Is it a problem of PXI4130 or not

[AhGang]

Hi,

    A strange problem.

    I got SMU PXI 4130 today. And I installed it into a PXI chassis.

    After power up and during the debugging, I did use a hand multi meter to check if it has short circuitt between powersupply and GND.

    It is horrible that the hand multi meter sounds "didi".

    It means that it does have short circuit. Finally I found that when I measure PXI 4130 between output+ and output-, the hand multi meter does sound "didi" whatever channel 0 or channel 1.

    PXI 4130 has short circuit between output+ and output-?

    Is it normal or abnormal?

    Thanks.

[wildcat_600]

Hello,

When you perform a continuity test most DMMs will generate a small test current and then measure the voltage.  If the resistance across the terminals is very small (a short) then approximately 0V will be measured and the DMM will beep. 

On the PXI-4130 we are forcing 0V across the 2 output terminals.  If you use a handheld DMM to take a continuity measurement, you supply a small test current to the SMU.  The SMU is basically sinking the test current and keeping the output voltage constant at 0V.  This results in your DMM beeping at you indicating a short even though it is not really a short but just 0V.  

Have a good day,

Brian P.

DC Precision Product Support Engineer

[Elizabeth W]

Message Edited by Elizabeth L on 03-27-2008 04:47 PM