Agilent Technologies 34401A User Manual

Agilent 34401A 6 ½ Digit Multimeter

User’s Guide

Agilent Technologies

Notices

No p art o f this manual may be rep roduc ed in any form or by any means (including electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language) without prior agreement and written consent from Agilent Technologies, Inc. as governed by United States and international copyright laws.

Manual Part Number

34401-90004

Edition

Seventh Editio n. August 2007

Printed in Malaysia

Agilent Technologies, Inc. 3501 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95052 USA

Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Software Revision

This guide is valid for the firmware that was installed in the instrument at the time of manufacture. However, upgrading the firmware may add or change product features. For the latest firmware and documentation, go to the product page at:

www.agilent.com/find/34401A

Warranty

The material contained in this document is provided “as is,” and is subject to being changed, without notice, in future editions. Furt her, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Agilent disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, with regard to this manual and any information contained herein, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent shall not be liable for errors or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, use, or performance of this document or of any information contained herein. Should Agilent and the user have a separate written agreement with warranty terms covering the material in this document that conflict with these terms, the warranty terms in the separate agreement shall control.

Technology Licenses

The hardware and/or software described in this document are furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

Restricted Rights Legend

U.S. Government Restricted Rights. Software and technical data rights granted to the federal government include only those rights customarily provided to end user customers. Agilent provides this customary commercial license in Software and technical data pursuant to FAR 12.211 (Technical Data) and 12.212 (Computer Software) and, for the Department of Defense, DFARS

252.227-7015 (Technical Data - Commercial Items) and DFARS 227.7202-3 (Rights in Commercial Computer Software or Computer Software Documentation).

Safety Notices

CAUTION

A CAUTION notice denotes a haz- ard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to the product or loss of important data. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

WARNING

A WARNING notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury or death. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

ii 34401A User’s Guide

Safety Information

General

Do not use this product in any manner not specified by the manufacturer. The protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation instructions.

Do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the product to an Agilent Technologi es Sales and S ervice Office for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.

Ground the Instrument

If your product is provided with a grounding-type power plug, the instrument chassis and cover must be connected to an electrical ground to minimize shock hazard. The ground pin must be firmly connected to an electrical ground (safety ground) terminal at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.

Cleaning

Clean the outside of the instrument with a soft, lint-free, slightly dampened cloth. Do not use detergent or chemical solvents.

Safety Symbols

Earth Ground

Chassis Ground

Risk of electric shock

Refer to manual for additional safety information

Alternating Current

On supply

Off supply

‘In’ position of bi-stable push switch

‘Out’ position of bi-stable push switch

CAT II (300V)

IEC Measurement Category II. Inputs may be connected to mains (up to 300 VAC) under Category II overvoltage conditions.

WARNING

Main Power and Test Input Disconnect: Unplug instrument from wall outlet, remove power cord, and remove all probes from all terminals before servicing. Only qualified, service-trained personnel should remove the cover from the instrument.

WARNING

Line and Current Protection Fuses: For continued protection against fire, replace the line fuse and the current-protection fuse only with fuses of the specified type and rating.

WARNING

Front/Rear Switch: Do not change the position of the Front/Rear switch on the front panel while signals are present on either the front or rear set of terminals. The switch is not intended as an active multiplexer. Switching while high voltages or currents are present may cause instrument damage and lead to the risk of electric shock.

34401A User’s Guide iii

WARNING

IEC Measurement Category II. The HI and LO input terminals may be connected to mains in IEC Category II installations for line voltages up to 300 VAC. To avoid the danger of electric shock, do not connect the inputs to mains for line voltages above 300 VAC. See "IEC Measurement Category II Overvoltage Protection" on the following page for further information.

WARNING

Protection Limits: To avoid instrument damage and the risk of electric shock, do not exceed any of the Protection Limits defined in the following section.

Protection Limits

The Agilent 34401A Digital Multimeter provides protection circuitry to prevent damage to the instrument and to protect against the danger of electric shock, provided the Protection Limits are not exceeded. To ensure safe operation of the instrument, do not exceed the Protection Limits shown on the front and rear panel, and defined as follows:

Note: The front-panel terminals are shown above. The rear-panel terminals are identical. The Front/Rear switch selects the terminal set to be used. Do not operate this

switch while signals are pr esent on the front or rear terminals. The current-protec-

tion fuse is on the rear panel.

