Keithley 3700A Series User manual

Reference Manual
3700AS-901-01 Rev. D / July 2018
*P3700AS-901-01D*
3700AS-901-01D
tek.com/keithley
Series 3700A
System Switch/Multimeter

Series 3700A
System Switch/Multimeter
Reference Manual
© 2018, Keithley Instruments, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
All rights reserved.
Any unauthorized reproduction, photocopy, or use of the information herein, in whole or in part,
without the prior written approval of Keithley Instruments, LLC, is strictly prohibited.
These are the original instructions in English.
TSP®, TSP-Link®, and TSP-Net®are trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc. All Keithley
Instruments product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, LLC.
Other brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
The Lua 5.0 software and associated documentation files are copyright © 1994 - 2015, Lua.org,
PUC-Rio. You can access terms of license for the Lua software and associated documentation at
the Lua licensing site (http://www.lua.org/license.html).
Microsoft, Visual C++, Excel, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Document number: 3700AS-901-01D / June 2018

Safety precautions
The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation. Although
some instruments and accessories would normally be used with nonhazardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous
conditions may be present.
This product is intended for use by personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions required
to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information carefully before using the
product. Refer to the user documentation for complete product specifications.
If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product warranty may be impaired.
The types of product users are:
Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the
equipment is operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately trained.
Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the
instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.
Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product to keep it operating properly, for example, setting the line
voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the user documentation. The procedures
explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.
Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, perform safe installations, and repair products. Only properly trained
service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that are measurement, control, and data I/O connections, with low
transient overvoltages, and must not be directly connected to mains voltage or to voltage sources with high transient
overvoltages. Measurement Category II (as referenced in IEC 60664) connections require protection for high transient
overvoltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Certain Keithley measuring instruments may be connected to
mains. These instruments will be marked as category II or higher.
Unless explicitly allowed in the specifications, operating manual, and instrument labels, do not connect any instrument to mains.
Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test
fixtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than
30 V RMS, 42.4 V peak, or 60 VDC are present. A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous voltage is present in any
unknown circuit before measuring.
Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that operators
are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be exposed to potential
human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If
the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 V, no conductive part of the circuit may be exposed.
Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance-limited
sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards, install protective
devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.
Before operating an instrument, ensure that the line cord is connected to a properly-grounded power receptacle. Inspect the
connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.
When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main input
power disconnect device must be provided in close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the operator.
For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under
test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting
cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.
Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth)
ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the
voltage being measured.

For safety, instruments and accessories must be used in accordance with the operating instructions. If the instruments or
accessories are used in a manner not specified in the operating instructions, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories. Maximum signal levels are defined in the
specifications and operating information and shown on the instrument panels, test fixture panels, and switching cards.
When fuses are used in a product, replace with the same type and rating for continued protection against fire hazard.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as protective earth (safety ground)
connections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use
of a lid interlock.
If a screw is present, connect it to protective earth (safety ground) using the wire recommended in the user documentation.
The symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of hazard. The user must refer to the operating instructions located in the
user documentation in all cases where the symbol is marked on the instrument.
The symbol on an instrument means warning, risk of electric shock. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal
contact with these voltages.
The symbol on an instrument shows that the surface may be hot. Avoid personal contact to prevent burns.
The symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment frame.
If this symbol is on a product, it indicates that mercury is present in the display lamp. Please note that the lamp must be
properly disposed of according to federal, state, and local laws.
The WARNING heading in the user documentation explains hazards that might result in personal injury or death. Always read
the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The CAUTION heading in the user documentation explains hazards that could damage the instrument. Such damage may
invalidate the warranty.
The CAUTION heading with the symbol in the user documentation explains hazards that could result in moderate or minor
injury or damage the instrument. Always read the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated
procedure. Damage to the instrument may invalidate the warranty.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mains circuits —including the power
transformer, test leads, and input jacks —must be purchased from Keithley. Standard fuses with applicable national safety
approvals may be used if the rating and type are the same. The detachable mains power cord provided with the instrument may
only be replaced with a similarly rated power cord. Other components that are not safety-related may be purchased from other
suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component (note that selected parts should be purchased only through
Keithley to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product). If you are unsure about the applicability of a replacement
component, call a Keithley office for information.
Unless otherwise noted in product-specific literature, Keithley instruments are designed to operate indoors only, in the following
environment: Altitude at or below 2,000 m (6,562 ft); temperature 0 °C to 50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F); and pollution degree 1 or 2.
To clean an instrument, use a cloth dampened with deionized water or mild, water-based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the
instrument only. Do not apply cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that
consist of a circuit board with no case or chassis (e.g., a data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never
require cleaning if handled according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected, the board
should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/servicing.
Safety precaution revision as of June 2017.

