Agilent Technologies U1231A User manual

Agilent Technologies
Verify that you received the following items in the shipment of
your multimeter:
✔One pair of red and black test leads
✔Four 1.5 V AAA alkaline battery
✔Printed copy of the U1231A/U1232A/U1233A
Quick Start Guide
If any item is missing or damaged, keep the shipping materials
and contact the nearest Agilent Sales Office.
NOTE
The descriptions and instructions in this guide apply to the
U1231A, U1232A, and U1233A handheld multimeters.
The model U1233A appears in all illustrations.
All related documents and software are available for download
at www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
Quick Start Guide
Agilent
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A
Handheld Multimeter

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Install the Batteries
2 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Install the Batteries
Your multimeter is powered by four 1.5 V AAA alkaline batter-
ies (included with the shipment).
1Turn the multimeter OFF and remove the test
leads from the terminals.
2Loosen the screw on the battery cover with a
suitable Phillips screwdriver.
3Remove the battery cover and observe the
polarity markings.
4Insert the batteries and replace the battery
cover and screw.
Turn On the Multimeter
To power ON your multimeter,
turn the rotary switch to any
other position.
Controlling the Multimeter Remotely
Your multimeter is capable of
remote data logging.
To use this feature, you will
need a PC running a Windows
operating system, an IR-USB
cable (U1173A, purchased sepa-
rately), and the Agilent GUI Data
Logger Software.
The Agilent GUI Data Logger software is downloadable for free
from www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
To PC (host)

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
The Multimeter at a Glance
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 3
The Multimeter at a Glance
Vsense indicator
Keypad
Rotary switch
LED flashlight
Battery cover
Tilt stand
Display screen
Input terminals
Test lead/probe holders
IR communication port
(U1233A only)

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Understanding the Rotary Switch
4 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Understanding the Rotary Switch
NOTE
Some rotary switch positions have a shifted function printed in
orange. Press to switch between the shifted and regular
function.
Legend Functions shown in the primary display
Low input impedance — VZLOW Auto (AC or DC)/
VZLOW DC V/VZLOW AC V for eliminating ghost voltages
AC V/Frequency
DC V
Resistance/Short continuity/Open continuity[1]
Diode
Capacitance/Temperature (U1233A only)
Capacitance/Auxiliary Temperature (U1232A only)
Capacitance (U1231A only)
DC or AC A/Frequency
DC or AC μA/Frequency
Clamp-on AC or DC A/Frequency (U1231A only)
Auxiliary Temperature (U1231A only)
[1] Open continuity option must be enabled through the multimeter’s Setup
( > ). Open continuity is disabled by default.
WARNING
Remove the test leads from the measuring source or
target before changing the rotary switch position.
Refer to the U1231A/U1232A/U1233A User’s Guide for a
complete list and description of all rotary switch labels for
each separate multimeter model.
Shift
Esc
Hz
AUX
Hz
Hz
AUX
Hz
AUX

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Understanding the Keypad
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 5
Understanding the Keypad
Understanding the Input Terminals
Legend Key response when pressed for:
Less than 1 second More than 1 second
Sets the null/relative mode Enters the Hold-Log Recall
menu
Starts the MaxMin recording Stops the MaxMin recording
Sets a manual range Enables autoranging
Freezes and stores the present
reading in the
display
Automatically freezes the pres-
ent reading
once the reading is stable
Turns the LCD backlight on or
off.
Turns the LED flashlight on or
off.
Switches between the regular
and shifted (icons printed in
orange) functions
U1233A only: Enables the
non-contact voltage detector
(Vsense).
Null
Recall
Max
Min
Auto
Range
Auto
TriHold
g
Log
Shift
Esc
Rotary position for
U1232A and U1233A Input terminals Overload protection
600 Vrms
600 Vrms for
short circuit <0.3 A
11 A/1000 V,
fast-acting fuse
Hz
AUX
Hz
Hz

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Understanding the Input Terminals
6 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Non-contact voltage detector (Vsense)
WARNING
Voltage could still be present even if there is no alert
indication. Do not rely on the Vsense detector with
shielded wire. Never touch live voltage or conductor
without the necessary insulation protection.
The Vsense detector may be affected by differences in
socket design, insulation thickness, and insulation type.
2
AC
Voltage source
Shift
Esc
1
> 1 s
3
NOTE
Press to change the Vsense detector’s sensitivity from
Hi.SE (high sensitivity) to Lo.SE (low sensitivity).
Auto
Range

