Keysight 34420A User Manual

Page 1
Keysight 34420A Nano Volt/ Micro Ohm Meter
User’s Guide
Page 2
Notices
CAUTION
WARNING
Copyright Notice
© Keysight Technologies 1994 - 2017 No part of this manual may be repro-
duced 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 Keysight Technol­ogies as governed by United States and international copyright laws.
Trademarks
Microsoft® and WIndows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Cor­poration. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their respec­tive companies.
Manual Part Number
34420-90001
Edition
Edition 3, September 1, 2017
Printed in:
Printed in Malaysia
Published by:
Keysight Technologies Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, 11900 Penang, Malaysia
Technology Licenses
The hard ware 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.
Declaration of Conformity
Declarations of Conformity for this product and for other Keysight prod­ucts may be downloaded from the Web. Go to http://www.keysight.com/
go/conformity. You can then search by
product number to find the latest Dec­laration of Conformity.
U.S. Government Rights
The Software is “commercial computer software,” as defined by Federal Acqui­sition Regulation (“FAR”) 2.101. Pursu­ant to FAR 12.212 and 27.405-3 and Department of Defense FAR Supple­ment (“DFARS”) 227.7202, the U.S. government acquires commercial com­puter software under the same terms by which the software is customarily provided to the public. Accordingly, Keysight provides the Software to U.S. government customers under its stan­dard commercial license, which is embodied in its End User License Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be found at http://www.keysight.com/
find/sweula. The license set forth in the
EULA represents the exclusive authority by which the U.S. government may use, modify, distribute, or disclose the Soft­ware. The EULA and the license set forth therein, does not require or per­mit, among other things, that Keysight: (1) Furnish technical information related to commercial computer soft­ware or commercial computer software documentation that is not customarily provided to the public; or (2) Relinquish to, or otherwise provide, the govern­ment rights in excess of these rights customarily provided to the public to use, modify, reproduce, release, per­form, display, or disclose commercial computer software or commercial com­puter software documentation. No additional government requirements beyond those set forth in the EULA shall apply, except to the extent that those terms, rights, or licenses are explicitly required from all providers of commercial computer software pursu­ant to the FAR and the DFARS and are set forth specifically in writing else­where in the EULA. Keysight shall be under no obligation to update, revise or otherwise modify the Software. With respect to any technical data as defined by FAR 2.101, pursuant to FAR
12.211 and 27.404.2 and DFARS
227.7102, the U.S. government acquires no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR 27.401 or DFAR
227.7103-5 (c), as applicable in any technical data.
Warranty
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND IS SUBJECT TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, KEYSIGHT 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. KEYSIGHT 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 KEYSIGHT 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.
Safety Information
A CAUTION 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 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.
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.
2 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 3

Certification

Keysight Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of shipment from factory. Keysight Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extend allowed by that organization’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other INternational Standards Organization members.

Safety Symbols

The following symbols on the instrument and in the documentation indicate precautions which must be taken to maintain safe operation of the instrument.
Earth (ground) terminal Frame or chassis (ground) terminal
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 3
Page 4

Safety Considerations

WARNING
WARNING
NOTE
Read the information below before using this instrument.
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards for design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Keysight Technologies assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
Only qualified, service-trained personnel who are aware of the hazards involved should remove the cover from the instrument.
For continued protection against fire, replace the line fuse only with a fuse of the specified type and rating.
Do not install substitute parts or perfrom any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the product to an Keysight Technologies Sales and Service Office for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
4 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 5

Environmental Conditions

The 34420A is designed for indoor use and in an area with low condensation. The table below shows the general environmental requirements for this instrument.
Environmental condition Requirement
Temperature
Humidity
Operating condition – 0 °C to 55 °C Storage condition – –40 °C to 75 °C
Operating condition – Up to 80% RH at 40°C (non-condensing)
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 5
Page 6

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive

This instrument complies with the WEEE Directive marking requirement. This affixed product label indicates that you must not discard this electrical or electronic product in domestic household waste.

Product category:

With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE directive Annex 1, this instrument is classified as a “Monitoring and Control Instrument” product.
The affixed product label is as shown below.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return this unwanted instrument, contact your nearest Keysight Service Center, or visit http://about.keysight.com/en/companyinfo/environment/takeback.shtml for more information.

Sales and Technical Support

To contact Keysight for sales and technical support, refer to the support links on the following Keysight websites:
www.keysight.com/find/34420A
(product-specific information and support, software and documentation updates)
www.keysight.com/find/assist
(worldwide contact information for repair and service)
6 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 7
The 34420A is a 71/2 digit, high performance nanovolt, micro-ohm meter. Its combination of bench-top and system features makes this meter a versatile solution for your testing requirements now and in the future.
Convenient bench-top features
– Built-in math operations including thermistor, thermocouple and RTD
temperature measurements
– Two channel input allows ratio and difference functions for voltage
measurements
– Highly visible vacuum-fluorescent display
– Portable, ruggedized case with non-skid feet
Flexible system features
– GPIB (IEEE-488) interface and RS-232 interface are standard
– SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) and Keithley 181
compatibility
– Readings at up to 250 per second
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 7
Page 8

The Front-Panel at a Glance

1 Input channel select
2 Measurement function keys
3 Math operation keys
4 Filter select key
8 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
5 Menu operation keys
6 Range/number of digits displayed keys
7 Single trigger/autotrigger/auto hold key
8 Shift / local key
Page 9

The Front-Panel Menu at a Glance

The menu is organized in a top-down tree structure with three levels.
A: MEASurement MENU
1: DIG FILTER ) 2: INTEGRATE ) 3: OCOMP W ) 4: LOW POWER W ) 5: LOW VOLT W )
6: LoV LIMIT W
B: TEMPerature MENU
1:PROBE TYPE ) 2: UNITS ) 3: RTD TYPE ) 4:RTD Ro ) 5:T/C TYPE ) 6: COLD JUNCT ) 7:JUNCT
C: MATH MENU
1: STATS ) 2: NULL VALUE ) 3: SCALE GAIN ) 4 : SCALE OFST
D: TRIGger MENU
1: READ HOLD ) 2: TRIG DELAY ) 3: N SAMPLES
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 9
Page 10
E: SYStem MENU
NOTE
1: RDGS STORE ) 2: SAVED RDGS ) 3: ERROR ) 4: TEST ) 5: CHART OUT ) 6: CHART SPAN )
7: CHART NULL ) 8: DISPLAY ) 9: COMMA ) 10: PRESET ) 11: REVISION
F: Input/Output MENU
1: GPIB ADDR ) 2: INTERFACE ) 3: BAUD RATE ) 4: PARITY ) 5: LANGUAGE
G: CALibration MENU
1: SECURED ) [1: UNSECURED] ) [2:CALIBRATE] ) [3: CHART ZERO] ) [4 : CHART GAIN] )
[5: INJECTED I] ) 6:CAL COUNT ) 7:MESSAGE
The commands enclosed in square brackets ([ ]) in the CAL MENU are "hidden" unless the meter is UNSECURED for calibration.
10 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 11

Display Annunciators

*
Adrs Rmt Man Trig OC Off Null Stats Scale ERROR Shift Ch1 Ch2 Ch1 - Ch2 Ch1 / Ch2 W LP 2W LoV Hold Filt Mem
Turns on during a measurement. Meter is addressed to listen or talk over the GPIB interface. Meter is in remote mode (using remote interface). Meter is using manual ranging (autorange is disabled). Meter is waiting for a single trigger or external trigger. Offset compensation is turned off. A null value is being used. Math statistics operations are being used. Math scaling operations are being used. Hardware or remote interface command error(s) detected. "Shift" key has been pressed. Meter input is on Channel 1. Meter input is on Channel 2. Meter is indicating the difference between inputs on channel 1 and channel 2. Meter is indicating the ratio of the inputs on channel 1 and channel 2. Meter is measuring resistance (Ohms). Meter is using low power Ohms. Meter is using 2-wire Ohms (annunciator off indicates a 4-wire measurement). Meter is using voltage limited Ohms. Automatic reading hold is enabled. The analog and/or the digital filter is enabled. Turns on when reading memory is enabled.
To review the display annunciators, hold down the Shift key as you turn on the meter.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 11
Page 12

The Rear Panel at a Glance

1 Chassis ground
2 Power-line fuse-holder assembly
3 Power-line voltage setting
4 Chart recorder output terminal
(Analog out)
Use the front-panel Input / Output Menu to:
– Select the GPIB or RS-232 interface
– Set the GPIB bus address
– Set the RS-232 baud rate and parity
12 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
5 Voltmeter complete output terminal
6 External trigger input terminal
7 GPIB (IEEE-488) interface
connector
8 RS-232 interface connector
Page 13

In This Book

NOTE
Quick Start Chapter 1 prepares the meter for use and helps you get familiar
with a few of its front-panel features.
Front-Panel Operation Chapter 2 introduces you to the front-panel menu and
describes some of the meter’s menu features.
Features and Functions Chapter 3 gives a detailed description of the meter’s
capabilities and operation. You will find this chapter useful whether you are operating the meter from the front panel or from a remote interface.
Remote Interface Reference Chapter 4 contains reference information to help
you program the meter using a remote interface.
Error Messages Chapter 5 lists the error messages that may appear as you are
working with the meter. 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 accuracy and reduce sources of measurement error.
Specifications Chapter 8 lists the meter’s specifications and describes how to
interpret these specifications.
If you have questions relating to the operation of the meter, call 1-800-452-4844 in the United States, or contact your nearest Keysight Technologies Sales Office.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 13
Page 14
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
14 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 15

