Contents HP E1312A/E1412A User’s Manual and SCPI Programming Guide Edition 4 Warranty ....................................................................................................................... 9 Safety Symbols ........................................................................................................... 10 WARNINGS ............................................................................................................... 10 HP E1312A Declaration of Conformity ..................
Chapter 2 HP E1312A/E1412A Multimeter Application Information (continued) Frequency and Period Measurement Errors................................................................ 36 Measurement Configuration ....................................................................................... 37 AC Signal Filter .................................................................................................. 37 DC Input Resistance ...........................................................................
Chapter 3 Multimeter Command Reference (continued) CALCulate .................................................................................................................. 73 :AVERage:AVERage? ........................................................................................ 74 :AVERage:COUNt? ............................................................................................ 74 :AVERage:MAXimum? ......................................................................................
Chapter 3 Multimeter Command Reference (continued) FETCh? ....................................................................................................................... 98 INITiate....................................................................................................................... 99 [:IMMediate] ....................................................................................................... 99 INPut...........................................................................
Chapter 3 Multimeter Command Reference (continued) [SENSe:] (continued) FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe ........................................................................ 129 FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe? ...................................................................... 129 FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO ........................................................... 130 FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO? .......................................................... 130 FRESistance:APERture ................................
Chapter 3 Multimeter Command Reference (continued) [SENSe:] (continued) VOLTage[:DC]:RESolution? ............................................................................ 151 ZERO:AUTO .................................................................................................... 152 ZERO:AUTO? .................................................................................................. 152 STATus ..................................................................................................
Appendix B HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Error Messages .................................... 185 Execution Errors ....................................................................................................... 185 Self-Test Errors ................................................................................................. 189 Calibration Errors ..............................................................................................
Notes: 8 Contents
Certification Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of shipment from the factory. HewlettPackard further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly National Bureau of Standards), to the extent allowed by that organization’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.
Documentation History All Editions and Updates of this manual and their creation date are listed below. The first Edition of the manual is Edition 1. The Edition number increments by 1 whenever the manual is revised. Updates, which are issued between Editions, contain replacement pages to correct or add additional information to the current Edition of the manual. Whenever a new Edition is created, it will contain all of the Update information for the previous Edition.
HP E1312A Declaration of Conformity according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014 Manufacturer’s Name: Hewlett-Packard Company Loveland Manufacturing Center Manufacturer’s Address: 815 14th Street S.W. Loveland, Colorado 80537 declares, that the product: Product Name: VXI 6½-Digit Multimeter Model Number: HP E1312A Product Options: All conforms to the following Product Specifications: Safety: IEC 1010-1 (1990) Incl. Amend 1 (1992)/EN61010-1 (1993) CSA C22.2 #1010.
HP E1412A Declaration of Conformity according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014 Manufacturer’s Name: Hewlett-Packard Company Loveland Manufacturing Center Manufacturer’s Address: 815 14th Street S.W. Loveland, Colorado 80537 declares, that the product: Product Name: VXI 6½-Digit Multimeter Model Number: HP E1412A Product Options: All conforms to the following Product Specifications: Safety: IEC 1010-1 (1990) Incl. Amend 1 (1992)/EN61010-1 (1993) CSA C22.2 #1010.
Please fold and tape for mailing Reader Comment Sheet HP E1312A/E1412A 6½-Digit Multimeter User’s Manual and SCPI Programming Guide Edition 4 You can help us improve our manuals by sharing your comments and suggestions. In appreciation of your time, we will enter you in a quarterly drawing for a Hewlett-Packard Palmtop Personal Computer (U.S. government employees are not eligible for the drawing).
Chapter 1 HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Module Setup Using This Chapter This chapter provides one page of general module information followed by the tasks you must perform to set up your module and verify your installation was successful.
Setting the Module Address Switch The logical address switch factory setting is 24. Valid addresses are from 1 to 254 for static configuration (the address you set on the switch) and address 255 for dynamic configuration. The HP E1312A and HP E1412A support dynamic configuration of the address. This means the address is set programmatically by the resource manager when it encounters a module with address 255 that supports dynamic configuration.
Interrupt Priority The HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeters are VXIbus interrupters. However, there is no interrupt priority level setting to be made on the module. Interrupt priority level, setup, and activation are configured on the resource manager which is the interface to the VXIbus and contains any instrument drivers required to communicate with a VXI module.
Figure 1-2.
Multimeter Functional Connections Figure 1-3. Switch Module Analog Bus Connections Figure 1-4.
Figure 1-5. Voltage Measurement Connections Figure 1-6.
Figure 1-7. 2-Wire Ohms Measurement Connections Figure 1-8.
Figure 1-9. Current Measurement Connections Initial Operation To program the Multimeter using SCPI, you must select the interface address and SCPI commands to be used. General information about using SCPI commands is presented at the beginning of Chapter 3. See the HP 75000 Series C Installation and Getting Started Guide for interface addressing. Note Programming the Multimeter This discussion applies only to SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) programming.
#include #include /*** FUNCTION PROTOTYPE ***/ void err_handler (ViSession vi, ViStatus x); void main(void) { char buf[512] = {0}; #if defined(_BORLANDC_) && !defined(_WIN32_) _InitEasyWin(); #endif ViStatus err; ViSession defaultRM; ViSession dmm; /* Open resource manager and multimeter sessions. */ viOpenDefaultRM (&defaultRM); viOpen(defaultRM, "GPIB-VXI0::9::24", VI_NULL, VI_NULL, &dmm); /* Set the timeout value to 10 seconds.
Notes: 24 HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Module Setup Chapter 1
Chapter 2 HP E1312A/E1412A Multimeter Application Information Using This Chapter This chapter provides multimeter application information in five parts. • Measurement Tutorial. • Measurement Configuration. • Math Operations. • Triggering the Multimeter. • HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Application Examples. Measurement Tutorial The HP E1312A and HP E1412A are capable of making highly accurate measurements.
Table 2-1. Thermoelectric Voltages Copper-to-… Copper <0.3 Gold 0.5 Silver 0.5 Brass 3 Beryllium Copper 5 Aluminum 5 Kovar or Alloy 42 40 Silicon 500 Copper-Oxide 1000 Cadmium-Tin Solder Tin-Lead Solder Loading Errors (dc volts) Approx. µV/°C The HP E1312A and HP E1412A input terminals are copper alloy. 0.2 5 Measurement loading errors occur when the resistance of the deviceunder-test (DUT) is an appreciable percentage of the multimeter’s own input resistance.
Rejecting Power Line Noise Voltages A desirable characteristic of integrating analog-to-digital (A/D) converters is their ability to reject spurious signals. The integrating techniques reject power-line related noise present with a dc signal on the input. This is called normal mode rejection or NMR. Normal mode noise rejection is achieved when the multimeter measures the average of the input by “integrating” it over a fixed period.
Noise Caused by Magnetic Loops If you are making measurements near magnetic fields, you should take the necessary precautions to avoid inducing voltages in the measurement conductors. You should be especially careful when working near conductors carrying large currents. Use twisted-pair connections to the multimeter to reduce the noise pickup loop area, or dress the input cables as close together as possible. Also, loose or vibrating input cables will induce error voltages.
Resistance Measurements The HP E1312A and HP E1412A offer two methods for measuring resistance: 2-wire and 4-wire ohms. For both methods, the test current flows from the input HI terminal and then through the resistor being measured. For 2-wire ohms, the voltage drop across the resistor being measured is sensed internal to the multimeter. Therefore, input cable resistance is also measured. For 4-wire ohms, separate “sense” connections are required.
Removing Field Wiring Resistance Errors in 2-Wire Ohms Measurements Field wiring can cause an offset error in 2-wire resistance measurements. You can use the following procedure to minimize offset errors associated with field wiring resistance in 2-wire ohms measurements. You short the field wiring at the DUT location and measure the 2-wire lead resistance. This value is subtracted from subsequent DUT 2-wire ohms measurements. There are two ways to effectively null out the lead resistance.
Power Dissipation Effects When measuring resistors designed for temperature measurements (or other resistive devices with large temperature coefficients), be aware that the multimeter will dissipate some power in the device-under-test. If power dissipation is a problem, you should select the multimeter’s next higher measurement range to reduce the errors to acceptable levels. Table 2-3 shows several examples. Table 2-3.
DC Current Measurement Errors When you connect the multimeter in series with a test circuit to measure current, a measurement error is introduced. The error is caused by the multimeter’s series burden voltage. A voltage is developed across the wiring resistance and current shunt resistance of the multimeter as shown below. True RMS AC Measurements True RMS responding multimeters, like the HP E1312A and HP E1412A, measure the “heating” potential of an applied signal.
determine this value by combining results from dc and ac measurements as shown below. You should perform the dc measurement using at least 10 power line cycles of integration (6 digit mode) for best ac rejection RMS ( ac + dc ) = ac 2 + dc 2 Crest Factor Errors (non-sinusoidal inputs) A common misconception is “if an ac multimeter is a true RMS instrument, the multimeter's sinewave accuracy specifications apply to all waveforms.
Loading Errors (ac volts) In the ac voltage function, the input of the HP E1312A and HP E1412A appears as a 1MΩ resistance in parallel with 100pF of capacitance. The cabling that you use to connect signals to the multimeter will also add additional capacitance and loading.
