To Set the Resolution

Chapter 1 Quick Start

You can set the display resolution to 41⁄2, 51⁄2, or 61⁄2 digits either to optimize measurement speed or noise rejection. In this book, the most significant digit (leftmost on the display) is referred to as the “1⁄2” digit, since it can only be a “0” or “1.”

Press the Shift key.

Selects 41⁄2 digits.

Selects 51⁄2 digits.

Selects 61⁄2 digits (most noise rejection).

•The resolution is set to 51⁄2 digits at power-on and after a remote interface reset.

•The resolution is fixed at 51⁄2 digits for continuity and diode tests.

•You can also vary the number of digits displayed using the arrow keys (however, the integration time is not changed).

Fewer More

Digits Digits

Resolution is local to the selected function. This means that you can select the resolution for each function independently. The multimeter remembers the resolution when you switch between functions.

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Agilent Technologies 34401A manual To Set the Resolution

34401A specifications

Agilent Technologies 34401A is a highly reputable digital multimeter (DMM), renowned for its accuracy, versatility, and performance in a wide range of measurement applications. First introduced in the early 1990s, the 34401A has become a staple in laboratories, manufacturing environments, and educational institutions due to its robust build and comprehensive features.

One of the standout characteristics of the 34401A is its impressive accuracy, boasting a basic DC voltage accuracy of 0.0035%, making it ideal for precise measurements in electronic testing. The multimeter offers a wide range of measurement capabilities, including voltage (DC and AC), current (DC and AC), resistance, frequency, and continuity test, making it a highly versatile tool for engineers and technicians.

The 34401A utilizes a 6½-digit resolution, enabling the user to measure small changes in electrical signals with remarkable precision. With a sampling rate of up to 1000 readings per second, it can handle dynamic test requirements, providing timely results without sacrificing measurement integrity.

In terms of connectivity, the Agilent 34401A includes a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) for remote operation, allowing users to automate their testing processes and integrate the multimeter easily into larger measurement systems. This feature is particularly beneficial in automated test environments, where speed and accuracy are paramount.

Additionally, the DMM incorporates advanced measurement functions, such as statistical analysis, including mean, standard deviation, and minimum/maximum readings, which provide users with valuable insights into their data. The instrument's user-friendly interface, complete with a clear digital display and intuitive controls, enhances usability and ensures that users can easily navigate its various functions.

Robust software support further extends the capabilities of the Agilent 34401A. It is compatible with a range of software tools for data logging and analysis, enabling users to efficiently document and analyze their measurements over time.

In summary, Agilent Technologies 34401A stands out in the realm of digital multimeters due to its high accuracy, extensive measurement functionalities, and user-friendly features. Whether for research and development, quality control, or educational purposes, the 34401A remains a preferred choice for professionals demanding reliable and precise measurement solutions. Its enduring legacy in the industry speaks to its performance and reliability, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in electronic testing and measurement.

