Keysight Technologies U1273A User Manual
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Keysight Technologies U1273A User Manual

Handheld digital multimeter
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Keysight U1273A/U1273AX
Handheld Digital Multimeter
User's Guide

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Summary of Contents for Keysight Technologies U1273A

  • Page 1 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide...
  • Page 4 FAR 27.401 or DFAR could result in personal injury or death. 227.7103-5 (c), as applicable in any Do not proceed beyond a WARNING technical data. notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 5: Safety Symbols

    Category III 1000 V overvoltage protection 1000 V CAT IV Earth (ground) terminal Category IV 600 V overvoltage protection 600 V Equipment protected throughout by Caution, risk of hazardous voltage (icon double insulation or reinforced appears on the instrument screen) insulation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 6: Safety Considerations

    Safety Considerations Read the information below before using this multimeter. The descriptions and instructions in this manual apply to the Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter (hereafter referred to as the multimeter). – Disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors CAUTION before testing resistance, continuity, diodes, or capacitance.
  • Page 7 – Do not operate the multimeter with the battery cover or portions of the cover removed or loosened. – To avoid false readings, which may lead to possible electric shock or personal injury, replace the battery as soon as the low battery indicator appears and flashes. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 8: Measurement Category

    Measurement Category The Keysight U1273A/U1273AX has a safety rating of CAT III, 1000 V and CAT IV, 600 V. Measurement CAT I Measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to the AC mains. Examples are measurements on circuits not derived from the AC mains and specially protected (internal) mains-derived circuits.

  • Page 9: Environmental Conditions

    The table below shows the general environmental requirements for this instrument. Environmental cond itions Requirements – U1273A: –20 °C to 55 °C, 0% to 80% RH Operating temperature – U1273AX: –40 °C to 55 °C, 0% to 80% RH (using Lithium batteries)

  • Page 10: Regulatory Markings

    The CSA mark is a registered trademark of substance elements are expected to the Canadian Standards Association. leak or deteriorate during normal use. Forty years is the expected useful life of the product. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 11: Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment (Weee) Directive 2002/96/ Ec

    To contact Keysight for sales and technical support, refer to the support links on the following Keysight websites: – www.keysight.com/find/handhelddmm (product-specific information and support, software and documentation updates) – www.keysight.com/find/assist (worldwide contact information for repair and service) Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 12 THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 13: Table Of Contents

    ..........39 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 14 ......106 Making Scale Transfers (Scale) ......108 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 15 Enabling the echo feature ....... .142 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 16 ........146 Characteristics and Specifications Shift Functions Using the Shift Key Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 17 Rear panel ........36 Figure 1-11 U1273A/U1273AX rotary switch ....37 Figure 1-12 Keys .
  • Page 18 View display ........120 Figure 3-11 Empty view display ......120 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 19 ......36 Table 1-4 U1273A/U1273AX rotary switch functions ..38...
  • Page 20 Firmware version 1.95 or newer ....147 Table A-1 U1273A/U1273AX default and shift functions ..152 Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations .
  • Page 21 Your Multimeter in Brief Cleaning Your Multimeter This chapter lists the package contents for the U1273A/U1273AX handheld digital multimeter and teaches you how to set up your multimeter for the first time. An introduction to all the features of the multimeter is also given.

  • Page 22: Introduction

    Warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure which, if not WARNING correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 23: Preparing Your Multimeter

    U1273A/U1273AX Quick Start Guide. 3 For any question or problems, refer to the Keysight contact numbers on the back of this manual.

  • Page 24: Figure 1-1 Installing The Batteries

    ( ) is shown. ↔ When the Change Battery warning (Figure 1-2) is shown on the display, the multimeter will power-off automatically after 5 seconds (even if the APO feature is disabled). Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 25: Figure 1-2 Change Battery Display

    To avoid instruments being damage from battery leakage: CAUTION – Always remove dead batteries immediately. – Always remove the batteries and store them separately if the multimeter is not going to be used for a long period. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 26: Turn On Your Multimeter

    10 minutes (default). Pressing any key will turn the multimeter back on after it is powered off automatically. To change the timer period or completely disable the automatic power-off, refer “Changing the auto power-off (APO) timer” on page 138. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 27: Oled Auto Dim Function

