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
TRIGger Menu
Front-Panel Menu at a Glance
SYStem Menu
Input / Output Menu
Adrs Rmt Man Trig Hold Mem Ratio Math Error Rear Shift 4W
Display Annunciators
Key as you
Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to
Rear Panel at a Glance
This Book
Contents
Contents
Error Messages
Remote Interface Reference
Application Programs
Specifications
Measurement Tutorial
Index Declaration of Conformity
Quick Start
Quick Start
To Prepare the Multimeter for Use
Connect the power cord and turn on the multimeter
To Prepare the Multimeter for Use
Check the list of supplied items
Verify the power-line voltage setting
Verify that there is ac power to the multimeter
Verify that the power-line fuse is good
If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On
Replace the fuse-holder assembly in the rear panel
To Adjust the Carrying Handle
To Adjust the Carrying Handle
Bench-top viewing positions Carrying position
To Measure Voltage
To Measure Resistance
To Measure Voltage
To Measure Current
To Measure Frequency or Period
To Measure Current
To Test Continuity
To Check Diodes
To 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 choices
Save the change and turn off the menu
Use menu recall to return to the Beep command
Move down to the Beep parameter choices
Move across to the on choice
Math Menu
Move down to edit the Null Value parameter
Make the number negative
Increment the first digit until 2 is displayed
Increase the displayed number by a factor
To Turn Off the Comma Separator
Move down a level and then across to the Comma command
To Turn Off the Comma Separator
Move across to the SYS Menu choice on the menus level
To Make Null Relative Measurements
To Make Null Relative Measurements
Result = reading null value
To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings
To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings
To Make dB Measurements
To Make dB Measurements
DB = reading in dBm relative value in dBm
To Make dBm Measurements
To Make dBm Measurements
DBm = 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 Menu
Move down to the parameter level
Move down to a level to the Rdgs Store command
Select the single trigger mode
To Use Reading Memory
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 readings
Turn off the menu
Features and Functions
Math Operations, starting on Triggering, starting on
Features and Functions
AC Signal Filter
Measurement Configuration
Measurement Configuration
Applies to ac voltage and ac current measurements only
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
See also To Set the Resolution, on
Resolution setting. The default mode is 5 digits slow
Remote Interface Operation You can set the resolution using
Following commands
Integration Time
Integration Time Resolution
Default 51⁄2 digits, or 1 second 61⁄2 digits
Front / Rear Input Terminal Switching
Remote Interface Operation
Returns Fron or Rear
Autozero
Resolution Choices Integration Time Autozero
Front-panel settings
Measurement Configuration Autozero
Ranging
Autoranging or manual ranging. For frequency and period
Remote Interface Operation You can set the range using any
Input voltage, not its frequency
See also To Select a Range, on
Math Operations
Math Operations
Freq Per Cont Diode Ratio Null Min-Max DBm Limit
Min-Max Operation
MIN-MAXMATH Menu
See also To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings, on
Null Relative Operation
Math Operations Null Relative
Entering a null value also turns on the null function
See also To Make Null Relative Measurements, on
DB Measurements
DB REL Math Menu
See also To Make dB Measurements, on
DBm Measurements
DBm REF R Math Menu
See also To Make dBm Measurements, on
Enable or disable limit test
Limit Testing
Set the upper limit
Set the lower limit
More information
Limit testing
Reading that exceeds the upper or lower limit
RS-232 interface circuitry may be damaged
Triggering
Triggering
State
Wait-for
Trigger
Key is disabled when in remote
Trigger Source Choices
Front-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 Delay
Auto Delay
Resistance 2-wire and 4-wire
Automatic Trigger Delays
DC Voltage and DC Current for all ranges
AC Voltage and AC Current for all ranges
Reading Hold
Read Hold Trig Menu
See also To Use Reading Hold, on
External Trigger Terminal
Voltmeter Complete Terminal
Reading Memory
System-Related Operations
System-Related Operations
SYS Menu
Error SYS Menu
Error Conditions
Self-Test
Test SYS Menu
Returns 0 if the self-test is successful, or 1 if it fails
Display Control
Disable/enable the display
Display SYS Menu
Display the string enclosed in quotes
Disable/enable beeper state
Issue a single beep immediately
Beeper Control
Beep SYS Menu
Firmware Revision Query
Comma Separators
Comma SYS Menu
See also To Turn Off the Comma Separator, on
You cannot query the Scpi version from the front panel
Scpi Language Version Query
Remote Interface Configuration
Remote Interface Configuration
Gpib Address
Gpib address can be set only from the front-panel
Remote interface can be set only from the front-panel
Remote Interface Selection
See also To Select the Remote Interface, on
Gpib RS-232
Baud Rate Selection RS-232
Parity Selection RS-232
Parity I/O Menu
Language I/O Menu
Programming Language Selection
Calibration Security
Calibration Overview
Calibration Overview
Characters
Secured CAL Menu
Calibration Security
Unsecured CAL Menu
Calibration Count
Unsecure with old code
Enter new code
Calibration Message
To Replace the Power-Line Fuse
Operator Maintenance
Operator Maintenance
To Replace the Current Input Fuses
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
Command MEASure? and CONFigure Setting
MEASure? and CONFigure Preset States
Simplified Programming Overview
Simplified Programming Overview
Using the CONFigure Command
Using the MEASure? Command
Using the range and resolution Parameters
Using the READ? Command
You must specify a range to use the resolution parameter
To avoid this, do not send a query command without reading
Using the INITiate and FETCh? Commands
Before sending the second query command
MEASure?