Introduction.................................................................................................................1-1
Welcome.............................................................................................................................. 1-1
Extended warranty............................................................................................................... 1-1
Contact information.............................................................................................................. 1-1
Product documentation, drivers, and software .................................................................... 1-2
Organization of manual sections.......................................................................................... 1-2
Capabilities and features ..................................................................................................... 1-3
Measuring capabilities...............................................................................................................1-4
Displaying the instrument's serial number.................................................................................1-4
Installation...................................................................................................................2-1
Dimensions .......................................................................................................................... 2-1
Weight.................................................................................................................................. 2-3
Rack-mounting instructions.................................................................................................. 2-3
Tools required...........................................................................................................................2-3
Parts list ....................................................................................................................................2-3
Prepare the Series 3700A for rack-mount installation...............................................................2-4
Prepare the rack for Series 3700A installation..........................................................................2-4
Install the Series 3700A ............................................................................................................2-5
Remote communications interfaces..................................................................................... 2-6
Supported remote interfaces.....................................................................................................2-6
USB communications................................................................................................................2-6
GPIB setup..............................................................................................................................2-11
LAN communications..............................................................................................................2-16
Supplied software.................................................................................................................... 2-18
Keithley I/O layer.....................................................................................................................2-21
Addressing instruments with VISA..........................................................................................2-25
Digital I/O ........................................................................................................................... 2-28
Port configuration....................................................................................................................2-29
Digital I/O configuration...........................................................................................................2-30
Controlling digital I/O lines.......................................................................................................2-30
TSP-Link trigger lines..............................................................................................................2-32
Starting up your instrument................................................................................................ 2-33
Procedure................................................................................................................................2-33
Instrument description...............................................................................................3-1
Front panel operation........................................................................................................... 3-1
(1) The USB port.......................................................................................................................3-2
(2) The display ..........................................................................................................................3-2
(3) The navigation wheel...........................................................................................................3-4
(4) The POWER key .................................................................................................................3-4
(5) The status lights...................................................................................................................3-5
(6) The setup and control keys..................................................................................................3-5
Menu overview..........................................................................................................................3-8
Menu trees................................................................................................................................3-8
Table of contents

