Document Outline

• Contents
• Agilent 34401A Overview
• In This Book
• Chapter 1: Quick Start
  • To Prepare the Multimeter for Use
  • If the Multimeter Does Not Turn On
  • To Adjust the Carrying Handle
  • To Measure Voltage
  • To Measure Resistance
  • To Measure Current
  • To Measure Frequency (or Period)
  • To Measure Continuity
  • To Check Diodes
  • To Select a Range
  • To Set the Resolution
  • Front-Panel Display Formats
  • To Rack Mount the Multimeter
• Chapter 2: Front-Panel Menu Operation
  • Front-Panel Menu Reference
  • A Front-Panel Menu Tutorial
    • Messages Displayed During Menu Use
    • Menu Example 1
    • Menu Example 2
    • Menu Example 3
  • To Turn Off the Comma Separator
  • To Make Null (Relative) Measurements
  • To Store Minimum and Maximum Readings
  • To Make dB Measurements
  • To Make dBm Measurements
  • To Trigger the Multimeter
  • To Use Reading Hold
  • To Make dcv:dcv Ratio Measurements
  • To Use Reading Memory
• Chapter 3: Features and Functions
  • Measurement Configuration
  • Math Operations
  • Triggering
  • System-Related Operations
  • Remote Interface Configuration
  • Calibration Overview
  • Operator Maintenance
  • Power-On and Reset State
• Chapter 4: Remote Interface Reference
  • Command Summary
  • Simplified Programming Overview
    • Using the MEASure? Command
    • Using the CONFigure Command
    • Using the range and resolution Parameters
    • Using the READ? Command
    • Using the INITiate and FETCh? Commands
    • MEASure? Example
    • CONFigure Example
  • The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands
  • Measurement Configuration Commands
  • Math Operation Commands
  • Triggering
    • Agilent 34401A Triggering System
    • The Wait-for-Trigger State
  • Triggering Commands
  • System-Related Commands
  • The SCPI Status Model
    • What is an Event Register?
    • What is an Enable Register?
    • SCPI Status System
    • The Status Byte
    • Using Service Request (SRQ) abd Serial POLL
    • Using *STB? to Read the Status Byte
    • To Interrupt Your Bus Controller Using SRQ
    • To Determine When a Command Sequence is Completed
    • How to Use the Message Available Bit (MAV)
    • Using *OPC to Signal When Data is in the Output Buffer
    • The Standard Event Register
    • The Questionable Data Register
  • Status Reporting Commands
  • Calibration Commands
  • RS-232 Interface Configuration
    • RS-232 Configuration Overview
    • RS-232 Data Frame Format
    • Connection to a Computer or Terminal
      • DB-9 Serial Connection
      • DB-25 Serial Connection
    • DTR/DSR Handshake Protocol
    • RS-232 Troubleshooting
  • RS-232 Interface Commands
  • An Introduction to the SCPI Language
    • Command Format Used in This Manual
    • Command Separators
    • Using the MIN and MAX Parameters
    • Querying Parameter Settings
    • SCPI Command Terminators
    • IEEE-488.2 Common Commands
    • SCPI Parameter Types
      • Numeric Parameters
      • Discrete Parameters
      • Boolean Parameters
      • String Parameters
  • Output Data Formats
  • Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements
  • TALK ONLY for Printers
  • To Set the GPIB Address
  • To Select the Remote Interface
  • To Set the Baud Rate
  • To Set the Parity
  • To Select the Programming Language
  • Alternate Programming Language Compatibility
    • Agilent 3478A Language Setting
    • Fluke 8840A/8842A Language Setting
  • SCPI Compliance Information
  • IEEE-488 Compliance Information
• Chapter 5: Error Messages
  • Execution Errors
  • Self-Test errors
  • Calibration Errors
• Chapter 6: Application Programs
  • Using MEASure? for a Single Measurement
  • Using CONFigure with a Math Operation
  • Using the Status Registers
  • RS-232 Operation Using QuickBASIC
  • RS-232 Operation Using Turbo C
• Chapter 7: Measurement Tutorial
  • Thermal EMF Errors
  • Loading Errors (dc volts)
  • Leakage Current Errors
  • Rejecting Power-Line Noise Voltages
  • Common Mode Rejection (CMR)
  • Noise Caused by Ground Loops
  • Resistance Measurements
  • 4-Wire Ohms Measurements
  • Removing Test Lead Resistance Errors
  • Power Dissipation Effects
  • Settling Time Effects
  • Errors in High Resistance Measurements
  • DC Current Measurement Errors
  • True RMS AC Measurements
  • Crest Factor Errors (non-sinusoidal inputs)
  • Loading Errors (ac volts)
  • Measurements Below Full Scale
  • High-Voltage Self-Heating Errors
  • Temperature Coefficient and Overload Errors
  • Low-Level Measurement Errors
  • Common Mode Errors
  • AC Current Measurement Errors
  • Frequency and Period Measurement Errors
  • Making High-Speed DC and Resistance Measurements
  • Making High-Speed AC Measurements
• Chapter 8: Specifications
  • DC Characteristics
  • AC Characteristics
  • Frequency and Period Characteristics
  • General Information
  • Product Dimensions
  • To Calculate Total Measurement Error
    • Understanding the "% of reading" Error
    • Understanding the "% of range" Error
    • Total Measurement Error
  • Interpreting Multimeter Specifications
    • Number of Digits and Overrange
    • Sensitivity
    • Resolution
    • Accuracy
    • Transfer Accuracy
    • 24-Hour Accuracy
    • 90-Day and 1-Year Accuracy
    • Temperature Coefficients
  • Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements
    • DC Voltage, DC Current, and Resistance Measurements
    • AC Voltage and AC Current Measurements
    • Frequency and Period Measurements
• Declaration of Conformity
• Warranty Information
• Index