Contents

Agilent 34401A ½ Digit Multimeter U T I O N WA RN I N G Safety Information Protection Limits Additional Notices Declaration of Conformity Flexible System Features Convenient Bench-Top Features Menu Operation keys Front Panel at a Glance Input / Output Menu Front-Panel Menu at a GlanceTRIGger Menu SYStem Menu Adrs Rmt Man Trig Hold Mem Ratio Math Error Rear Shift 4W Display AnnunciatorsKey as you Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to Rear Panel at a Glance This Book Contents Contents Error Messages Remote Interface ReferenceApplication Programs Specifications Measurement TutorialIndex Declaration of Conformity Quick Start Quick Start Check the list of supplied items Connect the power cord and turn on the multimeterTo Prepare the Multimeter for Use To Prepare the Multimeter for Use If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On Verify that there is ac power to the multimeterVerify the power-line voltage setting Verify that the power-line fuse is good Replace the fuse-holder assembly in the rear panel To Adjust the Carrying Handle To Adjust the Carrying HandleBench-top viewing positions Carrying position To Measure Voltage To Measure ResistanceTo Measure Voltage To Measure Current To Measure Frequency or PeriodTo Measure Current To Test Continuity To Check DiodesTo Test Continuity To Select a Range To Select a Range To Set the Resolution To Set the Resolution Front-Panel Display Formats To Rack Mount the Multimeter To Rack Mount the Multimeter Quick Start Front-Panel Menu Operation Front-Panel Menu Operation Front-Panel Menu Reference Front-Panel Menu Reference Secured Front-Panel Menu Reference SYStem Menu Front-Panel Menu Tutorial Front-Panel Menu Tutorial Menu Bottom You pressed Messages Displayed During Menu USE Move across to the SYS Menu choice on this level Turn on the menu Move across to the Beep command on the commands level Move down a level to the Beep parameter choicesSave the change and turn off the menu Use menu recall to return to the Beep command Move down to the Beep parameter choicesMove across to the on choice Math Menu Move down to edit the Null Value parameter Make the number negativeIncrement the first digit until 2 is displayed Increase the displayed number by a factor Move across to the SYS Menu choice on the menus level Move down a level and then across to the Comma commandTo Turn Off the Comma Separator To Turn Off the Comma Separator To Make Null Relative Measurements To Make Null Relative MeasurementsResult = reading null value To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings To Make dB Measurements To Make dB MeasurementsDB = reading in dBm relative value in dBm To Make dBm Measurements To Make dBm MeasurementsDBm = 10 ⋅ Log10 reading2 / reference resistance / 1 mW To Trigger the Multimeter To Trigger the Multimeter To Use Reading Hold To Use Reading Hold To Make dcvdcv Ratio Measurements To Make dcvdcv Ratio Measurements Move down a level and then across to the Ratio Func command Meas MenuMove down to the parameter level To Use Reading Memory Select the single trigger modeMove down to a level to the Rdgs Store command To Use Reading Memory This takes you to the Saved Rdgs command in the SYS Menu Move down a level to view the first stored reading Move across to view the two remaining stored readingsTurn off the menu Features and Functions Math Operations, starting on Triggering, starting on Features and Functions Applies to ac voltage and ac current measurements only Measurement ConfigurationAC Signal Filter Measurement Configuration See also To Test Continuity, on Continuity Threshold Resistance Input R Meas Menu DC Input Resistance Resolution Choices Integration Time Resolution This is the 10 Vdc range, 51⁄2 digits are displayed Following commands Resolution setting. The default mode is 5 digits slowSee also To Set the Resolution, on Remote Interface Operation You can set the resolution using Integration Time Integration Time Resolution Returns Fron or Rear Front / Rear Input Terminal SwitchingDefault 51⁄2 digits, or 1 second 61⁄2 digits Remote Interface Operation Autozero Resolution Choices Integration Time Autozero Front-panel settings Measurement Configuration Autozero Ranging See also To Select a Range, on Remote Interface Operation You can set the range using anyAutoranging or manual ranging. For frequency and period Input voltage, not its frequency Math Operations Math OperationsFreq Per Cont Diode Ratio Null Min-Max DBm Limit Min-Max Operation MIN-MAXMATH MenuSee also To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings, on Null Relative Operation Math Operations Null Relative Entering a null value also turns on the null functionSee also To Make Null Relative Measurements, on DB Measurements DB REL Math MenuSee also To Make dB Measurements, on DBm Measurements DBm REF R Math MenuSee also To Make dBm Measurements, on Set the lower limit Limit TestingEnable or disable limit test Set the upper