Table of contents Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
Front-panel key menu options.................................................................................................3-13
Configuration menu options ....................................................................................................3-15
Using the front panel with non-switch channels ......................................................................3-22
Rear panel summary.......................................................................................................... 3-24
Rear panel connection details.................................................................................................3-24
Saved setups ..................................................................................................................... 3-30
Saving user setups..................................................................................................................3-31
Recalling a saved setup..........................................................................................................3-31
Start-up configuration..............................................................................................................3-31
Saving user setups from a remote interface............................................................................3-32
Save the present configuration.......................................................................................... 3-33
Create a configuration script ...................................................................................................3-35
Running the configuration script..............................................................................................3-35
Using the web interface...................................................................................................... 3-36
Connect to the instrument web interface.................................................................................3-36
Web interface home page.......................................................................................................3-36
Identify the instrument.............................................................................................................3-36
Log in to the instrument...........................................................................................................3-37
Card pages..............................................................................................................................3-37
Scan Builder page...................................................................................................................3-42
DMM web page.......................................................................................................................3-47
TSB Embedded.......................................................................................................................3-48
Unit page................................................................................................................................. 3-49
Admin page.............................................................................................................................3-50
LXI page..................................................................................................................................3-50
Basic DMM operation .................................................................................................4-1
DMM measurement capabilities........................................................................................... 4-1
High-energy circuit safety precautions................................................................................. 4-2
Power circuit test procedure......................................................................................................4-2
Performance considerations ................................................................................................ 4-2
Warmup time.............................................................................................................................4-2
Autozero....................................................................................................................................4-3
Line cycle synchronization ........................................................................................................4-4
Auto Delay.................................................................................................................................4-4
Measure count ..........................................................................................................................4-5
Change the display resolution...................................................................................................4-6
System considerations......................................................................................................... 4-6
Relationship between DMM functions and attributes ................................................................4-6
Relationship between front panel settings and remote commands...........................................4-7
Save DMM configurations.........................................................................................................4-7
Open and close relay operation ................................................................................................4-8
Voltage measurements (DC volts and AC volts) ................................................................. 4-9
Settings available for voltage measurements..........................................................................4-10
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-11
Voltage measurement connections.........................................................................................4-11
Voltage measurement procedure from the front panel............................................................4-12
Voltage measurement procedure remote commands .............................................................4-13
Current measurements (DC current and AC current)........................................................ 4-14
Settings available for current measurements..........................................................................4-14
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-15
Current measurement connections.........................................................................................4-15
Current measurement procedure from the front panel............................................................4-15

Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual Table of contents
Current measurement procedure through remote commands.................................................4-16
Resistance measurements ................................................................................................ 4-16
DMM resistance measurement methods.................................................................................4-16
Settings available for resistance measurements.....................................................................4-17
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-18
Resistance measurement connections ...................................................................................4-18
Resistance measurements from the front panel......................................................................4-21
Resistance measurements through remote interface..............................................................4-22
Temperature measurements.............................................................................................. 4-22
Settings available for temperature measurements..................................................................4-22
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-24
Thermocouples .......................................................................................................................4-24
Thermistors.............................................................................................................................4-27
RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors)............................................................................4-29
Temperature equations...........................................................................................................4-33
Frequency and period measurements............................................................................... 4-41
Settings available for frequency and period measurements....................................................4-42
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-42
Trigger level ............................................................................................................................4-42
Gate time.................................................................................................................................4-43
Frequency connections...........................................................................................................4-43
Frequency and period measurement procedure from front panel ...........................................4-43
Frequency and period measurement procedure through remote interface .............................4-44
Continuity testing................................................................................................................ 4-44
Settings available for continuity testing...................................................................................4-45
Autodelay and autorange settings...........................................................................................4-45
Continuity testing connections................................................................................................. 4-45
Continuity testing procedure....................................................................................................4-46
Refining measurements..................................................................................................... 4-47
Relative offset .........................................................................................................................4-47
Math calculations .................................................................................................................... 4-49
dB commands.........................................................................................................................4-54
Range .....................................................................................................................................4-55
Optimizing measurement speed..............................................................................................4-57
Optimizing AC voltage and current measurements.................................................................4-60
Optimizing measurement accuracy.........................................................................................4-61
Switching and scanning.............................................................................................5-1
Identify installed switching cards...............................................................................................5-1
Maximum power usage with Series 3700A cards......................................................................5-2
Specifying a channel.................................................................................................................5-3
Close and open channel operations and commands ................................................................5-5
Working with channels....................................................................................................... 5-13
Connection methods for close operations...............................................................................5-13
Determining the number of relay closures...............................................................................5-16
Viewing the close or open status of a channel........................................................................5-16
Channel attributes...................................................................................................................5-17
Channel patterns.....................................................................................................................5-19
Reset a channel......................................................................................................................5-22
Pseudocards...................................................................................................................... 5-22
Pseudocards programming example.......................................................................................5-23
Scanning and triggering..................................................................................................... 5-23
Trigger model..........................................................................................................................5-24
Scan and step counts..............................................................................................................5-25

