Agilent Technologies 34450A Instructions d'installation et d'utilisation

Tips and Tricks for

Using the 34450A 5½ Digit

Bench Top Digital Multimeter

Application Note

The Agilent 34450A 5½ digit multi-purpose digital multimeter

(DMM) offers a variety of advanced features and capabilities.

This application note provides five key insights and tips on the

functionality, performance, and the use of this DMM, which are

aimed at helping you work faster and more efficiently.

Figure 1. Dual display measurements on 34450A.

Table 1. Measurements available in dual display mode.

When using a DMM with a single

ADC, there are a few ways to

minimize dead time between dual

measurements and increase the

refresh rate of both readings. One

means is to manually set the correct

range for primary and secondary

measurements. Leaving the 34450A

in auto-range mode can prolong dead

time because the DMM will search

for the correct range before making

each measurement.

Another way to optimize

measurement speed while in dual

display measurement mode is to

set both the primary and secondary

measurement to the same resolution.

Unless different resolution is required

between the two measurements,

having one measurement in slow

mode and another measurement

in fast mode decreases the overall

throughput.

Primary Display

Secondary Display

DCV ACV DCI ACI Frequency

DCV

√√√

ACV

√√√√

DCI

√√

ACI

√√ √

Frequency

√√

Tip 1: Dual Display

Measurement

In electronic industries, voltage

and current measurements are

fundamental measurements made

regardless of whether the signal

source is AC or DC. Typically, there is

a desire to monitor both voltage and

current values on a circuit without

repeatedly breaking connection in

the circuit, and switching the DMM

probes between making voltage and

current measurements. You may also

need to measure the AC component

or noise level that sits on top of a DC

signal. In another instance, it may

be necessary for you to measure

the frequency of an AC signal while

reading its voltage or current.

All the measurement examples above

are performed with ease using the

dual display measurement function of

the 34450A. The function allows the

DMM to make two measurements

and display both results on the

34450A’s OLED display that provides

visibility over a large viewing angle

(See Figure 1). Table 1 shows the

measurement combinations available

when the 34450A is operating in dual-

display measurement mode.

The 34450A has a high speed analog-

to-digital converter (ADC) that takes

samples from the input terminals.

When using the 34450A‘s dual display

measurement feature, the internal

circuitry switches between making

primary and secondary measurements

so that the ADC takes samples for

both measurements. This eliminates

the need for a dual ADC, and thus

reduces the price of the DMM.

Tip 2: Triggering

The 34450A has a triggering function

that allows you to initiate a measure-

ment at desired conditions. The

triggering feature is used through the

front panel during manual operation,

while for automated operation the

DMM is controlled through the USB,

GPIB, or serial connector. Setting the

34450A to be triggered must be done

in the proper sequence to ensure

the DMM starts measuring once

the triggering signal is received. The

DMM’s measurement function, range,

resolution, and speed are among the

first few settings that need to be

set. Leaving the DMM in auto-range

reduces the overall speed of each

measurement because an additional

algorithm is used to search, compare,

and set the right measurement range.

Manually setting the measurement

range is always a good practice when

the measurement values are known.

When the DMM is to be used in auto-

mated or remote mode, it can be set

to receive a triggering signal either

through the software or hardware.

Software triggering (also known as

bus triggering) is achieved by sending

standard commands for programma-

ble instruments (SCPI) commands to

the DMM over a USB, GPIB, or serial

connection. This triggering method

is preferred in software-controlled

environments where the test program

determines the measurement timing

by sending a *TRG command to the

DMM. If your application requires

data analysis or the comparison of

values before making a decision

to continue a measurement on the

DMM, using a software trigger is the

best approach.

Using hardware triggering is recom-

mended when using the DMM to

make one or a specified number of

measurements upon receiving a pulse

at the TRIG IN pin on the serial con-

nector. Hardware triggering through

the serial connector is best suited for

manufacturing environments where

instruments or mechanical parts, such

as handler and PLC, provide a pulse to

the DMM to trigger a measurement.

Using the TRIG IN pin of the 34450A

is a good choice if a triggering pulse

is available in the test environment

and throughput is one of the major

concerns. Figure 2 refers to the

serial connector at the rear panel of

the 34450A. The triggering signal is

applied to the TRIG IN and Ground

pin of the serial connector as denoted

by a positive and negative sign

respectively.

Figure 3. Types of triggering methods on 34450A.

In manual operation or local mode,

the triggering is meant to initiate a

single measurement or start the data

logging using the timing you define.

This triggering method is initiated by

pressing [Trig]. To manually trigger a

single measurement, set the DMM’s

triggering source to Manual/External

in the Utility menu. The triggering

method for data logging is explained

in the Tip 3 section of this application

note. Figure 3 outlines the triggering

operations on 34450A with criteria for

your selection reference.

Triggering Operation

Manual

Software

Automated

Hardware

• Measure upon receive

*TRG command.

• Best for software-

controlled environment.

• Use with data logging

or initiate a single

measurement.

• Control via front

panel.

• Required pulses to

be triggered.

• Utilize TRIG IN pin

at the serial port.

• Higher throughput.

