Keysight U1253B User manual

Keysight U1253B
True RMS OLED Multimeter
Quick Start Guide

Keysight U1253B
True RMS OLED Multimeter
Quick Start Guide
The following items are included with your multimeter:
If anything is missing or damaged, please contact the nearest Keysight
Sales Office.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Keysight U1253B True
RMS OLED Multimeter User’s and Service Guide on Keysight Web site
(www.keysight.com/find/handheld-tools).
✔Silicone test leads ✔Rechargeable 8.4 V battery
✔4 mm probes ✔Power cord and AC adapter
✔Alligator clips ✔Certificate of Calibration
✔Printed Quick Start Guide
WARNING
Ensure the terminal connections are correct for that
particular measurement selection before starting any
measurement. To avoid damage to the device, do not
exceed the input limit.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Charging the Battery
NOTE
For the battery charger, the main supply voltage fluctuations
must not exceed ±10%.
CAUTIONCAUTION
•Do not rotate the rotary switch from position when
charging the battery.
•Perform battery charging only with 7.2 V or 8.4 V NiMH
rechargeable battery, 9 V size.
•Disconnect test leads from all the terminals when charging
the battery.
•Ensure proper insertion of battery in the multimeter, and follow
the correct polarity.
•A new rechargeable battery comes in a discharged condition and
must be charged before use (refer to the U1253B User's and
Service Guide for charging instructions).
It is strongly recommended that you use the
specified 24-volt DC adapter included as an
accessory to charge the rechargeable battery.
1Remove the test leads from the multimeter
and turn the rotary switch to .
2Plug the DC adapter into a power outlet.
3Insert the red (+) and black (–) banana
plugs (4 mm plugs) of the DC adapter to the
and terminals respectively.
Ensure that the polarity of the connection
is correct.
4The display will show a countdown timer of
10 seconds for the self-test to start. The
multimeter will output short single-tone
sounds to remind you to charge the battery.
Press to start charging the battery,
or the multimeter will automatically start
charging after 10 seconds. It is recom-
mended not to charge the battery if the bat-
tery capacity is over 90%.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Functions and Features
CAUTIONCAUTION
•Upon initial use (or after a prolonged storage period), the
rechargeable battery may require three to four charge/discharge
cycles before achieving maximum capacity. To discharge, simply
run the multimeter under the rechargeable battery's power until
it shuts down or the low battery warning appears.
•The multimeter may indicate that charging is complete after ten
minutes when charging a new rechargeable battery. This is a
normal phenomenon with rechargeable batteries. Remove the
rechargeable battery from the device, reinsert it, and repeat the
charging procedure.
Action Steps
Changes the OLED brightness Press .
Freezes the measured value Press .
Starts MIN|MAX|AVG|NOW record-
ing
Press and hold for > 1 s.
Offsets the measured value Press .
Changes the measurement range Press .
Turns on auto range Press and hold for > 1 s.
Turns on dual display Press .
Starts manual data logging Press and hold for > 1 s.
Views the logged data Press for > 1 s, press or
to scroll through the logged data.
Clears the logged data Press for > 1 s, press
for > 1 s.
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 Keysight GUI Data Logger Software
(downloadable from www.keysight.com/find/hhTechLib).

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Input Terminals and Overload Protection
Measurement Functions Input Terminal Overload Protection
Voltage COM 1000 Vrms
Diode 1000 Vrms
< 0.3 A short circuit cur-
rent
Resistance
Capacitance
Temperature
Current (μA and mA) µA.mA COM 440 mA/1000 V 30
kA/fast-acting fuse
Current (A) A COM 11 A/1000 V 30
kA/fast-acting fuse

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Performing Voltage Measurements
Measuring AC voltage
1Set the rotary switch to . For
and mode, press to ensure
is shown on the display.
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals V. mV (red) and COM
(black) respectively.
3Probe the test points and read the display.
4Press to display dual measure-
ments. Parameter can be switched consec-
utively.
Measuring DC voltage
1Set the rotary switch to or .
Ensure that is shown on the display.
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals V. mV (red) and COM
(black) respectively.
3Probe the test points and read the display.
4Press to display dual measure-
ments. Parameter can be switched consec-
utively.
NOTE
For measuring DC voltage from a
mixed signal in DC measurement
mode, ensure that the Filter is
enabled

