Keysight 3458A User manual

Keysight 3458A
Multimeter
Quick Reference
Guide

2 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Contacting Keysight
www.keysight.com/find/assist
(worldwide contact information for
repair and service)
Printing History
The printing history shown below
lists the printing dates of all
editions created for this quick
reference guide. The edition
number changes as the quick
reference guide undergoes
subsequent revisions. Editions are
numbered sequentially starting
with Edition 1. Each new edition
includes a revised copy of this
printing history page.
Edition 1 (P/N 03458-90005):
MAY 1988
Edition 2 (P/N 03458-90008):
DEC. 2000
Edition 3 (P/N 03458-90008):
AUG. 2017
Safety Notices
CAUTION
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 CAUTION notice
until the indicated 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 proceed beyond a
WARNING notice until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
2 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
For further safety information details, refer to the
Keysight 3458A Multimeter User’s Guide.

Contents
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 3
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 3
Contents
The Multimeter Language 5
Syntax Rules 6
Commands by Functional Group 8
Power-On/Reset State 11
Command Summary 14
GPIB Command Summary 57

Notes:
4 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
4 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Notes:

The Multimeter Language
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 5
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 5
The Multimeter Language
The multimeter uses a language developed
around a core set of commands which can in
themselves satisfy a large number of applications.
The core commands consist of 8 commands plus
the measurement function commands (FUNC,
ACV, DCL etc.). All recent Keysight multimeters
support these 8 commands plus the function
commands that correspond to the capabilities of
the multimeter. The 8 commands are:
The complete command set extends the
multimeter’s capabilities far beyond that of the
above core commands. If compatibility with other
Keysight multimeters is critical for your
applications, you should strive to use only the
core commands and the GPIB commands.
RESET Sets the multimeter to the power-on state
PRESET Sets the multimeter to a convenient starting
point for remote operation
ID? Returns the multimeter's model number
TEST Runs self-test
ERR? Reads the error register
STB? Reads the status register
TRIG Selects the trigger event
NPLC Selects the integration time

Syntax Rules
6 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
6 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Syntax Rules
– Command headers may be entered in upper
or lower case.
– Parameters may be entered in upper case,
lower case, or as a numeric value. Numeric
values can be either integer, floating-point, or
exponential in format. Parameters in
floating-point format are rounded to the
nearest integer if the command requires an
integer. For example, “SUB 2.49” is rounded
down to “SUB 2" and “SUB 2.5” is rounded up
to “SUB 3”.
– Command headers and parameters must be
separated by either a space or a comma.
– You can default a parameter by omitting it or
replacing it with -1 (minus 1). From remote
only, you can use two commas to indicate a
default value.
– The carriage return (cr), line feed (lf),
semicolon (;), or EOI sent concurrent with the
last character indicate the end of message
(command terminator) to the multimeter.
When you send a command from the system
controller in the standard format (e.g.
OUTPUT 722:“TEST”), the controller typically
adds a cr lf to the end of the command. With
its input buffer off (off is the power-on input
buffer mode), the multimeter processes the cr
immediately, but does not process the lf until
the command completes execution. This
means that, because of the lf, the bus is held
and you cannot regain use of the controller
until the multimeter is done executing the

Syntax Rules
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 7
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 7
command (or the GPIB CLEAR command is
executed which aborts execution of the
command).
You can prevent the bus from being held by
suppressing the cr lf when sending
commands or by enabling the input buffer
(INBUF ON command). The following program
line shows how to use the # and K image
specifiers to suppress cr If when sending a
multimeter command.
OUTPUT 722 USING “#,K”;“TEST;”
The # and K image specifiers apply to HP
Series 200/300 computers. Refer to your
computer’s operating manual for information
on how your computer suppresses cr lf. The
semicolon following the TEST command
indicates the end of the command to the
multimeter and must be present when you
suppress cr lf.
– Multiple commands, separated by
semicolons. may be sent in one command
string. For example, the following command
string contains 3 multimeter commands.
OUTPUT 722;“TRIG HOLD;DCV 3;NPLC 1”

Commands by Functional Group
8 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
8 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Commands by Functional Group
Measurement
Functions
ACDCI
ACDCV
ACI
ACV
DCI
DCV
DSAC
DSDC
FREQ
FUNC
OHM
OHMF
PER
SSAC
SSDC
Measurement
Related
ACBAND
ARANGE
AZERO
DELAY
FIXEDZ
FSOURCE
LFILTER
OCOMP
PRESET DIG
PRESET FAST
PRESET NORM
RANGE or R
RATIO
SETACV
SSPARM?
TERM
Digitizing
DSAC
DSDC
LEVEL
LFILTER
SLOPE
NRDGS
PRESET DIG
PRESET FAST
SSAC
SSDC
SSPARM?
SSRC
SWEEP
TIMER
Triggering
EXTOUT
LEVEL
LFILTER
NRDGS
SLOPE
SSRC
SWEEP
TARM
TBUFF
TIMER

