Valhalla Scientific 4300C User manual

4300C
Programmable Micro-Ohmmeter
Revision 64.1

1
VALHALLA SCIENTIFIC INC. CERTIFICATION
Valhalla Scientific, Inc. certifies that this instrument was thoroughly tested and inspected and found
to meet published specifications when shipped from the factory. Valhalla Scientific, Inc. further
certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the Nation Institute of Standards and
Technology to the extent allowed by NIST’s calibration facility.
Due to continuing product refinement and due to possible parts manufacturer changes, Valhalla
Scientific, Inc. reserve the rights to change any or all specifications without notice.
VALHALLA SCIENTIFIC INC. WARRANTY STATEMENT
The warranty period for this instrument is stated on your invoice and packing list. Please refer to these
to determine appropriate warranty dates.
We will repair the instrument during the warranty period provided it is returned to Valhalla Scientific,
Inc. freight prepaid. No other warranty is expressed or implied.
Valhalla Scientific, Inc. is not liable for consequential damages.
Permission and a Return Material Authorization number (RMA) must be obtained directly from the
factory for warranty repairs. No liability will be accepted if returned without such permission.
Due to continuing product refinement and due to possible parts manufacturer change, Valhalla
Scientific reserves the right to change any or all specifications without notice.
SUPPORT
For repair and calibration services, call 800-548-9806 or visit valhallascientific.com.
Email support available at [email protected]
4300C Programmable Digital Micro-Ohmmeter User Manual
Revision 64-1 (2021)
Copyright © 2021 Valhalla Scientific, Inc. All rights reserved.

2
WARNINGS
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, service, and
repair of this product. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this
manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the product. Valhalla
Scientific assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
Ground the equipment: For Safety class 1 equipment (equipment having a protective earth terminal), an
interrupted safety earth ground must be provided from the main power source to the product input wiring
terminals or supplied power cable.
DO NOT operate the product in an explosive atmosphere or in presence of flammable gases or fumes.
For continued protection, replace the line fuse(s) only with fuse(s) of the same voltage and current rating
and type. DO NOT use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders.
Keep away from live circuits: Operating personnel must not remove equipment covers or shields.
Procedures involving the removal of covers or shields are for the use of service-trained personnel only.
Under certain conditions, dangerous voltage may exist even with the equipment switched off. To avoid
dangerous electrical shock, DO NOT perform procedures involving cover or shield removal unless you are
qualified to do so.
DO NOT operate damaged equipment: Whenever it is possible that the safety protection features built
into this product have been impaired, either through physical damage, excessive moisture, or any other
reason, REMOVE POWER and do not use the product until safe operation can be verified by service-trained
personnel. If necessary, return the product to Valhalla Scientific for service and repair to ensure that safety
features are maintained.
DO NOT service or adjust alone: Do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person,
capable of rendering first aid and resuscitation, is present.
DO NOT substitute parts or modify equipment: Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards,
do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the
product to Valhalla Scientific for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
Measuring high voltage is always hazardous: ALL multimeters input terminals (both front and rear) must
be considered hazardous whenever inputs greater than 42V (dc or peak) are connected to ANY input
terminal.
Permanent wiring of hazardous voltage or sources capable of delivering greater than 150VA should be
labeled, fused, or in some other way protected against accidental bridging or equipment failure.
DO NOT leave measurement terminals energized when not in use.

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Table of Contents
General Information .................................................................................................................................... 7
Instrument Description ............................................................................................................................ 7
Instrument Identification ......................................................................................................................... 7
Safety Precautions ................................................................................................................................... 7
Unpacking and Installing .............................................................................................................................. 8
Inspection ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Setting the Line Voltage ........................................................................................................................... 8
Fuse Selection .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Rack Mounting ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Specifications ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Standard Measurement Mode Specifications ....................................................................................... 10
Temperature Compensator Mode Specifications .................................................................................. 11
General Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 11
Environmental ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Power Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 11
Physical .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Getting Started .......................................................................................................................................... 12
4-Wire Configuration ............................................................................................................................. 12
Front Panel ............................................................................................................................................ 13
On/Off Switch .................................................................................................................................... 13
Display ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Range Selection and Test Current Key ............................................................................................... 14
Function/Numerical Keys ................................................................................................................... 14
TC Mode Key and Sensor Receptacle ................................................................................................. 16
HLC LEDs ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Cable Disconnect Status Indicators .................................................................................................... 16
Charging Inductor Mode .................................................................................................................... 17
Source and Sense Binding Post .......................................................................................................... 17
Rear Panel .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Line Voltage Switch ............................................................................................................................ 18
Fuse Holder ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Power Connector ............................................................................................................................... 19