limit RS-232 interface circuitry may be damaged Limit testingMore information Reading that exceeds the upper or lower limit Triggering Triggering State Wait-forTrigger Key is disabled when in remote Trigger Source ChoicesFront-panel See also External Trigger Terminal, on Key is disabled when in remote Remote Interface Operation TRIGgerSOURce IMMediate Halting a Measurement in Progress Wait-for-Trigger State Front-Panel Operation Number of Samples Number of Triggers Trigger Delay Trigger Delay Zero DelayAuto Delay AC Voltage and AC Current for all ranges Automatic Trigger DelaysResistance 2-wire and 4-wire DC Voltage and DC Current for all ranges Reading Hold Read Hold Trig MenuSee also To Use Reading Hold, on External Trigger Terminal Voltmeter Complete Terminal SYS Menu System-Related OperationsReading Memory System-Related Operations Error SYS Menu Error Conditions Self-Test Test SYS MenuReturns 0 if the self-test is successful, or 1 if it fails Display the string enclosed in quotes Disable/enable the displayDisplay Control Display SYS Menu Beep SYS Menu Issue a single beep immediatelyDisable/enable beeper state Beeper Control See also To Turn Off the Comma Separator, on Comma SeparatorsFirmware Revision Query Comma SYS Menu You cannot query the Scpi version from the front panel Scpi Language Version Query Gpib address can be set only from the front-panel Remote Interface ConfigurationRemote Interface Configuration Gpib Address Gpib RS-232 Remote Interface SelectionRemote interface can be set only from the front-panel See also To Select the Remote Interface, on Baud Rate Selection RS-232 Parity Selection RS-232Parity I/O Menu Language I/O Menu Programming Language Selection Characters Calibration OverviewCalibration Security Calibration Overview Secured CAL Menu Calibration Security Unsecured CAL Menu Calibration Count Unsecure with old codeEnter new code Calibration Message To Replace the Current Input Fuses Operator MaintenanceTo Replace the Power-Line Fuse Operator Maintenance Power-On and Reset State Power-On and Reset State 102 Remote Interface Reference Remote Interface Reference Command Summary, starting on Command Summary Command Summary 106 107 CALCulate See page 124 for more information See page 132 for more information See page 127 for more information 110 111 Simplified Programming Overview MEASure? and CONFigure Preset StatesCommand MEASure? and CONFigure Setting Simplified Programming Overview Using the CONFigure Command Using the MEASure? Command Using the range and resolution Parameters Using the READ? CommandYou must specify a range to use the resolution parameter MEASure? Using the INITiate and FETCh? CommandsTo avoid this, do not send a query command without reading Before sending the second query command Simplified Programming Overview CONFigure MEASure? and CONFigure Commands MEASure? and CONFigure Commands MEASureDIODe? MEASureCONTinuity? CONFigureCURRentDC rangeMINMAXDEF,resolutionMINMAXDEF CONFigureCONTinuity CONFigureDIODeCONFigure? Measurement Configuration Commands Measurement Configuration Commands PERiodAPERture? MINimumMAXimum FunctionRESolution resolutionMINimumMAXimumFunctionRESolution? MINimumMAXimum FREQuencyAPERture? MINimumMAXimum SENSeZEROAUTO? SENSeDETectorBANDwidth 320200MINimumMAXimumSENSeDETectorBANDwidth? MINimumMAXimum SENSeZEROAUTO Offonceon Math Operation Commands Math Operation Commands CALCulateAVERageCOUNt? CALCulateAVERageMINimum?CALCulateAVERageMAXimum? CALCulateAVERageAVERage? DATAFEED? See also Triggering, starting on page 71 in chapter 128 129 Triggering Commands Triggering CommandsREAD? TRIGgerDELayAUTO? TRIGgerDELay secondsMINimumMAXimumTRIGgerDELay? MINimumMAXimum TRIGgerDELayAUTO Offon System-Related Commands System-Related Commands RST TST?IDN? Scpi Status Model What is an Event Register?What is an Enable Register? Scpi Status Model Scpi Status System Status Byte Bit Definitions Status Byte RegisterBit Decimal Definition Value U t i o n Using Service Request SRQ and Serial Poll Using *STB? to Read the Status Byte To Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQTo Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Buffer How to Use the Message Available Bit MAV Bit Definitions Standard Event Register Standard Event Register Scpi Status Model Bit Definitions Questionable Data Register Questionable Data Register 143 ESE? Status Reporting CommandsStatus Reporting Commands CLS PSC? ESR?OPC OPC? Calibration Commands Calibration Commands CALibrationVALue? CALibrationSTRing quoted stringCALibrationSTRing? CALibrationVALue value Even / 7 data bits, factory setting or Odd / 7 data bits RS-232 Interface ConfigurationRS-232 Configuration Overview RS-232 Interface Configuration Connection to a Computer or Terminal RS-232 Data Frame Format RS-232 Interface Configuration Multimeter sets the DTR line False in the following cases DTR / DSR Handshake Protocol RS-232 Troubleshooting RS-232 Interface Commands RS-232 Interface