    Auto-ranging is convenient because the multimeter automatically selects an appropriate range for sensing and displaying each measurement. However, manual ranging results in better performance, because the multimeter does not have to determine which range to use for each measurement. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 28: Alerts And Warnings During Measurement

    143. Hazardous voltage indication The multimeter will also display the hazardous voltage ( ) symbol as an early precaution when the measured voltage is equal to or greater than 30 V in all voltage measurement modes. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 29: Figure 1-3 Input Warning Display (A Input)

    Input warning display (A INPUT) Figure 1-4 Input warning display (mA INPUT) This warning is intended to stop you from attempting to measure voltage, continuity, resistance, capacitance, diode, or temperature values when the leads are plugged into a current terminal. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 30: Adjust The Tilt Stand

    IR communication port until it snaps into place (see Figure 1-5). Refer to the Keysight GUI Data Logger Software Help and Quick Start Guide for more information on the IR communication link and the Keysight GUI Data Logger software. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 31: Figure 1-6 Keysight Gui Data Logger Software

    The Keysight GUI Data Logger software and its supporting documents (Help and Quick Start Guide) are available for free download at http://www.keysight.com/ find/hhTechLib. You may purchase a U1173A IR-USB cable from a Keysight Sales Office nearest to you. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 32: Power-On Options

    Tests the OLED. All OLED pixels are lighted. Use this mode to verify that there are no dead OLED pixels. Press any key to exit this mode. Smooth is enabled until the multimeter is turned off. To permanently enable Smooth, see “Enabling smooth mode” on page 144. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 33: Your Multimeter In Brief

    Introduction Your Multimeter in Brief Dimensions Front view 92 mm Figure 1-7 Width dimensions Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 34: Figure 1-8 Height And Depth Dimensions

    Introduction Rear and side view 59 mm 207 mm Figure 1-8 Height and depth dimensions Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 35: Overview

    “Learn more” pages for more information on each part. Figure 1-9 Front panel Table 1-2 Front panel parts Legend Description Learn more on: Display screen page 44 Keypad page 39 Rotary switch page 37 Terminals page 50 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 36: Figure 1-10 Rear Panel

    “Learn more” pages for more information on each part. Figure 1-10 Rear panel Table 1-3 Rear panel parts Legend Description Learn more on: Test probe holders IR communication port page 30 Battery and fuse access cover page 23 Tilt stand page 30 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 37: Rotary Switch

    Remove the test leads from the measuring source or target before changing WARNING the rotary switch position. Figure 1-11 U1273A/U1273AX rotary switch Each position of the U1273A/U1273AX rotary switch (shown in Figure 1-11) is described in Table 1-4. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 38: Table 1-4 U1273A/U1273Ax Rotary Switch Functions

    Introduction Table 1-4 U1273A/U1273AX rotary switch functions Legend Description Learn more on: Low impedance AC or DC voltage measurement for page 67 eliminating ghost voltages page 26 AC voltage measurement with Low Pass Filter page 54 page 57 AC voltage measurement (up to millivolts) with Low Pass...

  • Page 39: Keypad

    Turning the rotary switch to another position resets the current operation of the key. Click the respective “Learn more” pages for more information on each function. Figure 1-12 Keys Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 40: Table 1-5 Keypad Functions

    114 is stable and the count setting is value. exceeded. – Press for more than 1 second to exit – Press for more than 1 second to this mode. exit this mode. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 41 – Press to save the new settings or values and exit the editing mode, or press to exit the editing mode without saving. – Press for more than 1 second to exit Setup this mode. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 42 – Press for more than 1 second to exit the automatic or event data logging mode. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 43 Setup measurement function. – Press for more than 1 second to clear all the logged data for the selected logging mode. – Press for more than 1 second to exit this mode. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 44: Display Screen

    The general display annunciators of your multimeter are described in the table below. Click the respective “Learn more” pages for more information on each annunciator. Figure 1-13 Display screen example (single display) Figure 1-14 Display screen example (dual display) Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 45: Table 1-6 General Annunciators

    Filter enabled for DC measurement page 61 Hazardous voltage sign for measuring voltage ≥30 V or overload page 28 Trigger hold enabled page 114 Auto hold enabled Peak hold (maximum value) enabled page 112 Peak hold (minimum value) enabled Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 46: Figure 2-30 Temperature Measurement Without Ambient