4
HLC Relay Terminal ............................................................................................................................ 19
RS-232 Connector .............................................................................................................................. 19
Applying Power ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Power-On Default Settings .................................................................................................................... 20
Connecting a Load to the 4300C ............................................................................................................ 21
Taking Standard Measurements ............................................................................................................ 23
Setting the Range ............................................................................................................................... 23
Test Current ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Charging Inductor Mode .................................................................................................................... 24
Cable Disconnect Status Indicators .................................................................................................... 24
Measurement Modes and Functions ......................................................................................................... 25
Standard Measurement Mode .............................................................................................................. 25
“TCM” - Temperature Compensated Measurement Mode ................................................................... 25
Omni Compensator ............................................................................................................................ 26
TCM ON ............................................................................................................................................. 26
TCS – Temperature Compensator Setup ........................................................................................... 27
TCC – Temperature Compensator Calibration ................................................................................... 28
“HLC” – Hi-Lo Comparator Mode ........................................................................................................... 29
HLC Relay Terminal ............................................................................................................................ 29
Setting the Limits ............................................................................................................................... 30
HLC ON ............................................................................................................................................... 31
Update Function .................................................................................................................................... 31
Display Update Rate .......................................................................................................................... 31
Display Intensity ................................................................................................................................ 32
Setting the Display Update Rate and Intensity .................................................................................. 32
Run/Hold Function ................................................................................................................................. 33
RUN/HOLD ......................................................................................................................................... 33
RUN/PKHI ........................................................................................................................................... 33
RUN/PKLO .......................................................................................................................................... 33
Configuring the Run/Hold Function ................................................................................................... 33
Print/Log Function ................................................................................................................................. 34
PRINT ................................................................................................................................................. 34
LOG .................................................................................................................................................... 34

5
LOG2 .................................................................................................................................................. 34
Configuring the Print button function ............................................................................................... 34
View Function ........................................................................................................................................ 35
Using the View function ..................................................................................................................... 35
Optional Features and Accessories ............................................................................................................ 36
Options .................................................................................................................................................. 36
GPIB ................................................................................................................................................... 36
USB .................................................................................................................................................... 36
CET ..................................................................................................................................................... 36
Accessories ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Omni Compensator ............................................................................................................................ 37
Option RX-3: Rack Mount Adapter .................................................................................................... 37
Test Leads .............................................................................................................................................. 37
Alligator Clip Type Leads .................................................................................................................... 37
Needle Type Probes ........................................................................................................................... 38
Surface Probes ................................................................................................................................... 38
Other Lead Sets .................................................................................................................................. 38
Remote Operations ................................................................................................................................... 39
IEEE Interface ......................................................................................................................................... 39
Definitions ............................................................................................................................................. 39
Bus Restrictions ..................................................................................................................................... 40
Detailed Descriptions of Bus Operations ............................................................................................... 41
Setting the IEEE Address ........................................................................................................................ 43
Remote and Local States ....................................................................................................................... 44
Local State ......................................................................................................................................... 44
Remote State ..................................................................................................................................... 44
Reading the Display Data ....................................................................................................................... 44
4300C Command Set for GPIB ............................................................................................................... 45
Voltage Range .................................................................................................................................... 46
Test Current Range ............................................................................................................................ 46
SRQ's and Serial Polls ......................................................................................................................... 46
Output Data Terminator .................................................................................................................... 47
Test Current Control .......................................................................................................................... 47