Simplified Programming Overview CONFigure
MEASure? and CONFigure Commands
MEASure? and CONFigure Commands
MEASureDIODe?
MEASureCONTinuity?
CONFigureCURRentDC rangeMINMAXDEF,resolutionMINMAXDEF
CONFigureCONTinuity
CONFigureDIODe
CONFigure?
Measurement Configuration Commands
Measurement Configuration Commands
FunctionRESolution? MINimumMAXimum
FunctionRESolution resolutionMINimumMAXimum
FREQuencyAPERture? MINimumMAXimum
PERiodAPERture? MINimumMAXimum
SENSeDETectorBANDwidth? MINimumMAXimum
SENSeDETectorBANDwidth 320200MINimumMAXimum
SENSeZEROAUTO Offonceon
SENSeZEROAUTO?
Math Operation Commands
Math Operation Commands
CALCulateAVERageMAXimum?
CALCulateAVERageMINimum?
CALCulateAVERageAVERage?
CALCulateAVERageCOUNt?
DATAFEED?
See also Triggering, starting on page 71 in chapter
128
129
Triggering Commands
Triggering Commands
READ?
TRIGgerDELay? MINimumMAXimum
TRIGgerDELay secondsMINimumMAXimum
TRIGgerDELayAUTO Offon
TRIGgerDELayAUTO?
System-Related Commands
System-Related Commands
RST
TST?
IDN?
What is an Enable Register?
What is an Event Register?
Scpi Status Model
Scpi Status Model
Scpi Status System
Status Byte
Bit Definitions Status Byte Register
Bit 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 SRQ
To 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
Status Reporting Commands
Status Reporting Commands
CLS
ESE?
OPC
ESR?
OPC?
PSC?
Calibration Commands
Calibration Commands
CALibrationSTRing?
CALibrationSTRing quoted string
CALibrationVALue value
CALibrationVALue?
RS-232 Configuration Overview
RS-232 Interface Configuration
RS-232 Interface Configuration
Even / 7 data bits, factory setting or Odd / 7 data bits
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 Language
SENSe
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 Formats
Type of Output Data Output Data Format
Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements
Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements
Talk only for Printers
To Set the Gpib Address
Move down a level to the HP-IB Addr command
To Set the Gpib Address
Turn on the front-panel menu
To Select the Remote Interface
Move down a level and then across to the Interface command
To Select the Remote Interface
Move down to the parameter level to select the interface
To Set the Baud Rate
Move down a level and then across to the Baud Rate command
To Set the Baud Rate
Move down to the parameter level to select the baud rate
To Set the Parity
Move down a level and then across to the Parity command
To Set the Parity
Move down to the parameter level to select the parity
To Select the Programming Language
Move down a level and then across to the Language command
To Select the Programming Language
O Menu
Agilent 3478A Language Setting
Alternate Programming Language Compatibility
Alternate Programming Language Compatibility
Fluke 8840A Description Agilent 34401A Action Command
Fluke 8840A/8842A Language Setting
Scpi Compliance Information
Scpi Compliance Information
IEEE-488.2 Common Commands
Dedicated Hardware Lines Addressed Commands
IEEE-488 Compliance Information
IEEE-488 Compliance Information
170
Error Messages
Error Messages
Execution Errors
113
Execution Errors 112
121
123
Invalid string data
Execution Errors 151
158
String data not allowed
222
Execution Errors 221
223
224
410
Execution Errors 350
420
430
502
Execution Errors 501
511
512
601
Self-Test Errors
602
603
Calibration Errors
704
Calibration Errors 703
705
706
730
Calibration Errors 725
731
732
Application Programs
Application Programs
Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement
Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement
Gpib Operation Using Basic
Gpib Operation Using QuickBASIC
Using CONFigure with a Math Operation
Using CONFigure with a Math Operation
187
Using the Status Registers
Using the Status Registers
On 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 Errors
Loading Errors dc volts
Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages
Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages
Digits NPLCs Integration Time
60 Hz 50 Hz
Common Mode Rejection CMR
Common Mode Rejection CMR
Noise Caused by Magnetic Loops
Noise Caused by Ground Loops
Noise Caused by Ground Loops
Wire Ohms Measurements
Resistance Measurements
Resistance Measurements
Power Dissipation Effects
Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors
Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors
Settling Time Effects
Errors in High Resistance Measurements
DC Current Measurement Errors
Errors in High Resistance Measurements
True RMS AC Measurements
True RMS AC Measurements
Crest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputs
Crest Factor Errors non-sinusoidal inputs
Ac + dc = √ ac2 + dc2
Bandwidth Error = C.F x F
Loading Errors ac volts
Loading Errors ac volts
Additional error for high frequencies
For low frequencies
Temperature Coefficient and Overload Errors
High-Voltage Self-Heating Errors
Measurements Below Full Scale
Measurements Below Full Scale
Low-Level Measurement Errors
Low-Level Measurement Errors
Voltage Measured = √
+ Noise
Common Mode Errors
AC Current Measurement Errors
Common Mode Errors
Frequency and Period Measurement Errors
Frequency and Period Measurement Errors
Making 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 Error
Range Input Level Reading Error
Ppm of input error =
Input error =
Range Input Level Range Error
100
Interpreting Multimeter Specifications
Interpreting Multimeter Specifications
Number of Digits and Overrange
Sensitivity
Accuracy
Specification Probability Criteria Failure
Transfer Accuracy
Temperature Coefficients
Hour Accuracy
Day and 1-Year Accuracy
Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements
Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements
230
Ext Trig, 5 VM Comp, 5
Index
Index
233
234
235
236