User ManualTable of ContentsContents13Agilent 34401A Overview7In This Book12Chapter 1: Quick Start17To Prepare the Multimeter for Use19If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On20To Adjust the Carrying Handle22To Measure Voltage23To Measure Resistance23To Measure Current24To Measure Frequency (or Period)24To Measure Continuity25To Check Diodes25To Select a Range26To Set the Resolution27Front-Panel Display Formats28To Rack Mount the Multimeter29Chapter 2: Front-Panel Menu Operation31Front-Panel Menu Reference33A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial35Messages Displayed During Menu Use36Menu Example 137Menu Example 239Menu Example 340To Turn Off the Comma Separator43To Make Null (Relative) Measurements44To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings45To Make dB Measurements46To Make dBm Measurements47To Trigger the Multimeter48To Use Reading Hold49To Make dcv:dcv Ratio Measurements50To Use Reading Memory52Chapter 3: Features and Functions55Measurement Configuration57Math Operations69Triggering77System-Related Operations90Remote Interface Configuration97Calibration Overview101Operator Maintenance106Power-On and Reset State107Chapter 4: Remote Interface Reference109Command Summary111Simplified Programming Overview118Using the MEASure? Command119Using the CONFigure Command119Using the range and resolution Parameters120Using the READ? Command120Using the INITiate and FETCh? Commands121MEASure? Example121CONFigure Example122The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands123Measurement Configuration Commands127Math Operation Commands130Triggering133Agilent 34401A Triggering System134The Wait-for-Trigger State135Triggering Commands136System-Related Commands138The SCPI Status Model140What is an Event Register?140What is an Enable Register?140SCPI Status System141The Status Byte142Using Service Request (SRQ) abd Serial POLL143Using *STB? to Read the Status Byte144To Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQ144To Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed144How to Use the Message Available Bit (MAV)145Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Buffer145The Standard Event Register146The Questionable Data Register148Status Reporting Commands150Calibration Commands152RS-232 Interface Configuration154RS-232 Configuration Overview154RS-232 Data Frame Format155Connection to a Computer or Terminal155DB-9 Serial Connection156DB-25 Serial Connection156DTR/DSR Handshake Protocol157RS-232 Troubleshooting158RS-232 Interface Commands159An Introduction to the SCPI Language160Command Format Used in This Manual161Command Separators162Using the MIN and MAX Parameters162Querying Parameter Settings163SCPI Command Terminators163IEEE-488.2 Common Commands164SCPI Parameter Types164Numeric Parameters164Discrete Parameters164Boolean Parameters165String Parameters165Output Data Formats165Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements166TALK ONLY for Printers166To Set the GPIB Address167To Select the Remote Interface168To Set the Baud Rate169To Set the Parity170To Select the Programming Language171Alternate Programming Language Compatibility172Agilent 3478A Language Setting172Fluke 8840A/8842A Language Setting173SCPI Compliance Information174IEEE-488 Compliance Information175Chapter 5: Error Messages177Execution Errors179Self-Test errors185Calibration Errors186Chapter 6: Application Programs189Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement191Using CONFigure with a Math Operation192Using the Status Registers194RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC198RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C199Chapter 7: Measurement Tutorial203Thermal EMF Errors204Loading Errors (dc volts)205Leakage Current Errors205Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages206Common Mode Rejection (CMR)207Noise Caused by Ground Loops208Resistance Measurements2094-Wire Ohms Measurements209Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors210Power Dissipation Effects210Settling Time Effects210Errors in High Resistance Measurements211DC Current Measurement Errors211True RMS AC Measurements212Crest Factor Errors (non-sinusoidal inputs)213Loading Errors (ac volts)215Measurements Below Full Scale216High-Voltage Self-Heating Errors216Temperature Coefficient and Overload Errors216Low-Level Measurement Errors217Common Mode Errors218AC Current Measurement Errors218Frequency and Period Measurement Errors219Making High-Speed DC and Resistance Measurements219Making High-Speed AC Measurements220Chapter 8: Specifications221DC Characteristics222AC Characteristics224Frequency and Period Characteristics226General Information228Product Dimensions229To Calculate Total Measurement Error230Understanding the "% of reading" Error230Understanding the "% of range" Error231Total Measurement Error231Interpreting Multimeter Specifications232Number of Digits and Overrange232Sensitivity232Resolution233Accuracy233Transfer Accuracy23424-Hour Accuracy23490-Day and 1-Year Accuracy234Temperature Coefficients234Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements235DC Voltage, DC Current, and Resistance Measurements235AC Voltage and AC Current Measurements235Frequency and Period Measurements235Index237Size: 2.26 MBPages: 242Language: EnglishOpen manual