HP 34401A Multimeter - University of Colorado Boulder

1 User's Guide Part Number 34401-90004. February 1996. For Safety information, Warranties, and Regulatory information, see the pages behind the Index. Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1991, 1996. All Rights Reserved. HP 34401A . Multimeter Note: Unless otherwise indicated, this manual applies to all Serial Numbers. The HP 34401A is a 61 2-digit, high - performance digital Multimeter . Its combination of bench-top and system 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 HP-IB (IEEE-488) interface and RS-232 interface Standard programming languages: SCPI, HP 3478A, and Fluke 8840.

2 Reading rates up to 1000 readings per second Storage for up to 512 readings Limit testing with pass/fail signals Optional HP 34812A BenchLink/Meter Software for Microsoft WindowsTM. HP 34401A . Multimeter The Front Panel at a Glance 1 Measurement Function keys 5 Front / Rear Input Terminal Switch 2 Math Operation keys 6 Range / Number of Digits Displayed keys 3 Single Trigger / Autotrigger / Reading Hold key 7 Menu Operation keys 4 Shift / Local key 2. The Front-Panel Menu at a Glance The menu is organized in a top-down tree structure with three levels. A: MEAS urement MENU. 1: AC FILTER 2: CONTINUITY 3: INPUT R 4: RATIO FUNC 5: RESOLUTION. B: MATH MENU. 1: MIN-MAX 2: NULL VALUE 3: dB REL 4: dBm REF R 5: LIMIT TEST 6: high LIMIT 7: LOW LIMIT. C: TRIGger MENU. 1: READ HOLD 2: TRIG DELAY 3: N SAMPLES.

3 D: SYStem MENU. 1: RDGS STORE 2: SAVED RDGS 3: ERROR 4: TEST 5: DISPLAY 6: BEEP 7: COMMA 8: REVISION. E: Input / Output MENU. 1: HP-IB ADDR 2: INTERFACE 3: BAUD RATE 4: PARITY 5: LANGUAGE. F: CALibration MENU*. 1: SECURED [ 1: UNSECURED ] [ 2: CALIBRATE ] 3: CAL COUNT 4: MESSAGE. * The commands enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ) are hidden unless the Multimeter is UNSECURED for calibration. 3. Display Annunciators * Turns on during a measurement. Adrs Multimeter is addressed to listen or talk over the HP-IB interface. Rmt Multimeter is in remote mode (remote interface). Man Multimeter is using manual ranging (autorange is disabled). Trig Multimeter is waiting for a single trigger or external trigger. Hold Reading Hold is enabled. Mem Turns on when reading memory is enabled. Ratio Multimeter is in dcv:dcv ratio function.

4 Math A math operation is enabled (null, min-max, dB, dBm, or limit test). ERROR Hardware or remote interface command errors are detected. Rear Rear input terminals are selected. Shift Shift key has been pressed. Press Shift again to turn off. 4W Multimeter is in 4-wire ohms function. Multimeter is in continuity test function. Multimeter is in diode test function. To review the display annunciators, hold down the Shift key as you turn on the Multimeter . 4. The Rear Panel at a Glance 1 Chassis Ground 5 Voltmeter Complete Output Terminal 2 Power-Line Fuse-Holder Assembly 6 External Trigger Input Terminal 3 Power-Line Voltage Setting 7 HP-IB (IEEE-488) Interface connector 4 Front and Rear Current Input Fuse 8 RS-232 interface connector Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to: Select the HP-IB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 4).

5 Set the HP-IB bus address (see chapter 4). Set the RS-232 baud rate and parity (see chapter 4). 5. In This Book Quick Start Chapter 1 prepares the Multimeter for use and helps you get familiar with a few of its front-panel features. Front-Panel Menu Operation Chapter 2 introduces you to the front-panel menu and describes some of the Multimeter 's menu features. Features and Functions Chapter 3 gives a detailed description of the Multimeter 's capabilities and operation. You will find this chapter useful whether you are operating the Multimeter from the front panel or over the remote interface. Remote Interface Reference Chapter 4 contains reference information to help you program the Multimeter over the remote interface. Error Messages Chapter 5 lists the error messages that may appear as you are working with the Multimeter .