    Temperature measurement without ambient compensation selected page 90 4-20 mA % scale mode selected page 97 0-20 mA % scale mode selected DC (direct current) page 58 page 91 AC (alternating current) page 54 page 91 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 47 APO (Auto Power-Off) enabled page 26 Tone enabled Analog bar graph page 49 Auto-ranging enabled or Auto-diode enabled page 27 Diode test selected page 79 Smooth mode enabled page 32 page 144 Overload (the reading exceeds the display range) Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 48: Table 1-7 Measurement Units Display

    Hertz, units for frequency measurement Millisecond, unit for pulse width measurement Percent, unit for duty cycle measurement °C Degree Celsius, unit for temperature measurement °F Degree Fahrenheit, unit for temperature measurement Seconds, unit for Peak and Recording mode elapsed time Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 49: Table 1-8 Analog Bar Graph Display

    An unstable bar graph and unmatched primary display when measuring DC voltage usually means the presence of AC voltages in the circuit. [1] The analog bar graph measurement rate is approximately 50 times/second for DC voltage, current, and resistance measurements. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 50: Input Terminals

    The terminal connections for the different measurement functions of your multimeter are described in the table below. Observe the rotary switch position of your multimeter before connecting the test leads to the connector terminals. Figure 1-15 Connector terminals Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 51: Table 1-9 Terminal Connections For Different Measuring

    Table 1-9 Terminal connections for different measuring functions Rotary switch position Input terminals Overload protection 1000 V 1000 V for short circuit <0.3 A Smart Auto 11 A/1000 V, fast-acting fuse 440 mA/1000 V, fast-acting fuse Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 52: Cleaning Your Multimeter

    2 Turn the multimeter over, and shake out any dirt that may have accumulated in the terminals. Wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent — do not use abrasives or solvents. Wipe the contacts in each terminal with a clean swab dipped in alcohol. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 53 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Making Measurements Crest Factor Measuring AC Voltage Measuring DC Voltage Measuring AC and DC Signals Using Z for Voltage Measurements Measuring Resistance Testing for Continuity Using Smart Ω for Resistance Measurements Testing Diodes...

  • Page 54: Making Measurements

    1000 V +/– 1500 V Exceeding the crest factor limit may result in an incorrect or a lower reading. WARNING Do not exceed the crest factor limit to avoid instrument damage and the risk of electric shock. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 55: Measuring Ac Voltage

    AC voltage measurements measured with this multimeter are returned as true NOTE RMS (root mean square) readings. These readings are accurate for sinusoidal waves and other waveforms with no DC offset, such as square waves, triangle waves, and staircase waves. Figure 2-1 AC voltage display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 56: Figure 2-2 Measuring Ac Voltage

    Appendix B, “Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key,” starting on page 155 to learn more. – Press to measure the frequency of the AC voltage source. See “Measuring Frequency” on page 100 to learn more. Figure 2-2 Measuring AC voltage Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 57: Using The Lpf (Low Pass Filter) Function For Ac Measurements

    Low Pass Filter is enabled. – First, make an AC voltage measurement with the filter OFF to detect the possible presence of hazardous voltages. Then, select the filter function if required for measurement stability and response speed. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 58: Measuring Dc Voltage

    – AC+DC mV, or – DC mV This multimeter displays DC voltage values as well as their polarity. Negative NOTE DC voltages will return a negative sign on the left of the display. Figure 2-4 DC voltage display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 59 – To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, enable the Filter(LPF) to verify the presence of hazardous DC voltages. Displayed DC voltage values can be influenced by high frequency AC components and must be filtered to assure an accurate reading. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 60: Figure 2-5 Measuring Dc Voltage

    Making Measurements Figure 2-5 Measuring DC voltage Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 61: Using The Filter Function For Dc Measurements

    AC components and must be filtered to assure an accurate reading. – Do not enable any of the dual display options when performing measurements to verify the presence of hazardous DC voltages. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 62: Measuring Ac And Dc Signals

    – DC µA Set up your multimeter according to your desired measurement (voltage or current measurement). Press the key twice to cycle the measurement function to the AC+DC option. Probe the test points, and read the display. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 63: Figure 2-7 Ac+Dc Voltage Display

    Appendix B, “Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key,” starting on page 155 to learn more. – Press to measure the frequency of the AC+DC voltage source. See “Measuring Frequency” on page 100 to learn more. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 64: Using The Lpf (Low Pass Filter) Function For Ac+Dc Measurements