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 7
Performing Measurements
AC voltage measurements
DC voltage measurement
AC
4
1
3
Voltage source
2
Hz
2
DC
3
Voltage source

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
8 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Resistance measurement
Continuity test
4
1
3
Resistor
2
Shift
Esc
2
ON
(closed)
OFF
(open)
3
Press again to switch
between testing for shorted ( ) or
open ( ) contacts.
Shift
Esc

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 9
Forward bias diode test
Reverse bias diode test
4
1
3
Forward bias diode
2
3
Reverse bias diode
4

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
10 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Capacitance measurement
CAUTIONCAUTION
To avoid possible damage to the multimeter or to the equip-
ment under test, disconnect circuit power and discharge all
high-voltage capacitors before measuring capacitance. Use
the DC V function to confirm that the capacitor is fully dis-
charged.
4
1
3
Capacitance
2
NOTE
is shown on the bottom left of the display when the capaci-
tor is charging, and is shown when the capacitor is dis-
charging.

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 11
Temperature measurement
WARNING
Do not connect the thermocouple to electrically live
circuits. Doing so will potentially cause fire or electric
shock.
4
1
3
Heat source
2
Shift
Esc
K-type thermocouple probe
NOTE
The multimeter uses a type-K thermocouple probe (U1186A,
purchased separately) for measuring temperature.

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
12 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
Current measurement (up to A)
WARNING
Always use the proper function. range, and terminals for
current measurements. Set the positive input terminal to
the A terminal for currents above 600 μA.
4
1
Voltage source
Hz
DC
LOAD
2
3
AC
Voltage source
LOAD

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide 13
Current measurement (up to μA)
WARNING
Always use the proper function. range, and terminals for
current measurements. Set the positive input terminal to
the μA terminal for currents below 600 μA.
DC
Hz
2
4
1
AC
Voltage source
LOAD
3
Voltage source
LOAD

U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter
Performing Measurements
14 U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Quick Start Guide
VZLOW measurement
4
1
3
Adjacent unused wiring
2
Energized wiring
NOTE
Ghost voltages can be caused by capacitive coupling between
energized wiring and adjacent unused wiring. Use the VZLOW
function to eliminate ghost or induced voltages in your mea-
surements.

Contacting Agilent
To obtain service, warranty or technical assistance, contact us at the fol-
lowing phone numbers:
•United States Call Center: 800-829-4444
•Canada Call Center: 877-894-4414
•China Call Center: 800-810-0189
•Europe Call Center: 31-20-547-2111
•Japan Call Center: (81) 426-56-7832
For other countries, contact your country’s Agilent support organization.
A list of contact information for other countries is available on the Agilent
Web site: www.agilent.com/find/assist
Safety Notices Safety Information
This meter is safety-certified in compliance
with EN 61010-1 (IEC 61010-1:2001) for
CAT-III 600 V, Pollution Degree II Environ-
ment. EMC designed in compliance with
EN61326-1. Use with standard or compatible
test probes.
Safety Symbols
CAUTIONCAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes
a hazard. It calls attention
to an operating procedure,
practice, or the like that, if
not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in
damage to the product or
loss of important data. Do
not proceed beyond a CAU-
TION notice until the indi-
cated conditions are fully
understood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice
denotes a hazard. It calls
attention to an operating
procedure, practice, or the
like that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to,
could result in personal
injury or death. Do not pro-
ceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated
conditions are fully under-
stood and met.
Earth (ground) terminal
Equipment protected
throughout by double insula-
tion or reinforced insulation
Caution, risk of electric
shock
Caution, risk of danger (refer
to the instrument manual for
specific Warning or Caution
information)
Category III 600 V overvolt-
age protection
CAT III
600 V
For further safety information details, refer to the
Agilent U1231A/U1232A/U1233A Handheld Multimeter User’s Guide.

First Edition, March 1, 2011
© Agilent Technologies, Inc., 2011
Agilent Technologies
Printed in Malaysia
U1231-90023