Compatibility and Differences: 34461A and 34401A Digital Multimeters Application Note Introduction The 34401A digital multimeter Compatibility (DMM) is the industry standard. Its accuracy, ease of use, and flexibility There are many factors to keep in mind when you want to replace reliable have attracted users for more than instruments such as the 34401A. Here are just some of the areas where the two decades and its low cost of 34461A is equivalent to the 34401A. ownership and high quality have Functions and ranges: The 34461A is a superset of the 34401A capability. helped it to be one of the most Differences are listed below. successful products in Agilents Measurement accuracy and resolution: The 34461As specifications and history. Many engineers do not typical characteristics are as accurate or better than those of the 34401A. even evaluate other DMMs when See Table 1. All specifications are ISO17025 compliant. they want to order one they know the 34401A will work for them. It is SCPI compatibility: We have taken extra care to ensure that the 34461A will an essential meter for bench and work with SCPI programs that were written for the Agilent 34401A. automated test applications. Programming considerations and differences are listed below. The 34461A DMM is the next- Mechanical size: Height and width dimensions are the same. generation 34401A. This new DMM Accessories: Rack mount kits and probe accessories are compatible with both was designed by the same group as products. the 34401A, with many of the same R&D engineers participating. With Manufacturing: Both DMMs are produced to the same rigorous quality this continuity of experience and standards and manufacturing process controls. expertise, Agilent has made a DMM Service and support from Agilent: Our international team is available to help that is a virtual drop-in replacement you calibrate your DMM or answer any questions about either instrument. for the 34401A while continuing to improve usability and measurement Warranty: Both the 34401A and 34461A offer the same outstanding 3-year technology. standard warranty. The 34461A is a compatible 34401A replacement with few exceptions. If you are looking to migrate from the 34401A to a 34461A and want to fully understand all differences between the two models, this application note will help you. Our goal is to help you migrate from your 34401A to a 34461A effortlessly.Table 1. Key features and model comparison 34461A 34401A Resolution 6 digits 6 digits Input terminals Front and rear Front and rear 1-year DCV accuracy 0.0035 + 0.0005 0.0035 + 0.0005 (% of reading + % of range) Measurement speed 4 digits 1000 readings/s 1000 readings/s Measurements DCV, ACV, Resistance, Same Frequency, Period, Continuity Diode 5 V 1 V AC and DC current 100 A 10 A 10 mA 3 A Temperature RTD/ PT100, thermistor N/A Reading memory 10,000 readings 512 readings Display Number, histogram, bar meter, Number trend chart Connectivity USB, LAN Optional: GPIB GPIB, RS-232 Measurement Tip Use SCPI compatibility mode By default, the 34461A *IDN query returns: Agilent Technologies,3446xA, <Serial Number>,ff.ff-pp.pp-mm.mm-gg.gg-bb-pp For compatibility purposes, use SYSTem:IDENtify HP34401A to return: HEWLETT-PACKARD,34401A,<Serial Number>,ff.ff-pp.pp-mm.mm-gg.gg-bb-pp You can also configure this from the front panel: Utility > System Setup > User Settings > SCPI ID Differences The few differences between the 34461A and 34401A that might affect migration are listed below. Many of these differ- ences improve the performance of the 34461A relative to the 34401A. Physical differences The 34461A is not as long as the 34401A, and the connectors are in different positions. The 34461A does not support RS-232, and GPIB is optional on the 34461A. The 34461A does not support hardware limit test outputs. 2