    To set the multimeter to display voltage values in dBm, first set up your multimeter to measure voltage as shown in Figure 2-2 Figure 2-5. Probe the test points, and read the display. Then, press until the voltage measurements Dual Exit are displayed as a dBm value. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 65: Figure 2-10 Dbm Display

    1 milliwatt. The reference impedance is set to 50 Ω by default. To select another reference value, see the “Changing the custom dBm reference impedance” on page 134. Figure 2-10 dBm display Press for more than 1 second to exit the dBm function. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 66: Table 2-6 Rotary Switch Positions Allowing Dbv Measurements

    A dBV measurement uses a 1 volt reference voltage to compare the present NOTE measurement against a stored relative value. The difference between the two AC signals is displayed as a dBV value. The reference impedance setting is not part of a dBV measurement. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 67: Using Zlow For Voltage Measurements

    To set up your multimeter to make a Z (low input impedance) voltage measurement, first set up your multimeter to measure voltage as shown in Figure 2-2 Figure 2-5. Probe the test points, and read the display. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 68: Figure 2-12 Zlow Display

    Figure 2-12 display During Z measurements, autoranging is disabled and the multimeter’s range NOTE is set to 1000 V in the manual ranging mode. The analog bar graph represents the AC+DC voltage value combined. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 69: Measuring Resistance

    Smart – Smart Ω measurement, or – Resistance measurement (Ω) To avoid possible damage to your multimeter or to the equipment under CAUTION test, disconnect the circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before measuring resistance. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 70: Figure 2-13 Resistance Display

    Because this current flows through all possible paths between the leads, the resistance reading represents the total resistance of all paths between the leads. Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). Figure 2-13 Resistance display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 71: Figure 2-14 Measuring Resistance

    Making Measurements Figure 2-14 Measuring resistance Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 72: Measuring Conductance

    Probe the test points, and read the display. High-resistance readings are susceptible to electrical noise. Use averaging to smooth out most of the noisy readings. Refer to “Capturing Maximum and Minimum Values (MaxMin)” on page 110. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 73: Testing For Continuity

    Table 2-10 Threshold resistance values Measuring range Threshold resistance 30.000 Ω <25 ± 10 Ω 300.00 Ω <25 ±10 Ω 3.0000 kΩ <250 ±100 Ω 30.000 kΩ <2.5 ± 1 kΩ 300.00 kΩ <25 ± 10 kΩ Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 74: Figure 2-15 Continuity Operation

    Press to switch Dual Exit between the normal open and normal closed states. Open detected, beeper Circuit open. sounds. Start to capture Short detected, beeper Circuit complete. sounds. Figure 2-15 Continuity operation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 75: Figure 2-16 Testing For Continuity

    1 ms. A brief short or open causes the multimeter to emit a short beep. – You can enable or disable the audible alert via the multimeter’s setup. See “Changing the beep frequency” on page 138 for more information on the audible alert option. Figure 2-16 Testing for continuity Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 76: Using Smart Ω For Resistance Measurements

    +50 mV/–30 mV for the 30 Ω range and +1.0 V/–0.2 V for the 300 Ω, 3 kΩ, 30 kΩ, and 300 kΩ ranges. – If the DC voltage on the resistor is over the maximum correctable offset/bias voltage, OL is shown on the secondary display. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 77: Figure 2-17 Smart Ω (With Bias Voltage) Display

    μA or nA. Instead of having to source a high-precision multimeter with a 1 nA or 0.1 nA accuracy or a precision shunt, you can measure the leakage current using the Smart Ω function with just a resistor from 100 kΩ to 300 kΩ. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 78: Figure 2-19 Measuring Leakage Current

    Making Measurements Figure 2-19 Measuring leakage current Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 79: Testing Diodes

    – Connect the red test lead to the positive terminal (anode) of the diode and the black test lead to the negative terminal (cathode). The cathode of a diode is indicated with a band. Figure 2-20 Diode display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 80: Figure 2-21 Open Diode Display

    – A diode is considered shorted if the multimeter displays approximately 0 V in both forward- and reverse-bias modes, and the multimeter beeps continuously. – A diode is considered open if the multimeter displays OL in both forward- and reverse-bias modes. Figure 2-21 Open diode display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 81: Figure 2-22 Testing A Forward-Bias Diode