Table of Contents

Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Safety Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Measurement Category <valid for HH UG only - remove this> . . . . . . . .5
Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Safety compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
EMC compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Regulatory Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive . . . . . . . .9
Product category: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Sales and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
1Quick Start
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
To Prepare the Meter For Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
If the Meter Does Not Turn On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
To Adjust the Carrying Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
To Make Input Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
To Measure Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
To Measure Temperature With Thermistors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
To Measure Temperature With RTDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
To Measure Temperature With Thermocouples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
To Select a Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
To Set the Number of Digits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
To Set the Integration Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Front-Panel Display Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
To Rack Mount the Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
2 Front-Panel Operation
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 11
Page 16
Front-Panel Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Front-Panel Menu Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
To Select an Input Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
To Select a Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
To Set or Change the Number of Digits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
To Set the Integration Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
To Make Null (Relative) Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings (Stats) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
To Trigger the Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
To Use Reading Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
To Make Voltage Ratio and Difference Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
To Use Reading Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
3 Features and Functions
Features and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
General Measurement Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Input Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Integration Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Reducing Measurement Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Number of Digits Displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Ranging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Overload Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Voltage Measurement Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Input Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Resistance Measurement Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Temperature Measurement Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Measurement Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
RTD Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Thermistor Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Thermocouple Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Math Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
12 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 17
Null (Relative) Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Reading Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Trigger Source Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
The Wait-for-Trigger State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Halting a Measurement in Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Number of Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Number of Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Trigger Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Automatic Trigger Delays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
System-Related Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Reading Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Display Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Comma Separators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Firmware Revision Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
SCPI Language Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Voltmeter Complete Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
External Trigger Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Chart Output (Analog Output) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Chart Rollover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Remote Interface Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Remote Interface Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
GPIB Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Baud Rate Selection (RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Parity Selection (RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Programming Language Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Connection to a Terminal or Printer (RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Calibration Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Calibration Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Calibration Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 13
Page 18
Defaults, Power-On and Reset States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
4 Remote Interface Reference
Remote Interface Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Simplified Programming Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Using the MEASure? Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Using the CONFigure Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Using the range and resolution Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Using the READ? Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Using the INITiate and FETCh? Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Setting the Function, Range, and Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Selecting the Input Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Special Resistance Measurement Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Temperature Measurement Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Null (Relative) Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Input Filter Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Math Operation Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Statistics operation commands (AVERage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Scale operation commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
The Wait-for-Trigger State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Triggering Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Chart Output (Analog Out) Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
System-Related Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
The SCPI Status Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
What is an Event Register? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
What is an Enable Register? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
What is a Condition Register? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
SCPI Status System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
The Status Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
14 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 19
Using Service Request (SRQ) and Serial POLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Using *STB? to Read the Status Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
To Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
To Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed . . . . . .180
How to Use the Message Available Bit (MAV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Buffer . . . . . . .181
The Standard Event Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
The Questionable Data Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
The Operational Status and Condition Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Status Reporting Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Calibration Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
RS-232 Interface Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
RS-232 Configuration Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
RS-232 Data Frame Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Connection to a Computer or Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Connection to a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
DTR / DSR Handshake Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
RS-232 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
RS-232 Interface Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
An Introduction to the SCPI Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
SCPI Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Input Message Terminators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Output Data Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
TALK ONLY for Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
To Set the GPIB Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
To Select the Remote Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
To Set the Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
To Set the Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
To Select the Programming Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Alternate Programming Language Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Specific Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 15
Page 20
SCPI Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
IEEE-488 Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
5 Error Messages
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Execution Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Self-Test Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Calibration Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
6 Application Programs
Application Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
HP BASIC Language Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
HP BASIC/GPIB Program Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
HP BASIC/GPIB Program Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
HP BASIC/GPIB Program Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
HP BASIC/GPIB Program Example 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
RS-232 Operations with QuickBASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Microsoft Visual Basic Language Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
C Language Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Compiling and Linking a C Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
C/GPIB Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
C/GPIB Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
C/GPIB Program Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Microsoft Excel Macro Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Macro Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
7Measurement Tutorial
Measurement Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Measurement Techniques and Sources of Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Voltage Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Resistance Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Temperature Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Cleaning the Connector Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
16 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 21
Input Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299
Obtaining Parts For the Input Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
8 Specifications
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 17
Page 22
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
18 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 23
Keysight 34420A Nano Volt/Micro Ohm Meter User’s Guide

1 Quick Start

Quick Start 20 To Prepare the Meter For Use 21 If the Meter Does Not Turn On 22 To Adjust the Carrying Handle 24 To Make Input Connections 25 To Measure Voltage 27 To Measure Temperature With Thermistors 28 To Measure Temperature With RTDs 29 To Measure Temperature With Thermocouples 30 To Select a Range 31 To Set the Number of Digits 32 To Set the Integration Time 33 Front-Panel Display Formats 34 To Rack Mount the Meter 35
19
Page 24
1 Quick Start
Shift
Shift
DCV
Shift
NOTE

Quick Start

This chapter helps you prepare the meter for use and contains exercises designed to get you started with the meter, its menus, and the front panel.
The front panel has two rows of keys to select various functions and operations. Most keys have a shifted function printed in blue above the key. To perform a
shifted function, press (the Shift display annunciator will turn on). Then, press the key that has the desired label above it. For example, to select the
temperature measurement function, press .
If you accidentally press , just press it again to turn off the Shift annunciator.
The rear cover of this book is a fold-out Quick Reference Guide. On this cover you will find a quick summary of various meter features. Inside the rear cover is a diagram of the front panel menu options.
20 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 25

To Prepare the Meter For Use

Shift
Shift
The following steps help you verify that the meter is ready for use.
1 Check the list of supplied items.
Verify that you have received the following items with your meter. If any item is missing, contact your nearestKeysight Technologies Sales Office.
– One low thermal input cable.
– One low thermal four-wire shorting plug.
– One power cord.
–This User’s Guide.
–One Service Guide.
–One folded Quick Reference card.
– Certificate of Calibration with removeable calibration label.
– One bottle of DeoxIT™ contact cleaner.
2 Connect the power cord and turn the meter on.
The front panel display will light up while the meter performs its power-on self-test. The GPIB bus address is displayed. The meter is left in 61/2 digit resolution, channel 1 input, and digital filter on.
Quick Start 1
[1]
To view the display with all annunciators turned on, hold down as you turn on the meter.
3 Perform a complete self-test.
The complete self-test performs a more extensive series of tests than those performed at power-on. Hold down Shift as you press the power switch to turn
on the meter; continue to hold for more than 5 seconds. The self-test will begin when you release the key.
If the self-test is successful, “PASS” is displayed on the front panel. If the test is not successful, “FAIL” is displayed and the ERROR annunciator turns on. See the Service Guide for instructions on returning the meter to Keysight Technologies for service.
[1] DeoxIT™ is a trademark of CAIG Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, California.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 21
Page 26
1 Quick Start
NOTE

If the Meter Does Not Turn On

Use the following steps to help solve problems you might experience when turning on the meter. If you need more help, see the Service Guide for instructions on returning the meter to Keysight Technologies for service.
1 Verify there is ac power to the meter.
First verify that the meter’s power switch is in the “On” position. Make sure the
power cord is firmly plugged into the power module on the meter’s rear panel.
Verify that the power source is energized.
2 Verify the power-line voltage setting.
The line voltage is set to the proper value for your country when the meter is
shipped from the factory. Change the voltage setting 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 diagram on the next page to verify or change the setting.
To replace the 250 mAT 250 V fuse, order part number 2110-0817. This fuse is used for all power line voltage settings.
22 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 27
Quick Start 1
1 Remove the power cord. Remove
the fuse holder assembly from the rear
3 Rotate the line-voltage selector
until the correct voltage appears in the window.
2 Install the fuse. Remove the
line-voltage selector from the assembly.
4 Replace the fuse-holder assembly
in the rear panel.
Install the correct fuse and verify that the correct line voltage appears in the window.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 23
Page 28
1 Quick Start
To Adjust the Carrying Handle
To adjust the position, grasp the handle by the sides and pull outward. Then, rotate the handle to the desired position.
Bench-top viewing positions Carrying Position
24 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 29

To Make Input Connections

NOTE
WARNING
Using the Cable Provided
Align the front panel connector and cable conductors, press in.Tighten coupling nut.
Quick Start 1
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 25
The connector and cable are an integral part of the measurement system. For the highest accuracy, use the copper cable and connectors supplied by Keysight Technologies.
The conductors may require occasional cleaning to remove oxides. Cleaning the conductors is described on page 297.
The connector body and cable shield are connected to earth ground.
Page 30
1 Quick Start
Using a Custom Cable
Refer to page 299 for additional information about building custom input cables.
26 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 31

To Measure Voltage

NOTE
Channel 1 Ranges: 1 mV, 10 mV, 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V, 100 V Maximum resolution: 0.1 nV (on 1 mV range)
Channel 2 Ranges: 1 mV, 10 mV, 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V Maximum resolution: 0.1 nV (on 1 mV range)
Independent NULL for each channel
Channel 1 LO to Channel 2 LO isolated to 150 Vpeak.
Quick Start 1
Scan mode alternates between input channels every 3 seconds or every measurement, whichever is longer.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 27
Page 32
1 Quick Start

To Measure Temperature With Thermistors

Thermistor type: 5 kW
28 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 33

To Measure Temperature With RTDs

4-wire, type: a = .00385 (DIN/IEC 751) or a = .00391
R
= 4.9 W to 2.1 kW
0
Quick Start 1
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 29
Page 34
1 Quick Start
NOTE

To Measure Temperature With Thermocouples

Thermocouple types: B, E, J, K, N, R, S, T
Reference: external thermistor, external fixed value, or internal thermistor. Channel 2 only.
When using the internal thermistor as the temperature reference, you should make a custom cable to connect the thermocouple wire directly to the input terminals (see page 299).
30 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 35

To Select a Range

NOTE
You can let the meter automatically select the range using autoranging or you can select a fixed range using manual ranging.
Quick Start 1
– Autoranging is selected at power-on and after a remote interface reset.
– Autorange thresholds:
Down range at <10% of range Up range at >120% of range
– If the input signal is greater than the present range can measure, the meter will
give an overload indication (“OVLD”).
– When making difference or ratio measurements, an overload on either channel
will give an overload indication (“OVLD”).
For voltage measurements, ranging is local to the selected channel. This means that you can select the ranging method (auto or manual) for each channel independently. When manually ranging, the selected range is local to the active channel; the meter remembers the range when you switch between channels.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 31
Page 36
1 Quick Start