Input Terminal Protection Limits

Protection Limits are defined for the input terminals:

Main Input (HI and LO) Terminals. The HI and LO input terminals are used for voltage, resistance, frequency (period), an d diode test measurements. Two Protection Limits are defined for these terminals:

HI to LO Protection Limit. The Protection Limit from HI to LO (Input terminals) is 1000 VDC or 750 VAC, which is also the maximum voltage measurement. This limit can also be expressed as 1000 Vpk maximum.

LO to Ground Protection Limit. The LO input terminal can safely "float" a maximum of 500 Vpk relative to ground.

As is implied by the above limits, the Protection Limit for the HI input terminal is a maximum of 1500 Vpk relative to ground.

Current Input Terminal. The current input ("I") terminal has a Protection Limit of 3A (rms) maximum current flowing from the LO input terminal. Note that the current input terminal will be at approximately the same voltage as the LO terminal.

Note: The current-protection circuitry includes a fuse on the rear panel. To maintain protection, replace this fuse only with a fuse of the specified type and rating.

Sense Terminal Protection Limits

The HI and LO sense terminals are used only for four-wire resistance and temperature measurements (" tion Limit is 200 Vpk for all of the terminal pairings:

LO sense to LO input

HI sense to LO input

HI sense to LO sense

Note: The 200 Vpk limit on the sense terminals is the Protection Limit. Operational voltages in resistance measurements are much lower — less than 10 V in normal operation.

Ω 4W"). The Protec-

IEC Measurement Category II Overvoltage Protection

To protect against the danger of electric shock, the Agilent 34401A Digital Multimeter provides overvoltage protection for line-voltage mains connections meeting both of the following conditions:

The HI and LO input terminals are connected to the mains under Measurement Category II conditions, defined below,

The mains are limited to a maximum line voltage of 300 VAC.

and

iv 34401A User’s Guide

IEC Measurement Category II includes electrical devices connected to mains at an outlet on a branch circuit. Such devices include most small appliances, test equipment, and other devices that plug into a branch outlet or socket. The 34401A may be used to make measurements with the HI and LO inputs connected to mains in such devices, or to the branch outlet itself (up to 300 VAC). However, the 34401A may not be used with its HI and LO inputs connected to mains in permanently installed electrical devices such as the main circuit-breaker panel, sub-panel disconnect boxes, or permanently wired motors. Such devices and circuits are subject to overvoltages that may exceed the protection limits of the 34401A.

Note: Voltages above 300 VAC may be measured only in circuits that are isolated from mains. However, transient overvoltages are also present on circuits that are isolated from mains. The A gilent 34401A are designed to safely withstand occasional transient overvoltages up to 2500 Vpk. Do not use this equipment to measure circuits where transi ent overvoltages could exceed this level.

Additional Notices

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC

This product complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking requirement. The affixed product label (see below) indicates that you must not discard this electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste.

Product Category: With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE directive Annex 1, this product is classified as a "Monitoring and Contr ol instrumentation" product.

Do not dispose in domestic household waste.

To return unwanted products, contact your local Agilent office, or see www.agilent.com/environment/product for more information.

Agilent 34138A Test Lead Set

The Agilent 34401A is compatible with the Agilent 34138A Test Lead Set described below.

Test L e a d Ra t i n g s

Test Leads - 1000V, 15A

Fine Tip Probe Attachments - 300V, 3A

Mini Grabber Attachment - 300V, 3A

SMT Grabber Attachments - 300V, 3A

Operation

The Fine Tip, Mini Grabber, and SMT Grabber attachments plug onto the probe end of the Test Leads.

Maintenance

If any portion of the Test Lead Set is worn or damaged, do not use. Replace with a new Agilent 34138A Test Lead Set.

WARNING

If the Test Lead Set is used in a manner not specified by Agilent Technologies, the protection provided by the Test Lead Set may be impaired. Also, do not use a damaged or worn Test Lead Set. Instrument damage or personal injury may result.

34401A User’s Guide v

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and CEN/CENELEC EN 45014

Manufacturer’s Name: Manufacturer’s Address:

Agilent Technologies, Incorporated 815 – 14th St. SW Loveland, Colorado 80537 USA

Declares, that the product

Product Name: Model Number:

Multimeter 34401A

Product Options: This declaration covers all options of the above product(s).