    Making Measurements Figure 2-22 Testing a forward-bias diode Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 82: Figure 2-23 Testing A Reverse-Bias Diode

    Making Measurements Figure 2-23 Testing a reverse-bias diode Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 83: Using Auto-Diode For Diode Tests

    – GOOD is shown briefly (along with a single beep) on the secondary display if the diode is in a good condition. – NGOOD is shown briefly (along with two beeps) if the diode is out of the thresholds. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 84: Figure 2-24 Auto-Diode Display (Good Status)

    Making Measurements Figure 2-24 Auto-diode display (GOOD status) Figure 2-25 Auto-diode display (NGOOD status) Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 85: Measuring Capacitance

    Figure 2-26 Capacitance display To improve measurement accuracy of small value capacitors, press with NOTE the test leads open to subtract the residual capacitance of the multimeter and leads. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 86: Figure 2-27 Measuring Capacitance

    For measuring capacitance values greater than 1000 μF, discharge the capacitor NOTE first, then select a suitable range for measurement. This will speed up the measurement time and also ensure that the correct capacitance value is obtained. Figure 2-27 Measuring capacitance Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 87: Measuring Temperature

    OL (open thermocouple). The open thermocouple message may be due to a broken (open) probe or because no probe is installed into the input jacks of the multimeter. Figure 2-28 Temperature display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 88 – Place the multimeter in the operating environment for at least 1 hour as the multimeter is using a non-compensation transfer adapter with miniature thermal probe. For quick measurement, use the compensation to view the temperature variation of the thermocouple sensor. The compensation assists you in measuring relative temperature immediately. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 89: Figure 2-29 Measuring Surface Temperature

    Making Measurements Type-K Thermocouple Probe Figure 2-29 Measuring surface temperature Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 90: Compensation

    3 After a constant reading is obtained, press to set the reading as the relative reference temperature. 4 Touch the surface to be measured with the thermocouple probe and read the display. Figure 2-30 Temperature measurement without ambient compensation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 91: Measuring Ac Or Dc Current

    – Check the multimeter’s fuses before measuring current. – Use the proper terminals, function, and range for your measurement. – Never place the probes across (in parallel with) any circuit or component when the leads are plugged into the current terminals. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 92: Figure 2-31 Dc Current Display

    This happens because the resistance through the multimeter's current terminals are very low, resulting in a short circuit. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 93 Appendix B, “Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key,” starting on page 155 to learn more. – Press to measure the frequency of the AC or DC current source. See “Measuring Frequency” on page 100 to learn more. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 94: Figure 2-32 Measuring Dc Current

    Making Measurements LOAD Figure 2-32 Measuring DC current Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 95: Figure 2-33 Measuring Ac Current

    Making Measurements Figure 2-33 Measuring AC current Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 96: Figure 2-34 Current Measurement Setup

    Making Measurements Figure 2-34 Current measurement setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 97: Scale Of 4-20 Ma Or 0-20 Ma

    DC mA measurement. The multimeter will automatically optimize the best resolution for the selected measurement. Two ranges are available for the % scale as shown in Table 2-19. Figure 2-35 4-20 mA % Scale display Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 98: Table 2-19 % Scale Measurement Range

    “Changing the % scale range” on page 136 for more information. Use the % scale with a pressure transmitter, a valve positioner, or other output actuators to measure pressure, temperature, flow, pH, or other process variables. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 99: Figure 2-36 Measuring Dc Current Using The 0-20 Ma % Scale

    Making Measurements Pressure transmitter Figure 2-36 Measuring DC current using the 0-20 mA % scale Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 100: Measuring Frequency

    DC A (or mA) – AC+DC A (or mA) – % Scale of 4-20 mA (or 0-20 mA), or – DC A (or mA) Cycles between – AC µA, DC µA – AC+DC µA, or – DC µA Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 101 1 To measure frequency, rotate the switch to one of the primary functions allowing frequency measurements highlighted in Table 2-20. To obtain the best measuring results for frequency measurements, please use NOTE the AC measuring path. 2 Press . Probe the test points, and read the display. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 102: Figure 2-38 Frequency Display

    In general, the lowest frequency displayed is the correct one. Press to cycle through the frequency, pulse width, and duty cycle measurements. Press for more than 1 second to exit the frequency measurement function. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 103: Measuring Pulse Width