To Set the Number of Digits

You can set the display to show 4½, 5½, 6½, or 7½ digits. In this book, the most significant digit (leftmost on the display) is referred to as the “½” digit, since it can only be a “0” or “1”. The number of digits displayed also depends upon the
integration time set, see page 33.
– The number of digits is set to 6½ digits at power-on and after a remote
interface reset.
– The number of digits shown is dependent upon integration time and filter
settings. The meter will not allow you to show more digits than the practical
measurement capability of the meter. You can, however, reduce the number of
digits shown.
32 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 37

To Set the Integration Time

NOTE
Integration time is specified in Number of Power Line Cycles (NPLC). You can set the NPLC to 0.02, 0.2, 1, 2, 10, 20, 100, or 200.
– You can set the integration time to one of three fixed values by choosing the
number of digits displayed, see page 32.
– You can set the integration time in the MEASure menu using the INTEGRATE
command.
– The Integration Time is directly related to the maximum number of digits the
meter will display.
Quick Start 1
NPLC
0.02
0.2
16½ 7½
26½ 7½
10
20
100
200
Filter Off
Max Digits Shown
Filter On
Max Digits Shown
– You can always show fewer digits than the maximum allowed (the minimum
number of digits shown is 4½).
Integration Time is local to the selected function. This means that you can select the integration time for each function independently. The meter remembers integration time when you switch between functions.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 33
Page 38
1.021,651 V
-045.230 mV
0.133,256,7 W
O.VLD mV
-H.DDD,DDD,D EFF
6 digits
“½” digit
5 digits
“½” digit
7 digits
“½” digit
Front-panel display format
This is the 1 V range,
This is the 100 mV range,
This is the 1 ohm range,
This is an overload indication on the 1 mV range.
6½ digits are displayed.
5½ digits are displayed.
7½ digits are displayed.
– H D E F
Negative sign or blank (positive) “½” digit (0 or 1) Numeric Digits Exponent (m, k, M) Measurement units
1 Quick Start

Front-Panel Display Formats

34 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 39

To Rack Mount the Meter

You can mount the meter in a standard 19-inch rack cabinet using one of three optional kits available. Instructions and mounting hardware are included with each rack-mounting kit. Any System II instrument of the same size can be rack-mounted beside the 34420A meter.
Remove the carrying handle, and the front and rear rubber bumpers, before rack-mounting the meter.
To remove the handle, rotate it to the vertical position and pull the ends outward.
Quick Start 1
To remove the rubber bumper, stretch a corner and then slide it off.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 35
Page 40
1 Quick Start
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).
36 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 41
Keysight 34420A Nano Volt/Micro Ohm Meter User’s Guide

2 Front-Panel Operation

Front-Panel Operation 38 Front-Panel Menu Reference 39 A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial 43 To Select an Input Channel 52 To Select a Range 53 To Set or Change the Number of Digits 54 To Set the Integration Time 55 To Make Null (Relative) Measurements 56 To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings (Stats) 57 To Trigger the Meter 59 To Use Reading Hold 60 To Make Voltage Ratio and Difference Measurements 61 To Use Reading Memory 62
37
Page 42
2 Front-Panel Operation

Front-Panel Operation

This chapter assumes you are familiar with the meter and menu operations. You should also understand how to make connections for the various types of measurements. If you are not familiar with this information, please read Chapter 1,
"Quick Start" starting on page 19.
This chapter does not give a detailed description of every front-panel key or menu operation. It does, however, give you a good overview of the front-panel menu and the most common front-panel operations. See Chapter 3, "Features and
Functions" starting on page 65, for a complete discussion of the meter’s
capabilities and operation.
38 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 43

Front-Panel Menu Reference

A: MEASurement MENU
1: DIG FILTER ) 2: INTEGRATE ) 3: OCOMP W ) 4: LOW POWER W ) 5: LOW VOLT W )
6: LoV LIMIT W
1: DIG FILTER Selects the digital filter speed. Can be set to FAST,
MEDIUM, or SLOW.
2: INTEGRATE Sets the measurement integration time.
3: OCOMP W Enables or disables offset compensation for resistance
measurements.
4: LOW POWER W Enables or disables low power ohms measurements.
5: LOW VOLT W Enables or disables voltage limited resistance
measurements.
6: LoV LIMIT W Sets the voltage limit for voltage limited resistance
measurements.
Front-Panel Operation 2
B: TEMPerature MENU
1:PROBE TYPE ) 2: UNITS ) 3: RTD TYPE ) 4:RTD Ro ) 5:T/C TYPE ) 6: COLD JUNCT ) 7:JUNCT
1: PROBE TYPE Selects thermocouples, thermistors, or RTDs as the
temperature probe.
2: UNITS Sets the measurement units to either °C, °F, or Kelvins.
3: RTD TYPE Sets the type of RTD in use.
4: RTD Ro Sets the nominal (0°C) value for the RTD in use.
5: T/C TYPE Selects the type of thermocouple in use.
6: COLD JUNCT Sets the source of the temperature reference junction.
7: JUNCT TEMP Allows direct entry of reference junction temperature.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 39
Page 44
2 Front-Panel Operation
C: MATH MENU
1: STATS ) 2: NULL VALUE ) 3: SCALE GAIN ) 4 : SCALE OFST
1:STATS Recalls the values of minimum, maximum, standard
2: NULL VALUE Selects independent null settings for voltage on channels 1
3: SCALE GAIN Sets the gain for linear scaling of the data.
4: SCALE OFST Sets the offset for linear scaling of data.
D: TRIGger MENU
1: READ HOLD ) 2: TRIG DELAY ) 3: N SAMPLES
1: READ HOLD Selects the reading hold sensitivity band.
2: TRIG DELAY Specifies a time delay between the trigger and the start of
3: N SAMPLES Sets the number of samples taken per trigger.
deviation, average, peak-to-peak, and number of readings.
and 2, resistance, and temperature functions.
the measurement.
40 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 45
Front-Panel Operation 2
E: SYStem MENU
1: RDGS STORE ) 2: SAVED RDGS ) 3: ERROR ) 4: TEST ) 5: CHART OUT ) 6: CHART SPAN )
7: CHART NULL ) 8: DISPLAY ) 9: COMMA ) 10: PRESET ) 11: REVISION
1: RDGS STORE Enables or disables reading memory.
2: SAVED RDGS Recalls readings stored in memory (up to 1024 readings).
3: ERROR Retrieves errors from the error queue (up to 20 errors).
4: TEST Performs a complete self-test or individual self-tests.
5: CHART OUT Enables or disables the chart recorder output (Analog Out).
6: CHART SPAN Sets the chart recorder output range (Analog Out).
7: CHART NULL S Sets the chart recorder output offset (Analog Out).
8: DISPLAY Enables or disables the front panel display.
9: COMMA Enables or disables a comma separator between digits in
the display.
10: PRESET Returns the meter to factory default settings.
11: REVISION Displays the meter’s firmware revision code.
F: Input / Output MENU
1: GPIB ADDR ) 2: INTERFACE ) 3: BAUD RATE ) 4: PARITY ) 5: LANGUAGE
1: GPIBADDR Sets the GPIB bus address (0 to 30, default 22).
2: INTERFACE Selects either the GPIB or RS-232 remote interface.
3: BAUD RATE Sets the baud rate for RS-232 operation.
4: PARITY Selects even, odd, or no parity for RS-232 operation.
5: LANGUAGE Selects interface language, either SCPI or Keithley 181.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 41
Page 46
2 Front-Panel Operation
G: CALibration MENU
1: SECURED ) [1: UNSECURED] ) [2:CALIBRATE] ) [3: CHART ZERO] ) [4 : CHART GAIN] )
[5: INJECTED I] ) 6:CAL COUNT ) 7:MESSAGE
[1]
1: SECURED The meter is secured against calibration; enter code to
unsecure.
1: UNSECURED The meter is unsecured for calibration; enter code to
secure.
2: CALIBRATE Performs a calibration of meter; must be UNSECURED.
3: CHART ZERO Performs a calibration of the chart recorder output zero
level.
4: CHART GAIN Performs a calibration of the chart recorder output gain.
5: INJECTED I Performs a calibration to minimize the injected current.
6: CAL COUNT Reads the total number of times the meter has been
calibrated.
7: MESSAGE Reads the first 11 characters of a calibration string, if any,
entered from the remote interface.
[1] The commands enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ) are “hidden” unless the meter is UNSECURED for
calibration.
42 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 47

