Agilent Technologies 34401A manual Ranging

Chapter 3 Features and Functions

Measurement Configuration

Ranging

You can let the multimeter automatically select the range using autoranging or you can select a fixed range using manual ranging. Autoranging is convenient because the multimeter automatically selects the appropriate range for each measurement. However, you can use manual ranging for faster measurements since the multimeter does not have to determine which range to use for each measurement.

•The selected mode (auto or manual range) is stored in volatile memory; the multimeter returns to autoranging when power has

been off or after a remote interface reset.	3
• Autorange thresholds:
Down range at <10% of range
Up range at >120% of range

•If the input signal is greater than the present range can measure, the multimeter gives an overload indication: “OVLD” from the front panel or “9.90000000E+37” from the remote interface.

•For frequency and period measurements, the multimeter uses one “range” for all inputs between 3 Hz and 300 kHz. The multimeter determines an internal resolution based on a 3 Hz signal. If you query the range, the multimeter will respond with “3 Hz”. With no input signal applied, frequency and period measurements return “0”.

• The range is fixed for continuity tests (1 kΩ range) and diode tests (1 Vdc range with 1 mA current source output).

•For ratio measurements, the specified range applies to the signal connected to the Input terminals. Autoranging is automatically selected for reference voltage measurements on the Sense terminals.

Ranging is local to the selected function. This means that you can select the ranging method (auto or manual) for each function independently. When manually ranging, the selected range is local to the function; the multimeter remembers the range when you switch between functions.

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