Conforms with the following European Directives:

The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC (including 93/68/EEC) and carries the CE Marking accordingly.

Conforms with the following product standards: EMC Standard

IEC 61326-1:1997+A1:1998 / EN 61326-1:1997+A1:1998 CISPR 11:1990 / EN 55011:1991 IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998 / EN 61000-4-2:1995 IEC 61000-4-3:1995 / EN 61000-4-3:1995 IEC 61000-4-4:1995 / EN 61000-4-4:1995 IEC 61000-4-5:1995 / EN 61000-4-5:1995 IEC 61000-4-6:1996 / EN 61000-4-6:1996 IEC 61000-4-11:1994 / EN 61000-4-11:1994

Canada: ICES-001:1998 Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 2064.1

Limit

Group 1 Class A 4kV CD, 8kV AD 3 V/m, 80-1000 MHz

0.5kV signal lines, 1kV power lines

0.5 kV line-line, 1 kV line-ground 3V, 0.15-80 MHz Dips: 30% 10ms; 60% 100ms Interrupt > 95%@5000ms

The product was tested in a typical configuration with Agilent Technologies test systems.

Safety

IEC 61010-1:1990+A1:1992+A2:1995 / EN 61010-1:1993+A2:1995 Canada: CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1:1992 UL 3111-1: 1994

18 July 2001

Date

Ray Corson

Product Regulations Program Manager

Authorized EU-representative: Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH, Herrenberger Straβe 130, D 71034 Böblingen, Germany

For further information, please contact your local Agilent Technologies sales office, agent or distributor.

Note: Unless ot h erwise indicat ed, this manual applies to all Seri al N umbers.

The Agilent Technologies 34401A is a 6

⁄

-digit, high-performance

digital multimeter. Its co m bination o f bench-to p and syste m featur e s makes this multimeter a versatile solution for y our m easurement n eeds 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 fea ture

• 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

Windows

Agilent 34401A Multimeter

The Front Panel at a Glance

1 Measurement Function keys 2 Math Operation keys 3 Single Trigger / Autotrigger / Reading Hold key 4 Shift / Local key

5 Front / Rear Input Terminal Switch 6 Range / Number of Digits Displayed keys 7 Menu Operation keys

The Front-Panel Menu at a Glance

The menu is organized in a top -d own tree structure with three levels.

A: MEASurement 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 ME N U

1: READ HOLD > 2: TRIG DELAY > 3: N SAMPLES

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: GPIB 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.

Display Annunciators

∗

Adrs Rmt Man Trig Hold Mem Ratio Math ERROR Rear Shift 4W

Turns on during a measurement. Multimeter is addressed to listen or talk over the GPIB interface. Multimeter is in remote mode (remote interface). Multimeter is using manual ranging (autorange is disabled). Multimeter is waiting for a single trigger or external trigger. Reading Hold is enabled. Turns on when reading memory is enabled. Multimeter is in dcv:dcv ratio function. A math operation is enabled (null, min-max, dB, dBm, or limit test ). Hardware or remote interface command errors are detected. Rear input terminals are selected. “Shift” key has been pressed. Multimeter is in 4-wire ohms function. Multimeter is in continuity test function. Multimeter is in diode test function.

Press “Shif t” again to turn off.

To review the display annunciators, hold down the Shift key as you turn on the multimeter.

The Rear Panel at a Glance

1 Chassis Ground 2 Power-Line Fuse-Holder Assembly 3 Power-Line Voltage Setting 4 Front and Rear Current Input Fuse

5 Voltmeter Complete Output Terminal 6 External Trigger Input Terminal 7 GPIB (IEEE-488) Interface connector 8 RS-232 interface connector

Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to:

• Select the GPIB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 4).

• Set the GPIB bus address (see chapter 4).

• Set the RS-232 baud rate and parity (see chapter 4).

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 t he mu ltimeter’s menu fea tur es.

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 oper ating the multimeter from the front panel or over the remote in t er fac e.

Remote Interface Reference Chapter 4 contains reference information to help you program th e m ultimeter over t he rem ote interface.

Error Messages Chapter 5 lists the error messages that may appear as you are working with the multimeter. 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 Chapt er 7 discus ses measurement considera ti ons an d te chn iq u es to hel p you obt ai n the bes t acc u rac ies 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 Agilent 34401A, call 1-800-452-4844 in the United States, or contact your nearest Agilent Sal es Of fic e .