Commands An Introduction to the Scpi Language An Introduction to the Scpi LanguageSENSe Command Format Used in This Manual Using the MIN and MAX Parameters Command Separators Scpi Command Terminators Querying Parameter Settings Scpi Parameter Types IEEE-488.2 Common Commands Output Data Formats Output Data FormatsType of Output Data Output Data Format Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements Using Device Clear to Halt MeasurementsTalk only for Printers Turn on the front-panel menu Move down a level to the HP-IB Addr commandTo Set the Gpib Address To Set the Gpib Address Move down to the parameter level to select the interface Move down a level and then across to the Interface commandTo Select the Remote Interface To Select the Remote Interface Move down to the parameter level to select the baud rate Move down a level and then across to the Baud Rate commandTo Set the Baud Rate To Set the Baud Rate Move down to the parameter level to select the parity Move down a level and then across to the Parity commandTo Set the Parity To Set the Parity O Menu Move down a level and then across to the Language commandTo Select the Programming Language To Select the Programming Language Agilent 3478A Language Setting Alternate Programming Language CompatibilityAlternate Programming Language Compatibility Fluke 8840A Description Agilent 34401A Action Command Fluke 8840A/8842A Language Setting Scpi Compliance Information Scpi Compliance Information IEEE-488 Compliance Information Dedicated Hardware Lines Addressed CommandsIEEE-488.2 Common Commands IEEE-488 Compliance Information 170 Error Messages Error Messages Execution Errors 123 Execution Errors 112113 121 String data not allowed Execution Errors 151Invalid string data 158 224 Execution Errors 221222 223 430 Execution Errors 350410 420 512 Execution Errors 501502 511 603 Self-Test Errors601 602 Calibration Errors 706 Calibration Errors 703704 705 732 Calibration Errors 725730 731 Application Programs Application Programs Gpib Operation Using QuickBASIC Using MEASure? for a Single MeasurementUsing MEASure? for a Single Measurement Gpib Operation Using Basic Using CONFigure with a Math Operation Using CONFigure with a Math Operation 187 Using the Status Registers Using the Status RegistersOn next END While Using the Status Registers Gpib Operation Using Basic Using the Status Registers Gpib Operation Using QuickBASIC 191 RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C 194 195 196 Measurement Tutorial Copper-to Approx. ∝V / C Thermal EMF Errors Loading Errors dc volts Leakage Current ErrorsLoading Errors dc volts 60 Hz 50 Hz Rejecting Power-Line Noise VoltagesRejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages Digits NPLCs Integration Time Common Mode Rejection CMR Common Mode Rejection CMRNoise Caused by Magnetic Loops Noise Caused by Ground Loops Noise Caused by Ground Loops Wire Ohms Measurements Resistance MeasurementsResistance Measurements Settling Time Effects Removing Test Lead Resistance ErrorsPower Dissipation Effects Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors Errors in High Resistance Measurements DC Current Measurement ErrorsErrors in High Resistance Measurements True RMS AC Measurements True RMS AC Measurements Crest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputs Crest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputsAc + dc = √ ac2 + dc2 Bandwidth Error = C.F x F For low frequencies Loading Errors ac voltsLoading Errors ac volts Additional error for high frequencies Measurements Below Full Scale High-Voltage Self-Heating ErrorsTemperature Coefficient and Overload Errors Measurements Below Full Scale + Noise Low-Level Measurement ErrorsLow-Level Measurement Errors Voltage Measured = √ Common Mode Errors AC Current Measurement ErrorsCommon Mode Errors Frequency and Period Measurement Errors Frequency and Period Measurement ErrorsMaking High-Speed DC and Resistance Measurements Making High-Speed AC Measurements Making High-Speed AC Measurements Specifications DC Characteristics DC Characteristics Operating Characteristics DC Characteristics Measuring Characteristics AC Characteristics AC Characteristics AC Characteristics Measuring Characteristics Frequency and Period Characteristics Frequency and Period Characteristics Measurement Considerations Frequency and Period General Information General Information Product Dimensions Product Dimensions To Calculate Total Measurement Error To Calculate Total Measurement ErrorRange Input Level Reading Error 100 Input error =Ppm of input error = Range Input Level Range Error Sensitivity Interpreting Multimeter SpecificationsInterpreting Multimeter Specifications Number of Digits and Overrange Accuracy Specification Probability Criteria Failure Day and 1-Year Accuracy Temperature CoefficientsTransfer Accuracy Hour Accuracy Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements 230 Ext Trig, 5 VM Comp, 5 Index Index 233 234 235 236