5 watts, 2.3 kg net) and is the only member of the family for which the Option 001 rechargeable battery is available, supporting up to 20 hours of continuous operation. The 432A uses an analog taut-band meter with seven full-scale ranges (10, 30, 100, 300 μW, 1, 3, 10 mW) and consumes 1.5 watts. The 432B uses a three-digit digital display with one digit of overrange and 20% overrange capability on all ranges, has four full-scale ranges (10 and 100 μW, 1 and 10 mW), consumes 10 watts, and is the only family member with BCD output (8-4-2-1 code, TTL compatible, with Print and Inhibit lines for use with the HP 5150A Option 002 BCD digital recorder). The 8477A is the family's calibrator, not a measurement instrument: it operates from 115 or 230 Vac ±10% at 3 watts and is used to verify 432-series meter accuracy across all ranges. See the comparison table for full specifications by model. Model Type Power Range Display **432B** Thermistor Power Meter (Digital) 10 and 100 µW; 1 and 10 mW full scale Three digits with one digit overrange (20% overrange capability on all ranges) 432A Thermistor Power Meter 10, 30, 100, 300 µW; 1, 3, 10 mW full scale (also dBm from -20 dBm to +10 dBm in 5 dB steps) Taut-band suspension analog meter, milliwatt scale >108 mm (4.25 in.) 8477A Power Meter Calibrator (for HP 432) — — Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below. ## Product Core & Specifications Specification HP 432A HP 432B Power Range (full scale) 10, 30, 100, 300 µW; 1, 3, 10 mW (also dBm from -20 dBm to +10 dBm in 5 dB steps) 10 and 100 µW; 1 and 10 mW Accuracy ±0.2% ±0.5 µW (high accuracy by measuring output voltage of thermistor bridges) ±0.2% ±0.5 µW (high accuracy by measuring output voltage of thermistor bridges) Noise Less than 0.25% of full scale peak (typical) Less than 0.25% of full scale peak (typical) Response Time 35 ms time constant at recorder output (typical) 35 ms time constant at recorder output (typical) Fine Zero Automatic, operated by front panel switch Automatic, operated by front panel switch Zero Carryover Less than 0.50% of full scale when zeroed on most sensitive range Less than 0.50% of full scale when zeroed on most sensitive range Meter / Display Taut-band suspension, individually calibrated, mirror-backed scales. Milliwatt scale more than 108 mm (4.25 in.) Three digits with one digit overrange. 20% overrange capability on all ranges Calibration Factor Control 13-position switch normalizes meter reading to account for thermistor sensor calibration factor. Range 100% to 88% in 1% steps 13-position switch normalizes meter reading to account for thermistor sensor calibration factor. Range 100% to 88% in 1% steps Thermistor Sensor Required for operation (HP 478B, 8478B and 486 series for microwave sensors) Required for operation (HP 478B, 8478B and 486 series for microwave sensors) Recorder Output Proportional to indicated power with 1 volt corresponding to full scale; low-output impedance Proportional to indicated power with 1 volt corresponding to full scale; low-output impedance BCD Output — 8, 4, 2, 1 code: "1" positive. TTL compatible logic. Operates with HP 5150A, Opt 002 (BCD) Digital Recorder. "Print" and "Inhibit" lines available Power Consumption 115 or 230 Vac ±10%, 50 to 400 Hz, 1.5 watts 115 or 230 Vac ±10%, 50 to 400 Hz, 10 watts Net Weight 2.3 kg (5.5 lb) 3 kg (6.5 lb) Shipping Weight 4.6 kg (10 lb) 4.8 kg (10.5 lb) Size (W x H x D) 130 x 155 x 279 mm (5.2" x 6.1" x 11.0") 130 x 155 x 279 mm (5.2" x 6.1" x 11.0") Instrument Type Automatic, self-balancing power meter for use with temperature-compensated thermistor sensor Automatic, self-balancing power meter for use with temperature-compensated thermistor sensor **Important:** Thermistor sensors are required for operation of the HP 432A/B. For microwave sensors HP 478B, 8478B, and 486 series, see page 589 of the original catalog.**Important:** Thermistor sensors are required for operation of the HP 432A/B and are NOT included with the base unit. For microwave sensors, see HP 478B, 8478B, and 486 series (page 589 of the source catalog).**Important:** The HP 8477A Power Meter Calibrator is specifically designed for use with the HP 432 Power Meter. It allows verification of full-scale meter readings on all ranges and meter tracking; simply connect three cables between the power meter and calibrator — no charts or additional instruments are required.**Important:** BCD output (HP 432B only) is TTL-compatible and operates with HP 5150A, Opt 002 (BCD) Digital Recorder. "Print" and "Inhibit" lines available.Recommended pairing: the HP 8477A Power Meter Calibrator is specifically designed for use with the HP 432 Power Meter and allows full-scale meter readings to be verified on all ranges and meter tracking to be confirmed by connecting three cables between the power meter and calibrator — no charts or additional instruments are required. ## 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:** Pow Met - **Tags:** Agilent, Agilent Keysight, Manufacturers, Meters & DAQ, product_manual_group_3, Product_used, RF Power ## Variants | Variant | Price | Available | |---------|-------|-----------| | Default Title | 0.00 USD | In stock | ## Images - 432B Agilent Keysight HP RF Power Meter --- > Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/432b-agilent-rf-power-meter-used) > Updated: 2026-05-30