If your 34401A fails within one year of purchase, Agilent will repair or replace it free of charge. Call 1-877-444-7278 (“ Agile nt Expr ess”) in th e United States, or c ontact you r neare st Agilen t Sales O ffice.

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Prepare th e Multimeter for Use 13 If the Multi meter Does Not Turn On 14 To Adjust the Carrying Handle 16 To Measure Volt ag e 17 To Measure Resis tan ce 17 To Measur e Cu rr en t 18 To Measure Frequency (or Period) 18 To Test Continuity 19 To Check Di ode s 19 To Select a Range 20 To Set th e R e s olu t i on 21 Front-Panel Display Formats 22 To Rack Mount the Multimeter 23

Chapter 2 Front-Panel Menu Operation

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 Mi nimum and Maximum Rea dings 39 To Make dB Measurements 40 To Make dBm Measurements 41 To Trigger the Multimeter 42 To Use Reading Hold 43 To Make dcv :d cv R at io Measurements 44 To Use Reading Memory 46

Chapter 3 Features and Functions

Measurement Configura ti on

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

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 Sample s 77 Number of Trigger s 78 Trigger Delay 79 Automatic Trigger Delays 81 Reading Hold 82 Voltmeter Complete Terminal 83 External Trigger Terminal 83

System-Related Operations

Reading Memory 84 Error Conditions 85 Self-Test 86 Display Control 87 Beeper Control 88 Comma Separators 89 Firmware Revision Query 89 SCPI Language Version Query 9 0

Remote Inte r face Configura tion

GPIB Address 91 Remote Int erf a ce Selection 92 Baud Rate Selection (RS -23 2) 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 C urrent Input Fuses 100 Power-On and Reset State 101

Contents

Chapte r 4 Remote Interface Reference

Command Su mmary 10 5 Simplified Prog r a m m in g O v erview 112 The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands 117 Measurement Conf iguration Commands 121 Math Operat ion Commands 124 Triggering 127 Triggering Commands 130 System-Rel ate d Commands 132 The SCPI Status Model 134 Status Rep orting Commands 144 Calibration C om ma n ds 146 RS-232 Interface Configuration 148 RS-232 Interf ace Commands 153 An Introd uct ion to the SCPI L an gu age 154 Output Data Formats 159 Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements 160 TALK ONLY for Printers 160 To Set the GPIB Addres s 161 To Select the R em ote Interface 162 To Set th e B au d Rate 163 To Set th e P arity 164 To Select the Programming Language 165 Alternate Programming Language Compatibility 166 SCPI Complianc e I nfo rmation 168 IEEE-488 Compliance Information 169

Contents

Chapter 5 Error Messages

Execution Errors 173 Self-Test Errors 179 Calibration E rr ors 180

Chapter 6 Application Programs

Using MEA Sure? for a Single Measur ement 185 Using CONFigure with a Math O p eration 186 Using the S tat us R eg is te rs 188 RS-232 Operation Using Quic kBASIC 192 RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C 193

Contents

Chapte r 7 Measurement Tutorial

Thermal EMF Errors 199 Loading Errors (dc volts) 199 Leakage Current Errors 199 Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages 200 Common Mode Rejection (CMR) 201 Noise Caused by Magnetic Loops 201 Noise Caused by Ground Loops 202 Resistance Measur ements 20 3 4-Wire Ohms Meas ur em ents 203 Removing Test Lead Res istance Errors 204 Power Dissipat ion Effects 204 Settling T im e E f fec ts 204 Errors in High Resistance Measureme n ts 205 DC Curr en t Measurement Er rors 205 True RMS AC Measurements 206 Crest Fa ct or Errors 207 Loadi ng Errors (ac volts ) 209 Measurem ents Below Full Scale 210 High-Voltage Self-Heating Errors 210 Temperature Coefficient and Overl oad Errors 210 Low-Level Measurement Errors 211 Common Mode Errors 212 AC Current Measurement Errors 212 Frequency and P eri od M easurement Errors 213 Making H ig h- Speed DC and Resistance Measu rem ents 213 Making High - Sp eed AC M eas u r em en t s 214

Chapter 8 Specifications

DC Character is tic s 216 AC Character is tic s 218 Frequency and Peri od Ch aracteristics 220 General Information 222 Product Dimensions 223 To Calcula te Tot a l M eas urement Error 224 Interpreting Multimeter S pec ifications 226 Configur in g f or H ig h est Accuracy Meas u rements 229

Index 231

Declaration of Conformity 237

Quick Start

One of the first things you will want to do with your multimeter is to become acquainted with its front panel. We have written the exercises in this chapter to prepare the multimeter for use and help you g et familiar with some of its front-panel operations.

