APPENDIX B
HP3586 ERROR CODES
During initial power up and following auto cal cycles, the follow error codes could appear on one of the LED displays indicating a failure to calibrate and or an instrument failure. Some error codes could also indicate improper entries or operation of the instrument. Below is a list of these codes to help you in determining the problem and a solution:
The format for all | N | or | E | N.N |
N = 1 The Full Scale level cannot be changed manually while the instrument is in Automatic Full Scale.
N = 1.2 The 10db range cannot be used when the instrument is in the Wideband or Impulse measurement modes.
N = 5 The instrument is in Remote and therefore will not respond to front panel controls. Or the Local control has been disabled by a local lockout message.
N = 6.1 Accurate Impulse Measurements are unlikely. The threshold level is 56db or more below full scale.
N = 6.2 The threshold level is more than 3db above the full scale. This is a nonsensical instrument configuration.
N = 3.0 Instrument failure, at least one of the phase locked loops in unlocked.
N = 4.1 Instrument failure, the impulse counter did not start during CAL.
N = 4.2 Instrument failure, the impulse counter did not stop during CAL.
N = 7 Instrument failure, the Analog to digital converter was unable to make a conversion within two seconds.
I haven’t shown error codes 2.2, 2.3, and 2.9 since they are only for the jitter mode that’s not used or discussed in this document because this mode takes additions instruments to use and understand its measurements.
Calibration Error messages are always instrument failures. For calibration errors the format is: CE – N
Where N is an alphanumeric character that indicates which step of the calibration sequence failed.
For instrument or calibration failures, try turning the instrument on and off, check your input connections control settings, and if this fails to clear the error code the instrument will need service. Copies of the service manual are available from Manuals Plus at
Hewlett Packard has withdrawn from the electronics instrumentation business to I don’t think they would be much help in finding a repair source. If I identify any repair sources I’ll list them in further revisions of this document.
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