Low-Level Measurement Errors When measuring ac voltages less than 100mV, be aware that these measurements are especially susceptible to errors introduced by extraneous noise sources. Exposed (unshielded) cabling will act as an antenna and a properly functioning multimeter will measure the signals received. The entire measurement path, including the power line, acts as a loop antenna. Circulating currents in the loop will create error voltages across any impedances in series with the multimeter’s input.
AC Current Measurement Errors Burden voltage errors, which apply to dc current, also apply to ac current measurements. However, the burden voltage for ac current is larger due to the multimeter’s series inductance and your measurement connections. The burden voltage increases as the input frequency increases. Some circuits may oscillate when performing current measurements due to the multimeter’s series inductance and your measurement connections.
Measurement Configuration This section contains information to help you configure the multimeter for making measurements. The parameters discussed in this section give you measurement flexibility when using the CONFigure command. AC Signal Filter The HP E1412A Multimeter has three different ac filters which enable you to either optimize low frequency accuracy or achieve faster ac settling times for ac voltage or ac current measurements. Only these functions use the ac filter. Table 2-4.
Resolution Resolution is expressed in terms of number of digits the multimeter can measure. You can set the resolution to 4½, 5½ or 6½-digits by specifying the integration time (PLCs or aperture time), which is the period the multimeter's analog-to-digital (A/D) converter samples the input signal for a measurement. To increase measurement accuracy and improve noise rejection, specify more PLCs (longer integration time). To increase measurement speed, specify fewer PLCs (shorter integration time).
Integration Time Integration time is the period during which the multimeter’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 measurement, use a shorter integration time). • Integration time applies to dc voltage, dc current, resistance and four-wire resistance functions only.
Autozero Autozero applies to dc voltage, dc current and 2-wire resistance measurements. The multimeter internally disconnects the input signal following each measurement and takes a zero reading when autozero is enabled. Autozero enabled is the default setting. It then subtracts the zero reading from the preceding reading. This prevents offset voltages present on the multimeter’s input circuitry from affecting measurement accuracy.
Math Operations (CALCulate Subsystem) This sections provides more information about using the math functions in the CALCulate command. The math operations and registers used to store mathematical data are controlled using the CALCulate command subsystem. See Chapter 3, “Multimeter Command Reference”. There are two steps to initiating a math operation. 1. Select the desired math function: CALCulate:FUNCtion AVERage|DB|DBM|LIMit|NULL 2.
Two Ways to Store the NULL Offset Value • The null value is stored in the multimeter’s Null Register. You can enter a specific number into the null register using the CALCulate:NULL:OFFSet command. Any previously stored value is replaced with the new value. Use the following commands to activate the NULL function and input a null value. The calculate state must be enabled before you can store a value in the Null Register.
Storing the dB Reference Value Do not confuse this operation with the dBm reference (DBM) function. See the next section, “dBm Measurements”, and take note of the multimeter's reference resistance setting (dB uses a reference level, dBm uses a reference resistance). • The dB reference value is stored in the multimeter’s dB Relative Register. You can enter a specific number into the register using the CALCulate:DB:REFerence command. Any previously stored value is replaced with the new value.
LIMit Function The limit test operation enables you to perform pass/fail testing against limits you specify using the CALCulate:LIMit:UPPer and LOWer commands. • Applies to all measurement functions. • You can set the upper and lower limits to any value between 0 and ±120% of the highest range, for the present function. The upper limit selected should always be a more positive number than the lower limit. The default upper and lower limits are both “0”.
Triggering the Multimeter This section discusses the multimeter’s trigger system and outlines the different triggering configurations and programming methods used to control the trigger system. Keep in mind that you do not have to program the trigger system to make measurements. You can avoid having to learn the information in this section by using the default trigger configuration set by MEASure and CONFigure commands.
Triggering the multimeter is a multi-step process that offers triggering flexibility. 1. You must configure the multimeter for the measurement by selecting the function, range, resolution, etc. 2. You must specify the source from which the multimeter will accept the trigger. The multimeter will accept a BUS trigger from the VXIbus, an external trigger from the front panel “Trig” BNC connector or an immediate trigger from the multimeter's internal trigger system. 3.
Checking the Trigger Source Note External Triggering The TRIGger:SOURce? command returns “BUS”, “EXT”, “IMM”, or “TTLTn” to show the present trigger source. The string is sent to the output buffer. Note that a CONFigure or MEASure? command automatically sets the trigger source to IMMediate. You must follow the CONFigure command with the TRIG:SOUR command to set the trigger source to BUS, EXTernal or to TTLTrg. The MEAS? command always uses TRIG:SOUR IMM.
Bus Triggering The multimeter is triggered from the VXIbus. This mode is selected with the TRIGger:SOURce BUS command. • Use the *TRG command from the HP-IB to trigger the multimeter when TRIG:SOUR BUS is used. The *TRG command will not be accepted unless the multimeter is in the wait-for-trigger state. • You can also trigger the multimeter from the HP-IB interface by sending the IEEE-488 Group Execute Trigger (GET) message. The multimeter must be in the wait-for-trigger state.
Example: Setting the Trigger Count In the following example, one DC voltage measurement is made each time the multimeter’s external trigger BNC connector is pulsed low. After 10 external triggers are received, the multimeter returns to the idle state. dimension array CONF:VOLT:DC TRIG:SOUR EXT TRIG:COUN 10 READ? timeout may occur enter statement Checking the Trigger Count Dimension computer array. Function: DC voltage. Trigger source is external BNC on multimeter front panel.
Default Delays If you do not specify a trigger delay, the multimeter automatically determines a delay time (default delay) based on the present measurement function, range, resolution, integration time and AC filter bandwidth setting. The delay time is actually the settling time required before measurements to ensure measurement accuracy. The default delay time is automatically updated whenever you change the function or range.
Querying the Delay Time The TRIGger:DELay? [MINimum|MAXimum] command returns one of the following numbers to the output buffer: • The present trigger delay (1µs through 3600 seconds) if MIN or MAX is not specified. • The minimum trigger delay available (1µs) if MIN is specified. • The maximum trigger delay available (3600 seconds) if MAX is specified. The Sample Count The SAMPle:COUNt command designates the number of readings per trigger.
HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Application Examples This section contains example programs that demonstrate several applications using the HP E1312A or HP E1412A Multimeter. The examples described in this section list only the SCPI commands (see Chapter 3, “Multimeter Command Reference”) required to perform the application. The programming language is not included in print but C and Visual Basic programs are included on the VXIplug&play driver media under the subdirectory “examples”.
Hardware Used 486 IBM compatible computer running Windows 3.1. The computer has an HP 82341 HP-IB interface and HP SICL/Windows 3.1 and Windows NT for HP-IB software. The VXI modules were loaded in a VXI C-size mainframe using an HP E1406A or B-size mainframe with HP E1306A Command Module as resource manager connected to the computer via the HP 82341 HP-IB card.
The measurement process restarts when there is again room to store readings in the output buffer. Measurement Format Readings in the output buffer have the following characteristics: • Readings sent to the output buffer can consist of two different lengths (bytes or characters) in Real ASCII format: ±1.23456E±12 LF or ±1.234567E±12 LF • Each measurement is terminated with a Line Feed (LF). The HP-IB End-or-Identify (EOI) signal is sent with the last byte transferred.
• Trigger source (TRIG:SOUR) is set for an external trigger. A trigger count (TRIG:COUN) of 3 is set; the multimeter will accept three external triggers. • The sample count (SAMP:COUN) is set for 10 samples per trigger. • The INITiate command puts the multimeter in the wait-for-trigger state. The trigger source is an “EXTernal” hardware trigger. You provide this trigger and input it on the “Ext Trig” BNC connector which initiates the measurement process.
MEASURE4 Source Code File Maximizing Accuracy (most accurate resolution, longer integration time) *RST Reset the multimeter. CONF:VOLT:DC AUTO,MIN Configure for dc volts, autorange, minimum resolution (longest integration time). TRIG:SOUR EXT Set trigger source to external. TRIG:COUN 2 Set trigger count to 2. SAMP:COUN 10 Set sample count to 10. READ? Initiate measurements putting them directly into output buffer; retrieve them with the computer. enter statement Enter reading into computer.
Synchronizing the Multimeter With a Switch Module This program example demonstrates how to synchronize the multimeter with a switch module. For the HP E1412A it uses the TTL triggers from the VXI backplane to trigger the multimeter and advance the channel scan list. The example uses the HP E1476A 64-Channel Multiplexer Module but will also work with any HP switch module as long as the channel list is specified properly. Figure 2-2 illustrates the C-size set up.
This example monitors the switch module’s status system. The switch module’s status system (HP E1476A) is shown in Figure 2-4. This example program enables the switch's “Scan Complete” bit to allow it to set the OPR bit in the switch's status byte when the scan is finished. The program repeatedly reads the switch module's status byte until the OPR bit gets set which returns a status byte value of 128. This indicates the switch module has completed all closures in the scan list.
HP E1412A SCAN Source Code File See SCAN1312 Example Program for HP E1312A Code (The HP E1312A cannot use TTL triggers) SCPI command sequences for the program are as follows. **** Set up the Multimeter **** *RST *CLS CONF:VOLT 12,MIN TRIG:SOUR TTLT2 TRIG:COUN 8 TRIG:DEL 0.01 OUTP:TTLT1:STAT ON CALC:FUNC AVER CALC:STAT ON *OPC? INIT Reset the multimeter. Clear the multimeter’s status registers. Configure for dc volts, 12V input, min res. Let switch closure trigger multimeter.