    To change the polarity being measured, press Dual Exit Press to cycle through the frequency, pulse width, and duty cycle measurements. Press for more than 1 second to exit the pulse width measurement function. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 104: Measuring Duty Cycle

    To change the polarity being measured, press Dual Exit Press to cycle through the frequency, pulse width, and duty cycle measurements. Press for more than 1 second to exit the duty cycle measurement function. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 105 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Multimeter Features Making Relative Measurements (Null) Making Scale Transfers (Scale) Capturing Maximum and Minimum Values (MaxMin) Capturing Peak Values (Peak) Freezing the Display (TrigHold and AutoHold) Recording Measurement Data (Data Logging) Reviewing Previously Recorded Data (View) The following sections describe the additional features available in your multimeter.

  • Page 106: Making Relative Measurements (Null)

    For any measurement function, you can directly measure and store the null value by pressing with the test leads open (nulls the test lead capacitance), shorted (nulls the test lead resistance), or across a desired null value circuit. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 107: Figure 3-2 Null Operation

    Short the test leads and press when the displayed value is stable to zero-adjust the display. Press to enable the Null function. Display returns to Press normal after 3 seconds Press again to disable the Null function. Figure 3-2 Null operation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 108: Making Scale Transfers (Scale)

    5 Press and hold for more than 1 second to cancel the Scale operation. is disabled during Scale operations. Press to measure the frequency of the NOTE Dual Exit voltage and current source during Scale operations. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 109: Figure 3-3 Scale Operation

    Multimeter Features Press and hold for more Press Dual Exit than 1 second. Press or after 3 seconds of inactivity. Figure 3-3 Scale operation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 110: Capturing Maximum And Minimum Values (Maxmin)

    2 Press again to cycle through the MAX, MIN, AVG, or NOW (present) input values. Figure 3-4 MaxMin display 3 The elapsed time is shown on the secondary display. Press to restart the Dual Exit recording session. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 111 The true average value displayed is the arithmetic mean of all readings taken since the start of recording. The average reading is useful for smoothing out unstable inputs, calculating power consumption, or estimating the percentage of time a circuit is active. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 112: Capturing Peak Values (Peak)

    At the same time, the elapsed time since the peak recording session was started is stored as the recorded value’s time stamp. The APO (auto power-off) function is disabled when Peak is enabled. NOTE Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 113: Figure 3-6 Peak Mode Operation

    1 second to start the Peak Hold recording session. Start to capture Press Dual Exit reset the Press to switch between the maximum and recording minimum peak values. session. Figure 3-6 Peak mode operation Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 114: Freezing The Display (Trighold And Autohold)

    To change the default AutoHold threshold count see “Changing the variation count” on page 132 for more information. If the reading value is unable to reach a stable state (when exceeding the preset NOTE variation), the reading value will not be updated. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 115: Recording Measurement Data (Data Logging)

    Shares the same memory with Interval logging Before starting a recording session, set up the multimeter for the measurements to be recorded. To change the data logging option see “Changing the recording option” page 132 for more information. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 116: Performing Manual Logs (Hand)

    The duration set in the multimeter’s setup will determine how long each recording interval takes. The input signal value at the end of each interval will be recorded and saved into the multimeter’s memory. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 117: Figure 3-8 Interval Log Display

    When the interval log recording session is running, all other keypad operations NOTE are disabled; except for , which, when pressed for more than 1 second, will stop and exit the recording session. Furthermore, APO (auto power-off) is disabled during the recording session. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 118: Performing Event Logs (Trig)

    1 second to start event log mode. and the log entry number are displayed at the right of the display. Subsequent readings are automatically recorded into the multimeter’s memory every time the trigger condition specified in Table 3-3 is satisfied. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 119: Figure 3-9 Event Log Display

    See the Reviewing Previously Recorded Data (View) section later in this manual to review or erase the recorded entries. APO (auto power-off) is disabled during the recording session. NOTE Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 120: Reviewing Previously Recorded Data (View)

    2 Select the desired recording category to view its entries. 1 Press to jump to the first stored entry. 2 Press to jump to the last stored entry. 3 Press to view the next stored entry. The index number increases by one. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 121: Sanitizing The Log Memories

    When all entries are cleared (H : Void, A : Void, and E : Void), press and hold for more than 1 second. The data sanitization operation may take up to 30 seconds to complete. Do CAUTION not press any keys or turn the rotary switch until the data sanitization operation is completed. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 122 Multimeter Features THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 123 Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Multimeter Setup Options Using the Setup Menu Setup Menu Summary Setup Menu Items The following sections describe how to change the preset features of your multimeter.