6 Each listing contains enough information to help you diagnose and solve the problem. Application Programs Chapter 6 contains several remote interface application programs to help you develop programs for your measurement application. Measurement Tutorial Chapter 7 discusses measurement considerations and techniques to help you obtain the best accuracies and reduce sources of measurement error. Specifications Chapter 8 lists the Multimeter 's specifications and describes how to interpret these specifications. If you have questions relating to the operation of the HP 34401A , call 1-800-452-4844 in the United States, or contact your nearest Hewlett-Packard Sales Office. If your HP 34401A fails within three years of purchase, HP will repair or replace it free of charge. Call 1-800-258-5165 ( Express Exchange ).

7 In the United States, or contact your nearest Hewlett-Packard Sales Office. 6. Contents Chapter 1 Quick Start To Prepare the Multimeter for Use 13. If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On 14. To Adjust the Carrying Handle 16. To Measure Voltage 17. To Measure Resistance 17. To Measure Current 18. To Measure Frequency (or Period) 18. To Test Continuity 19. To Check Diodes 19. To Select a Range 20. To Set the Resolution 21. Front-Panel Display Formats 22. To Rack Mount the Multimeter 23. Chapter 2 Front-Panel Menu Operation Contents Front-Panel Menu Reference 27. A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial 29. To Turn Off the Comma Separator 37. To Make Null (Relative) Measurements 38. To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings 39. To Make dB Measurements 40. To Make dBm Measurements 41. To Trigger the Multimeter 42. To Use Reading Hold 43.

8 To Make dcv:dcv Ratio Measurements 44. To Use Reading Memory 46. Chapter 3 Features and Functions Measurement Configuration AC Signal Filter 51. Continuity Threshold Resistance 52. DC Input Resistance 53. Resolution 54. Integration Time 57. Front / Rear Input Terminal Switching 58. Autozero 59. Ranging 60. 7. Contents Chapter 3 Features and Functions (continued). Math Operations Min-Max Operation 64. Null (Relative) Operation 65. dB Measurements 67. dBm Measurements 68. Limit Testing 69. Triggering Trigger Source Choices 73. The Wait-for-Trigger State 76. Halting a Measurement in Progress 76. Number of Samples 77. Number of Triggers 78. Trigger Delay 79. Automatic Trigger Delays 81. Reading Hold 82. Contents Voltmeter Complete Terminal 83. External Trigger Terminal 83. System-Related Operations Reading Memory 84.

9 Error Conditions 85. Self-Test 86. Display Control 87. Beeper Control 88. Comma Separators 89. Firmware Revision Query 89. SCPI Language Version Query 90. Remote Interface Configuration HP-IB Address 91. Remote Interface Selection 92. Baud Rate Selection (RS-232) 93. Parity Selection (RS-232) 93. Programming Language Selection 94. Calibration Calibration Security 95. Calibration Count 98. Calibration Message 99. Operator Maintenance To Replace the Power-Line Fuse 100. To Replace the Current Input Fuses 100. Power-On and Reset State 101. 8. Contents Chapter 4 Remote Interface Reference Command Summary 105. Simplified Programming Overview 112. The MEASure? and CONF igure Commands 117. Measurement Configuration Commands 121. Math Operation Commands 124. Triggering 127. Triggering Commands 130. System-Related Commands 132.

10 The SCPI Status Model 134. Status Reporting Commands 144. Calibration Commands 146. RS-232 Interface Configuration 148. RS-232 Interface Commands 153. An Introduction to the SCPI Language 154. Output Data Formats 159. Contents Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements 160. TALK ONLY for Printers 160. To Set the HP-IB Address 161. To Select the Remote Interface 162. To Set the Baud Rate 163. To Set the Parity 164. To Select the Programming Language 165. Alternate Programming Language Compatibility 166. SCPI Compliance Information 168. IEEE-488 Compliance Information 169. Chapter 5 Error Messages Execution Errors 173. Self-Test Errors 179. Calibration Errors 180. Chapter 6 Application Programs Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement 185. Using CONF igure with a Math Operation 186. Using the Status Registers 188.