Multimeter Status System Examples There are two program examples that demonstrate how the HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter status system works. In both programs the status byte is repeatedly read to identify when actions by the Multimeter set the appropriate bit in the status byte. The computer can identify when readings are available by monitoring the status byte and can retrieve readings when they are available. Figure 2-5 illustrates the HP E1312A and HP E1412A status system.
SYNCHOPC Source Code File This program has the multimeter take 10 measurements. The Standard Event bit (ESB) in the status byte (see Figure 2-5 on page 60) is monitored to detect when the operation is complete. Readings are transferred to the output buffer by a FETC? command and retrieved by the computer following the indication that the operation has completed. The Multimeter then calculates the average, minimum and maximum reading.
SYNCHMAV Source Code File This program has the multimeter take 10 measurements just like SYNCHOPC. Readings are transferred to the output buffer by a FETC? command. The Message Available bit (MAV) in the status byte (see Figure 2-5 on page 60) is monitored to detect when the measurements are complete and the Multimeter has readings in the output buffer. Readings are retrieved by the computer when the MAV bit in the status byte indicates the measurements are complete and readings are available.
LIMITTST Source Code File This program has the multimeter making measurements continuously until an upper or lower limit is exceeded. The lower test limit is set to 2V; the upper test limit is set to 8V. Questionable Data Register bits 11 and 12 are unmasked to allow the LO and HI Limit Test Failures to set the QUE bit in the status byte. An input less the 2V or greater than 8V will report a test failure and halt the program. **** Set up the Multimeter **** *RST Reset the multimeter.
HP VEE Programming Example HP VEE is HP’s Visual Engineering Environment, a graphical programming language for creating test systems and solving engineering problems. This section provides an instrument control example using the “Direct I/O” feature of HP VEE. Direct I/O allows you to directly specify messages to be sent to an instrument and to directly read the information sent back by an instrument. Direct I/O also offers the most efficient I/O performance in HP VEE.
Program Description The instruments are programmed using Direct I/O objects connected as required by the sequence of SCPI commands. Reading of the HP E1476A status byte is performed using the I/O | Advanced I/O | Device Event object SPOLL whose action is set to ANY SET and its mask set to #H80. This mask allows reading only the OPR bit of the status byte (bit 7) which gets set by bit 8 (Scan Complete) from the Operation Status Register when the switch module completes the scan list.
See your HP VEE documentation and on-line help for more detail on test and measurement I/O control. If you are not using HP VEE and are curious about HP’s graphical programming language, call your local HP sales office listed in your telephone directory for more information. You can get a free HP VEE Evaluation Kit containing detailed technical information and a demo disk that walks you through many of HP VEE’s features and functions.
Chapter 3 Multimeter Command Reference Using This Chapter This chapter describes the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) and IEEE 488.2 Common (*) Commands applicable to the HP E1312A and HP E1412A 6½-Digit Multimeters. Command Types Commands are separated into two types: IEEE 488.2 Common Commands and SCPI Commands. Common Command Format The IEEE 488.2 standard defines the Common commands that perform functions like reset, self-test, status byte query, etc.
Command Separator A colon (:) always separates one command from the next lower level command as shown below: CALibration:SECure:STATe? Colons separate the root command from the second level command (CALibration:SECure) and the second level from the third level (SECure:STATe?). Abbreviated Commands The command syntax shows most commands as a mixture of upper and lower case letters. The upper case letters indicate the abbreviated spelling for the command.
Parameters Parameter Types. The following table contains explanations and examples of parameter types you might see later in this chapter. Parameter Type Explanations and Examples Numeric Accepts all commonly used decimal representations of number including optional signs, decimal points, and scientific notation. 123, 123E2, -123, -1.23E2, .123, 1.23E-2, 1.23000E-01. Special cases include MINimum, MAXimum, and DEFault. Boolean Represents a single binary condition that is either true or false.
Multimeter Range and Resolution Tables The following tables list the voltage and resistance ranges available for the multimeter. Also shown are the associated resolution values versus aperture time in seconds or integration time in power line cycles (PLCs) for each range. Table 3-1. DC Voltage Resolution versus Integration Time or Aperture Time Integration Time in Power Line Cycles (PLCs) Aperture Time for 60Hz Line Frequency (seconds) Range Maximum Reading 100 PLCs 1.67s 10 PLCs 167ms 1 PLC 16.7ms 0.
Table 3-3. 2-Wire and 4-Wire Resistance Resolution versus Integration Time or Aperture Time Integration Time in Power Line Cycles (PLCs) Aperture Time for 60Hz Line Frequency (seconds) Range Maximum Reading 100 PLCs 1.67s 10 PLCs 167ms 1 PLC 16.7ms 0.2 PLC 3.33ms 0.02 PLC 0.333ms 100Ω 120Ω 30µΩ 100µΩ 300µΩ 1mΩ 10mΩ 1kΩ 1.2kΩ 300mΩ 1mΩ 3mΩ 10mΩ 100mΩ 10kΩ 12kΩ 3mΩ 10mΩ 30mΩ 100mΩ 1Ω 100kΩ 120kΩ 30mΩ 100mΩ 300mΩ 1Ω 10Ω 1MΩ 1.
ABORt The ABORt command subsystem removes the multimeter from the wait-for-trigger state and places it in the idle state. ABORt is only effective when the trigger source is TRIGger:SOURce BUS. Subsystem Syntax Example ABORt Aborting a Measurement CONF:VOLT:DC TRIG:SOUR BUS INIT ABOR Comments Function: DC voltage. Trigger source is BUS trigger. Place multimeter in wait-for-trigger state. Abort waiting for a trigger and place multimeter in idle state.
CALCulate There are five math operations available (AVERage, DB, DBM, LIMit, and NULL), only one can be enabled at a time. Each performs a mathematical operation on every reading or stores data on a series 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. The math operations use one or more internal registers.
:AVERage:AVERage? CALCulate:AVERage:AVERage? reads the average of all readings taken since AVERage was enabled (CALC:FUNC AVER and CALC:STAT ON commands). The average value is cleared when AVERage is enabled, when power is removed, or after the multimeter is reset. The average value is stored in volatile memory. Example Query the Average of All Readings Taken Since the AVERage Math Operation was Enabled CALC:AVER:AVER? Query the average of all readings.
:DB:REFerence CALCulate:DB:REFerence |MIN|MAX stores a relative value in the dB Relative Register. You must turn on the math operation e.g., execute CALC:STAT ON before writing to the math register. You can set the relative value to any number between ±200dBm (the MIN and MAX values). The dB reference is stored in volatile memory. Example Set the DB Reference Value CALC:STAT ON CALC:DB:REF 60 CALC:FUNC DB Turn on the math operation. Sets DB reference to 60 dBm. Select the DB math operation.
:FUNCtion CALCulate:FUNCtion AVERage|DB|DBM|LIMit|NULL selects the math function to be used. One function is enabled at a time with NULL the default. The selected function MUST be enabled with CALC:STATe ON. Parameter Summary • AVERage measurements store the minimum and maximum readings from a number of measurements. The multimeter records the number of readings taken since the average function was enabled then calculates the average of all the readings.
:LIMit:LOWer CALCulate:LIMit:LOWer |MIN|MAX sets the lower limit for limit testing. You can set the value to any number between 0 and ±120% of the highest range, for the present function. MIN = –120% of the highest range. MAX = 120% of the highest range. You must turn on the math operation e.g., execute CALC:STAT ON before writing to the math register. The lower limit is stored in volatile memory. Example Set the Lower Limit CALC:STAT ON CALC:LIM:LOW 1000 CALC:FUNC LIM Turn on the math operation.
:NULL:OFFSet CALCulate:NULL:OFFSet |MIN|MAX stores a null value in the multimeter’s Null Register. You must turn on the math operation e.g., execute CALC:STAT ON before writing to the math register. You can set the null value to any number between 0 and ±120% of the highest range, for the present function. MIN = –120% of the highest range. MAX = 120% of the highest range. The null value is stored in volatile memory.
CALibration The CALibration command subsystem allows you to enter a security code to prevent accidental or unauthorized calibrations of the multimeter. When you first receive your multimeter, it is secured. You must unsecure it by entering the correct security code before you can calibrate the multimeter (see CALibration:SECure:STATe command).
:LFRequency? CALibration:LFRequency? queries the line frequency setting. Comments Example This command returns +50 for line frequency set to 400 because 400 is an even multiple of 50. Query the Line Frequency Setting CAL:LFR? Query the line frequency. :SECure:CODE CALibration:SECure:CODE enters a new calibration security code. To change the security code, first unsecure the multimeter using the old security code with CAL:SEC:STAT OFF, . Then, enter the new code.
:SECure:STATe CALibration:SECure:STATe OFF|ON, unsecures or secures the multimeter for calibration. The calibration code must be the code set by the CAL:SEC:CODE command. The state is stored in non-volatile memory. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units OFF|ON boolean OFF | 0 | ON | 1 none discrete up to 12 characters set by CAL:SEC:CODE none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters.