A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial

∧ ∧
Shift
Shift∧Auto/Man
Shift
NOTE
This section is a step-by-step tutorial which shows how to use the front-panel menu. We recommend that you spend a few minutes with this tutorial to get comfortable with the structure and operation of the menu.
The menu is organized in a top-down tree structure with three levels (menus, commands, and parameters). You move down or up the menu tree to
get from one level to the next. Each of the three levels has several horizontal choices which you can view by moving left or right .
Front-Panel Operation 2
–To turn on the menu, press
–To turn off the menu, press
(Menu On/Off).
(Menu On/Off), or press any of the
function or math keys on the top row of front-panel keys.
–To execute a menu command, press .
–To recall the last menu command that was executed, press
(Menu
Recall).
–To turn off the menu at any time without saving changes, press any function
key
If you become confused or get lost at any point during the tutorial, simply turn off the menu and start over again with step 1 for that example.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 43
Page 48
2 Front-Panel Operation
∧ ∧
∧∧∧∧∧
Shift∧∧
Auto/Man
Shift
Auto/Man
Messages Displayed During Menu Use
TOP OF MENU -You pressed while on the menus level; this is the top level of the menu and you cannot go any higher.
To turn off the menu, press Shift (Menu On/Off). To move across the choices on a level, press or . To move down a level, press .
MENUS - You are on the menus level. Press or view the choices.
COMMANDS - You are on the commands level. Press or to view the command choices
within the selected menu group.
PARAMETER - You are on the parameter level. Press or to view and edit the parameter for the selected command.
MENU BOTTOM - You pressed while on the parameter level; this is the bottom level of the menu and you cannot go any lower.
To turn off the menu, press (Menu On/Off). To move up a level, press .
ENTERED - The change made on the parameter level is saved. This is displayed after you press Auto/ Man (Menu Enter) to execute the command.
MIN VALUE - The value you specified on the parameter level is too small for the selected command. The minimum value allowed is displayed for you to edit.
MAX VALUE - The value you specified on the parameter level is too large for the selected command. The maximum value allowed is displayed for you to edit.
EXITING - You will see this message if you turn off the menu by pressing (Menu On/Off) or a front-panel function/math key. You did not edit any values on the parameter level and changes were NOT saved.
NOT ENTERED - You will see this message if you turn off the menu by pressing (Menu On/Off) or a front-panel function/math key. You did some editing of parameters but the changes were
NOT saved. Press
VOLTS ONLY - The requested function is only available for voltage measurements. UNAVAILABLE - The action requested is NOT allowed in the present configuration.
(Menu Enter) to save changes made on the parameter level.
44 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 49
Front-Panel Operation 2
-0.824,153 V -0.824153 V
With comma separator
(factory setting)
Without comma separator
Shift
On/Off
A: MEAS MENU
∧∧∧
E: SYS MENU
Menu Example 1
The following steps show you how to turn on the menu, move up or down between levels, move across the choices on each level, and turn off the menu.
In this example, you will turn off the display comma separator.
The meter can display readings on the front panel with or without a comma separator. The following steps show how to disable the comma.
1 Turn on the menu.
You enter the menu on the menus level. The MEAS MENU is your first choice on this level.
2 Move across to the SYS MENU choice on this level.
There are six menu group choices available on the menus level. Each choice has a letter prefix for easy identification (A: , B: , etc.).
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 45
Page 50
2 Front-Panel Operation
1: RDGS STORE
∧∧∧∧∧∧∧
9: COMMA
ON∧OFF
3 Move down to the commands level within the SYS MENU.
The RDGS STORE command is your first choice on this level.
4 Move across to the COMMA command on the command s level.
There are eleven command choices available in the SYS MENU. Each choice on
this level has a number prefix for easy identification (1: , 2: , etc.).
5 Move down a level to the COMMA parameter choices.
The first parameter choice is ON for the COMMA command (the comma
setting is stored in non-volatile memory and ON is the factory setting).
6 Move across to the OFF choice.
There are two parameter choices for COMMA.
46 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 51
Front-Panel Operation 2
Auto/Man
ENTER
ENTERED
Shift
Recall
9: COMMA
OFF
7 Save the change and turn off the menu.
The meter beeps and displays a message to show that the change is now in effect. You are then exited from the menu. The meter will no longer show commas in the display.
Menu Example 2
The following exercise demonstrates how to use the menu recall feature as a shortcut to set the COMMA command back to its original setting. You must
perform the steps in Menu Example 1 before you start this example.
1 Use menu recall to return to the COMMA command.
This returns you to the COMMA command, which was the last command used before you exited the menu in the Example 1.
2 Move down to the COMMA parameter choices.
The first parameter choice is OFF (the current setting from Example 1).
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 47
Page 52
2 Front-Panel Operation
ON
Auto/Man
ENTER
ENTERED
Shift
On/Off
A: MEAS MENU
3 Move across to the ON choice.
Set the parameter back to its original value.
4 Save the change and turn off the menu.
The meter beeps and displays a message to show that the change is now in
effect. You are then exited from the menu.
Menu Example 3
Some commands in the menu require that you enter a numeric parameter value. The following steps show you how to enter a number in the menu. For this example, you will set the null value for channel 1 to –30 millivolts.
Make sure the meter has channel 1 selected, is in the dc voltage function, and has 6½ digits displayed. Connect the four-wire short to the meter input.
1 Turn on the menu.
You enter the menu on the menus level. The MEAS MENU is your first choice
on this level.
48 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 53
Front-Panel Operation 2
C: MATH MENU
1: STATS
2: NULL VALUE
˄
0.000,000,0 V
2 Move across to the MATH MENU choice on this level.
There are six menu group choices available on this level.
3 Move down to the commands level within the MATH MENU.
The STATS command is your first choice on this level.
4 Move across to the NULL VALUE command.
5 Move down to edit the NULL VALUE parameter.
The null value should be 0.000000 V when you come to this point in the menu for the first time. For this example, you will first set the null value to –0.300000 volts.
When you see the flashing “
” on the left side of the display, you can abort the
^
edit and return to the “commands” level by pressing .
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 49
Page 54
2 Front-Panel Operation
∧∧– 0.000,000,0 V
– 0.000,000,0 V
∧∧∧
– 0.300,000,0 V
∧∧∧∧∧∧∧
– 0.300,000,0 V
6 Make the number negative.
The left most character on the display toggles between +, –, and
.
^
7 Move the flashing cursor over to edit the second digit.
Notice that the digit to the right of the decimal point is flashing.
8 Increment the digit until “3” is displayed.
You decrement or increment each digit independently. Neighboring digits are
not affected.
9 Move the flashing cursor over to the units location.
50 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Notice that the units are flashing on the right side of the display.
Page 55
Front-Panel Operation 2
– 030.000,00 mV
Auto/Man
ENTER
ENTERED
Null
Null
Shift
NOTE
10 Decrease the displayed number by a factor of 10.
Notice that the position of the decimal point changes and the displayed number increases by a factor of 10 and the mV annunciator is on.
11 Save the change and turn off the menu.
The meter beeps and displays a message to show that the change is now in effect. You are then exited from the menu.
You will be returned to the normal measurement display, and, if you have installed the four-wire short, the display will show a positive measurement in the approximate amount of the null value just entered.
The Null annunciator is on in the display.
Keep in mind that null is turned on and - 0.03 volts is used as the null value for measurements. To clear the null value, press .
Hint You can use the menu recall feature to save steps when entering the null
value. First, press on the front panel and then press
(Menu
Recall). The meter will jump to the 2: NULL VALUE command. Press . The null value in the display is the first reading taken after you turned NULL on. You can then edit this number as described.
This is the end of the front-panel menu tutorial. The remainder of the chapter discusses several of the most common front-panel operations.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 51
Page 56
2 Front-Panel Operation
Channel
Shift
Channel
Channel
NOTE

To Select an Input Channel

For voltage measurements, you have two independent input channels.
–Pressing toggles the display between Channel 1 and Channel 2.
– Pressing (Scan) creates an alternating Channel 1 and Channel 2
display. Press again to cancel.
Scan mode alternates between input channels every 3 seconds or every measurement, whichever is longer. If you are using the scan mode, turn off all the input filters (both digital and analog), see page 68.
52 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 57

To Select a Range

NOTE
You can let the meter automatically select the range using autoranging or you can select a fixed range using manual ranging.
Front-Panel Operation 2
– Autoranging is selected at power-on and after a remote interface reset.
– Autorange thresholds:
Down range at <10% of range Up range at >120% of range
– If the input signal is greater than the present range can measure, the meter will
give an overload indication (“OVLD”).
– When making difference or ratio measurements, an overload on either channel
will give an overload indication (“OVLD”).
For voltage measurements, ranging is local to the selected channel. This means that you can select the ranging method (auto or manual) for each channel independently. When manually ranging, the selected range is local to the active channel; the meter remembers the range when you switch between channels.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 53
Page 58
2 Front-Panel Operation

To Set or Change the Number of Digits

You can set the display to show 4½, 5½, 6½, or 7½ digits. In this book, the most significant digit (leftmost on the display) is referred to as the “½” digit, since it can only be a “0” or “1”. The number of digits displayed also depends upon the
integration time set, see page 55.
– The number of digits is set to 6½ digits at power-on and after a remote
interface reset.
– The number of digits shown is dependent upon integration time and filter
settings. The meter will not allow you to show more digits than the practical
measurement capability of the meter. You can, however, reduce the number of
digits shown.
54 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 59

To Set the Integration Time

NOTE
Integration time is specified in Number of Power Line Cycles (NPLC). You can set the NPLC to 0.02, 0.2, 1, 2, 10, 20, 100, or 200.
– You can set the integration time to one of three fixed values by choosing the
number of digits displayed, see page 54.
– You can set the integration time in the MEASure menu using the INTEGRATE
command.
– The Integration Time is directly related to the maximum number of digits the
meter will display.
Front-Panel Operation 2
NPLC
0.02
0.2
16½ 7½
26½ 7½
10
20
100
200
Filter Off
Max Digits Shown
Filter On
Max Digits Shown
– You can always show fewer digits than the maximum allowed (the minimum
number of digits shown is 4½).
Integration Time is local to the selected function. This means that you can select the integration time for each function independently. The meter remembers integration time when you switch between functions.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 55
Page 60
2 Front-Panel Operation
Null
Null
Shift

To Make Null (Relative) Measurements

Each null measurement, also called relative, is the difference between a stored null value and the input signal. See page 90.
Read ing = measurement – null value
– You can make null measurements on any function or channel. You can set a
null for each channel and function independently. The meter remembers the
null value when you switch between input channels or functions.
– To null the test lead resistance for more accurate two-wire ohms
measurements, short the ends of the test leads together and then press .
– The first reading taken after you press is stored as the null value in the
Null Register. Any previously stored value is replaced with the new value.
– After enabling null, you can edit the stored null value by pressing
(Menu Recall). This takes you to the “NULL VALUE” command in the MATH
MENU (only if null is enabled). Go down to the “parameter” level, and then edit
the displayed value.
56 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 61
Front-Panel Operation 2
Shift
∧ ∧
Shift

To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings (Stats)

You can store the minimum and maximum readings during a series of measurements. The following discussion shows how to read the minimum, maximum, average, peak-to-peak, standard deviation, and reading count.
– You can use stats with any function. When you change functions, stats
operation is disabled.
– Changing input channels or selecting Scan does not disable stats. The stored
readings, however, are not marked as to the input channel.
– After enabling stats, you can read the stored minimum, maximum, average,
standard deviation, peak-to-peak, and count by pressing
(Menu
Recall). This takes you to the “STATS” command in the MATH MENU (only if stats is enabled). Go down to the “parameter” level , and then read the
values by pressing or .
– After reading the stored value, pressing
(Menu On/Off) returns to
the measurement display and continues stats operations.
– The stored values are cleared when you turn stats on, turn off the power, or
perform either a remote interface reset or preset.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 57
Page 62
2 Front-Panel Operation
– The average and standard deviation are of all readings taken since stats was
enabled (not just the average of the stored minimum and maximum). The
count is the total number of readings taken since stats was enabled.
58 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 63