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Using the Filter
1Press and hold for more than 1 sec-
ond to enter the multimeter’s Setup menu.
2Press or to scroll to menu 6.
3Press or to browse to the DC Filter
option.
4Press to enter the Edit mode.
5Press or to enable the DC Filter.
6Press for more than 1 second to
save your changes and exit the Edit mode.
7Press and hold until the meter
restarts and returns to its normal operating
mode.
CAUTIONCAUTION
To avoid possible electric shock or per-
sonal injury, enable the Filter to verify
the presence of hazardous DC voltages.
Displayed DC voltages can be influenced
by high frequency AC components and
must be filtered to assure an accurate
reading.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Performing Current Measurements
CAUTIONCAUTION
• If the current is ≤ 440 mA, connect the red and black test
leads to input terminals µA.mA (red) and COM (black).
• If the current is > 440 mA, connect the red and black test
leads to input terminals
A (red) and COM (black).
Measuring AC current
1Set the rotary switch to or
. Press to ensure is
shown on the display.
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals µA.mA (red) and COM
(black) or A (red) and COM (black)
respectively.
3Probe the test points in series with the cir-
cuit and read the display.
Measuring DC current
1Set the rotary switch to or
. Ensure that is shown on
the display.
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals µA.mA (red) and COM
(black) or A (red) and COM (black)
respectively.
3Probe the test points in series with the cir-
cuit and read the display.
To perform current measurements, set up your multimeter as shown in the
figure below. For measuring DC current from a mixed signal in DC measure-
ment mode, ensure that the Filter is enabled.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Performing Resistance, Conductance, and
Continuity Measurements
1Set the rotary switch to .
2Connect the red and black test leads to input terminals
Ω(red) and COM (black) respectively.
3Probe the test points (by shunting the resistor) and read the display.
4Press to scroll through audible continuity ( / ), conduc-
tance ( ), and resistance tests ( , , or )
as shown.
PRESS SHIFT
PRESS SHIFT
Audible
continuity

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Performing Capacitance and Temperature
Measurements
Capacitance
1Set the rotary switch to .
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals (red) and COM
(black) respectively.
3Connect the red test lead to the positive
terminal of the capacitor, and the black test
lead to the negative terminal.
4Read the display.
Temperature
1Set the rotary switch to . Press
to select temperature measure-
ment.
2Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals (red) and COM
(black) respectively.
3Plug the thermocouple adapter (with the
thermocouple probe connected to it) into
input terminals (red) and COM (black).
4Touch the measurement surface with the
thermocouple probe.
5Read the display.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Frequency and Frequency Counter
Measurements
WARNING
• Use the frequency counter for low voltage applications.
Never use the frequency counter on AC power line
systems.
• For input more than 30 Vpp, you are required to use
frequency measurement mode available under the
current or voltage measurement instead of frequency
counter.
Frequency Measurement
During AC/DC voltage or AC/DC current
measurements, you can measure the signal
frequency by pressing at any time.
Frequency Counter Measurement
1Set the rotary switch to .
2Press to select the frequency
counter ( ) function. The default input
signal frequency is divided by 1. This
allows signals up to a maximum frequency
of 985 kHz to be measured.
3Connect the red and black test leads to
input terminals V (red) and COM (black)
respectively.
4Probe the test points and read the display.
5If the reading is unstable or zero, press
to select division of input signal
frequency by 100 ( will be shown on
the display). This accommodates a higher
frequency range of up to 20 MHz.
6The signal is out of the U1253B frequency
measurement range of 20 MHz if the read-
ing is still unstable after step 5.

U1253A Quick Start Guide
Square Wave Output
1Turn the rotary switch to .
2Press to select duty cycle (%) on
the primary display.
3The default square wave frequency is 600
Hz as shown by the secondary display,
with a 50% duty cycle as shown by the pri-
mary display.
4Press or to scroll through the avail-
able frequencies (there are 28 frequencies
to choose from).
5Press or to adjust the duty cycle.
The duty cycle can be set from 0.390625%
to 99.609375%, in steps of 0.390625%.
The displayed duty cycle has a resolution
of 0.001%.

Safety Notices
Safety Information
This meter is safety-certified in compliance
with EN/IEC 61010-1:2001, UL 61010-1
Second Edition and CAN/CSA 22.2 61010-1
Second Edition, CAT III 1000 V/Category IV
600 V, Pollution Degree II. 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
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.
Earth (ground) terminal
Equipment protected
throughout by double
insulation 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
Keysight U1253B True RMS OLED Multimeter User’s and Service Guide.

This information is subject to change without notice.
© Keysight Technologies 2009 - 2014
Edition 5, August 2014
*U1253-90045*
U1253-90045
www.keysight.com