Table of contents Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
Basic scan procedure..............................................................................................................5-26
Remote interface scanning .....................................................................................................5-30
Hardware trigger modes..........................................................................................................5-31
Understanding synchronous triggering modes........................................................................5-35
Events.....................................................................................................................................5-39
LXI Class B and C triggering (IEEE-1588) ..............................................................................5-40
Reading buffers...........................................................................................................6-1
Reading buffers.................................................................................................................... 6-1
Buffer overview .........................................................................................................................6-1
Front-panel buffer operation......................................................................................................6-2
Remote buffer operation ...........................................................................................................6-6
Maintenance................................................................................................................7-1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 7-1
Fuse replacement ................................................................................................................ 7-1
AMPS analog backplane fuse replacement......................................................................... 7-2
Front panel tests .................................................................................................................. 7-3
Test procedure..........................................................................................................................7-3
Keys test ...................................................................................................................................7-3
Display patterns test..................................................................................................................7-4
Displaying the instrument's serial number........................................................................... 7-4
Upgrading the firmware........................................................................................................ 7-5
Upgrading or downgrading firmware using the front panel........................................................7-5
Upgrading or downgrading using the remote interface..............................................................7-6
Upgrading or downgrading firmware using the web interface....................................................7-6
Upgrading or downgrading firmware using Test Script Builder..................................................7-7
Theory of operation....................................................................................................8-1
Rear panel, backplane, and DMM connect relays schematic.............................................. 8-1
Line cycle synchronization................................................................................................... 8-2
AC voltage measurements and crest factor......................................................................... 8-5
DMM resistance measurement methods............................................................................. 8-7
Constant-current source method...............................................................................................8-8
Ratiometric method...................................................................................................................8-9
Reference junctions ........................................................................................................... 8-11
Simulated reference junction...................................................................................................8-12
Internal reference junction.......................................................................................................8-12
External reference junction .....................................................................................................8-12
Open lead detection........................................................................................................... 8-13
ISOUR open voltage ...............................................................................................................8-15
VMEAS open voltage..............................................................................................................8-15
Calculated measurement open voltage...................................................................................8-15
dmm.opendetector open voltage.............................................................................................8-16
4-wire dry-circuit open lead detection......................................................................................8-17
Open thermocouple detection............................................................................................ 8-18
Accuracy calculations......................................................................................................... 8-20
Calculating DC characteristics accuracy................................................................................. 8-20

Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual Table of contents
Calculating AC characteristics accuracy .................................................................................8-20
Calculating dB characteristics accuracy..................................................................................8-21
Additional derating factors.......................................................................................................8-21
Understanding Precision Time Protocol (PTP).................................................................. 8-22
Introduction to TSP operation ...................................................................................9-1
Introduction to TSP operation.............................................................................................. 9-1
Controlling the instrument by sending individual command messages.....................................9-1
Queries .....................................................................................................................................9-2
Data retrieval commands ..........................................................................................................9-3
Information on scripting and programming................................................................................9-4
Files ..........................................................................................................................................9-4
Display operations...................................................................................................................9-10
About TSP commands....................................................................................................... 9-21
Alarms..................................................................................................................................... 9-21
Bit manipulation and logic operations......................................................................................9-21
Channel...................................................................................................................................9-23
Data queue..............................................................................................................................9-24
Digital I/O ................................................................................................................................9-24
Display ....................................................................................................................................9-25
DMM .......................................................................................................................................9-25
Error queue.............................................................................................................................9-26
Event log.................................................................................................................................9-27
File I/O ....................................................................................................................................9-27
GPIB .......................................................................................................................................9-28
Instrument identification ..........................................................................................................9-28
LAN and LXI............................................................................................................................9-29
Local node...............................................................................................................................9-30
PTP......................................................................................................................................... 9-30
Reading buffer.........................................................................................................................9-31
Reset.......................................................................................................................................9-31
Queries and response messages............................................................................................9-31
Saved setups ..........................................................................................................................9-32
Scan........................................................................................................................................9-32
Scripting..................................................................................................................................9-33
Status model...........................................................................................................................9-33
Slot..........................................................................................................................................9-34
Time........................................................................................................................................9-34
Top level instrument controls ..................................................................................................9-35
Triggering................................................................................................................................9-36
TSP-Link .................................................................................................................................9-37
TSP-Net ..................................................................................................................................9-37
Userstrings..............................................................................................................................9-38
Instrument programming .........................................................................................10-1
Fundamentals of scripting for TSP..................................................................................... 10-1
What is a script?......................................................................................................................10-2
Run-time and nonvolatile memory storage of scripts ..............................................................10-2
What can be included in scripts?.............................................................................................10-2
Commands that cannot be used in scripts ..............................................................................10-3
Manage scripts........................................................................................................................10-3
Working with scripts in nonvolatile memory.............................................................................10-9
Run a user script from the instrument front panel .................................................................10-11
Load a script from the instrument front panel........................................................................10-12
Save a script from the instrument front panel........................................................................10-13
Interactive script....................................................................................................................10-14

