Section I; General Information; Description; Specifications - HP 3438A Operating And Service Manual

Model 3438A
Section I
SECTION I
GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. IN'TRODUCTION.
1-2. This section contains general information con-
cerning the -hp- Model 3438A Multimeter. Included is an
instrument description, specifications, information
about instrument and manual identification, option and
accessory information, and safety considerations.
1-3. DESCRIPTION.
1-4. The -hp- Model 3438A is an HP-IB compatible,
3% digit, five function, autoranging multimeter. The
functions are AC and DC Voltage, AC and DC Current
and Ohms. All five functions have manually selectable
ranges. AC and D C Voltage and Ohms functions may
also be automatically ranged by depressing the AUTO
pushbutton.
1-5. The 3438A enables the user to set up a low cost data
gathering system utilizing the HP-IB. Voltage (ac or
dc), Current (ac or dc) and resistance information can be
transferred on the HP-IB to Printers, Calculators, and
Computers for data storage or hard
cop.^
printouts.
1-6. Throughout the remainder of this manual, the -hp-
Model 3438A Multimeter will be referred to as
Multimeter.
1-7. SPECIFICA'I'IONS.
1-8. Specifications for the Multimeter are listed in
Table 1-1. These specifications are the performance
standards or limits to which the Multimetercan be tested.
Any changes in these specifications due to manufacturing
changes, design or traceability to the National Bureau of
Standards will be covered by an errata or change sheet.
These specifications supersede any prior published
specifications. Supplemental information in Table 1-2 is
provided to describe general operating characteristics.
1-9. INS'TRUMENT AND MANUAL IDENT-
IFICATION.
1-10, Hewlett-Packard uses a two-section serial
number. The first section (prefix) identifies a series of
instruments. The last section (suffix) identifies a
particular instrument within the series. A letter between
the prefix and the suffix identifies the country in which
the instrument was manufactured. The manual is kept
up-to-date at all times by means of a change sheet which
is supplied with the manual. If the serial number of your
instrument differs from the one on the title page of this
manual, refer to the change sheet supplied with the
manual. All correspondence with Hewlett-Packard
should include the complete serial number.
1-11. OPTIONS.
1-12. Table 1-3 lists the options available for the
Multimeter.
1-13. The option label affixed to the rear of the
Multimeter identifies the line voltage for which the
instrument is wired. This operating voltage can be
changed by following the procedure outlined in Section V
(Power Requirement Modification Instructions). If the
line voltage' option is changed, the option labei should
also be corrected to reflect the new configuration.
1-14. ACCESSORIES.
1-15. The accessories available for use with the
Multimeter are listed in Table 1-4.
1-16. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS.
1-17. This Operating and Service Manual contains
cautions and warnings alerting the user t o hazardous
operating and maintenance conditions. This information
is flagged by a caution or warning heading a n d / o r the
symbol
.
The symbol appears on the
front panel and is an international symbol meaning "refer
to the Operating and Service Manual". This symbol flags
important operating instructions located in Section 111.
To ensure the safety of the operating and maintenance
personnel and retain the operating condition of the
instrument, these instructions must be adhered to.