The front panel has two rows of keys to select various functions and operations. Most ke ys have a shifted function printed in blue above the key. To perform a shifted function, press annunciator will turn on). Then, press the key that has the desired label above it. For example, to select the dc current function,

Shift DC V .

press

Shift (the Shift

If you accident a l ly press

Shift annunciato r.

The rear cover of this bo ok is a fold -out Qu ick Re feren ce Gu ide. On t his cover you will fi nd a quick summary of various multi m eter feature s.

Shift , just press it again to turn off the

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Prepare the Multimeter for Use

The following steps help you verify that the multimeter is ready for use.

1 Check the list of supplied ite ms.

Verify that you have received the following items with your multimeter. If anyt hi ng i s mi s si ng , contact your n e ar e st A gilent Sales Of fi ce .

One test lead kit. One power cord. This User’s Guide. One Service Guide. One folded Quick Reference card. Certificate of Calibration.

2 Connect the power cord a nd turn on the multimeter.

The front-panel display will light up while the multimeter performs its power-on self-test. The multimeter powers up in the dc voltage function with autoranging enabled.

To review the power-on display with all annunciators turned on, hold down

3Perform a complete self-test.

The complete self-test per for m s a mor e ex ten sive s er ies of tests than those performed at power-on. Hold down Power switch to turn on the multimeter; hold down the key for more than 5 seconds. The self-test will begin when you release the key.

If the self-test is successful, “ not successful, “ See the Service Guide for instructions on returning the multimeter to Agilent for service.

Shift as you turn on the multi met e r.

FAIL” is displayed and the ERROR annunciator turns on.

GPIB bus address is displayed. Notice that the

Shift as you press the

PASS” is displayed. If the self-test is

Chapter 1 Quick Start

If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On

Use the following steps to help solve problems you might encounter when turning on the multimeter. If you need more help, see the Service Gui de for instructions on returning the multimeter to Agilent for service.

1 Verify that there is ac power to the multimeter.

First, verify that the multimeter’s Power switch is in the “On” position. Also, make sure that the power cord is firmly plugged into the power module on the rear panel. You shou ld als o mak e sure t hat t h e pow er source you plugged the multimeter into is energized.

2 Verify the power-line voltage setting.

The line voltage i s set to the pr oper valu e for yo ur co un tr y when the multimeter is shipped from the factory. Change the volta g e set ti ng if it is not correct. The settings are: 100, 120, 220, or 240 Vac (for 230 Vac operation, use the 220 Vac setting).

See the next page if you need to change the line-voltage setting.

3 Verify that the power-line fuse is good.

The multimeter is shipped from the factory with a 250 mA fuse installed. This is the correct fuse for all line voltages.

See the next page if you need to replace the power-line fuse.

To replace the 250 mAT fuse, order Agilent part number 2110-0817.

Chapter 1 Quick Start

If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On

1 Remove the power cord. Remove the

fuse-holder assembly from the rear panel.

3 Rotate the line-voltage selector until the

correct voltage appears in the window.

2 Remove the line-voltage selector from

the assembly.

See rear panel for proper fuse rating.

Agilent Part Number: 2110-0817 (250 mAT)

4 Replace the fuse-h ol de r as sem bly in the rear panel.

100, 120, 220 (230) or 240 Vac

Verify that the correct line voltage is selected and the power-line fuse is good.

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Adjust the Carrying Handle

To adjust the position, grasp the handle by the sides and pu ll outward. Then, rotate the handle to the desired position.

