3
Features and Functions
136
Keysight 34980A Mainframe User’s Guide
Thermocouple Measurements
The instrument supports the following thermocouple types: B, E, J, K, N, R, S, and
T using ITS-90 software conversions.
The default is a J-Type thermocouple.
– Thermocouple measurements require a reference junction temperature. For
the reference junction temperature, you can use an internal measurement on
the module (34921A only), an external thermistor or RTD measurement, or a
known fixed junction temperature.
– The
internal
reference junction source is valid only on channels 1 through
40 on the 34921A with the 34921T terminal block installed.
– If you select an
external
reference, the instrument makes thermocouple
measurements relative to a previously-stored RTD or thermistor
measurement stored in a reference register. To store a reference
temperature, first configure a multiplexer channel for an RTD or thermistor
measurement. Then assign the measurement from that channel as the
external reference. When you initiate a measurement on an external
reference channel, the acquired temperature is stored in volatile memory in
the reference register. Subsequent thermocouple measurements use the
stored temperature as their reference. The temperature remains in memory
until you measure a subsequent external reference value in the reference
register or remove the mainframe power.
– If you select a
fixed
reference temperature, specify a value between
-20 °C and +80 °C (always specify the temperature in °C regardless of the
temperature units currently selected).
– The accuracy of the measurement is highly dependent upon the thermocouple
connections and the type of reference junction used. Use a fixed temperature
reference for the highest accuracy measurements (you must maintain the
known junction temperature). The internal isothermal block reference (34921A
only) requires no external wiring but provides lower accuracy measurements
than a fixed reference.
– The
thermocouple check
feature allows you to verify that your thermocouples
are properly connected for measurements. If you enable this feature, the
instrument measures the channel resistance after each thermocouple
measurement to ensure a proper connection. If an open connection is detected
(greater than 5 k
Ω
on the 10 k
Ω
range), the instrument reports an overload
condition for that channel (or displays “OPEN T/C” on the front panel).