Agilent Technologies 34401A Agilent 34401A Multimeter

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, this manual applies to all Seri al Numbers.

The Agilent Technologies 34401A is a 61⁄2-digit, high-performance

digital multimeter. Its combination o f b e nch-top and syste m features

makes this multimeter a versatile solution for your measurement needs

now and in the future.

Convenient Bench-Top Features

•Highly visible vacuum-fluorescent display

•Built-in math operations

•Continuity and diode test functions

•Hands-free, Reading Hold feature

•Portable, ruggedized case with non-skid feet

Flexible System Features

•GPIB (IEEE-488) interface and RS-232 interface

•Standard programming languages: SCPI, Agilent 3478A, and

Fluke 8840

•Reading rates up to 1000 readings per second

•Storage for up to 512 readings

•Limit testing with pass/fail signals

•Optional 34812A BenchLink/Meter Software for Microsoft®

WindowsTM

Agilent 34401A Multimeter

Page 1 (User’s Guide)

Contents

Main Notices Manual Part Number Edition Software Revision Warranty Safety Information Safety Symbols WARNING Protection Limits Input Terminal Protection Limits Sense Terminal Protection Limits IEC Measurement Category II Overvoltage Protection 34401A Users Guide v Additional Notices Waste Elec trical a nd Electronic Equipmen t (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC Agilent 34138A Test Lead Set Test L ea d Ra ti ngs Operation DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Agilent 34401A Multimeter The Front Panel at a Glance The Front-Panel Menu at a Glance Display Annunciat ors To review the display annunciators, hold down the Shift key as you turn on the multimeter. 4 The Rear Panel at a Glance Use the front-pane l Input / Output Me nu to: In This Book Contents Chapter 1 Quick Start 7 Chapter 2 Front-Panel Menu Operation Chapter 3 Features and Functions Chapter 3 Features and Functions 8 Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference Chapter 5 Error Messages 9 Chapter 6 Application Pr ograms Chapter 7 Measurement Tutorial Index Declaration of Conformity 10 Page Quick Start To Prepare the Multimeter for Use If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On Page Page Page Page Page To Select a Range To Set the Resolution Front-Panel Display Formats To Rack Mount the Multimeter Page Page Front-Panel Menu Operation Front-Panel Menu Reference A: MEASurement MENU 27 B: MATH MENU C: TRIGger MENU F: CALibration MENU* * 28 D: SYStem MENU E: Input / Output MENU A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial MESSAGES DISPLAYED DURING MENU USE Chapter 2 Front-Panel Menu Operation A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial 30 Page Page Page Page Page Page To Turn Off the Comma Separator To Make Null (Relative) Measurements To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings To Make dB Measurements To Make dBm Measurements To Trigger the Multimeter Using an External Trigger To Use Reading Hold To Make dcv:dcv Ratio Measurements Page To Use Reading Memory Page Page Page Features and Functions Measurement Configuration AC Signal Filter Continuity Threshold Resistance DC Input Resistance Resolution Page Page Integration Time Front / Rear Input Terminal Switching Autozero Autozero (continued) The following table shows the relationship between integration time and autozero settings from the remote interface and the corresponding front-panel settings. 60 From 34401A Specifi cation s: Remote Configuration Front-Panel Equivalent Ranging Page Math Operations MinMax Operation Null (Relative) Operation Page dB Measurements dBm Measurements Limit Testing Page Triggering Agilent 34401A Triggering System Trigger Source Choices Page Page The Wait-for-Trigger State Halting a Measurement in Progress Number of Samples Number of Triggers Trigger Delay Page Automatic Trigger Delays 81 Chapter 3 Features and Functions Triggering Reading Hold Voltmeter Complete Terminal External Trigger Terminal System-Related Operations Reading Memory Error Conditions Self-Test Display Control Beeper Control Comma Separators Firmware Revision Query SCPI Language Version Query Remote Interface Configuration GPIB Address Remote Interface Selection Baud Rate Selection (RS-232) Parity Selection (RS-232) Programming Language Selection Calibration Overview Calibration Security Page Page Calibration Count Calibration Message Operator Maintenance To Replace the Power-Line Fuse To Replace the Current Input Fuses Power-On and Reset State Measurem ent Conf igurat ion 101 Math Operation s Triggering Operations Page Page Remote Interface Reference Command Summary Default parameters ar e shown in bold. Measurement Configuration Commands (see page 121 for more information) Measurement Configuration Commands (continued) Default parameters are shown in bold. 107 Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference Command Summary Math Operation Commands (see page 124 for more information) Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference Command