To Trigger the Meter

Single
Single
Single
You can trigger the meter from the front panel using single trigger or autotrigger.
Front-Panel Operation 2
– Autotriggering is enabled when you turn on the meter. Notice that the
* (sample) annunciator turns on during each measurement.
– Single triggering takes one reading each time you press and then waits
for the next trigger. Continue pressing this key to trigger the meter.
Using an External Trigger
The external trigger mode is also enabled by pressing . It is like the single trigger mode except that you apply a trigger pulse to the rear-panel Ext Trig terminal. The meter is triggered on the negative edge of a TTL pulse.
The front-panel key is disabled when in remote.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 59
Page 64
2 Front-Panel Operation
Shift

To Use Reading Hold

The reading hold feature allows you to capture and hold a stable reading on the display. When a stable reading is detected, the meter emits a beep and holds the value on the display.
– Reading hold has an adjustable sensitivity band to allow you to select which
readings are considered stable enough to be displayed. The band is expressed
as a percent of reading on the selected range. The meter will capture and
display a new value only after three consecutive readings are within the band.
– The default band is 0.10% of reading. After enabling reading hold, you can
choose a different band by pressing
the “READ HOLD” command in the TRIG MENU (only if reading hold is
enabled).
Go down to the “parameter” level, and then select a value: 0.01%, 0.10%,
1.00%, or 10.00% of reading.
– The sensitivity band is stored in volatile memory; the meter sets the band to
0.10% of reading when power has been off or after a remote interface reset.
60 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
(Menu Recall). This takes you to
Page 65
Front-Panel Operation 2
Difference Ch 1 voltage Ch 1 Null()Ch 2 voltage Ch 2 Null()()Null=
Ratio
Ch 1 voltage Ch 1 Null() Ch 2 voltage Ch 2 Null()
---------------------------------------------------=

To Make Voltage Ratio and Difference Measurements

To calculate a voltage ratio, the meter measures the voltages applied to the Channel 1 input terminals and Channel 2 input terminals. The calculation is as follows:
[1]
– Maximum input signal on Channel 1 is 120 Vdc, the meter will autorange on
the actual input or can be manually set.
– Maximum input signal on Channel 2 is 12 Vdc, the meter will autorange on the
actual input or can be manually set.
– Maximum voltage difference between Channel 1 LO and Channel 2 LO is 150
Vdc.
– Null, if used, is independent for each channel. An additional null
[1]
of the difference can also be made. If null is used on either input channel, the ‘Null’ annunciator will flash when the difference function is selected. If you null the difference, the ‘Null’ annunciator will be steady.
[1] The difference null is only available from the front panel.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 61
Page 66
2 Front-Panel Operation
Single
Shift
On/Off
A: MEAS MENU
∧∧∧
B: SYS MENU
1: RDGS STORE

To Use Reading Memory

The meter can store up to 1024 readings in internal memory. The following steps demonstrate how to store readings and retrieve them.
1 Select the function.
Select any measurement function. You can change the function at any time during reading memory.
2 Select the single trigger mode.
Notice that the Trig annunciator turns on. When reading memory is enabled, readings are stored when you trigger the meter.
For this example, single triggering is used to store readings. You can also use auto triggering or reading hold.
3 Turn on the menu.
4 Move across to the SYS MENU choice on this level.
5 Move down to a level to the RDGS STORE command.
62 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 67
Front-Panel Operation 2
∧∧ON
Auto/Man
ENTER
Single
Single
Single
Shift
Recall
2: SAVED RDGS
6 Move down a level and then across to the “ON” choice.
7 Save the change and exit the menu.
Notice that the Mem (memory) annunciator turns on to indicate that the meter is ready to store readings. Up to 1024 readings can be stored in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order. When memory is full, the Mem annunciator will turn off.
Readings are preserved until you re-enable reading memory at another time, turn off the power, or perform a remote interface reset.
8 Trigger the meter three times.
This stores three readings in memory.
9 Use menu recall to retrieve the stored readings.
This takes you to the “SAVED RDGS” command in the SYS MENU.
10 Move down a level to view the first stored reading.
Reading memory is automatically turned off when you go to the “parameter” level in the menu.
The first reading displayed is the first reading that was stored (FIFO). If no readings are stored in memory, “EMPTY” is displayed. The first five digits of the reading and the reading number are displayed. After a brief pause, the reading number is removed and all reading digits are shown. The stored readings are displayed with their units (m, m, k, etc.) when appropriate. For example:
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 63
Page 68
2 Front-Panel Operation
10.31607K: 11
10.316076 K
Reading
number
Units
Shift
On/Off
EXITING
11 Move across to view the two remaining stored readings.
The readings are stored horizontally on the “parameter” level.
If you press when you first get to the “parameter” level, you will see the last reading and you will know how many readings were stored.
12 Turn off the menu.
64 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 69
Keysight 34420A Nano Volt/Micro Ohm Meter User’s Guide

3 Features and Functions

Features and Functions 66 General Measurement Configuration 68 Voltage Measurement Configuration 78 Resistance Measurement Configuration 81 Temperature Measurement Configuration 84 Math Operations 87 Null (Relative) Operation 90 Reading Hold 92 Triggering 93 System-Related Operations 103 Voltmeter Complete Terminal 109 External Trigger Terminal 110 Chart Output (Analog Output) 111 Remote Interface Configuration 115 Calibration 121 Defaults, Power-On and Reset States 126
65
Page 70
3 Features and Functions

Features and Functions

You will find that this chapter makes it easy to look up all the details about a particular feature of the meter. Whether you are operating the meter from the front panel or from the remote interface, this chapter will be useful.
This chapter is divided into the following sections:
“General Measurement Configuration” on page 68
“Voltage Measurement Configuration” on page 78
“Resistance Measurement Configuration” on page 81
“Temperature Measurement Configuration” on page 84
“Math Operations” on page 87
“Null (Relative) Operation” on page 90
“Reading Hold” on page 92
“Triggering” on page 93
“System-Related Operations” on page 103
“Voltmeter Complete Terminal” on page 109
“External Trigger Terminal” on page 110
“Chart Output (Analog Output)” on page 111
“Remote Interface Configuration” on page 115
“Calibration” on page 121
“Defaults, Power-On and Reset States” on page 126
Some knowledge of the front-panel menu will be helpful before you read this chapter. If you have not already read Chapter 2, "Front-Panel Operation" starting on page 37, you may want to read it now. Chapter 4, "Remote Interface
Reference" starting on page 129, lists the syntax for the SCPI (Standard
Commands for Programmable Instruments) commands available to program the meter.
66 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 71
Features and Functions 3
NOTE
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used for SCPI command syntax. Square brackets ( [] ) indicate optional keywords or parameters. Braces ( {} ) enclose a list of parameters separated with a vertical bar (|), use only one of the values . Triangle brackets ( <> ) indicate that you must substitute a value for the enclosed parameter.
The actual command string you send to the meter should not include any of the conventions indicated above.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 67
Page 72
3 Features and Functions

General Measurement Configuration

This section contains information to help you configure the meter for making measurements. You may never have to change any of the measurement parameters discussed here, yet they are provided to give you the flexibility you might need.

Input Filters

Two input filters are available; a digital filter and an analog filter. You can enable the digital filter, the analog filter, or both. The digital filter may be used for any measurement type. The analog filter is only available for thermocouple temperature measurements and voltage measurements on the 1 mV, 10 mV, or 100 mV ranges.
68 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 73
Features and Functions 3
Shift
Filter
Enter
Filter
Front Panel operation: Press and scroll to one of DIGITAL,
ANALOG, or ANA + DIG. Press to enable the filter type. Press the key to turn the filter on or off.
To set the digital filter averaging, use the MEASurement menu 1: DIG FILTER command.
Remote operation: the following commands turn the filters off, on, set the
digital filter count:
INPut:FILTer
:STATe {OFF|ON} :TYPE {ANAlog|DIGital|BOTH} :DIGital:RESPonse {SLOW|MEDium|FAST} :DIGital:PRECharge {ON|OFF}
Using the filters in remote operation is not recommended. Use:
INPut:FILTer:STATe OFF
to disable the filters. The digital filter is also disabled following a remote reset (*RST) or preset (SYStem:PREset).
Use the math operation (AVERage) commands to obtain a single reading that is the average of a number of readings (see page 164). An example program is shown on page 243 in Chapter 6.
If you attempt to use the digital filter in remote operations, be aware of the following special conditions:
The digital filter requires a number of readings to settle (10, 50 or 100). The digital filter readings only occur when the meter is triggered to take a reading. In remote operation a reading is only taken when requested. For example, if you have set the digital filter to MEDIUM (50 readings), you will need to request (trigger) 50 readings from the remote interface before the filter can settle. It is also possible that after 50 readings the digital filter will still not be settled as described in the next paragraph.
The STATus:OPERational:CONDition register contains a bit that indicates the settled/unsettled state of the digital filter on a per reading basis. See
page 184 in Chapter 4. You should check the state of this bit for each reading
to ensure the digital filter count has not reset (filter reset operation is described in the next section).
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 69
Page 74
3 Features and Functions
Digital Filter
– The digital filter is a moving average (boxcar) filter. Equal weighting is applied
to all readings to calculate the displayed reading.
– Three digital filters are available:
SLOW (average last 100 readings),
MEDIUM (average last 50 readings), or
FAST (average last 10 readings)
– When the digital filter is enabled, the ‘Filt’ annunciator flashes until the
required number of readings are obtained. The measurement displayed before the ‘Filt’ annunciator is steady is the average of the number of readings taken so far. For example, with the filter set to MEDIUM (average of 50 readings), the measurement displayed after 20 readings will be the average those 20 readings. The ‘Filt’ annunciator will flash until 50 readings have been taken.
– The filter count resets (and the ‘Filt’ annunciator will flash) if the function,
range, integration time, or channel is changed.
– The filter count resets if a reading is outside a set range of the average. The
amount of input reading change required to reset the filter count is:
1mV Range All Other Ranges
FAST ± 400 ppm of range ± 100 ppm of range
MEDIUM ± 700 ppm of range ± 300 ppm of range
SLOW ± 2000 ppm of range ± 1000 ppm of range
Analog Filter
The analog filter is an 11 Hz, two-pole low pass filter. Use this filter to remove line frequency noise from the input measurement.
– The filter requires approximately 300 milliseconds after the input is present to
settle. Using the filter, therefore, slows the measurement rate significantly.
– Use the analog filter only when line power noise (50/60 Hz) is causing an
overload (OVLD) condition. See page 77.
– The analog filter is available for voltage and thermocouple temperature
measurements. The analog filter is not available for resistance measurements.
70 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 75
– The analog filter is available for the 1 mV, 10 mV, and 100 mV ranges.