Bench-top viewing positions Carrying position

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Measure Voltage

Ranges: 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V, 100 V, 1000 V (750 Vac) Maximum resolution: 100 nV (on 100 mV range) AC technique: true

RMS, ac-coupled

To Measure Resistance

Ranges: 100 Ω, 1 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 100 kΩ, 1 MΩ, 10 MΩ, 100 MΩ Maximum resolution: 100 µΩ (on 100 ohm range)

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Measure Current

Ranges: 10 mA (dc only), 100 mA (dc only), 1 A , 3 A Maximum resolution: 10 nA (on 10 mA range) AC technique: true

RMS, ac-coupled

To Measure Frequency (or Period)

Measurement band: 3 Hz to 300 kHz (0.33 sec to 3.3 µsec) Input signal range: 100 mVac to 750 Vac Techniqu e: reciprocal co unt ing

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Test Continuity

Test current source: 1 mA Maximum resolution: 0.1 Ω (rang e i s fi xed at 1 kohm) Beeper threshold: 1 Ω to 1000 Ω (beeps below adjustable threshold)

To Check Diodes

Test current source: 1 mA Maximum resolution: 100 µV (range is fix ed at 1 Vdc) Beeper threshold: 0.3 volts ≤ V

measured

≤ 0.8 volts (not adjus table)

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Select a Range

You can let the multimeter automatically select the range using autoranging or you can select a fixed range using manual ranging.

Selects a lower range and disables autoranging.

Selects a higher range and disables autoranging.

Man annu nci ator is on when manual range is enabl ed.

Toggles betwee n aut or anging and manual ranging.

• Autoranging is selecte d at power-on a nd a ft e r a re m o t e i nt e rfa ce reset.

• Autorange t h re sholds:

Down range at <1 0 % of range Up range at >120% of range

• If the input signal is greater than the present range can measure,

the multimeter will give an overload indication (“

• For frequency and period measurements from the front panel,

OVLD”).

ranging applies to the signal’s input voltage, not its frequency.

• The range is fixed for co ntin u it y (1 kΩ range) and diode (1 Vdc rang e).

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 ran ge is local t o th e fu nction ; the multimeter remembers the range when you switch between functions.

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Set the Resolution

You can set the display resolution to 4

⁄

, 5

⁄

, or 6

⁄

digits either to

optimize measur em ent spe ed or nois e reje ction. In this book, th e most significant digit (leftmost on the display) is referred to as the “

⁄

” digit,

since it can only be a “0” or “1.”

Press the Shift key .

Sele cts 4

⁄2 digits.

Selects 5

⁄2 digits.

Selects 61⁄2 digits (most noise rejection).

• The resolution is set to 5

⁄

digits at power-on and after a remote

interface reset.

• The resolution is fixed at 5

• You can also vary the number of digits displayed using the arrow keys

⁄

digits for continuity and diode tests.

(however, the integration time is not changed).

Fewer More Digits Digits

Resolutio n is local to t he selected func tion. This means t hat you can select the r esolutio n for each fun ction inde pendently. T he multime ter remembers the resolution when you switch between functions.

5 digits

Chapter 1 Quick Start

Front-Panel Display Formats

Front-Pan el Display Formats

– Negative sign or blank (positive)

H “

-H.DDD,DDD EFFF

Front-pa ne l display form a t.

10.216,5 VDC

D Numeric digits E Exponent ( m, k, M ) F Measurement units ( VDC, OHM, HZ, dB )

⁄2 ” digit (0 or 1)

“1⁄2” digi t

“1⁄2” digit

This is the 10 Vdc range, 5

⁄

digits are displayed.

-045.23 mVDC

This is the 100 mVdc range, 4

⁄

digits are displayed.

113.325,6 OHM

This is the 100 ohm range, 6

⁄

digits are displayed.

OVL.D mVDC

This is an overload indication on the 100 mV dc range.

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Rack Mount the Multimeter

You can mount the multi m eter in a standard 1 9 -inch rack cabinet using one of three optional kits available. Instr uction s and m ounting h ardw are are included with each r ack-mou nting kit . Any instrument of the same size can be rack-mounted beside the 34401A.

Remove the carrying handle, and the front and rear rubber bumpers, before rack- m ounting the multi m eter.

Agilent System II

To remove the handle, rotate it to the vertical position and pull the ends outward.

Fron t

To remove the rubber bumper, stretch a corner and then slide it off.

Rear (bottom view)

Chapter 1 Quick Start

To Rack Mount the Multimeter

To rack mount a single instrument, order adapter kit 5063-9240.

To rack mount two instruments side-by-side, order lock-link kit 5061-9694 and flange kit 5063-9212.

To install one or two instruments in a sliding support shelf, order shelf 5063-9255, and slide kit 1494-0015 (for a single instrument, also order filler panel 5002-3999).

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