KEYSIGHT U1271A Handheld Digital Multimeter User Guide

KEYSIGHT U1271A Handheld Digital Multimeter

Safety Notices

CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to the product or loss of important data. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury or death. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Safety symbols

Multimeter Quick Start Guide

Verify that you received the following items in the shipment of your multimeter:

• Standard test leads
• Test probes with 4 mm tips
• K-type thermocouple and adapter
• 4 x AAA alkaline batteries
• Certificate of Calibration

If any item is missing or damaged, keep the shipping materials and contact the nearest Keysight Sales Office. The descriptions and instructions in this guide apply to the U1271A and U1272A Handheld Digital Multimeters. The model U1272A appears in all illustrations.
All related documents and software are available for download at www.keysight.com/find/hhTechLib.

Differences between the U1271A and U1272A

The U1272A model offers these additional functions:

• ZLOW (low input impedance) measurements
• Smart Ω measurements
• Auto-diode tests
• AC+DC voltage and current measurements
• J-type thermocouple temperature measurements
• 30 Ω and 300 MΩ ranges for resistance measurements
• dBm and dBV measurements with selectable impedance
• Data logging up to 10,000 memories
• The U1271A model has one differing function:
• Qik-V tests

Install the Batteries

Your multimeter is powered by four 1.5 V AAA alkaline batteries (included with the shipment).

1. Turn the rotary switch to OFF and remove the test leads from the terminals.
2. Lift the tilt stand and loosen the screws with a suitable Phillips screwdriver.
3. Remove the battery cover and observe the polarity markings.
4. Insert the batteries and replace the battery cover and screws.

Turn On the Multimeter

To power ON your multimeter, turn the rotary switch to any other position.
Your multimeter is capable of remote data logging. To use this feature, you will need an IR-USB cable (U1173A, purchased separately) and the Keysight GUI Data Logger Software (downloadable from www.keysight.com/find/hhTechLib).

The Multimeter at a Glance

Understanding the Rotary Switch

Understanding the Keypad

Understanding the Input Terminals

WARNING Ensure that the terminal connections are correct for that particular measurement function before starting any measurement. To avoid damage to the device, do not exceed the input limit.

Performing Measurements and Tests

Voltage measurements

The figure below highlights the primary functions allowing voltage measurements in your multimeter.

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform voltage measurements. When measuring DC voltage from a mixed signal in DC measurement mode, ensure that the Filter is enabled.

1. Press for more than 1 second to enter the multimeter’s setup menu.
2. Press until is shown on the secondary display.
3. Press to enable the Filter. Refer to the table below for the respective firmware versions.
4. Press to save your changes.
5. Press and hold until the multimeter restarts and returns to normal operation. Turn the multimeter to DC Voltage mode to verify that the LPF symbol is turned on.

CAUTION To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, enable the Filter to verify the presence of hazardous DC voltages. Displayed DC voltages can be influenced by high frequency AC components and must be filtered to assure an accurate reading.

LPF during AC measurements:

• Passing the measured signal through a LPF help blocks unwanted voltages such as electronic noise.
• Use the LPF function to improve measurement on composite sine waves that are typically generated by inverters and variable frequency motor drives.

ZLOW measurements (U1272A only):

• Use the ZLOW (low input impedance) function to detect ghost or induced voltages.
• Ghost voltages can be caused by capacitive coupling between energized wiring and adjacent unused wiring.

Qik-V test (U1271A only):

• Use the Qik-V function to quickly identify the measured signal type.
• Use this function as a reference to determine if the measured signal is an AC or DC signal, then select the appropriate voltage measurement function by turning the rotary switch to an appropriate position (AC or DC).

Resistance measurements

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform resistance measurements.

Smart Ω measurements (U1272A only):

• Use the Smart Ω function to measure resistors affected by DC offset or leakage current.
• If DC offset or bias voltages are detected on the resistor-under-measure, the offset or bias DC voltage value will be shown on the secondary display. If the DC voltage on the resistor is over +1.25 V, is shown on the secondary display.

Continuity tests

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform continuity tests. Press to switch to the continuity test function is shown on the display).
You can set the beeper to sound and the backlight to flash as a continuity indication whether the circuit-under-test is less than (short) or more than or equal to (open) the threshold resistance.
Press to switch between short and open  states for checking NO (normal open) and NC (normal close) contacts.

NOTE: The continuity function detects intermittent shorts and opens lasting as short as 1 ms. A brief short or open causes the multimeter to emit a short beep and flash

Diode tests

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform diode tests .

Auto-diode tests (U1272A only):

• The Auto-diode function tests both the forward bias and reverse bias directions of your diode simultaneously. The forward bias voltage is shown on the primary display and the reverse bias voltage is shown on the secondary display.
• – nload will be indicated briefly on the secondary display along with a brief beep if the diode is found to be in good condition. is shown if the diode is out of the thresholds.

Capacitance measurements

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform capacitance measurements.

Temperature measurements

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform temperature measurements.
WARNING Do not connect the thermocouple to electrically live circuits. Doing so will potentially cause fire or electric shock.

NOTE: The multimeter uses a type-K (default setting) temperature probe for measuring temperature

Current measurements

Set up your multimeter as shown in the figure below to perform current measurements. Press to switch between AC, DC, AC+DC, or % scale current measurements. When measuring DC current from a mixed signal in DC measurement mode, ensure that the Filter is enabled.
WARNING: Always use the proper function, range, and terminals for current measurements. Set the positive input terminal to the terminal for currents below 440 mA, and the terminal for currents above 440 mA.

Contacting Keysight
To obtain service, warranty or technical assistance, contact us at the following phone numbers:

• United States Call Center: 800-829-4444
• Canada Call Center: 877-894-4414
• China Call Center: 800-810-0189
• Europe Call Center: 31-20-547-2111
• Japan Call Center: (81) 426-56-7832

For other countries, contact your country’s Keysight support organization. A list of contact information for other countries is available on the Keysight Website: www.keysight.com/find/assist

Safety Information
This meter is safety-certified in compliance with EN/IEC 61010-1:2001, ANSI/UL 61010-1:2004, and CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1-04. Use with standard or compatible test probes.

Safety Symbols

Documents / Resources

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