Integration Time

Integration time is the period during which the meter’s analog-to-digital (A/D) converter samples the input signal for a measurement. Integration time affects the measurement resolution (for better resolution, use a longer integration time), and measurement speed (for faster measurements, use a shorter integration time).
– Integration time is specified in number of power line cycles (NPLCs). The
choices are 0.02, 0.2, 1, 2, 10, 20, 100, or 200 power line cycles. The default is 10 NPLCs.
– The integration time is stored in volatile memory; the meter selects 10 NPLC
when power has been off or after an interface reset.
– Only the integer number of power line cycles (1, 2, 10, 20, 100 or 200 NPLC)
provide normal mode (line frequency noise) rejection.
– Integration time is related to the maximum number of digits the meter will
display. You can always choose to show fewer digits than the maximum allowed (the minimum number of digits shown is 4½).
Features and Functions 3
NPLC
0.02
0.2
16½ 7½
26½ 7½
10
20
100
200
Digital Filter Off
Max Digits Shown
Digital Filter On
Max Digits Shown
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 71
Page 76
3 Features and Functions
NOTE
Front Panel operation: Integration time can be set indirectly when you select
the number of digits (see page 54).
You can also set the integration time in the MEASurement menu with the 2: INTEGRATE command.
Remote operation: Refer to the table on page 144. Use one of the following
commands:
[SENSe:]
VOLT:DC:NPLC {0.02|0.2|1|2|10|20|100|200|MIN|MAX} FRES|RES
TEMP:NPLC {0.02|0.2|1|2|10|20|100|200|MIN|MAX}
Integration time and resolution are related. The CONFigure and MEASure? commands can also set the integration time, see page 144.
Integration Time is local to the selected function. This means that you can select the integration time for each function independently. The meter remembers the integration time when you switch between functions.
:NPLC {0.02|0.2|1|2|10|20|100|200|MIN|MAX}

Reducing Measurement Noise

At high resolutions and low measurement levels, measurement noise can become an important factor in the accuracy of your measurements. One possible source of measurement noise is the wiring and cabling in the test setup. These noise sources and their effects are discussed in Chapter 7, "Measurement Tutorial". A smaller level of noise is also inherent in the meter itself.
To minimize the effects of noise on your measurements, use the highest possible integration time (NPLC) and average the readings. Faster reading rates are more susceptible to noise. Choosing the best NPLC and averaging method for your measurement requires a tradeoff between the reading rate and the level of acceptable noise in the resulting measurement.
The Integration Time (NPLC) and averaging can be multiplied to create an equivalent NPLC. The equivalent NPLC defines the reading rate and characterizes the expected noise level. Averaging can be performed in the meter by using either the digital filter or by using the statistics (Stats) mode of operation.
Measurement noise characteristics of the meter closely match theoretical gaussian noise distributions. The graph on the next page shows typical input
72 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 77
Features and Functions 3
noise measurements for the 1 mV range with the low thermal shorting plug applied to the input terminals. Other functions and ranges will exhibit similar noise reduction characteristics versus NPLC.
For example, if you set the NPLC to 20 and enable the digital filter set to FAST (10 reading average), the equivalent NPLC is 200. At an equivalent NPLC of 200, the reading rate is approximately 6 readings per minute (digital filter fully settled) and the typical noise level expected is 1.6 nVrms.
Alternately, if you take readings every 5 minutes, you can set an equivalent NPLC of 5000 to minimize the noise in the measurement. An equivalent NPLC of 5000 could be obtained by setting the integration time to 100 NPLC and enabling the digital filter set to MEDIUM (50 reading average). At this equivalent NPLC, a typical noise level of 0.35 nVrms can be expected.
Front Panel operation: Integration time can be set indirectly when you select
the number of digits (see page 54).
You can also set the integration time in the MEASurement menu with the 2: INTEGRATE command.
Enable the digital filter and set the filter reading average as described on
page 68.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 73
Page 78
3 Features and Functions
Remote operation: Set the integration time for the measurement function. If
possible, use NPLC 200. If you use the CONFigure or MEASure commands, refer to the table on page 144.
Use the math operations (AVERage) to average the readings or average the readings in your program. An example program that uses the math operations to average readings is shown on page 243 in Chapter 6. Do not use the digital
filter to average readings, see page 69.

Number of Digits Displayed

Front Panel operation only. See also “Integration Time” on page 71.
– You can set the number of digits shown in the display to 4, 5, 6, or 7 full digits,
plus a “½” digit which can only be a “0” or “1”.
– You can set both the number of digits displayed and the Integration Time in a
single operation by pressing digits keys (see page 54).
– You can change the number of digits displayed without disturbing the
Integration Time settings by pressing the < or > keys (see page 54).
– The number of digits is set to 6½ digits at power-on and after either a remote
interface reset or preset.
– The number of digits shown is dependent upon integration time and filter
settings. The meter will not allow you to show more digits than the practical measurement capability of the meter. You can, however, reduce the number of digits shown. The minimum number of digits available is 4½. (See the table on
page 71).
74 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 79
Features and Functions 3
0.003,256,4 W
0.216,569 mV
–045.231 mV
7 digits
“½” digit
6 digits
“½” digit
5 digits
“½” digit
This is the 1 ohm range,
This is the 1 mV range,
This is the 100 mV range,
7½ digits are displayed.
6½ digits are displayed.
5½ digits are displayed.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 75
Page 80
3 Features and Functions
∧∧Auto/Man

Ranging

You can let the meter automatically select the range using autoranging or you can select a fixed range using manual ranging. Autoranging is convenient because the meter automatically selects the appropriate range for each measurement. However, you can use manual ranging for faster measurements since the meter does not have to determine which range to use for each measurement.
– The selected mode (auto or manual range) is stored in volatile memory; the
meter returns to autoranging when power has been off or after a remote interface reset.
–Autorange thresholds:
Down range at <10% of range
Up range at >120% of range
– If the input signal is greater than the present range can measure, the meter
gives an overload indication: “OVLD” from the front panel or “9.90000000E+37” from the remote interface.
– For ratio and difference measurements, the specified range is independent for
both Channel 1 and Channel 2.
Front Panel operation: Press a front-panel RANGE key to set manual ranging
and to up or down range. Press the Auto/Man key to return to autoranging.
See also “To Select a Range” on page 53.
Remote operation: Range is set with parameters in the MEASure and
CONFigure subsystems. For example:
CONF:VOLT:DC 10.0 Sets the 10 Volt DC range
Range can be set directly with the SENSe subsystem. For example:
SENS:VOLT:DC:RANGe 0.001 Sets the 1 mV DC range
SENS:RES:RANGE:AUTO Sets auto ranging on 2-wire
resistance measurements
76 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 81

Overload Detection

The 34420A uses both an analog and digital method to generate an overload condition and display the OVLD message. An understanding of the cause of the overload can help you make more accurate measurements.
Digital Overload Detection
The digital overload detect occurs when the magnitude of the measurement is greater than 120% of the Range. For example, on the 1 volt Range, signal levels of greater than ± 1.2 volts will cause an OVLD in the display.
Analog Overload Detection
Another type of overload can result in measurement errors that are hard to identify. For example if an overload signal only occurs for a portion of the measurement period, the input amplifier could become non-linear resulting in an inaccurate reading. The displayed result may appear to be correct because the overload signal only occurred during a small portion of the measurement cycle. The 34420A detects this problem by providing comparators on the input amplifier. If signals large enough to overload the input amplifier are detected, the display will read OVLD. The comparators detect signals greater than 140% of the range setting.
If an overload occurs, two solutions are possible.
– Setting the meter to the next higher range will provide 10 times improvement
in the overload signal handling capability. For example,if you are measuring on the 1 mV range and have 2 mV rms of power line (50 or 60 Hz) pickup, the noise overload comparators would sense the peaks of the signals and an OVLD message would be displayed. If you set the range to 10 mV, the resolution (with 7 digits) is still 1 nanovolt, and the reading rate is faster than if ANALOG FILTER had been turned on. Additionally, the 10 mV range noise is almost as low as the 1 mV range.
– Alternately, if using the 1 mV, 10 mV, or 100 mV ranges, turn on the ANALOG
FILTER. The reading rate slows down with the filter on. In the case of a larger overloads (for example, 20 mV rms noise on the 1 mV range) using the ANALOG FILTER would give a lower noise result than changing to the 100 mV range.
Features and Functions 3
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 77
Page 82
3 Features and Functions
Channel
Shift
Channel
Scan