Example Enter Calibration Information to Record the Next Calibration Date CAL:STR ’Cal 4/4/YY, Due 10/4/YY’ Enter a calibration message to record the cal date of April 4 and next cal due date as October 4 (YY = year of due date). :STRing? CALibration:STRing? queries the calibration message and returns a quoted string (or a null string “ ” if nothing is present). Example Query the Calibration Message CAL:STR? enter statement Query the calibration message. Enter value into computer.
:ZERO:AUTO CALibrate:ZERO:AUTO enables or disables the autozero mode. Autozero applies to dc voltage, dc current and 2-wire ohms measurements only. 4-wire ohms and dc voltage ratio measurements automatically enable the autozero mode. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1|ONCE none • You can use “0” for OFF and “1” for ON in the mode parameter. • The ON parameter enables autozero.
CALibration? CALibration? performs a calibration using the specified calibration value set by the CALibration:VALue command and queries the calibration response to verify a successful calibration. Comments • Execution of this command begins the electronic adjustment for the function and range the multimeter is set to. The adjustment is performed based on the value stated in the CAL:VAL command and the multimeter expects that value at the input terminals.
CONFigure The CONFigure command subsystem configures the multimeter to perform the specified measurement with the given range and resolution. CONFigure does not make the measurement after setting the configuration. Executing CONFigure is equivalent to setting the multimeter configuration as follows: Command Setting RANGe As specified (or AUTO). RESolution As specified, or as a function of range, integration time, or NPLCs.
or resolution different from the default value prior to executing the CONFigure command. The following table lists the default settings you can expect from the CONFigure command for each function. Default Settings for CONFigure Command by Function 86 Multimeter Command Reference FUNCTION RANGE RESOLUTION CURR[:DC] 1A 1µA CURR:AC 1A 10µA FREQ FREQ:RANG = 3Hz VOLT:RANG = 10V 30µHz FRES 1kΩ 1mΩ PER PER:RANG = 0.333sec VOLT:RANG = 10V 3.
:CURRent:AC CONFigure:CURRent:AC [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the AC current function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution. See the range versus resolution table at the beginning of this chapter for valid resolution choices for each ac current range.
:CURRent[:DC] CONFigure:CURRent[:DC] [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the DC current function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution. Parameters Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 10mA|100mA|1 A|3 A| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO A numeric resolution| A MIN|MAX|DEF Comments • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected current.
:FREQuency CONFigure:FREQuency [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the frequency function. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 3E+00 Hz numeric 3E-04 | 3E-05 | 3E-06 Hz • The frequency function uses one “range” for all inputs between 3Hz and 300kHz. A frequency measurement returns “0” if no input is applied.
:FRESistance CONFigure:FRESistance [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the 4-wire ohms function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution.
:PERiod CONFigure:PERiod [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the period function and allows you to specify range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 3.33E-01 Sec numeric 3.33E-05| 3.33E-06 | 3.33E-07 Sec • The period function uses one “range” for all inputs between 0.33 seconds and 3.3µSec. A period measurement will return “0” if no input is applied.
:RESistance CONFigure:RESistance [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the 2-wire ohms function and allows you to specify the range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100Ω|1kΩ|10kΩ| 100kΩ|1MΩ| 10MΩ|100MΩ| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO ohms numeric resolution| MIN|MAX|DEF ohms • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected resistance.
:VOLTage:AC CONFigure:VOLTage:AC [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the AC-coupled RMS voltage function and allows you to specify the range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.1V|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO volts numeric resolution |MIN|MAX|DEF volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage.
[:VOLTage[:DC]] CONFigure[:VOLTage[:DC]] [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the DC voltage function and allows you to specify the range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100mV|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO volts numeric resolution| MIN|MAX|DEF volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage.
[:VOLTage[:DC]]:RATio CONFigure[:VOLTage[:DC]]:RATio [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] configures the multimeter for dc:dc ratio measurements with the specified range and resolution.
CONFigure? The CONFigure? command queries the multimeter to return the configuration set by the most recent CONFigure or MEASure command. It returns a quoted string to the output buffer in the following format: “ ,” Subsystem Syntax Comments CONFigure? • When the multimeter is configured for current, voltage or resistance measurements, CONFigure? returns the function followed by the selected range and resolution. For example: “CURR:AC +1.000000E+00,1.000000E-05” “CURR +1.
DATA The multimeter can store up to 512 readings in internal memory. The DATA command allows you to determine how many readings are currently stored. Subsystem Syntax DATA :POINts? :POINts? The INITiate command uses internal memory to store readings prior to a FETCh? command e.g., when a measurement is initiated by the INITiate command. You can query the number of stored readings in memory by sending the DATA:POINts? command.
FETCh? The FETCh? command retrieves measurements stored in the module’s internal memory by the most recent INITiate command and places them in the output buffer. This command is most commonly used with CONFigure. Subsystem Syntax FETCh? Comments Execute INITiate before sending the FETCh? command to place the multimeter in the wait-for-trigger state. If the multimeter has not taken any data (i.e., if INITiate has not been executed), or if settings have been altered since the last FETCh? (i.e.
INITiate The INITiate command subsystem places the multimeter in the wait-for-trigger state. This command is most commonly used with CONFigure. See the section titled “Triggering the Multimeter” beginning on page 45 for a complete description of the HP E1312A and HP E1412 trigger system which discusses the wait-for-trigger state. Subsystem Syntax INITiate [:IMMediate] [:IMMediate] INITiate[:IMMediate] places the multimeter in the wait-for-trigger state.
INPut The INPut command enables or disables the automatic input impedance mode for DC voltage measurements. Subsystem Syntax INPut :IMPedance:AUTO OFF|ON :IMPedance:AUTO? :IMPedance:AUTO INPut:IMPedance:AUTO enables or disables the automatic input impedance mode for DC voltage measurements. When disabled (AUTO OFF), the multimeter maintains its input impedance of 10MΩ for all DC voltage ranges.
MEASure The MEASure command subsystem configures the multimeter to perform the specified measurement with the given range and resolution. When the multimeter is triggered, MEASure makes the measurement and sends the readings to the output buffer. Executing MEASure is equivalent to configuring the multimeter with the low-level commands shown in the following table.: Command Subsystem Syntax Chapter 3 Setting RANGe As specified (or AUTO).
:CURRent:AC? MEASure:CURRent:AC? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the AC current function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution (see range versus resolution table at start of chapter).
:CURRent[:DC]? MEASure:CURRent[:DC]? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the DC current function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution. Parameters Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 10mA|100mA|1 A|3 A| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO A numeric resolution| A MIN|MAX|DEF Comments • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected current.
:FREQuency? MEASure:FREQuency? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the frequency function and uses one range for all inputs between 3Hz and 300kHz. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 3E+00 Hz numeric 3E-04 | 3E-05 | 3E-06 Hz • The frequency function uses one “range” for all inputs between 3Hz and 300kHz. Querying the range will always return “3E+00”.
:FRESistance? MEASure:FRESistance? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the 4-wire ohms function and allows you to specify the measurement range and resolution.
:PERiod? MEASure:PERiod? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the period function and allows you to specify range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 3.33E-01 Sec numeric 3.33E-05| 3.33E-06 | 3.33E-07 Sec • The period function uses one “range” for all inputs between 0.33 seconds and 3.3µSec. A period measurement will return “0” if no input is applied.
:RESistance? MEASure:RESistance? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the 2-wire ohms function and allows you to specify the range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100Ω|1kΩ|10kΩ| 100kΩ|1MΩ| 10MΩ|100MΩ| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO ohms numeric resolution| MIN|MAX|DEF ohms • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected resistance.
:VOLTage:AC? MEASure:VOLTage:AC? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the AC-coupled RMS voltage function and allows you to specify the range and resolution (see range versus resolution table at start of chapter). Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.
[:VOLTage[:DC]]? MEASure[:VOLTage[:DC]]? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] selects the DC voltage function and allows you to specify the range and resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100mV|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO volts numeric resolution| MIN|MAX|DEF volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage.
[:VOLTage[:DC]]:RATio? MEASure[:VOLTage[:DC]]:RATio? [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] configures the multimeter for dc:dc ratio measurements with the specified range and resolution. For ratio measurements, the specified range applies to the signal connected to the HI and LO input terminals. Autoranging is automatically selected for reference voltage measurements on the “Sense” HI and LO terminals with a maximum voltage of 10V.
OUTPut The OUTPut command subsystem enables you to route the multimeter’s voltmeter complete signal to the VXIbus TTL trigger lines. Subsystem Syntax OUTPut :TTLTrg[:STATe] :TTLTrg[:STATe]? :TTLTrg[:STATe] OUTPut:TTLTrg[:STATe] enables or disables routing of the voltmeter complete signal to the specified VXIbus trigger line (TTLTrg0 through TTLTrg7) on the backplane P2 connector.
Example Route Voltmeter Complete to Trigger Line OUTP:TTLT7 ON Route signal to trigger line 7. :TTLTrg[:STATe]? OUTPut:TTLTrg[:STATe]? returns a number to show whether VXIbus trigger line routing of the voltmeter complete signal is enabled or disabled: “1” = ON, “0” = OFF. The number is sent to the output buffer. Example Query Voltmeter Complete Destination OUTP:TTLT7 ON OUTP:TTLT7? enter statement 112 Multimeter Command Reference Route signal to trigger line 7.