Tx Rx Trig In Trig Out

Figure 2. TRIG IN pin on the serial connector of the 34450A.

Tip 3: Data Logging

Another 34450A feature allows you

to store measurement results into its

50k non-volatile memory through the

data logging function. You can per-

form data logging when using either

single or dual display measurements.

. The data stored in memory is acces-

sible from your computer through the

USB, GPIB or serial connector on the

rear panel of the 34450A.

Data logging on 34450A is initiated in

two ways: manually pressing [TRIG]

on the front panel, or by supplying a

triggering pulse to the TRIG IN pin at

the rear panel of the DMM. Manually

pressing [TRIG] allows you to have

full control over when to start acquir-

ing readings, while using a triggering

pulse immediately starts data acquisi-

tion. For timing sensitive applications

and repetitive test routines, using a

triggering pulse improves the overall

throughput.

Data logging speed is subject to a

couple of factors. The resolution of

the measurement determines the

minimum sample interval during

data logging. To illustrate, logging

100 DCV readings in fast mode for a

user-defined range is completed in

approximately 7 seconds. However,

the same DCV readings take approxi-

mately 82 seconds to complete if

the 34450A is running in slow mode,

and approximately 268 seconds if the

34450A is running in auto-ranging

slow mode. Table 2 lists the minimum

sample interval over the common

measurement functions at three

different resolutions in manual and

auto ranging.

Table 2. Minimum sample interval (in second) for data logging.

Resolution

DCV DCI ACV ACI 2-wire Ohm 4-wire Ohm

manual

range

auto

range

manual

range

auto

range

manual

range

auto

range

manual

range

auto

range

manual

range

auto

range

manual

range

auto

range

Fast Mode 0.0690 0.7475 0,0690 0.6670 0.0690 1.4950 0,0575 1.3800 0.0810 0.9200 0.3335 2.9325

Medium Mode 0.0805 1.1155 0.0977 0.9200 0.1610 2.2310 0.1150 1.7940 0.1840 1.5065 0.4715 3.4730

Slow Mode 0.8165 2.6795 0.9430 2.0700 0.8165 10.4530 0.7015 6.9920 1.0465 3.6110 1.5065 4.3700

Figure 4. Selecting or recalling the store location can be done easily on the front panel of the 34450A.

Tip 4: Storing and

Recalling Settings

On top of the 50k non-volatile memory

for data logging function, the 34450A

has six non-volatile memory locations

for storing the DMM’s settings such

as measurement configuration, math

operation, and system operations.

The 34450A stores the last DMM

configuration at location LAST before

it shuts down, while Locations 1

thru 5 are available for storing your

preferred configurations.

The store and recall function is

particularly useful for operations

where multiple test profiles must be

performed by a single 34450A. You

can store the DMM’s configuration at

any time and recall it as needed. The

store and recall function is accessible

during both manual and remote

operation. Using this function helps

eliminate the need to repetitively

program the DMM with the same

configuration, allowing you to quickly

perform your measurements without

having to do extensive programming

or manually set the DMM for the

same measurement previously

performed.

For example, if your measurement

requires multiple test points and

each has different needs in terms of

measurement functions, range, and

resolution, you can dedicate a specific

memory location to the test points.

Whenever you need to measure the

test point, you simply recall that

specific memory location. The store

and recall feature is supported in both

local and remote modes.

Tip 5: Limit Test

Limit test is an extra value-added

feature of the 34450A. When the

limit operation is enabled, the

DMM instantly notifies you if a

measurement result falls outside the

high or low limits you establish prior

to making a series of measurements.

Upon setting the 34450A to limit

operation, the DMM’s display is

divided into four segments as shown

in Figure 5. The two segments on

the left are for setting the high and

low limits. The upper right segment

displays the last measurement and

the lower right segment displays the

limit results; whether it is pass, fail

low, or fail high.

Figure 5. The display of 34450A in limit operation.

Limit operation is extremely useful

for manual operations. There are

many simple and low cost production

tests require only one DMM to

perform a specific test. For example,

measuring the voltage across an LED

to determine whether it is within

its tolerance can be done easily

using the limit test function of the

34450A. The 34450A displays “PASS”,

“FAIL-LO” or “FAIL-HI” based on the

limits set. Apart from displaying the

measurement value with a pass or fail

identification, the 34450A beeps to

alert the operator when a measured

value falls outside the set limits. You

can put the 34450A into the limit

operation by pressing [Shift] > [Math].

Conclusion

The 34450A 5½ digit multimeter

offers superior ease of use on the

bench and for remote operations.

Whether your application requires

general purpose measurements, or

fast throughput and programming

speed, using the tips provided will

help you optimize the capabilities

of your 34450A DMM.

Related Literature

Please refer to the publication below for further information.

Publication title Publication number

Agilent 34450A 5½ Digit Dual Display,

Benchtop DMM, Data Sheet

5991-1133EN

Agilent 34450A 5½ Digit Multimeter User’s Guide 34450A-90000

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Revised: October 11, 2012

Product specifications and descriptions

in this document subject to change

without notice.

Published in USA, January 18, 2013

5991-1518EN

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