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Display Hold ....................................................................................................................................... 47
Temperature Compensation .............................................................................................................. 47
Configuration Status Query ............................................................................................................... 48
RS-232 Interface .................................................................................................................................... 50
The RS232 interface capabilities: ....................................................................................................... 50
Notes for RS232 installation .............................................................................................................. 50
Connecting to a Computer ................................................................................................................. 51
Checking Connections ........................................................................................................................ 51
INPUT AND OUTPUT QUEUE .................................................................................................................. 51
COMMANDS AND SYNTAX ..................................................................................................................... 51
RS232 message terminators .............................................................................................................. 51
Entering Commands .......................................................................................................................... 51
Command Characters ........................................................................................................................ 51
Combining Commands ....................................................................................................................... 52
Synopsis of Commands ...................................................................................................................... 52
DETAILS OF COMMAND REFERENCE ..................................................................................................... 52
COMMAND INDEX ................................................................................................................................. 52
Routine Maintenance ................................................................................................................................ 67
General .................................................................................................................................................. 67
Required Test Equipment ...................................................................................................................... 67
Pre-Calibration Procedure ..................................................................................................................... 67
4300C Calibration Procedure ................................................................................................................. 68
Standard Calibration .......................................................................................................................... 68
Sense Calibration ............................................................................................................................... 68
Current Source Calibration ................................................................................................................ 70
TCM Calibration ................................................................................................................................. 71
Special Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 73
General .................................................................................................................................................. 73
Connections and Settling Time .............................................................................................................. 73
Noisy Readings ....................................................................................................................................... 74
Disconnecting the Cables ....................................................................................................................... 75
Addendums ................................................................................................................................................ 77

7
General Information
Instrument Description
The Model 4300C is a unique instrument capable of handling even the toughest resistance measurement
applications. The 4300C is designed to measure the low resistance of such items as coils, transformers,
ballasts, heater elements, etc. Some features of the 4300C that give it an edge over competitive products
are:
• "Charging Inductor" mode for reduced settling times.
• "Disconnect Status" indicators designed with safety in mind.
• Full 4-wire Kelvin terminal configuration.
• Fully selectable test currents up to 10A.
• Temperature Compensation.
• Internal Hi-Lo Limit Comparator.
• Available locking rear Bendix connectors.
• Data outputs and remote programming capability.
Please read this manual thoroughly and all accompanying addendums before attempting to operate this
ohmmeter.
Instrument Identification
Valhalla Scientific instruments are identified by a two-part serial number. The Serial Tag is located on the
rear or bottom of the instrument. The number is in a form of 64-0000. The first two digits, called the serial
number prefix, indicate the model. It changes only when a change is made to the instrument. The last 4
digits, called the serial number suffix, are unique for each individual unit.
Be sure to include the entire serial number, both prefix and suffix, in any correspondence about your
instrument.
Safety Precautions
The power plug must be a three-contact device and should be inserted only into a three-contact mating
socket where the third contact provides a ground connection. If power is provided through an extension
cable, the ground connection must be continuous. Any discontinuity in the ground lead may render the
unit unsafe for use!
The Model 4300C utilizes forced air cooling of the internal components. This operates continuously and
care must be taken to ensure that the intake and exhaust ports remain clear. Blocked vents may cause a
dangerous overheating condition!

8
Unpacking and Installing
Inspection
If the shipping carton is damaged, request that the carrier's agent be present when the unit is unpacked.
If the instrument appears damaged, the carrier's agent should authorize repairs before the unit is returned
to the factory. Even if the instrument appears undamaged, it may have suffered internal damage in transit
that may not be evident until the unit is operated or tested to verify conformance with its specifications.
If the unit fails to operate or fails to meet the performance specifications, notify the carrier's agent and
the nearest Valhalla Sales Office. Retain the shipping carton for the carrier's inspection. DO NOT return
equipment to Valhalla Scientific, Inc., or any of its sales offices prior to obtaining authorization to do so.
Setting the Line Voltage
The line voltage selection is preconfigured according to the country to which it is shipped or as specified
by the customer.
To change this setting, follow the steps below:
1. Remove the power cord from the instrument.
2. With a small flat head screwdriver, slide the “Line Voltage Selector” switch to the appropriate
position.
3. Replace the line power fuse accordingly.
Fuse Selection
The line power fuse must match the line voltage selection as follows:
• 105-125VAC – 3A SLO-BLO
• 210-250VAC – 1.5A SLO-BLO
The fuse holder is located on the rear panel. To install a fuse, first disconnect the Ohmmeter’s power cord.
Insert one end of the fuse into the fuse cap. Insert the fuse cap into the fuse holder. With a small flathead
screwdriver, push in on the fuse cap and rotate it clockwise.