Agilent Technologies U1272A 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
✔One pair of 4 mm test probes
✔One K-type thermocouple lead kit
✔Four 1.5 V AAA alkaline batteries
✔Printed copy of the U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
✔Printed copy of the Certificate of Calibration
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
U1271A and U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeters.
The model U1272A appears in all illustrations.
All related documents and software are available for download
at www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
Quick Start Guide
Agilent U1271A/U1272A
Handheld Digital Multimeter

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Differences between the U1271A and U1272A
2 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Differences between the U1271A and U1272A
The U1272A model offers these additional functions:
•ZLOW (low input impedance) measurements
•Smart Ωmeasurements
•Auto-diode tests
•AC+DC voltage and current measurements
•J-type thermocouple temperature measurements
•30 Ωand 300 MΩranges for resistance measurements
•dBm and dBV measurements with selectable impedance
•Data logging up to 10,000 memories
The U1271A model has one differing function:
•Qik-V tests
Install the Batteries
Your multimeter is powered by four 1.5 V AAA alkaline batter-
ies (included with the shipment).
1Turn the rotary switch to OFF and remove
the test leads from the terminals.
2Lift the tilt stand and loosen the screws
with a suitable Phillips screwdriver.
3Remove the battery cover and observe the
polarity markings.
4Insert the batteries and replace the battery cover and screws.
Turn On the Multimeter
To power ON your multimeter, turn the rotary switch to any
other position.
NOTE
Your multimeter is capable of remote data logging. To use this
feature, you will need an IR-USB cable (U1173A, purchased
separately) and the Agilent GUI Data Logger Software (down-
loadable from www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib).

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
The Multimeter at a Glance
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 3
The Multimeter at a Glance
Display screen
Keypad
Rotary switch
Input terminals
Test lead/probe holders
IR communication port
Battery access cover
Tilt stand

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Rotary Switch
4 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Understanding the Rotary Switch
U1271A U1272A
NOTE
Press to switch between the shifted and regular func-
tions.
Shift
View
Esc
Legend Description
AC V with Low Pass Filter
AC mV with Low Pass Filter
DC, (AC, or AC+DC V, U1272A only)
DC, (AC, or AC+DC mV, U1272A only)
Resistance/Continuity/(Smart Ω, U1272A only)
Diode/(Auto-diode, U1272A only)
Capacitance/Temperature
AC, DC, or (AC+DC mA and A, U1272A only)
AC, DC, or (AC+DC μA, U1272A only)
AC/DC V check for signal identification (U1271A only)
ZLOW (low input impedance) AC/DC V for checking
ghost voltages (U1272A only)
Smart
Auto
Qik-V
Z LOW

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Keypad
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 5
Understanding the Keypad
Legend Key response when pressed for:
Less than 1 second More than 1 second
Sets the Null/Relative
mode.
Sets the Scale mode for
the specified ratio and
unit display.
Starts and stops the
MaxMin recording.
Starts and stops the
Peak recording.
Freezes the present
reading in the display.
Automatically freezes
the present reading once
the reading is stable.
Switches between avail-
able dual-combination
displays.
Exits the Hold, Null,
MaxMin, Peak, fre-
quency test, and dual
display modes.
Turns the backlight
on/off.
Enters/Exits the multim-
eter’s setup menu.
Switches between fre-
quency, pulse width, and
duty cycle measure-
ments.
Starts and stops the
Data Logging.
Sets a manual range. Enables autoranging.
Switches between the
regular and shifted
(icons printed in orange)
functions.
Enters the Log Review
menu.
Scale
Null
Peak
MaxMin
Auto
TrigHold
Exit
Dual
Setup
Hz%ms
Log
Auto
Range
Shift
View
Esc

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Input Terminals
6 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Understanding the Input Terminals
WARNING
Ensure that the terminal connections are correct for that
particular measurement function before starting any
measurement. To avoid damage to the device, do not
exceed the input limit.
Rotary position Input terminals Overload protection
1000 Vrms
1000 Vrms for short
circuit <0.3 A
11 A/1000 V, 30 kA
fast-acting fuse
440 mA/1000 V, 30 kA
fast-acting fuse
Qik-V
Z LOW
Smart
Auto

