Front-Panel Menu Tutorial | Agilent Technologies 34401A manual

Chapter 2 Front-Panel Menu Operation

A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial

This section is a step-by-step tutorial which shows how to use the
front-panel menu. We recommend that you spend a few minutes with this	2
tutorial to get comfortable with the structure and operation of the menu.	2

The menu is organized in a top-down tree structure with three levels (menus, commands, and parameters). You move down ∨

or up ∧ the menu tree to get from one level to the next. Each of the three levels has several horizontal choices which you can view by moving left < or right > .

Menus

Commands

Parameters

•To turn on the menu, press

Shift Menu On/Off

• To turn off the menu, press Shift Menu On/Off , or press any of the function or math keys on the top row of front-panel keys.

•To execute a menu command, press Enter .

•To recall the last menu command that was executed, press Shift Recall .

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Agilent Technologies 34401A manual Front-Panel Menu Tutorial

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 Key as you Adrs Rmt Man Trig Hold Mem Ratio Math Error Rear Shift 4WDisplay Annunciators Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to Rear Panel at a Glance This Book Contents Contents Application Programs Error MessagesRemote Interface Reference Index Declaration of Conformity SpecificationsMeasurement Tutorial 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 Bench-top viewing positions Carrying position To Adjust the Carrying HandleTo Adjust the Carrying Handle To Measure Voltage To Measure VoltageTo Measure Resistance To Measure Current To Measure CurrentTo Measure Frequency or Period To Test Continuity To Test ContinuityTo Check Diodes 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 Save the change and turn off the menu Move across to the Beep command on the commands levelMove down a level to the Beep parameter choices Move across to the on choice Use menu recall to return to the Beep commandMove down to the Beep parameter choices Math Menu Increment the first digit until 2 is displayed Move down to edit the Null Value parameterMake the number negative 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 Result = reading null value To Make Null Relative MeasurementsTo Make Null Relative Measurements To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings DB = reading in dBm relative value in dBm To Make dB MeasurementsTo Make dB Measurements DBm = 10 ⋅ Log10 reading2 / reference resistance / 1 mW To Make dBm MeasurementsTo Make dBm Measurements 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 to the parameter level Move down a level and then across to the Ratio Func commandMeas Menu 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 Turn off the menu Move down a level to view the first stored readingMove across to view the two remaining stored readings 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 Freq Per Cont Diode Ratio Null Min-Max DBm Limit Math OperationsMath Operations See also To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings, on Min-Max OperationMIN-MAXMATH Menu Null Relative Operation See also To Make Null Relative Measurements, on Math Operations Null RelativeEntering a null value also turns on the null function See also To Make dB Measurements, on DB MeasurementsDB REL Math Menu See also To Make dBm Measurements, on DBm MeasurementsDBm REF R Math Menu 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 Trigger StateWait-for Front-panel Key is disabled when in remoteTrigger Source Choices 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 Auto Delay Trigger DelayZero 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 See also To Use Reading Hold, on Reading HoldRead Hold Trig Menu External Trigger Terminal Voltmeter Complete Terminal SYS Menu System-Related OperationsReading Memory System-Related Operations Error SYS Menu Error Conditions Returns 0 if the self-test is successful, or 1 if it fails Self-TestTest SYS Menu 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 Parity I/O Menu Baud Rate Selection RS-232Parity Selection RS-232 Language I/O Menu Programming Language Selection Characters Calibration OverviewCalibration Security Calibration Overview Secured CAL Menu Calibration Security Unsecured CAL Menu Enter new code Calibration CountUnsecure with old 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 You must specify a range to use the resolution parameter Using the range and resolution ParametersUsing the READ? Command 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 CONFigure? CONFigureCONTinuityCONFigureDIODe 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 READ? Triggering CommandsTriggering Commands TRIGgerDELayAUTO? TRIGgerDELay secondsMINimumMAXimumTRIGgerDELay? MINimumMAXimum TRIGgerDELayAUTO Offon System-Related Commands System-Related Commands IDN? RSTTST? Scpi Status Model What is an Event Register?What is an Enable Register? Scpi Status Model Scpi Status System Bit Decimal Definition Value Status ByteBit Definitions Status Byte Register U t i o n Using Service Request SRQ and Serial Poll To Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed Using *STB? to Read the Status ByteTo Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQ 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 SENSe An Introduction to the Scpi LanguageAn Introduction to the Scpi Language 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 Type of Output Data Output Data Format Output Data FormatsOutput Data Formats Talk only for Printers Using Device Clear to Halt MeasurementsUsing Device Clear to Halt Measurements 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 Alternate Programming Language Compatibility Agilent 3478A Language SettingAlternate 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 On next Using the Status RegistersUsing the Status Registers 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 Loading Errors dc voltsLeakage Current Errors 60 Hz 50 Hz Rejecting Power-Line Noise VoltagesRejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages Digits NPLCs Integration Time Noise Caused by Magnetic Loops Common Mode Rejection CMRCommon Mode Rejection CMR Noise Caused by Ground Loops Noise Caused by Ground Loops Resistance Measurements Wire Ohms MeasurementsResistance Measurements Settling Time Effects Removing Test Lead Resistance ErrorsPower Dissipation Effects Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors Errors in High Resistance Measurements Errors in High Resistance MeasurementsDC Current Measurement Errors True RMS AC Measurements True RMS AC Measurements Ac + dc = √ ac2 + dc2 Crest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputsCrest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputs 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 Common Mode ErrorsAC Current Measurement Errors Making High-Speed DC and Resistance Measurements Frequency and Period Measurement ErrorsFrequency and Period Measurement Errors 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 Range Input Level Reading Error To Calculate Total Measurement ErrorTo Calculate Total Measurement 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