Voltage Measurement Configuration

Input Channels

The meter has two independent input channels for measuring dc Volts. You can make measurements on either or both channels, measure the difference between the channels, or measure the ratio between the channels. Each channel has an independent settings for null and range.
The figure on page 27 shows connections for two input channels.
Channel 1 is the default input channel. Both channels use the same
integration time setting.
– The maximum measurable input on Channel 1 is 120V, on Channel 2 is 12 V.
– For two channel operation, the maximum voltage difference between Channel
1 LO and Channel 2 LO is ±150 V.
– For either channel, the maximum non-destructive input is ±150 V.
– If you enable input filters, the filters are active for both input channels.
Switching between the channels will reset the digital filter reading count (see
page 70).
Front Panel operation: Toggle the input channel by pressing the Channel key
on the front panel. The CH1 or CH2 annunciator will light in the display. The meter keeps range and null settings independently for each channel.
Choose the scan mode to alternately show the CH1 and CH2 readings. Disable the digital filter when using the scan mode. In scan mode, the meter alternates between the CH1 and CH2 readings every 3 seconds or for each measurement (whichever is longer).
78 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 83
Features and Functions 3
Ch1 - Ch2
Difference Ch 1 voltage Ch 1 Null()Ch 2 voltage Ch 2 Null()()Null=
Shift
Ch1 - Ch2
Ratio
Ch 1 voltage Ch 1 Null() Ch 2 voltage Ch 2 Null()
---------------------------------------------------=
Remote operation: The CONFigure and MEASure subsystems use an optional
parameter to specify the input channel as either 1 or 2:
CONF:VOLT:DC DEF, DEF,(@FRONTl) Channel 1 operation
CONF:VOLT:DC DEF, DEF,(@FRONT2) Channel 2 operation
The SENSe subsystem uses a keyword modification to indicate the channel:
SENS1:VOLT:DC:RANG:AUTO Channel 1 operation
SENS2:VOLT:DC:RANG:AUTO Channel 2 operation
Two Channel Measurements
Difference measurements: First, set the range and null value for each input
channel. Then, select difference measurements.
[1]
Ratio measurements: First, set the range and null value for each input
channel. Then, select ratio measurements.
Remote operation: use the following commands to measure or configure a
difference or ratio measurement. Set each channel to the appropriate range and null conditions using:
[SENSe1:|SENSe2:]
VOLTage:DC
:RANGE <range> :NULL:STATe {OFF|ON} :NULL:VALue {<value>|MIN|MAX}
[1] The difference null is only available from the front panel.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 79
Page 84
3 Features and Functions
Then use the following commands to measure the ratio or difference:
MEASure:VOLTage:DC + :RATIO?
:DIFFerence?
CONFigure:VOLTage:DC
:RATIO
:DIFFerence [SENSe:]FUNCtion "VOLTage:RATio" [SENSe:]FUNCtion "VOLTage:DIFFerence"
80 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 85

Resistance Measurement Configuration

The meter can make 2-wire or 4-wire ohms measurements. The meter can compensate for voltages in the resistive circuit being measured using offset compensation. You can also choose to either limit the power applied or limit the open circuit voltage applied during a resistance measurement.
The test current sourced by the meter depends upon the range and conditions as shown below:
Range
1 W 10 mA 10 mA Not Available
10 W 10 mA 10 mA 1 mA
100 W 10 mA 1 mA 100 mA
1 kW 1 mA 100 mANot Available
10 kW 100 mA10 mANot Available
[a]
100 kW
[a]
1 MW
2-wire or 4-wire
measurements
10 mA5 mANot Available
5 mA5 mANot Available
Features and Functions 3
Test current
4-wire measurements
Low Power Voltage Limited
[a] Offset Compensation is not applied to measurements on these ranges
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 81
Page 86
3 Features and Functions
Offset Compensated Measurements
Offset compensation removes the effect of any voltages in the circuit being measured. The technique involves taking two measurements, one with the current source turned on, and one with the current source turned off and computing the difference. A description of this operation is given on page 284.
Front Panel operation: Offset compensation is on at power on. Turn offset
compensation off under the 3: OCOMP W command in the MEASure menu.
Remote operation: Offset compensation is off following a remote reset or
preset. Use the following command to change the state of offset compensation:
SENSe:
FRESistance:OCOMpensated {OFF|ON}
RESistance:OCOMpensated {OFF|ON}
Low Power Measurements
Low Power measurements use a reduced output measurement current to limit the power dissipation in the circuit being measured.
– Low Power measurements apply only to 4-wire ohms measurements.
– When the low power measurement mode is enabled, the ‘LP’ annunciator is on
in the display.
– Setting the Voltage Limited measurement mode will cancel the Low Power
mode.
Front Panel operation: set low power mode under the 4: LOW POWER W
command in the MEASure menu.
Remote operation: use the following command to set the low power ohms
mode:
SENSe:FRESistance:POWer:LIMit {OFF|ON}
82 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 87
Features and Functions 3
Voltage Limited Measurements
Voltage limited resistance measurements clamp the open circuit voltage to predefined limits.
– Voltage limits apply only to 4-wire ohms measurements.
– Voltage limited resistance measurements are only available on the 10 W and
100 W ranges. If a manual range is selected in either 2-wire or 4-wire ohms, and then Voltage Limited measurements are enabled, the range will be set to the highest valid range (either 10 W or 100 W).
– The open circuit voltage can be limited to 20 mV, 100 mV, or 500 mV.
– Setting the Low Power measurement mode will cancel the Voltage Limited
mode.
Front panel operation: Enable or disable the voltage limit under the 5: LOW
VOLT W command in the MEASure menu.
Set the voltage limit under the 6: LoV LIMIT W command in the MEASure menu.
Remote operation: the following command enables or disable the low voltage
limit mode:
SENSe:FRESistance:VOLTage:LIMit {OFF|ON}
Set the limit with the following command:
SENSe:FRESistance:VOLTage:LIMit:VALue {<value>|MIN|MAX}
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 83
Page 88
3 Features and Functions

Temperature Measurement Configuration

This section contains information to help you configure the meter for making temperature measurements. To measure temperature, you will need a temperature transducer. Transducer descriptions and specific comments about their usage are given on page 288. The meter supports three general categories of transducer:
– RTD (Resistive Temperature Device)
– THERM (Thermistor)
– T/C (Thermocouple)
The meter supports specific types of transducers in each category:
RTD’s R0 = 4.9 W to 2.1 kW
a = 0.00385 (DIN/IEC 751) a = 0.00391
Once you set the measurement units, probe type, and transducer type, the setting is stored in non-volatile memory. This makes the last probe type used the default probe type.

Measurement Units

– The meter can report temperature in °C (Celsius), °F (Fahrenheit), or K
(Kelvins).
– The measurement units set are stored in non-volatile memory.
Front Panel Operation: Set the units under the 2: UNITS command in the
TEMPerature menu.
Remote operation: Set the units using the following command:
UNIT:TEMPerature {C|F|K}
Thermistor Thermocouples
5k W B, E, J, K, N, R, S, T
84 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 89

RTD Measurements

– The meter supports RTDs with a = 0.00385 (DIN/IEC 751) or a = 0.00391. The
nominal value of the RTD (R
Connections are shown on page 29.
– The meter makes a 4-wire measurement for RTD’s. All four input leads must be
connected.
Front Panel operation: Set RTD as the probe type under the 1: PROBE TYPE
command in the TEMPerature menu.
Select the RTD type under the 3: RTD TYPE command in the TEMPerature menu.
Enter the 0 °C resistance of the RTD (R TEMPerature menu.
Remote operation: Use the following commands for temperature
measurements with RTD’s:
CONFigure:TEMPerature FRTD,{85|91}[,1,<resolution>] MEASure:TEMPerature? FRTD, {85|91}[,1,<resolution>] SENSe:FUNCtion "TEMPerature" SENSe:TEMPerature:TRANsducer:TYPE FRTD SENSe:TEMPerature:TRANsducer:FRTD:TYPE {85|91} SENSe:TEMPerature:TRANsducer:FRTD:RESistance <value>
Features and Functions 3
) must be in the range of 4.9 W to 2.1 kW. RTD
0
) in the 4: RTD R0 command in the
0

Thermistor Measurements

– Only the 5 kW thermistor type is supported. Thermistor connections are shown
on page 28.
– The thermistor must be connected to the Channel 1 inputs.
Front Panel operation: Set THERM as the transducer type under the 1: PROBE
TYPE command in the TEMPerature menu.
Remote operation: use the following commands for temperature
measurements with a thermistor:
CONFigure:TEMPerature THER, DEF,[,1,<resolution>] MEASure:TEMPerature? THER, DEF,[,1,<resolution>] SENSe:FUNCtion "TEMPerature" SENSe:TEMPerature:TRANsducer:TYPE THER
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 85
Page 90
3 Features and Functions
NOTE

Thermocouple Measurements

– The thermocouple must be connected to the Channel 2 inputs. Be sure to
observe the correct polarity. Thermocouple connections are shown on
page 30.
– Thermocouple measurements require a reference junction temperature. You
can input a known fixed junction temperature, use an external thermistor temperature, or use the internal thermistor temperature as the reference junction temperature.
The accuracy of the measurement is very dependent upon the thermocouple connections and the reference junction temperature. Use a fixed temperature reference for highest accuracy measurements. The internal thermistor reference produces the lowest accuracy measurements. See page 290 for a discussion of the reference junction temperature measurements.
Front Panel operation: Set T/C as the probe type under the 1: PROBE TYPE
command in the TEMPerature menu.
Select the thermocouple type under the 4: T/C TYPE command in the Temperature menu.
Set the reference junction temperature source under the 5: COLD JUNCT command in the TEMPerature menu.
If you used a FIXed reference junction temperature, set the reference temperature under the 6: JUNCT TEMP command in the TEMPerature menu. The number entered must be in the range of –1 °C to 55 °C.
Remote operation: use the following commands for temperature
measurements using thermocouples:
CONFigure:TEMPerature TC,{B|E|J|K|N|R|S|T}[,1,<resolution>] MEASure:TEMPerature? TC,{B|E|J|K|N|R|S|T}[,1,<resolution>] SENSe:
FUNCtion "TEMPerature"
TEMPerature:TRANsducer
:TYPE TC :TCouple
:TYPE {B|E|J|K|N|R|S|T} :RJUNction:TYPE {FIXed|INTernal|THERmistor} :RJUNction {<reference>|MIN|MAX}
86 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 91