Commands by Functional Group
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 9
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 9
Reading Memory
MCOUNT?
MEM
MFORMAT
MSIZE
RMEM
Program Memory
CALL
COMPRESS
CONT
DELSUB
PAUSE
SCRATCH
SUB
SUBEND
State Memory
PURGE
RSTATE
SCRATCH
SSTATE
A/D Converter
APER
LFREQ
LINE?
NPLC
RES
Status
CSB
RQS
SRQ
STB?
Input/Output
END
INBUF
ISCALE?
OFORMAT
QFORMAT
Errors
AUXERR?
EMASK
ERR?
ERRSTR?
Math
MATH
MMATH
RMATH
SMATH
Keyboard
DEFKEY
LOCK
MENU

Commands by Functional Group
10 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
10 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Bus
ADDRESS
ID?
SRQ
System
BEEP
DEFEAT
EXTOUT
OPT?
PRESET DIG
PRESET FAST
PRESET NORM
GFORMAT
RESET
TONE
Display
DISP
NDIG
Calibration/Test
ACAL
CAL
CAL?
CALNUM?
CALSTR
REV?
SCAL
SECURE
TEMP?
TEST
GPIB
Commands
ABORTIO
CLEAR
LOCAL
LOCAL LOCKOUT
REMOTE
SPOLL
TRIGGER

Power-On/Reset State
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 11
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 11
Power-On/Reset State
The following list shows the commands executed
when power is applied or when the RESET
command is executed.
ACBAND 20,2E6 -- AC bandwidth 20 Hz to
2 MHz
AZERO ON -- Autozero enabled
DCV AUTO -- DC voltage, autorange
DEFEAT OFF -- Defeat disabled
DELAY -1 -- Default delay
DISP ON -- Display enabled
EMASK 32767 -- Enable all error conditions
END OFF -- Disable GPIB EOI
EXTOUT ICOMP,NEG -- Input complete
EXTOUT signal, negative pulse
FIXEDZ OFF -- Disable fixed input resistance
FSOURCE ACV -- FREQ and PER source is AC
voltage
INBUF OFF -- Disable input buffer
LEVEL 0,AC -- Level trigger at 0%, AC-coupled
LFILTER OFF -- Level filter disabled
LFREQ 50 or 60 -- Measured line frequency
rounded to 50 or 60 Hz
LOCK OFF -- Keyboard enabled
MATH OFF -- Disable real-time math
MEM OFF -- Disable reading memory (last
memory operation= FIFO)
MFORMAT SREAL -- Single real reading memory
format

Power-On/Reset State
12 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
12 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
MMATH OFF -- Disable post-process math
NDIG 7 -- Display 7.5 digits
NPLC 10 -- 10 power line cycles of integration
time
NRDGS 1,AUTO -- 1 reading per trigger, auto
sample event
OCOMP OFF -- Disable offset compensated
resistance
OFORMAT ASCII -- ASCII output format
QFORMAT NORM -- Normal query format
RATIO OFF -- Disable ratio measurements
RQS 0 -- Disable Status Register conditions
SETACV ANA -- Analog AC voltage mode
SLOPE POS, -- Positive slope for level triggering
SSRC LEVEL, AUTO -- Level sync source event,
auto synchronous AC voltage
SWEEP 100E-9, 1024 -- Sample interval
100 nanoseconds, 1024 samples
TARM AUTO -- Auto trigger arm event
TBUFF OFF -- Disable external trigger buffering
TIMER 1 -- 1 second timer interval
TRIG AUTO -- Auto trigger event

Power-On/Reset State
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 13
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 13
All math registers are set to 0 (zero) except:
DEGREE = 20
SCALE = 1
PERC = 1
REF = 1
RES = 50
NOTE
Pressing the shifted front panel Reset key performs
the power-on sequence which has the same effect
as cycling the multimeter's power. This stores the
present state as state 0, destroys any stored
readings and compressed subprograms, sets the
power-on SRQ bit in the status register, resets the
A-to-D converter reference frequency, returns the
AC mode to analog, and performs the power-on
self-test, Executing the RESET command from
remote or from the alphabetic command menu
(MENU keys) return the multimeter to the power-on
state but does not perform the power-on sequence.

Command Summary
14 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
14 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
Command Summary
In the following command summary, command
keywords are shown in upper case print and
parameter names are shown in italics. Optional
parameters are enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ).
Where applicable, the numeric query equivalents
for parameters are shown in parentheses
following each parameter.
ACAL [type][,security_code]
Autocal. Instructs the multimeter to perform one
or all of its self calibrations.
type = ALL (0), DCV (1), AC (2), OHMS (4)
Power-on type = none.
Default type = ALL.
ACBAND [low_freq][,high_freq]
AC Band wid th. Specifies the frequency content
(bandwidth) of the input signal for all AC or
AC+DC measurements.
low_freq Specifies the lowest expected frequency
component of the input signal.
Power-on low_freq = 20 Hz
Default low_freq = 20 Hz
high_freq: Specifies the highest expected
frequency component of the input signal.
Power-on high_freq = 2 MHz
Default high_freq = 2 MHz