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 7
Performing Measurements and Tests
Voltage measurements
The figure below highlights the primary functions allowing
voltage measurements in your multimeter.
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form voltage measurements.
U1271A U1272A
DC

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
8 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
LPF measurements:
•Passing the measured signal through a LPF help blocks
unwanted voltages such as electronic noise.
•Use the LPF function to improve measurement on compos-
ite sine waves that are typically generated by inverters and
variable frequency motor drives.
ZLOW measurements (U1272A only):
•Use the ZLOW (low input impedance) function to detect
ghost or induced voltages.
•Ghost voltages can be caused by capacitive coupling
between energized wiring and adjacent unused wiring.
Qik-V test (U1271A only):
•Use the Qik-V function to quickly identify the measured sig-
nal type.
•Use this function as a reference to determine if the mea-
sured signal is an AC or DC signal, then select the appropri-
ate voltage measurement function by turning the rotary
switch to an appropriate position (AC or DC).
Press while performing ac
voltage measurements to pass the
measured signal through a low pass
filter.
Rotate the rotary switch’s position to
to enable low impedance mea-
surements.
Rotate the rotary switch’s position to
to enable the Qik-V function.
Shift
View
Esc
Z LOW
Qik-V

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 9
Resistance measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form resistance measurements.
Smart Ωmeasurements (U1272A only):
•Use the Smart Ωfunction to measure resistors affected by
dc offset or leakage current.
•If dc offset or bias voltages are detected on the resis-
tor-under-measure, the offset or bias dc voltage value will
be shown on the secondary display. If the dc voltage on the
resistor is over +1.25 V, is shown on the secondary dis-
play.
While performing resistance mea-
surements, press until
is shown on the display to enable the
Smart Ωfunction.
Smart
Shift
View
Esc

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
10 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Continuity tests
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form continuity tests. Press to switch to the continuity
test function ( is shown on the display).
You can set the beeper to sound and the backlight to flash as a
continuity indication whether the circuit-under-test is less
than (short) or more than or equal to (open) the threshold
resistance.
Press to switch between short ( ) and open ( )
states for checking NO (normal open) and NC (normal close)
contacts.
Shift
View
Esc
Exit
Dual
Smart
ON
(closed)
OFF
(open)
NOTE
The continuity function detects intermittent shorts and opens
lasting as short as 1 ms. A brief short or open causes the multi-
meter to emit a short beep and flash.

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 11
Diode tests
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form diode tests.
Auto-diode tests (U1272A only):
•The Auto-diode function tests both the forward bias and
reverse bias directions of your diode simultaneously. The
forward bias voltage is shown on the primary display and
the reverse bias voltage is shown on the secondary display.
•will be indicated briefly on the secondary display along
with a brief beep if the diode is found to be in good condi-
tion. is shown if the diode is out of the thresholds.
Press until is shown on
the display to use the auto diode
function.
Auto
Shift
View
Esc

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
12 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Capacitance measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form capacitance measurements.
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.

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide 13
Temperature measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form temperature measurements.
WARNING
Do not connect the thermocouple to electrically live
circuits. Doing so will potentially cause fire or electric
shock.
NOTE
The multimeter uses a type-K (default setting) temperature
probe for measuring temperature.

U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
14 U1271A/U1272A Quick Start Guide
Current measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form current measurements. Press to switch between
ac, dc, ac+dc, or % scale current measurements.
Shift
View
Esc
WARNING
Always use the proper function, range, and terminals for
current measurements. Set the positive input terminal to
the terminal for currents below 440 mA, and the
terminal for currents above 440 mA.
AC
LOAD

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/IEC 61010-1:2001, ANSI/UL
61010-1:2004, and CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.
61010-1-04. Use with standard or compati-
ble 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
Caution, risk of electric
shock
Caution, risk of danger (refer
to the instrument manual for
specific Warning or Caution
information)
Category III 1000 V overvolt-
age protection
Category IV 600 V overvolt-
age protection
CAT III
1000 V
CAT IV
600 V
For further safety information details, refer to the
Agilent U1271A/U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide.

Third Edition, June 11, 2012
© Agilent Technologies, Inc., 2010–2012
Agilent Technologies
Printed in Malaysia
U1271-90000