Math Operations

Shift
Stats
Scale
There are two math operations available, only one of which can be enabled at a time. You can choose to either scale the readings as they are taken, or keep statistics on a group of readings. The selected math operation remains in effect until you disable it, change functions, turn off the power, or perform a remote interface reset.
Scaling
– The scaling is applied as:
Front Panel operation: Set the values of gain and offset in the MATH menu.
Enable scaling by pressing the scale key. The Stats annunciator will light in the display.
Remote operation: the math operations and registers are controlled using
commands within the CALCulate command subsystem. First, select the math operation you want to use
CALCulate:FUNCtion SCALe
Then, set the values for gain and offset.
CALCulate:SCALe:GAIN <gain>
CALCulate:SCALe:OFFSet <offset>
Finally, enable the selected math function by turning the math state on:
CALCulate:STATe ON
Features and Functions 3
reading = gain * (measurement - offset)
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 87
Page 92
3 Features and Functions
Stats
Shift
Statistics
– After you enable statistics, the first reading that the meter takes is stored as
both the minimum and maximum value. The minimum is replaced with any subsequent value that is less. The maximum is replaced with any subsequent value that is greater.
– All values are stored in volatile memory; the meter clears the values when stats
is turned on, when power has been off, or after a remote interface reset or preset.
– When enabled, the following statistics are available:
MIN minimum reading MAX maximum reading AVER arithmetic average of all readings STD DEV standard deviation of all readings PEAK – PEAK peak to peak value of minimum and maximum COUNT the total number of readings
Front Panel operation: Enable the statistics by pressing the key. Read
the statistics gathered in the MATH menu under the STATS command.
After reading the stored statistics, press
(Menu On/Off) to return to
the measurement and continue taking statistics.
Remote operation: the math operations and registers are controlled using
math operation commands. First, select the math operation you want to use
CALCulate:FUNCtion AVERage
Then, enable the selected math function by turning the math state on:
CALCulate:STATe ON
When you have finished collecting readings, obtain the desired statistics:
CALCulate:AVERage
:MINimum?
:MAXimum?
:AVERage?
:SDEViation?
:PTPeak?
:COUNt?
After reading the statistics, supply another trigger to continue taking measurements and collecting statistics. Measurements are not taken while reading the results.
88 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 93
Features and Functions 3
If you are interested in the statistics on a number of readings, but not the readings themselves, you can use the following command:
DATA:FEED RDG_STORE, ""
The null value parameter in the command tells the meter not to store the individual readings. The meter does, however, accumulate statistics on the readings. This method removes the 1024 reading limitation and you can calculate statistics on any number of readings. See page 166 for more
information.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 89
Page 94
3 Features and Functions
Null
Null

Null (Relative) Operation

When making null measurements, also called relative, each reading is the difference between the input signal and a stored null value. You could, for example, make a more accurate two-wire ohms measurement by shorting the test
leads and pressing to remove the test lead resistance. See also “To Make
Null (Relative) Measurements” on page 56.
Reading = measurement – null value
– The null value is adjustable and you can set it to any value between 0 and ±
120% of the highest range, for the present function.
– The null value is stored in volatile memory; the value is cleared when power
has been off or after a remote interface reset.
– Each function and channel has an independent null value. For voltage
measurements, each input channel has an independent null. Temperature measurement null is applied to all temperature measurements (if you change the probe type, null is still enabled and applied). The null for resistance measurements applies to both 2-wire and 4-wire measurements.
– The null value is stored in the meter’s Null Register. There are two ways you
can specify the null value. First, you can enter a specific number into the register from the front-panel menu or from the remote interface. Any previously stored value is replaced with the new value. If you are operating the meter from
the front panel, entering a null value also turns on the null function.
The second way to enter the null value is to let the meter store the first reading in the register. Press the key to make the displayed measurement the null
value and enable the Null operation. After you enable null, the first reading displayed will be zero. If you entered a number into the register, as described in the paragraph above, the first reading does not overwrite the stored value.
– Since an independent null value is stored for each input channel, difference or
ratio functions also use these null values. Additionally, when using the difference function, an additional difference null can be applied (the difference null is only available from the front panel). See page 79 for a description of how null is applied to difference and ratio functions.
90 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 95
Features and Functions 3
Shift
Front-panel operation: After enabling null, you can edit the stored null value
by pressing
(Menu Recall). Any previously stored value is replaced
with the new value. Turning on the menu does not disable the null operation; the meter will resume taking measurements when you turn off the menu.
When null is enabled, the ‘Null’ annunciator lights in the display. For ratio or difference measurement, if either input channel has a null enabled, the Null annunciator will flash. If you apply the difference null, the Null annunciator will light (not flash).
Remote interface operation: You can use the following commands to make
null measurements. Null must be enabled before you can store a value in the
Null Register.
SENSe1 | SENSe2
:VOLTage:DC
:NULL {OFF|ON} :NULL {<value>|MIN|MAX}
[SENSe:]
FRESistance|RESistance
:NULL {OFF|ON} :NULL {<value>|MIN|MAX}
TEMPerature
:NULL {OFF|ON} :NULL {<value>|MIN|MAX}
To enable null and set a null value (0.10) for the 2-wire resistance function execute the following commands in the order shown.
SENS:RES:NULL ON SENS:RES:NULL 0.10
You can use the first reading as a null value from the remote interface by first setting the function, range, and resolution and then executing the following command:
[SENSe:]NULL [{OFF|ON|ONCE}]
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 91
Page 96
3 Features and Functions
Shift
1: READ HOLD

Reading Hold

The reading hold feature allows you to capture and hold a stable reading on the front-panel display. This is especially useful in situations where you want to take a reading, remove the test probes, and have the reading remain on the display. When a stable reading is detected, the meter beeps and holds the reading on the display.
The reading hold feature is available only from the front panel. If you go to remote when reading hold is enabled, the meter ignores it; when you return to local (front panel), reading hold is enabled again.
– Reading hold has an adjustable sensitivity band (adjustable only from the front
panel) to allow you to select which readings are considered stable enough to be displayed. The band is expressed as a percent of reading, on the selected range. The meter will capture and display a new value only after three consecutive readings are within the band.
Select one of these values: 0.01%, 0.10% (default), 1.00%, or 10.0% of reading.
For example, assume that the 1.00% band is selected and a 5 volt signal is applied to the meter. If three consecutive readings are between 4.95 volts and
5.05 volts, the meter will beep and display a new reading.
– The sensitivity band is stored in volatile memory; the meter sets the band to
0.10% when power has been off or after an interface reset.
– If the meter is in autorange when you enable reading hold, it will autorange to
the correct range. If the meter is in the manual range mode, the same fixed range will be used for reading hold.
– For certain applications, it may be useful to use reading hold with reading
memory. See also “Reading Memory” on page 103.
– Front Panel operation: After enabling reading hold, you can select a different
sensitivity band by pressing
92 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
(Menu Recall).
Page 97

Triggering

Single
Shift
Auto/Hold
Features and Functions 3
The meter’s triggering system allows you to generate triggers either manually or automatically, take multiple readings per trigger, and insert a delay before each reading. Normally, the meter will take one reading each time it receives a trigger, but you can specify multiple readings (up to 50,000) per trigger.
– You can trigger the meter from the front panel, with an external trigger, or use
autotriggering. Single triggering takes one reading each time you press the
key. External triggering is like single triggering, but the meter waits for
a pulse on the rear-panel Ext Trig (external trigger) terminal before taking a reading. Autotriggering takes continuous readings at the fastest rate possible for the present configuration. See also “To Trigger the Meter” on page 59.
– Press to return the meter to auto triggering.
Triggering the meter from the remote interface is a multi-step process that offers triggering flexibility.
– First, you must configure the meter for the measurement by selecting the
function, range, integration time, etc.
– Then, you must specify the source from which the meter will accept the
trigger. The meter will accept a software (bus) trigger from the remote interface, a hardware trigger from the Ext Trig terminal, or an immediate internal trigger.
– Then, you must make sure that the meter is ready to accept a trigger from the
specified trigger source (this is called the wait-for-trigger state).
– Finally, to make the measurement, you must provide an INITiate, READ?, or
MEASure command.
The diagram on the next page shows the meter’s triggering system.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 93
Page 98
3 Features and Functions
Triggering
94 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Page 99

Trigger Source Choices

Single
Single
Single
You must specify the source from which the meter will accept a trigger.
– The trigger source is stored in volatile memory; the source is set to autotrigger
(front panel) or immediate (remote interface) when power has been off or after a remote interface reset.
Front Panel operation: the meter will accept a either a front panel single
trigger or a hardware trigger from the Ext Trig terminal, or continuously take readings using autotrigger. At power-on, autotriggering is used.
Remote operation: the meter will accept a software (bus) trigger, a hardware
trigger from the Ext Trig terminal, or an immediate internal trigger. See
“Triggering” on page 93 for more information.
Autotriggering In the autotrigger mode (front panel only), the meter
continuously takes readings at the fastest rate possible for the present configuration. This is the power-on trigger source for front-panel operation.
Single Triggering In the single trigger mode (front panel only), you can
manually trigger the meter by pressing . The meter takes one reading, or the specified number of readings (sample count), each time you press the key. The ‘Trig’ annunciator turns on when the meter is waiting for a trigger.
Features and Functions 3
Pressing the key also allows the meter to accept triggers on the Ext Trig terminal.
The front-panel key is disabled when in remote.
Keysight 34420A User’s Guide 95
Page 100
3 Features and Functions
Single
Single
External Triggering In the external trigger mode, the meter will accept a
hardware trigger applied to the Ext Trig terminal. The meter takes one reading, or the specified number of readings (sample count), each time Ext Trig receives a low-true pulse.
See also “External Trigger Terminal” on page 110.
– The meter buffers one external trigger. This means that if the meter is taking a
reading and another external trigger occurs, that trigger is accepted (a “Trigger ignored” error is not reported). After the reading in progress is complete, the stored trigger satisfies the trigger source and then the trigger is issued.
Front-panel operation: The external trigger mode is like the single trigger
mode except that you apply the trigger to the Ext Trig terminal. Pressing to enable the single trigger mode also enables the external trigger mode. The ‘Trig’ annunciator turns on when the meter is waiting for an external trigger.
The front-panel key is disabled when in remote.
Remote operation: Use the following command to enable external trigger.
TRIGger:SOURce EXTernal
96 Keysight 34420A User’s Guide
Loading...