READ? The READ? command is most commonly used with CONFigure to: • Place the multimeter in the wait-for-trigger state (executes the INITiate command). • Transfer the readings directly to the output buffer when the trigger is received (same action as FETCh? but the readings are not stored in internal memory as with the FETCh? command). Subsystem Syntax Comments READ? • The READ? command is slower than the INITiate command since readings are formatted and sent to the output buffer as they are taken.
SAMPle The SAMPle command subsystem operates with the TRIGger command subsystem. The SAMPle subsystem designates the number of readings (count) made for each trigger signal received. Subsystem Syntax SAMPle :COUNt |MIN|MAX :COUNt? [MIN|MAX] :COUNt SAMPle:COUNt |MIN|MAX designates the number of readings per trigger. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 1 through 50,000|MIN|MAX none • MINimum sets 1 reading per trigger.
:COUNt? SAMPle:COUNt? [MIN|MAX] returns one of the following numbers to the output buffer: • The present sample count (1 through 50,000) if MINimum or MAXimum is not specified. • The minimum sample count (1) if MIN is specified. • The maximum sample count (50,000) if MAX is specified. Example Query the Sample Count SAMP:COUN 10 SAMP:COUN? enter statement Chapter 3 Specify 10 readings per trigger. Query multimeter to return sample count. Enter value into computer. Enter readings into computer.
[SENSe:] The [SENSe:] command subsystem is most commonly used with CONFigure to change specific “low-level” measurement parameters. [SENSe:] enables you to change the following measurement parameters, predefined by the CONFigure command, without completely reconfiguring the multimeter.
[SENSe:] FRESistance :APERture .333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms|167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX :APERture? [MIN|MAX] :NPLCycles 0.02|0.2|1|10|100|MIN|MAX :NPLCycles? [MIN|MAX] :RANGe |MIN|MAX :RANGe? [MIN|MAX] :RANGe:AUTO OFF|ON :RANGe:AUTO? :RESolution |MIN|MAX :RESolution? [MIN|MAX] PERiod :APERture 0.01|0.1|1|MIN|MAX :APERture? [MIN|MAX] :VOLTage:RANGe |MIN|MAX :VOLTage:RANGe? [MIN|MAX] :VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO OFF|ON :VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO? RESistance :APERture .333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms|167ms|1.
FUNCtion [SENSe:]FUNCtion “” selects the measurement function. You can select the functions shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Example Parameter Name Parameter Type discrete Range of Values :CURRent:AC| :CURRent[:DC]| :FREQuency| :FRESistance| :PERiod| :RESistance| :VOLTage:AC| :VOLTage[:DC]| :VOLTage[:DC]:RATio Default Units none *RST Condition: SENS:VOLT:DC Change Measurement Function CONF:VOLT FUNC “FRES” READ? enter statement Function: DC voltage.
CURRent:AC:RANGe [SENSe:]CURRent:AC:RANGe selects the range for AC current measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 1A|3A|MIN|MAX amps • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected current. The multimeter then selects the correct range. • MIN selects the minimum range available with the CURRent:AC:RANGe command: 1A. MAX selects the maximum range available: 3A.
CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for AC current measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
CURRent:AC:RESolution [SENSe:]CURRent:AC:RESolution selects the resolution for AC current measurements. See Table 3-5 on page 71. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution| MIN|MAX amps • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range.
CURRent[:DC]:APERture [SENSe:]CURRent[:DC]:APERture sets the integration time in seconds for dc current measurements. Values are rounded up to the nearest aperture time shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX seconds • MIN sets the aperture time to 0.333 ms. MAX sets the aperture time to 1.66667 seconds (60Hz) or 2 seconds (50Hz).
CURRent[:DC]:NPLC [SENSe:]CURRent[:DC]:NPLCycles sets the integration time in power line cycles (PLCs). Values are rounded up to the nearest number of PLCs shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.02|0.2|1|10|100|MIN|MAX PLCs • MINimum selects 0.02 PLCs. MAXimum selects 100 PLCs. Setting the integration time in power line cycles (PLCs) also sets the aperture time and the resolution.
CURRent[:DC]:RANGe [SENSe:]CURRent[:DC]:RANGe selects the range for DC current measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.01A|0.1A|1A|3A|MIN|MAX amps • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected current. The multimeter then selects the correct range. • MIN selects the minimum range available with the CURRent:DC:RANGe command: 10mA.
CURRent[:DC]:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]CURRent[:DC]:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for DC current measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
CURRent[:DC]:RESolution [SENSe:]CURRent[:DC]:RESolution selects the resolution for DC current measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution| MIN|MAX amps • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range. • You must select a range using CURRent:DC:RANGe before specifying resolution.
DETector:BANDwidth [SENSe:]DETector:BANDwidth selects the slow, medium or fast filter based on the bandwidth you specify. The multimeter uses these three different filters which enable you to either optimize low frequency accuracy or achieve faster ac settling times on ac voltage or ac current measurements.
DETector:BANDwidth? [SENSe:]DETector:BANDwidth? returns which ac filter has been selected. The value returned is 3, 20 or 200. The value is sent to the output buffer. Example Query the Detector Bandwidth DET:BAND 200 DET:BAND? Select 200Hz bandwidth (fast filter). Query multimeter to return the detector bandwidth setting. FREQuency:APERture [SENSe:]FREQuency:APERture
FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe [SENSe:]FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe selects the voltage range for the signal level of frequency measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100mV|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage. The multimeter then selects the correct range.
FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]FREQuency:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for the signal level of frequency measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
FRESistance:APERture [SENSe:]FRESistance:APERture sets the integration time in seconds for 4-wire resistance measurements. Values are rounded up to the nearest aperture time shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX seconds • MIN sets the aperture time to 0.333ms. MAX sets the aperture time to 1.66667 seconds (60Hz) or 2 seconds (50Hz).
FRESistance:NPLC [SENSe:]FRESistance:NPLCycles sets the integration time in number of power line cycles (NPLCs). The NPLC is set to a value from the range of values that can accommodate the you specify. For example, specifying 9 sets the NPLC to 10; specifying 11 sets the NPLC to 100. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.02|0.2|1|10|100|MIN|MAX PLCs • MINimum selects 0.02 PLCs. MAXimum selects 100 PLCs.
FRESistance:RANGe [SENSe:]FRESistance:RANGe selects the range for 4-wire resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100Ω|1kΩ|10kΩ|100kΩ|1MΩ |10MΩ|100MΩ|MIN|MAX ohms • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected resistance. The multimeter then selects the correct range. • MIN selects the minimum range available with the FRESistance:RANGe command: 100Ω.
FRESistance:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]FRESistance:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for 4-wire resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
FRESistance:RESolution [SENSe:]FRESistance:RESolution selects the resolution for 4-wire resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution |MIN|MAX ohms • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range. • You must select a range using FRESistance:RANGe before specifying resolution.
PERiod:APERture [SENSe:]PERiod:APERture
PERiod:VOLTage:RANGe [SENSe:]PERiod:VOLTage:RANGe selects the voltage range for the signal level of period measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100mV|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage. The multimeter then selects the correct range.
PERiod:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]PERiod:VOLTage:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for the signal level of period measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
RESistance:APERture [SENSe:]RESistance:APERture sets the integration time in seconds for 2-wire resistance measurements. Values are rounded up to the nearest aperture time shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX seconds • MIN sets the aperture time to 0.333ms. MAX sets the aperture time to 1.66667 seconds (60Hz) or 2 seconds (50Hz).
RESistance:NPLC [SENSe:]RESistance:NPLCycles sets the integration time in power line cycles (PLCs). The NPLC is set to a value from the range of values that can accommodate the you specify. For example, specifying 11 sets the NPLC to 100. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.02|0.2|1|10|100|MIN|MAX PLCs • MINimum selects 0.02 PLCs. MAXimum selects 100 PLCs.
RESistance:RANGe [SENSe:]RESistance:RANGe selects the range for 2-wire resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100Ω|1kΩ|10kΩ|100kΩ|1MΩ |10MΩ|100MΩ|MIN|MAX ohms • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected resistance. The multimeter then selects the correct range. • MIN selects the minimum range available with the RESistance:RANGe command: 100Ω.
Example Query the Measurement Range RES:RANG 100 RES:RANG? enter statement Select 100Ω range. Query multimeter to return the present range. Enter value into computer. RESistance:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]RESistance:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters.
RESistance:RESolution [SENSe:]RESistance:RESolution selects the resolution for 2-wire resistance measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution |MIN|MAX ohms • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range. • You must select a range using RESistance:RANGe before specifying resolution.
Example Query the Resolution RES:RES 10E-03 RES:RES? enter statement Set resolution to 10 mΩ. Query multimeter to return the present resolution. Enter value into computer. VOLTage:AC:RANGe [SENSe:]VOLTage:AC:RANGe selects the range for AC-coupled RMS voltage measurements.
Example Query the Measurement Range VOLT:AC:RANG 10 VOLT:AC:RANG? enter statement Select 10V range. Query multimeter to return the present range. Enter value into computer. VOLTage:AC:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]VOLTage:AC:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for AC voltage measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters.
VOLTage:AC:RESolution [SENSe:]VOLTage:AC:RESolution selects the resolution for AC voltage measurements. See Table 3-4 on page 71 to avoid a settings conflict error when specifying resolution. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution |MIN|MAX volts • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range.