Command Summary
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 15
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 15
ACDCI, ACDCV, ACI, ACV
Refer to the FUNC command.
ADDRESS value
Sets the multimeter's GPIB address (from the
front panel only). The address is stored in
continuous memory and is not lost when power is
removed.
value: The value parameter is an integer from 0 to
31.
Power-on value = previously stored address
(factory setting = 22).
Default value = none: parameter required.
APER [aperture]
Aperture. Specifies the A/D converter integration
time in seconds.
aperture:Specifies the A/D converter's
integration time and overrides any previously
specified integration time or resolution. The valid
range for aperture is 0 - 1s in increments of 100
ns. (Specifying a value <500 ns selects minimum
aperture which is 500 ns.)
Power-on aperture = is determined by the
power-on value for NPLC which specifies an
integration time of 166.667 ms for a 60 Hz power
line frequency, or 200 ms for a power line
frequency of 50 Hz or 40O Hz.
Default aperture = 5OO ns.

Command Summary
16 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
16 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
ARANGE [control]
Autorange. Enables or disables the autorange
function.
control = OFF (0), ON (1), ONCE (2)
Power-on control = ON.
Default control = ON.
AUXERR?
Auxiliary Error. Returns a number representing
the decimal-weighted sum of all set bits in the
auxiliary error register and then clears the
register.
The auxiliary error conditions and their weighted
values are:
Weighted
Value
Bit
Number Failure
1 0 Slave processor
21
DTACK failure
4 2 Slave self-test
83Isolatortest
16 4 A/D convergence
32 5 Calibration value
64 6 GPIB chip
128 7 UART
256 8 Timer
512 9 internal overload
1024 10 ROM checksum, Low-order byte
2048 11 ROM checksum, high-order byte

Command Summary
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 17
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 17
AZERO [control]
Autozero. Enables or disables the autozero
function. The autozero function applies only to DC
voltage, DC current, and resistance
measurements.
control = OFF (0), ON (1), ONCE (2)
Power-on control = ON.
Default control = ON.
BEEP [control]
Controls the multimeter's beeper. When enabled,
the beeper emits a 1 kHz beep if an error occurs.
control = OFF (0), ON (1), ONCE (2)
Power-on control = last programmed Value.
Default control = ONCE.
CAL
This is a calibration command. Refer to the
Keysight 3458A Calibration Manual for details.
4096 12 Nonvolatile RAM
8192 13 Option RAM
16384 14 Cal RAM
Weighted
Value
Bit
Number Failure

Command Summary
18 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
18 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
CALL [name]
Call Subprogram. Executes a previously stored
subprogram.
name: A subprogram name may contain up to 10
characters. The name can be alpha,
alphanumeric, or an integer in the range of 0 to
127.
Power-on name = none.
Default name = 0.
CALNUM?
Calibration Number Query. Returns an integer
indicating the number of times the multimeter
has been calibrated.
CALSTR string[,security_code]
Calibration String (remote only). Stores a string
in the multimeter's nonvolatile calibration RAM.
string:This is the alpha/numeric message that
will be appended to the calibration RAM. The string
parameter must be enclosed in single or double
quotes. Maximum string length = 75 characters
(the quotes enclosing the string are not counted
as characters).
security_code:When the calibration RAM is
secured (SECURE command) you must include
the security_code in order to write a message to
the calibration RAM.

Command Summary
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 19
Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide 19
COMPRESS name
Compress Subprogram. Removes the ASCII text
of a specified subprogram previously stored in
memory. This saves memory space but removes
the subprogram from continuous memory (the
subprogram will be destroyed when power is
removed).
name:A subprogram name may contain up to 10
characters. The name can be alpha,
alphanumeric, or an integer in the range of 0 to
127.
Power-on name = none.
Default name = none: parameter required.
CONT
Continue. Resumes execution of a subprogram
that has been suspended by a PAUSE command.
CSB
Clear Status Byte. Clears (sets to 0) all bits in the
status register.
DCI, DCV
Refer to the FUNC command.
DEFEAT [mode]
Enables or disables the multimeter's input
protection algorithm (see CAUTION in Chapter 4
of the Keysight 3458A User’s Guide) and some
syntax and error checking algorithms. With these
algorithms disabled. the multimeter can change

Command Summary
20 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
20 Keysight 3458A Quick Reference Guide
to a new measurement configuration faster than it
can with them enabled.
mode = OFF (0), ON (1)
Power-on mode = OFF.
Default mode = OFF.
DEFKEY number,string
or
DEFKEY DEFAULT
Define Key. Assigns one or more commands to a
user-defined function key (labeled f0 - f9). The
DEFKEY DEFAULT command erases the strings
assigned to all user-defined keys.
number = an integer in the range 0 - 9 (or FO -
F9).
Power-on number = none.
Default number = 0.
string: The command or list of commands to be
assigned to the function key. (Must be enclosed in
single or double quotes). Maximum string length
= 40 characters (not counting the quotes).
Power-on string = none.
Default string = none (clears any previous string).
DEFAULT: Erases the strings assigned to all
user-defined keys.