Auto Range Modes

Auto range modes automatically detect the signal range when the range for a signal is unknown.

Auto range modes allow you to measure a signal when you do not know the range of the signal. Instead of specifying a range for a voltage measurement or a current measurement, you can enable one of the following auto range modes:
  • Auto (A blue icon with a dot in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle.)—Takes a reading before each measurement to select the smallest appropriate range.
  • Auto once (A blue icon with a the number one in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle.)—The first point that the digital multimeter (DMM) measures determines the range for the rest of the measurements.

    • Auto range modes allow the DMM to take a series of measurements. Then, the DMM adjusts the range until the measurement falls within the smallest range appropriate for that measurement.

    Note Model-specific considerations might apply when you use auto range modes. For more information, see the NI-DMM User Manual or the User Manual for your specific DMM device.

    Enable Automatic Level Range

    1. Click An icon of three horizontal dots. to open the Channel Settings window.
    2. Enable one of the auto range modes in the Range section of the window.
      • Click the A grey icon with a dot in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle. icon to enable Auto mode.
      • Click the A grey icon with a the number one in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle. icon to enable Auto once mode.
    The icon that you clicked turns blue (A blue icon with a dot in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle. or A blue icon with a the number one in the middle and two curved arrows that form a circle.) and the corresponding auto range mode is enabled.
    To disable an auto range mode, click the blue icon or select the other auto range mode.

    Perform Cable Compensation

    When you connect a DMM to a DUT with switches, fixtures, or cables, these instruments might introduce errors into the measurement. Open and short cable compensation minimizes these measurement errors when you take capacitance or inductance measurements.

    Compensation consists of the following steps:
    • Measuring the error
    • Applying the measured error to the actual measurement
    This process allows you to correct and minimize the errors introduced by the test system. You must renew the compensation values before you take a measurement at a specified function and a specified range. If the range or function changes, the compensation type defaults none. Then, you must perform compensation again for accurate measurements.

    Perform Open Compensation for Capacitance Measurements 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. Open the settings (An icon of three horizontal dots.) 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. InstrumentStudio applied the compensation if the An icon of a plug with a checkmark in the upper-right corner. symbol appears.

    Perform Short Compensation for Capacitance Measurements 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 with a low-impedance connection between the HI terminal and the LO terminal of the DMM. Use cables and switches with low capacitance and low path resistance.
    4. Open the settings (An icon of three horizontal dots.) 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. InstrumentStudio applied the compensation if the An icon of a plug with a checkmark in the upper-right corner. symbol appears.