Agilent Technologies U1273A 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 (for U1273A) or lithium
batteries (for U1273AX)
✔Printed copies of the Certificate of Calibration (CoC) and
the U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide (this manual)
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
U1273A/U1273AX handheld digital multimeter.
All related documents and software are available for download
at www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
Quick Start Guide
Agilent U1273A/U1273AX
Handheld Digital Multimeter

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Install the Batteries
2 U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide
Install the Batteries
Your multimeter is powered by four 1.5 V AAA batteries
(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 from the
OFF position to any other position.
Auto Dim
By default, the multimeter’s Auto Dim function is enabled. The
multimeter’s backlight will dim automatically after 90 seconds
of inactivity. Press any button to cancel this effect and reset
the Auto Dim timer.
You may change how the multimeter’s backlight behavior
through the Setup menu. Refer to the User’s Guide for further
instructions.
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).

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
The Multimeter at a Glance
U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide 3
The Multimeter at a Glance
Display screen
Keypad
Rotary switch
Input terminals
Test lead/probe holders
IR communication port
Battery cover
Tilt stand
(Lift tilt stand for access)

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Rotary Switch
4 U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide
Understanding the Rotary Switch
NOTE
Press to switch between the primary and shifted func-
tions shown on the rotary switch.
Shift
View
Esc
Legend Description
ZLOW (low input impedance) AC/DC V for eliminating
ghost voltages
Off
AC V
AC V with Low Pass Filter
AC mV
AC mV with Low Pass Filter
DC V
AC V or AC+DC V
DC mV
AC mV or AC+DC mV
Resistance
Continuity or Smart Ω(offset compensation)
Diode
Auto-diode
Capacitance
Temperature
DC mA (or A)
AC mA (or A) or AC+DC mA (or A)
DC μA
AC μAor AC+DC μA
Z LOW
Smart
Auto

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Keypad
U1273A/U1273AX 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 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.
Increases the OLED
brightness incremen-
tally when LOW,
MEDIUM, or HIGH set-
ting is selected.
Enters and exits the mul-
timeter’s Setup menu.
Switches between fre-
quency, pulse width, and
duty cycle measure-
ments.
Starts and stops the
Data Logging.
Sets a manual range and
disables autoranging. Enables auto-ranging.
Switches between the
primary and shifted
functions.
Enters and exits the Log
Review menu.
Scale
Null
Peak
MaxMin
Auto
TrigHold
Exit
Dual
Setup
Hz%ms
Log
Auto
Range
Shift
View
Esc

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Understanding the Input Terminals
6 U1273A/U1273AX 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
fast-acting fuse
440 mA/1000 V
fast-acting fuse
Z LOW
Smart
Auto
or

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1273A/U1273AX 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.
DC
1
2
3
4

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
8 U1273A/U1273AX 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:
•Use the ZLOW (low input impedance) function to remove
ghost or induced voltages from your measurement.
•ZLOW can remove ghost voltages from your measurements
by dissipating the coupling voltage. Use ZLOW to reduce the
possibility of false readings in areas where the presence of
ghost voltages are suspected.
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.
Shift
View
Esc
Z LOW

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide 9
Resistance measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form resistance measurements.
Smart Ωmeasurements:
•Use the Smart Ω(offset compensation) function to measure
resistors affected by dc offset or leakage current.
•Smart Ωremoves unexpected dc voltages within the instru-
ment, at the input, or at the circuit being measured, which
will add error to resistance measurements. Press to
switch between the bias voltage (BiAS) display or leakage
current (LEAk) display, calculated based on the bias voltage
and corrected resistance value, on the secondary display.
While performing resistance mea-
surements, press until BiAS is
shown on the secondary display to
enable the Smart Ωfunction.
Smart
1
2
3
4
Shift
View
Esc
Exit
Dual

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
10 U1273A/U1273AX 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).
The beeper will sound as a continuity indication. Press to
switch between normal open ( ) and normal close ( )
contacts.
• Normal open: Circuit is normally open, the beeper will
sound when a short is detected.
• Normal close: Circuit is normally closed, the beeper will
sound when an open is detected.
Shift
View
Esc
Exit
Dual
Smart
ON
(closed)
OFF
(open)
1
2
4
5
3
Shift
View
Esc
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.

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide 11
Diode tests
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form diode tests.
Auto-diode tests:
•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.
•GOODis shown briefly on the secondary display along with
a brief beep if the diode is found to be in good condition. If
the diode is out of the thresholds, NGOOD is shown instead.
Press to use the auto diode
function.
A
uto
1
2
3
4
Shift
View
Esc

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
12 U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide
Capacitance measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form capacitance measurements.
1
2
3
4
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.

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide 13
Temperature measurements
Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to per-
form temperature measurements. Press to switch to the
temperature measurement function.
Shift
View
Esc
WARNING
Do not connect the thermocouple to electrically live
circuits. Doing so will potentially cause fire or electric
shock.
1
2
4
5
3
Shift
View
Esc
K-type thermocouple
Heat source
NOTE
The multimeter uses a type-K (default setting) temperature
probe for measuring temperature.

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Performing Measurements and Tests
14 U1273A/U1273AX 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
1
2
3
4
NOTE
For better accuracy when measuring low currents (up to μA),
turn the rotary switch to the position.

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Check the Fuse
U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide 15
Check the Fuse
Follow the instructions below for a quick check on the fuses
(Fuse 1 and Fuse 2) of your multimeter.
Fuse Part
number Fuse rating Displayed readings
Fuse healthy Replace fuse
1 2110-1400 440 mA/1000 V ≈102 ΩOL
2 2110-1402 11 A/1000 V ≈0.05 ΩOL
Smart
Smart
To check Fuse 1 To check Fuse 2

U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter
Check the Fuse
16 U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide
NOTE
•To check F use 1 : Ensure that the probe tip is touching the
top half metal contact inside the µA mA terminal.
•To check F use 2 : Ensure that the probe tip is touching the
left half metal contact inside the Aterminal.
The multimeter will sound an input warning alert if the probe
tip is in contact with any other sides of the µA mA or Atermi-
nal other than the sides specified in the instructions above.

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 and EMC 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 for CAT III 1000 V/CAT IV 600 V
pollution degree 2 environment. EMC is
designed in compliance with IEC
61326-1:2005/EN 61326-1:2006. 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 1000 V
overvoltage protection
Category IV 600 V
overvoltage protection
CAT III
1000 V
CAT IV
600 V
For further safety information details, refer to the
Agilent U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide.

First Edition, August 5, 2012
© Agilent Technologies, Inc., 2012
Agilent Technologies
Printed in Malaysia
U1273-90004