Refer to the following sections for information about setting up a digital multimeter instrument in InstrumentStudio.

Auto Range Modes

When specifying a range for a voltage or current measurement, you can select Auto or Auto once to measure a signal when you do not know which range to select. The digital multimeter (DMM) takes a series of measurements and adjusts the range until the measurement falls within the smallest range appropriate for that measurement.
  • Auto—Takes a reading before each measurement to select the smallest appropriate range.
  • Auto once—The first point measured determines the range for the rest of the measurements.
Note For model-specific considerations when using auto range, refer to NI-DMM documentation or the user manual for your NI-DMM device.

Performing Cable Compensation

Typically, you connect the digital multimeter (DMM) to a device under test with switches, fixtures, or cables. These switches and fixtures can introduce undesired errors into the measurement. Open and short cable compensation minimizes these measurement errors when taking capacitance or inductance measurements.

Compensation consists of measuring the error and applying the measured error to the actual measurement to correct and minimize the errors introduced by the test system. The compensation values must be renewed before taking a measurement at a specified function and range. Any change in range or function defaults the compensation type to none, and you must perform compensation again for accurate measurements.

Performing Open Compensation for Capacitance and Inductance Measurements

  1. Disconnect the device under test (DUT) from the DMM at the connection point on the DUT. Leave the cable connected to the DMM.
  2. Configure the DMM for capacitance or inductance at the desired range.
  3. Open the settings () for the DMM channel.
  4. Click Renew under the Open cable compensation section of the settings window.
    Note These settings are not available for simulated DMM devices.
  5. Click Continue in the Open Cable Compensation dialog box.
    Note Check the device panel to make sure compensation has been applied ().

Performing Short Compensation for Capacitance and Inductance Measurements

  1. Disconnect the DUT from the DMM at the connection point on the DUT. Leave the cable connected to the DMM.
  2. Configure the DMM for capacitance or inductance at the desired range.
  3. Set up a short condition using a low-impedance connection between the HI and LO terminals of the DMM. Cables and switches with low capacitance and low path resistance are recommended.
  4. Open the settings () for the DMM channel.
  5. Click Renew under the Short cable compensation section of the settings window.
    Note These settings are not available for simulated DMM devices.
  6. Click Continue in the Short Cable Compensation dialog box.
    Note Check the device panel to make sure compensation has been applied ().