Table of contents Series 3700A System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
Fundamentals of programming for TSP........................................................................... 10-15
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................10-15
What is Lua?.........................................................................................................................10-15
Lua basics.............................................................................................................................10-15
Standard libraries..................................................................................................................10-29
Programming example: Script with a for loop........................................................................10-33
Using Test Script Builder (TSB)....................................................................................... 10-33
Installing the TSB software....................................................................................................10-35
Installing the TSB add-in.......................................................................................................10-35
Using Test Script Builder (TSB) ............................................................................................10-35
Project navigator...................................................................................................................10-37
Script editor...........................................................................................................................10-37
Outline view...........................................................................................................................10-37
Programming interaction.......................................................................................................10-37
Connecting an instrument in TSB..........................................................................................10-38
Creating a new TSP project .................................................................................................. 10-39
Adding a new TSP file to a project........................................................................................10-39
Running a script....................................................................................................................10-40
Creating a run configuration..................................................................................................10-40
Advanced scripting for TSP ............................................................................................. 10-44
Global variables and the script.user.scripts table..................................................................10-44
Create a script using the script.new() command................................................................... 10-45
Restore a script to the run-time environment ........................................................................ 10-48
Rename a script....................................................................................................................10-48
Delete user scripts from the instrument.................................................................................10-49
Memory considerations for the run-time environment...........................................................10-50
TSP-Link system expansion interface.............................................................................. 10-52
Master and subordinates.......................................................................................................10-52
TSP-Link system...................................................................................................................10-53
TSP-Link nodes.....................................................................................................................10-53
Connections..................................................................................................................... 10-54
Initialization ...................................................................................................................... 10-54
Assigning node numbers.......................................................................................................10-54
Resetting the TSP-Link network ...................................................................................... 10-55
Front-panel operation............................................................................................................10-55
Remote programming ...........................................................................................................10-55
Using the expanded system............................................................................................. 10-56
Accessing nodes...................................................................................................................10-56
Using the reset() command...................................................................................................10-57
Using the abort command.....................................................................................................10-57
Triggering with TSP-Link.......................................................................................................10-57
TSP advanced features.................................................................................................... 10-58
Using groups to manage nodes on TSP-Link network .................................................... 10-58
Master node overview...........................................................................................................10-59
Group leader overview..........................................................................................................10-59
Assigning groups................................................................................................................... 10-59
Running simultaneous test scripts................................................................................... 10-59
Coordinating overlapped operations in remote groups..........................................................10-60
Using the data queue for real-time communication......................................................... 10-61
Copying test scripts across the TSP-Link network .......................................................... 10-61
Removing stale values from the reading buffer cache..................................................... 10-61