VOLTage[:DC]:APERture [SENSe:]VOLTage[:DC]:APERture sets the integration time in seconds for dc voltage measurements. Values are rounded up to the nearest aperture time shown in the following table. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX seconds • MIN sets the aperture time to 0.333ms. MAX sets the aperture time to 1.66667 seconds (60Hz) or 2 seconds (50Hz).
VOLTage[:DC]:NPLC [SENSe:]VOLTage[:DC]:NPLC sets the integration time in power line cycles (PLCs). The NPLC is set to a value from the range of values that can accommodate the specified. 11 sets NPLC to 100. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 0.02|0.2|1|10|100|MIN|MAX PLCs • MIN selects 0.02 PLCs. MAX selects 100 PLCs. Setting the integration time in PLCs also sets the aperture time and the resolution.
VOLTage[:DC]:RANGe [SENSe:]VOLTage[:DC]:RANGe selects the range for DC voltage measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric 100mV|1V|10V|100V|300V| MIN|MAX|DEF volts • To select a standard measurement range, specify range as the input signal’s maximum expected voltage. The multimeter then selects the correct range. • MIN selects the minimum range available with the VOLTage:DC:RANGe command: 100mV.
VOLTage[:DC]:RANGe:AUTO [SENSe:]VOLTage[:DC]:RANGe:AUTO enables or disables the autorange function for DC voltage measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units boolean OFF|0|ON|1 none • You can substitute decimal values for the OFF (“0”) and ON (“1”) parameters. • When autoranging is ON, the multimeter samples the input before each measurement and selects the appropriate range.
VOLTage[:DC]:RESolution [SENSe:]VOLTage[:DC]:RESolution selects the resolution for DC voltage measurements. Parameters Comments Parameter Name Parameter Type Range of Values Default Units numeric resolution |MIN|MAX volts • MINimum selects the best resolution (the smallest value) for the selected range. MAXimum selects the worst resolution (the largest value) for the selected range. • You must select a range using VOLTage:DC:RANGe before specifying resolution.
Example Query the Resolution VOLT:DC:RES 1E-03 VOLT:DC:RES? enter statement Set resolution to 1 mV. Query multimeter to return the present resolution. Enter value into computer. ZERO:AUTO [SENSe:]ZERO:AUTO enables or disables the autozero mode. Autozero applies to dc voltage, dc current and 2-wire ohms measurements only. 4-wire ohms and dc voltage ratio measurements automatically enable the autozero mode.
STATus The STATus subsystem reports the bit values of the Questionable Data/Signal Register. It also allows you to unmask the bits you want reported from the Standard Event Register and to read the summary bits from the Status Byte Register. The Questionable Data/Signal Register group consists of a condition register, and event register and an enable register. The commands in the STATus:QUEStionable subsystem control and monitor these registers.
:QUEStionable:ENABle? STATus:QUEStionable:ENABle? returns a decimal-weighted number representing the bits enabled in the Questionable Data/Signal Register’s enable register signifying which bits will set QUE in the Status Byte. :QUEStionable[:EVENt]? STATus:QUEStionable[:EVENt]? returns a decimal-weighted number representing the bits set in the Questionable Data/Signal Register’s event register. This command clears all bits in the event register when executed. Figure 3-1.
SYSTem The SYSTem command subsystem returns error numbers and their associated messages from the error queue. You can also query the SCPI version to which this instrument complies. Subsystem Syntax SYSTem :ERRor? :VERSion? :ERRor? SYSTem:ERRor? returns the error numbers and corresponding error messages in the error queue. See Appendix B in this manual for a listing of the error numbers, messages and descriptions.
TRIGger The TRIGger command subsystem controls the behavior of the trigger system. The subsystem can control: • The number of triggers to occur before the multimeter returns to the idle state (TRIGger:COUNt). • The delay between trigger and measurement (TRIGger:DELay). • The source of the trigger (TRIGger:SOURce).
:COUNt? TRIGger:COUNt? [MIN|MAX] returns one of the following numbers to the output buffer: • The present trigger count (1 through 50,000) if MIN or MAX are not specified. • The minimum trigger count available (1) if MIN is specified. • The maximum trigger count available (50,000) if MAX is specified. Example Query the Trigger Count TRIG:COUN 10 TRIG:COUN? enter statement Multimeter will accept 10 triggers. Query multimeter to return trigger count. Enter value into computer.
:DELay? TRIGger:DELay? [MIN|MAX] returns one of the following numbers to the output buffer: • The present trigger delay (0 through 3600 seconds) if MIN or MAX is not specified. • The minimum trigger delay available (0 seconds) if MIN is specified. • The maximum trigger delay available (3600 seconds) if MAX is specified. Example Query the Trigger Delay TRIG:DEL .002 Wait 2ms between trigger and start of measurement. Query multimeter to return trigger delay. Enter value into computer.
Default Trigger Delays for DC Voltage and DC Current (all ranges): Integration Time Trigger Delay NPLC ≥1 1.5ms NPLC <1 1.0ms Default Trigger Delays for 2-Wire and 4-Wire Resistance: Range Trigger Delay (For NPLC ≥1) Trigger Delay (For NPLC <1) 100Ω 1.5ms 1.0ms 1kΩ 1.5ms 1.0ms 10kΩ 1.5ms 1.0ms 100kΩ 1.5ms 1.0ms 1MΩ 1.
:SOURce TRIGger:SOURce
:SOURce? TRIGger:SOURce? returns “BUS”, “EXT”, “IMM” or “TTLTrg0 - 7” to show the present trigger source. The quoted string is sent to the output buffer. Example Query the Trigger Source TRIG:SOUR EXT TRIG:SOUR? enter statement Chapter 3 Trigger source is external BNC on multimeter front panel. Query multimeter to return trigger source setting. Enter quoted string into computer.
IEEE 488.2 Common Command Quick Reference The table below lists, by functional group, the IEEE 488.2 Common (*) Commands that can be executed by the HP E1312A B-size and HP E1412A C-size 6½-Digit Multimeters. However, commands are listed alphabetically in the following reference. Examples are shown in the reference when the command has parameters or returns a non-trivial response; otherwise, the command string is as shown in the table. For additional information, refer to IEEE Standard 488.2-1987.
*CLS *CLS clears the Standard Event Status Register, the Operation Status Register, the Questionable Signal Register, and the error queue. This clears the corresponding summary bits (3, 5, and 7) in the Status Byte Register. *CLS does not affect the enable unmasks of any of the Status Registers.
*ESR? *ESR? returns the value of the Standard Event Status Register. The register is then cleared (all bits 0). Comments • Executable when Initiated: Yes • Coupled Command: No • *RST Condition: none • Power-On Condition: register is cleared *IDN? *IDN? returns identification information for the HP E1312A B-size or HP E1412A C-size multimeter. The response consists of four fields: HEWLETT-PACKARD,E1312A,0,A.0x.0x-A.0x.0x (B-size) HEWLETT-PACKARD,E1412A,0,A.0x.0x-A.0x.
*OPC? *OPC? causes the HP E1312A and HP E1412A to wait for all pending operations to complete. A single ASCII “1” is then placed in the output queue. Comments • Executable when Initiated: Yes • Coupled Command: No • Related Commands: *OPC, *WAI • *RST Condition: none *RST *RST resets the HP E1312A and HP E1412A as follows: -- Sets all commands to their *RST state. -- Aborts all pending operations.
Comments Example • Executable when Initiated: Yes • Coupled Command: No • *RST Condition: unaffected • Power-On Condition: no bits are enabled Enable Service Request on Message Available Bit *SRE 16 Enable request on MAV. *STB? *STB? returns the value of the Status Byte Register. The RQS bit (bit 6 in the status byte having decimal weight 64) is set if a service request is pending.
SCPI Command Quick Reference The following tables summarize SCPI commands for the HP E1312A B-size and HP E1412A C-size 6½-Digit Multimeters. Command ABORt Description Place multimeter in idle state.
Command CONFigure :CURRent:AC [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :CURRent[:DC] [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :FREQuency [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :FRESistance [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :PERiod [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :RESistance [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] :VOLTage:AC [|MIN|MAX|DEF|AUTO [,|MIN|MAX|DEF]] [:VOLTage[:DC]] [|M
Command [SENSe:] Chapter 3 FUNCtion “function” FUNCtion? CURRent:AC:RANGe |MIN|MAX CURRent:AC:RANGe? [MIN|MAX] CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO OFF|ON CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO? CURRent:AC:RESolution |MIN|MAX CURRent:AC:RESolution? [MIN|MAX] CURRent[:DC]:APERture .333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX CURRent[:DC]:APERture? [MIN|MAX] CURRent[:DC]:NPLCycles .02|.
Command [SENSe:] Description VOLTage:AC:RANGe |MIN|MAX VOLTage:AC:RANGe? [MIN|MAX] VOLTage:AC:RANGe:AUTO OFF|ON VOLTage:AC:RANGe:AUTO? VOLTage:AC:RESolution |MIN|MAX VOLTage:AC:RESolution? [MIN|MAX] VOLTage[:DC]:APERture .333ms|3.33ms|16.7ms| 167ms|1.67s|MIN|MAX VOLTage[:DC]:APERture? [MIN|MAX] VOLTage[:DC]:NPLCycles 0.02|0.