  • Page 124: Multimeter Setup Options

    Dual Exit Setup to decrease or increase a numerical value. Press to save your changes. While the menu item’s value is flashing, press to discard your changes. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 125: Editing Numerical Values

    Dual Exit – Press to decrement the digit. Setup When you have completed your changes, save the new numerical value by pressing . (Or alternatively, if you wish to discard the changes you made, press Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 126 Press to edit the Press Setup than 1 second to enter the selected menu item’s move the cursor left or setup menu. value. right. Press to increment or Dual Exit Setup decrement the selected digit. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 127: Setup Menu Summary

    OFF feature (off). page 133 Default is dBm. Set the dBm reference impedance value from 1 page 64 Ω to 9999 Ω. dBm-R 0001 Ω to 9999 Ω page 134 Default is 50 Ω. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 128 SINGLE, TONE, or OFF disable this feature (off). page 137 Default is single. Set the minimum measurement frequency page 100 (0.5 Hz or 10 Hz). MIN-Hz 0.5 Hz or 10 Hz page 137 Default is 0.5 Hz. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 129 Default is factory. Set the multimeter’s power-on greetings to the factory default or off (disable this feature). The GREETING FACTORY, USER, or OFF page 140 user-defined setting is factory reserved. Default is factory. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 130 Default is (1000.0) V/V. Set the primary display’s settling value from 0001 to 9999. You can also disable this 0001 to 9999 page 32 SMOOTH feature (D). (D or E) page 144 Default is disabled (0009-D). Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 131 PRI or SEC page 146 MENU 6 Default is primary. Enable the Filter (LPF) for DC, AC, and AC+DC page 58 voltage and current measuring paths. FILTER DC, DCAC, or OFF page 146 Default is DC. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 132: Setup Menu Items

    115). There are three available recording options for the multimeter’s Data Logging feature. – HAND: Manual log – AUTO: Interval log – TRIG: Event log Parameter Range Defaul t setting D-LOG HAND, AUTO, or TRIG HAND Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 133: Changing The Sample Interval Duration

    This setting is used with dB measurements (see page 64). You can enable the multimeter to display voltage as a dB value, either relative to 1 milliwatt (dBm) or a reference voltage of 1 volt (dBV). Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 134: Changing The Custom Dbm Reference Impedance

    3 Use the arrow keys to change the dBm reference impedance value. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). 5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 135: Changing The Thermocouple Type

    °F and °C. – Celsius/Fahrenheit: During temperature measurements, press to switch between °C and °F. – Fahrenheit only: Temperature measured in °F. Press and hold for more than 1 second to unlock this setting. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 136: Changing The % Scale Range

    2 Browse to Menu 2 > mA SCALE, and press edit the value. 3 Use the arrow keys to change the % scale range. Select OFF to disable the % scale readout. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 137: Changing The Continuity Alert

    0.5 Hz or 10 Hz 0.5 Hz To change the minimum measurable frequency: 1 Press for more than 1 second to enter the multimeter’s setup menu. Setup 2 Browse to Menu 2 > MIN-Hz, and press edit the value. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 138: Changing The Beep Frequency

    Changing the auto power-off (APO) timer The multimeter’s APO (see page 26) feature uses a timer to determine when to automatically turn the multimeter off. Parameter Range Defaul t setting – (1 to 99) minutes 10 M-E – E(nabled) or D(isabled) Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 139: Changing The Oled Behavior

    5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Changing the power-on melody The multimeter’s plays a melody when it is powered on. The USER setting is factory reserved. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 140: Changing The Power-On Greetings

    3 Use the arrow keys to change the power-on greetings. Select OFF to disable the power-on greetings. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). 5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 141: Changing The Baud Rate

    3 Use the arrow keys to change the data bit. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). 5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 142: Changing The Parity Check

    3 Use the arrow keys to enable the echo feature. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). 5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 143: Enabling The Print Feature

