F-14
Measurement Considerations
General measurement considerations
The following measurement considerations apply to all precision measurements.
Ground loops
Ground loops that occur in multiple-instrument test setups can create error signals that cause
erratic or erroneous measurements. The con
fi
guration shown in Figure F-8 introduces errors in
two ways. Large ground currents
fl
owing in one of the wires will encounter small resistances,
either in the wires, or at the connecting points. This small resistance results in voltage drops
that can affect the measurement. Even if the ground loop currents are small, magnetic
fl
ux cut-
ting across the large loops formed by the ground leads can induce suf
fi
cient voltages to disturb
sensitive measurements.
To prevent ground loops, instruments should be connected to ground at only a single point,
as shown in Figure F-9. Note that only a single instrument is connected directly to power line
ground. Experimentation is the best way to determine an acceptable arrangement. For this pur-
pose, measuring instruments should be placed on their lowest ranges. The con
fi
guration that
results in the lowest noise signal is the one that should be used.
Instrument 1
Instrument 2
Instrument 3
Signal Leads
Ground
Loop
Current
Power Line Ground
Figure F-8
Power line ground loops
Instrument 1
Instrument 2
Instrument 3
Power Line Ground
Figure F-9
Eliminating
ground loops
Summary of Contents for 6430
Page 26: ......
Page 32: ......
Page 78: ...2 14 Connections ...
Page 98: ...3 20 Basic Source Measure Operation ...
Page 138: ...5 30 Source Measure Concepts ...
Page 156: ...6 18 Range Digits Speed and Filters ...
Page 168: ...7 12 Relative and Math ...
Page 176: ...8 8 Data Store ...
Page 202: ...9 26 Sweep Operation ...
Page 248: ...11 22 Limit Testing ...
Page 310: ...16 6 SCPI Signal Oriented Measurement Commands ...
Page 418: ...17 108 SCPI Command Reference ...
Page 450: ...18 32 Performance Verification ...
Page 477: ...A Specifications ...
Page 489: ...B StatusandErrorMessages ...
Page 498: ...B 10 Status and Error Messages ...
Page 499: ...C DataFlow ...
Page 503: ...D IEEE 488BusOverview ...
Page 518: ...D 16 IEEE 488 Bus Overview ...
Page 519: ...E IEEE 488andSCPI ConformanceInformation ...
Page 523: ...F MeasurementConsiderations ...
Page 539: ...G GPIB488 1Protocol ...
Page 557: ......