Appendix A HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Specifications DC Characteristics Accuracy Specifications ± (% of reading + % of range) [1] Function DC Voltage Range [3] Test Current or Burden Voltage 100.0000mV 1.000000V 10.00000V 100.0000V 300.0000V 24 Hour [2] 23°C ±1°C 90 Day 23°C ±5°C 1 Year 23°C ±5°C Temperature Coefficient 0°C - 18°C 28°C - 55°C 0.0030 + 0.0030 0.0020 + 0.0006 0.0015 + 0.0004 0.0020 + 0.0006 0.0020 + 0.0018 0.0040 + 0.0035 0.0030 + 0.0007 0.0020 + 0.0005 0.0035 + 0.0006 0.
DC Characteristics (continued) Measuring Characteristics DC Voltage Measurement Method: A/D Linearity: Input Resistance: Input Bias Current: Input Terminals: Input Protection: Resistance Measurement Method: Max. Lead Resistance: (4-wire ohms) Input Protection: DC Current Shunt Resistor: Input Protection: DC:DC Ratio Measurement Method: Input HI-LO Reference HI-LO Input to Reference Continuously integrating, multi-slope III A/D converter. 0.0002% of reading + 0.0001% of range 0.
DC Characteristics (continued) Operating Characteristics [8] Function DCV, DCI and Resistance PLCs Digits Readings/sec Additional Noise Error 100 6.5 0.6 (0.5) [8] 0% of range 10 6.5 6 (5) [8] 0% of range 1 5.5 60 (50) [8] 0.001% of range [9] 0.2 5.5 300 0.001% of range [9] 0.02 4.5 1000 0.01% of range [9] System Speeds [10] Function Change: 30/sec Range Change: 65/sec Autorange Time: <30 ms Max. Internal Trigger Rate: 1000/sec Max.
AC Characteristics Accuracy Specifications ± (% of reading + % of range) [1] Function True RMS AC Voltage [4] Range [3] Frequency 24 Hour [2] 23°C ± 1°C 90 Day 23°C ± 5°C 1 Year 23°C ± 5°C Temperature Coefficient 0°C - 18°C 28°C - 55°C 100.0000 mV 3 Hz-5 Hz 5 Hz-10 Hz 10 Hz-20 kHz 20 kHz-50 kHz 50 kHz-100 kHz 100 kHz-300 kHz 1.00 + 0.03 0.35 + 0.03 0.04 + 0.03 0.10 + 0.05 0.55 + 0.08 5.00 + 0.50 1.00 + 0.04 0.35 + 0.04 0.05 + 0.04 0.11 + 0.05 0.60 + 0.08 5.00 + 0.50 1.00 + 0.04 0.35 + 0.04 0.
AC Characteristics (continued) Measuring Characteristics Measurement Noise Rejection [7] AC CMRR 70 dB True RMS AC Voltage Measurement Method: AC-coupled True RMS - measures the ac component of the input with up to 300Vdc of bias on any range (max AC + DC = 300Vrms).
AC Characteristics (continued) Operating Characteristics Function Digits 6 1/2 ACV and ACI Readings/sec AC Filter 1 Slow (3Hz) (per 7 seconds) [8] (7 sec settling time) 6 1/2 1 [8] Medium (20Hz) 6 1/2 1.6 [8],[9] Fast (200Hz) 6 1/2 50 [10] Fast (200Hz) System Speeds [10], [11] Function or Range Change: 5/sec Autorange Time: <0.8 sec ASCII readings to HP-IB: 50/sec Max. Internal Trigger Rate: 50/sec Max.
Frequency and Period Characteristics Accuracy Specifications ±(% of reading) [1] [4] Function Range [3] Frequency 24 Hour [2] 23°C ± 1°C 90 Day 23°C ± 5°C 1 Year 23°C ± 5°C Temperature Coefficient 0°C - 18°C 28°C - 55°C Frequency, Period 100mV to 300V 3Hz - 5Hz 5Hz - 10Hz 10Hz - 40Hz 40Hz - 300kHz 0.10 0.05 0.03 0.006 0.10 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.10 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.005 0.005 0.001 0.001 Additional Low-Frequency Errors (% of reading) [4] Integration Time (number PLCs) Frequency 100 & 10 1 & 0.2 0.
Frequency and Period Characteristics (continued) Operating Characteristics [5] Function Integration Time Readings/second 100 1 1 9.8 0.02 80 Frequency, Period System Speeds [5] Configuration Rates: 14/sec Autorange Time: <0.6 sec Max. Internal Trigger Rate: 80/sec Max. External Trigger Rate to Memory: 80/sec [1] Specifications are for 1-hour warm-up at 100 PLC integration time. [2] Relative to calibration standards. [3] 20% overrange on all ranges, except 300Vac range which has 1% overrange.
General Specifications Overvoltage Category 1 (1500V peak max impulse) HP E1312A and HP E1412A Available Power (Amps): +5V: Ipm (maximum peak current): 0.20A Idm (maximum dynamic current): 0.10A +12V: Ipm (maximum peak current): 0.70A Idm (maximum dynamic current): 0.06A Cooling /Slot: Average Watts/Slot: deltaP mm H2O: Air Flow liters/s: 9.40 0.05 0.80 Operating Environment: 0°C to 55°C 65% Relative Humidity to 40°C NOTE: Recalibration may be required after exposure to humidity levels >65%.
To Calculate Total Measurement Error Each specification includes correction factors which account for errors present due to operational limitations of the multimeter. This section explains these errors and shows how to apply them to your measurements. Refer to the section titled “Interpreting Multimeter Specifications” beginning on page 182 to get a better understanding of the terminology used and to help you interpret the multimeter's specifications.
Total Measurement Error To compute the total measurement error, add the reading error and range error. You can then convert the total measurement error to a “percent of input” error or a “ppm (part-per- million) of input” error as shown below.
Interpreting Multimeter Specifications This section is provided to give you a better understanding of the terminology used and will help you interpret the multimeter’s specifications. Number of Digits and Overrange The “number of digits” specification is the most fundamental, and sometimes, the most confusing characteristic of a multimeter. The number of digits is equal to the maximum number of “9's” the multimeter can measure or display. This indicates the number of full digits.
Accuracy Accuracy is a measure of the “exactness” to which the multimeter's measurement uncertainty can be determined relative to the calibration reference used. Absolute accuracy includes the multimeter's relative accuracy specification plus the known error of the calibration reference relative to national standards (such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology). To be meaningful, the accuracy specifications must be accompanied with the conditions under which they are valid.
Configuring for High Accuracy Measurements The measurement configurations shown below assume that the multimeter is in its power-on or reset state. It is also assumed that manual ranging is enabled to ensure proper full scale range selection. DC Voltage, DC Current, and Resistance Measurements: • Set the resolution to 6 digits Fast (integration time of 10 PLC). You can use the 6 digits slow mode (integration time of 100 PLC) for further noise reduction.
Appendix B HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Error Messages The following sections describe the types of errors the HP E1312A and HP E1412A report; Execution Errors, Self-Test Errors and Calibration Errors. The error code is given (e.g., -101) followed by the associated error message and a description of what the error message means. Execution Errors Appendix B -101 Invalid character An invalid character was found in the command string.
-112 Program mnemonic too long A command header was received which contained more than the maximum 12 characters allowed. Example: CONFIGURATION:VOLT:DC A string contains more than the maximum 12 characters allowed in the CALibration:SECure:CODE command. -113 Undefined header A command was received that is not valid for this multimeter. You may have misspelled the command or it may not be a valid command.
-160 to -168 Block data errors The multimeter does not accept block data. -170 to -178 Expression errors The multimeter does not accept mathematical expressions. -211 Trigger ignored A Group Execute Trigger (GET) or *TRG was received but the trigger was ignored. Make sure the multimeter is in the “wait-for-trigger” state before issuing a trigger, and make sure the correct trigger source is selected.
-330 Self-test failed The multimeter’s complete self-test failed from the remote interface (*TST? command). In addition to this error, more specific self-test errors are also reported. See also “Self-Test Errors,” following this section. -350 Too many errors The error queue is full because more than 20 errors have occurred. No additional errors are stored until you remove errors from the queue.
532 Cannot achieve requested resolution The multimeter cannot achieve the requested measurement resolution. You may have specified an invalid resolution in the CONFigure or MEASure command. 540 Cannot use overload as math reference The multimeter cannot store an overload reading (9.90000000E+37) as the math reference for null or dB measurements. The math state is turned off as a result of this condition.
621 AC rms full scale failed 622 Frequency counter failed 623 Cannot calibrate precharge 625 I/O processor does not respond 626 I/O processor failed self-test Calibration Errors The following errors indicate failures that may occur during a calibration. The most common errors have descriptions here. Refer to the HP E1312A and HP E1412A Service Manual for more information on the other errors.
Appendix B 709 No cal for this function or range You cannot perform calibrations for ac current, period, continuity, diode, ratio, or on the 100MΩ range.
Notes: 192 HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeter Error Messages Appendix B
Appendix C Measurement Speed and Accuracy Trade-offs The HP E1312A and HP E1412A Multimeters were designed so the default mode of operation will deliver high accuracy readings with a minimum of programming effort. However, many applications require high-speed measurements. This appendix discusses two topics: 1. special non-SCPI function (F1, F2, F3 and F4) and range (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7) commands used to speed up measurement setup and 2.