Summary 108 Triggering Commands (see page 127 for more information) System-Related Commands 109 (see page 132 for more information) Default parameters are shown in bold. Default parameters ar e shown in bold. Status Reporting Commands (see page 144 for more informati on) Calibration Commands (see page 146 for more informati on) Page Simplified Programming Overview Using the MEASure? Command Using the CONFigure Command Using the range and resolution Parameters Using the READ? Command Using the INITiate and FETCh? Commands Page The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands Page Page Page Measurement Configurati on Commands Page Page Math Operation Commands Page Page Triggering Agilent 34401A Triggering System The Wait-for-Trigger State Triggering Commands Page System-Related Commands Page The SCPI Status Model What is an Event Register? What is an Enable Register? Page The Status Byte 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 Comp leted How to Use the Message Av ailable Bit (MAV) Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Bu ffer The Standard Event Regist er Page The Questionable Data Register Page Status Reporting Commands Page Calibration Commands Page RS-232 Interface Configuration RS-232 Configuration Overview RS-232 Data Frame Format Connection to a Computer or Terminal Page DTR / DSR Handshake Protocol RS-232 Troubleshooting RS-232 Interface Commands An Introduction to the SCPI Language Command Format Used in This Manual Command Separators Using the MIN and MAX Parameters Querying Parameter Settings SCPI Command Terminators IEEE-488.2 Common Commands SCPI Parameter Types Output Data Formats Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements TALK ONLY for Printers To Set the GPIB Address To Select the Remote Interface To Set the Baud Rate To Set the Parity To Select the Programming Language Alternate Programming Language Compatibil ity Agilent 3478A Language Setting Fluke 8840A/8842A Language Setting 167 Fluke 8840A Command Description Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference Alternate Programming Language Compatibility SCPI Compliance Information 168 Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference SCPI Compliance Information IEEE-488 Compliance Information IEEE-488.2 Common Commands 169 Dedicated Hardware Lines Addressed Commands Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference IEEE-488 Compliance Information Page Page Error Messages Execution Errors Page Page Page Page Page Self-Test Errors Calibration Errors Page Page Page Application Programs Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement Using CONFigure with a Math Operation GPIB Operation Using QuickBASIC 187 Chapter 6 Application Programs Using CONFigure with a Math Operation Using the Status Registers Page GPIB Operation Using QuickBASI C 190 Chapter 6 Application Programs Using the Status Registers GPIB Operation Using Qu ic k B A SIC (continued) Chapter 6 Application Programs Using the Status Registers 191 RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC 192 RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC Chapter 6 Application Programs RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C Page Page Page Page Measurement Tutorial Thermal EMF Errors Loading Errors (dc volts) Leakage Current Errors i Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages Common Mode Rejection (CMR) Noise Caused by Magnetic Loops Noise Caused by Ground Loops Resistance Measurements 4-Wire Ohms Measurements Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors Power Dissipation Effects Settling Time Effects Errors in High Resistance Measurements DC Current Measurement Errors True RMS AC Measurements Crest Factor Errors (non-sinusoidal inputs) Page Loading Errors (ac volts) Measurements Below Full Scale High-Voltage Self-Heating Errors Temperature Coefficient and Overload Errors Low-Level Measurement Errors Common Mode Errors AC Current Measurement Errors Frequency and Period Measurement Errors Making High-Speed DC and Resistance Measurements Making High-Speed AC Measurements Page DC Characteristics DC Characteristics Accuracy Specifications ( % of reading + % of range ) [ 1 ] 216 DC Characteristics Operating Characteristics 217 AC Characteristics AC Characteristics Accuracy Specifications ( % of reading + % of range ) [ 1 ] 218 AC Characteristics Operating Characteristics 219 Frequency and Period Characteristics Frequency and Period Characteristics 220 Accuracy Specifications ( % of reading ) [ 1 ] Frequency and Period Characteristics Operating Characteristics 221 General Information General Information 222 Product Dimensions To Calculate Total Measurement Error Page Interpreting Multimeter Specifications Number of Digits and Overrange Sensitivity Resolution Accuracy Transfer Accuracy 24-Hour Accuracy 90-Day and 1-Year Accuracy Temperature Coefficients Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements Page Index A B C IndexIndex D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T V W Z