    (030.00-D) V – D(isabled) or E(nabled) To enable the overvoltage’s alert: 1 Press for more than 1 second to enter the multimeter’s setup menu. Setup 2 Browse to Menu 5 > V-ALERT, and press edit the value. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 144: Changing The User Scale Conversion Value And Unit

    The variation count is set to the value used for the AutoHold feature (see “Changing the variation count” on page 132). Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 145: Resetting The Multimeter's Setup Options

    YES or NO 1 Press for more than 1 second to enter the multimeter’s setup menu. Setup 2 Browse to Menu 6 > DEFAULT, and press edit the value. 3 Use the arrow keys to select YES. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 146: Changing The Battery Type

    Only one of the two filters can be in the signal path at any point in time. The possible scenarios are: – Only the AC Low Pass Filter is enabled – Only the DC Filter is enabled – No Filter in the signal path Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 147: Table 4-3 Filter (Lpf) Options

    Table 4-4 Firmware version 1.64 or older Parameter Range Defaul t setting FiLtEr on or oFF Table 4-5 Firmware version 1.95 or newer Parameter Range Defaul t setting FiLtEr dC, dCAC, or oFF Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 148 3 Use the arrow keys to enable the filter. 4 Press to save your changes (or press to discard your changes). 5 Press and hold until the multimeter restarts to return to normal operation. Setup Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 149: Characteristics And Specifications

    Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Characteristics and Specifications For the characteristics and specifications of the U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter, refer to the datasheet at http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5990-6425EN.pdf.
  • Page 150 Characteristics and Specifications THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 151: Shift Functions Using The Shift Key

    Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Appendix A Shift Functions Using the Shift Key Table A-1 U1273A/U1273AX default and shift functions The table below lists the function shown in the primary display when the key is pressed, with respect to the multimeter’s rotary switch position. Press...

  • Page 152: Table A-1 U1273A/U1273Ax Default And Shift Functions

    Shift Functions Using the Shift Key Table A-1 U1273A/U1273AX default and shift functions Function shown in the primary d isplay: Rotary switch position Defaul t When is pressed Low impedance (Z ) AC or DC voltage measurement (AC/DC V) AC voltage measurement (AC V) with low-pass...
  • Page 153 Shift Functions Using the Shift Key Table A-1 U1273A/U1273AX default and shift functions (continued) Function shown in the primary d isplay: Rotary switch position Defaul t When is pressed AC current measurement (AC μA) DC current measurement (DC μA) AC+DC current measurement (AC+DC μA) [a] Press to switch the function shown in the primary display (AC V) with the function shown in the secondary display (DC V).
  • Page 154 Appendix A Shift Functions Using the Shift Key THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...

  • Page 155: Measurements

    Keysight U1273A/U1273AX Handheld Digital Multimeter User’s Guide Appendix B Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations The table below lists the function shown in the secondary display when the Dual Exit key is pressed, with respect to the multimeter’s rotary switch position. Press...

  • Page 156: Table B-1 U1273A/U1273Ax Dual Display Combinations

    WARNING In the dual display DC voltage decibel and DC voltage measurement mode, the icon will not appear on the screen regardless of voltage. Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations Function shown (when is pressed) in the: Dual Exit Rotary switch position...
  • Page 157 Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations (continued) Function shown (when is pressed) in the: Dual Exit Rotary switch position Primary d isplay Secondary d isplay DC coupling frequency measurement (Hz) DC voltage measurement (DC V)
  • Page 158 Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations (continued) Function shown (when is pressed) in the: Dual Exit Rotary switch position Primary d isplay Secondary d isplay DC coupling frequency measurement (Hz) DC voltage measurement (DC mV)
  • Page 159 Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key Table B-1 U1273A/U1273AX dual display combinations (continued) Function shown (when is pressed) in the: Dual Exit Rotary switch position Primary d isplay Secondary d isplay DC coupling frequency measurement (Hz) DC current measurement (DC mA)
  • Page 160 Dual Display Combinations Using the Dual Key [b] Alternative dual display combination not available for this function. [c] When is pressed, temperature measurement without ambient compensation ( ) is enabled. Dual Exit Keysight U1273A/U1273AX User’s Guide...
  • Page 161 This information is subject to change without notice. Always refer to the English version at the Keysight website for the latest revision. © Keysight Technologies 2012 – 2017 Edition 9, April 1, 2017 Printed in Malaysia *U1273-90017* U1273-90017 www.keysight.com...

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