Speed Advantage Using the Special Non-SCPI Commands (F1-F4 and R1-R7) You can save approximately three (3) milliseconds by using an F1 - F4 special function command instead of changing function with the equivalent SCPI [SENSe:] function command. You can save approximately five (5) milliseconds by using an R1 - R7 special range command instead of changing the range with the equivalent SCPI [SENSe:] range command.
HP E1312A/E1412A Resolution Using Special Functions and Ranges Resolution remains a function of the NPLC parameter set at the time a special function or range is used. The NPLC setting is fixed throughout use of the special functions and ranges unless you change the setting with the [SENSe:]:NPLC command or configure the multimeter with the CONFigure command using a resolution that changes the NPLC setting.
General Guidelines for Increasing Measurement Speed The following guidelines show how to increase measurement speed, which in some cases, will reduce the accuracy of the measurement. Some of the guidelines will not affect accuracy but simply make taking measurements more efficient. Be aware that these guidelines also increase the complexity of the program. 1. Avoid function changes. 2. Avoid aperture changes when making frequency or period measurements. 3. Minimize the number of command/response sessions.
Set Autozero to ONCE or OFF Autozero causes the A/D to alternately measure its internal zero and the external signal. Autozero improves reading accuracy; however, it reduces reading speed by ½. ----The zero will be measured before each measurement. CAL:ZERO:AUTO OFF ----No new zero readings will be made. CAL:ZERO:AUTO ONCE----Does one Autozero operation when the command is received and also sets the mode to autozero OFF.
Setting the Resolution Store the Readings in Multimeter RAM Instead of Sending them Directly to the Computer INIT;:FETCH? The aperture time or NPLC is set as a result of specifying the parameter in the MEASure or CONFigure command, or by directly setting it with the [SENSe:]FREQuency:APERture or [SENSe:]PERiod:APERture command or [SENSe:]function:NPLC commands. There is a major difference between INIT;:FETCh? and READ? after a CONFigure command.
Index HP E1312A/E1412A User’s Manual and SCPI Programming Guide Numerics 2-Wire Ohms Measurement aperture time, 139 connections, 21, 30 integration time, 139 range, 141 range/resolution, 92, 107 resolution, 143 4-Wire Ohms Measurement connections, 21, 29 integration time, 131 range, 133–134 range/resolution, 90, 105 resolution, 135 A Abbreviated Commands, 68 ABORt Subsystem, 72 AC Current high speed measurements, 36 measurement errors, 36 range, 87, 119–120 range/resolution, 87, 102 resolution, 121 range
A (continued) Autorange (continued) querying 4-wire resistance, 134 4-wire resistance measurements, 134 ac current measurements, 120 ac voltage measurements, 145 dc current measurements, 125 dc voltage measurements, 150 frequency measurements, 130 period measurements, 138 resistance measurements, 142 setting, 197 Autozero, 31, 40, 83, 152 disabling, 197 enabling, 197 increasing measurement speed, 197 querying, 83, 152 B Backplane Trigger Lines, 46 Bandwidth ac signal filters, 37, 127–128 setting, 127–128 B
C (continued) Command Reference (continued) DATA subsystem, 97 FETCh? command, 98 INITiate subsystem, 99 INPut subsystem, 100 MEASure subsystem, 101–110 OUTPut subsystem, 111–112 READ? command, 113 SAMPle subsystem, 114–115 SCPI commands, 71–161 quick reference, 167–170 [SENSe:] subsystem, 116–152 STATus subsystem, 153–154 SYSTem subsystem, 155 TRIGger subsystem, 156–161 Commands *CLS, 155, 163 *ESE, 163 *ESE?, 163 *ESR?, 164 *IDN?, 164 *OPC, 164 *OPC?, 165 *RST, 165 *SRE, 60, 165 *SRE?, 165 *STB?, 166 *TRG
C (continued) Current (continued) ac (continued) range/resolution, 87, 102 resolution, 121 specifications, 174–176 true RMS measurements, 32–35 dc aperture time, 122 integration time, 122–123 measurement errors, 32 range, 124–125 range/resolution, 88, 103 resolution, 126 resolution vs.
E Enabling automatic input impedance, 100 autorange 2-wire ohms function, 92, 107 4-wire ohms function, 105, 134 ac current function, 87, 102, 120 ac voltage measurements, 145 ac-coupled RMS voltage, 93, 108 dc current function, 88, 103, 125 dc ratio measurements, 95, 110 dc voltage function, 94, 109 dc voltage measurements, 150 frequency measurements, 130 period measurements, 138 resistance measurements, 142 autozero, 83, 152, 197 math function, 78 Errors ac current measurement, 36 ac turnover, 35 burden v
F (continued) Functional Connections (continued) current measurement, 22 frequency measurement, 19 measurement, 19–22 period measurement, 19 voltage measurement, 20 voltage ratio (Vdc) measurement, 20 G Gate Time, 128 General Information, 15 General Specifications, 179 Ground Loops Noise, 28 Group Execute Trigger, 46, 48, 160 Initial Operation, 22 INITiate Subsystem, 99 INITiate[:IMMediate], 99 Input bias current, 26 dc input resistance, 37 impedance, 100 terminals, 18 INPut Subsystem, 100 INPut:IMPedance
M Magnetic Loops Noise, 28 Making Multimeter Measurements, 53–56 externally triggered measurements, 54 maximizing accuracy, 56 maximizing speed, 55 measurement format, 54 single measurements, 54 using FETCh? command, 53 using INITiate commands, 53 using MEASure commands, 53 using READ? command, 53 Math Operations, 41–44 AVERage function, 41, 74, 76 dB measurements, 42–43, 75–76 dBm measurements, 43, 75–76 LIMit function, 44, 76–77 NULL (relative) function, 41–42, 76, 78 query function, 76 Maximum accuracy,
M (continued) Memory query readings stored, 97 retrieving measurements stored, 98 Message Available Bit (MAV), 60, 62 monitoring, 62 Minimum Average Operation Value, 74 Modules description, 15 logical address switch, 16 Multimeter, 60–63 application examples, 52 error messages, 185–191 error queue, 155 functional connections, 19–22 general information, 15 measurements externally triggered measurements, 54 making, 53–56 maximizing accuracy, 56 maximizing speed, 55 measurement format, 54 single measurements,
P (continued) Power Line cycles, 27, 38, 123, 132, 140, 148 noise, rejecting voltages, 27 Programming the Multimeter, 15, 22–23 Q Querying ac filter selection, 128 aperture time, 122, 128, 131, 136, 139, 147 automatic input impedance, 100 autorange 4-wire ohms function, 134 4-wire resistance measurements, 134 ac current measurements, 120 ac voltage measurements, 145 dc current measurements, 125 dc voltage measurements, 150 frequency measurements, 130 period measurements, 138 resistance measurements, 142 au
R (continued) READ? Command, 113, 198 Readings average, 74 error, 180 queue, 155 per trigger, 51, 114–115 stored in memory, 97–98, 198 transfer to output buffer, 98, 113 Reciprocal Counting Technique, 36 Registers questionable data register, 60 bits (QUE), 63 standard event register, 60 status byte register, 60 Rejecting Power Line Noise Voltages, 27 Removing Field Wiring Resistance Errors, 30 Resistance dc input, 37 measurements, 29–31 2-wire ohms, 30, 139, 141, 143 4-wire ohms, 29, 90, 131, 133–135 high r
S (continued) [SENSe:] Subsystem, 116–152 [SENS:]FUNCtion, 118 [SENS:]FUNCtion?, 118 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RANGe, 119 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO, 120 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO?, 120 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RANGe?, 119 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RESolution, 121 [SENS:]CURRent:AC:RESolution?, 121 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:APERture, 122 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:APERture?, 122 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:NPLCycles, 123 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:NPLCycles?, 123 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:RANGe, 124 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:RANGe:AUTO, 125 [SENS:]CURRent[:DC]:RAN
S (continued) Setting (continued) resolution, 15, 38, 198 2-wire ohms, 92, 107, 143 4-wire ohms, 90, 105, 135 ac current, 87, 102, 121 ac voltage, 93, 108, 146 dc current, 88, 103, 126 dc voltage, 94, 109, 151 dc voltage ratio, 95, 110 frequency, 89, 104 period function, 91, 106 sample count, 51, 114 trigger count, 49, 156 delays, 49–50, 157–159 upper/lower limits, 44, 77 Settling Time ac signal filters, 37, 127–128 automatic insertion, 31 dc blocking circuitry, 36 delays, 31 effects, 31 SICL, 15 Signal Fil
T (continued) Trigger Source (continued) IMMediate, 46–47, 160 querying, 47, 161 selecting, 46–48, 160 TTL VXIbus triggers (TTLTrg0-TTLTrg7), 46, 160 TRIGger Subsystem, 156–161 TRIGger:COUNt, 48–49, 156 TRIGger:COUNt?, 49, 157 TRIGger:DELay, 49–50, 157 TRIGger:DELay:AUTO, 158 TRIGger:DELay:AUTO?, 159 TRIGger:DELay?, 51, 158 TRIGger:SOURce, 46–48, 160 TRIGger:SOURce?, 47, 161 Trigger System diagram, 45 idle state, 45 readings per trigger, 51, 114–115 trig input requirement, 47 VM Complete output signal, 47
Notes: 212 Index