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289
Chapter 7 Tutorial
Measurement Fundamentals
4
7
Current Measurements
Current measurements are allowed only on the 34901A module.
An ammeter senses the current flowing through its input connections –
approximating a short circuit between its input terminals. An ammeter
must be connected in series with the circuit or device being measured
such that current flows through both the meter and the test circuit.
A resistor, R
s
in the diagram below, is connected across the input
terminals such that a voltage drop proportional to the input current is
generated. The value of R
s
is selected as low as possible to minimize the
instrument’s
burden voltage
, or
IR
drop. This voltage drop is sensed by
the internal DMM and scaled to the proper current value to complete the
measurement (
see the discussion on the following page
).
AC current measurements are very similar to DC current
measurements. The output of the current-to-voltage sensor is measured
by an AC voltmeter. The input terminals are direct coupled (ac+dc
coupled) to the shunt so that the internal DMM maintains DC continuity
in the test circuit. Performing AC current measurements demands
additional care. The
burden voltage
(loading) varies with frequency and
input inductance, often causing unexpected behavior in the test circuit
(
see the discussion on the following page
).
On-Card
Fuse
S1
Rs
LO
I
±VDC to Input Amplifier and
Analog-to-Digital Converter
34970A Refresh UG.book Page 289 Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:34 PM
Summary of Contents for 34970A
Page 16: ...16 34970A Refresh UG book Page 16 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 20: ...34970A Refresh UG book Page 20 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 21: ...1 1 Quick Start 34970A Refresh UG book Page 21 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 39: ...2 2 Front Panel Overview 34970A Refresh UG book Page 39 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 59: ...3 3 System Overview 34970A Refresh UG book Page 59 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 87: ...4 4 Features and Functions 34970A Refresh UG book Page 87 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 217: ...5 5 Error Messages 34970A Refresh UG book Page 217 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 241: ...6 6 Application Programs 34970A Refresh UG book Page 241 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 254: ...254 34970A Refresh UG book Page 254 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 255: ...7 7 Tutorial 34970A Refresh UG book Page 255 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...
Page 324: ...324 34970A Refresh UG book Page 324 Wednesday February 17 2010 12 34 PM ...