Series 3700 and 3700A Frequently Asked Questions
Series 3700 and 3700A FAQs
• I am trying to do a dmm.close and get error # 1114, a settings conflict error?
– The channel that is being closed has “nofunction” assigned to it. In order to use dmm.close, a valid function is required to be assigned to a channel.
• What is the default password to log into the internal web page?
– “admin”
• What is the username for the internal Admin page?
– “admin”
• Why do I have to log into some pages and not others on the internal web page?
– Web pages are designed to have both a “view only” mode and a
“write mode” to check status of switch states. The default status is “view only.” By logging into the web page, you enter the “write mode” and can control the instrument remotely.
• How do I reset the Series 3700 or 3700A from the front panel
– Press the MENU button
– Using the SCROLL WHEEL, select SETUP then press ENTER
– Scroll over to RESET then press ENTER
• Is the data buffer storage non-volatile?
– All onboard data storage is volatile memory. The USB memory stick will give the ability for non-volatile data storage
• How do I store to the USB stick? Can I do this using the web page?
Currently, data can be stored to the USB stick from the front panel, web page or through a program. Yes the web page will allow storage to the USB stick.
• I want to use GPIB or USB. Are there any getting started programs for these interfaces?
– Test Script Builder (TSB) will allow GPIB or USB connectivity. A built-in webpage allows full control of the instrument, including editing and executing scripts, is provided through Ethernet.
• Where is the CJC located? (Why do I get an error when trying to measure temperature without the STP?)
– The CJC is located on the STP. In order to use the internal CJC, the STP must be used. The 3706A does have the capability of using external or simulated CJC instead of using the STP.
• How do I update the Firmware of the Series 3700 or 3700A?
– When Firmware is released, it will be posted on our Web site.
– Series 3700 firmware is not compatible with the Series 3700A mainframes and vice versa. The mainframe will automatically check for firmware compatibility, not allowing users to mix firmware between the two Series.
– Switch cards should be installed in the mainframe before performing firmware upgrade as switch cards also contain firmware that may also need to be upgraded.
– The firmware file needs to be loaded to a memory stick in the root directory with no other series 3700 or3700A firmware files in the root directory.
– Place the memory stick in the front panel USB connector on the mainframe. Once the memory stick in installed, then from the front panel, press MENU button then use the scroll wheel to the right until UPGRADE is displayed. Press enter to select UPGRADE then press enter with YES selected and the upgrade will begin.
• How do I edit the DMM configuration of the card channel through the web page?
– Once you are logged into the slot page, right click with the mouse when over a relay icon. Follow the web page help for details on channel configuration.
• Is there on-board storage of channel closure count?
– Yes, the switch card stores the closure count for each channel on the card.
– There are ICL commands that can be used to retrieve the channel count information.
– This information can also be accessed from the internal web page. This is located from the slot page and then click the about button.
• Can you control multiple instruments via TSP-Link from the web interface?
– When using the web interface, you are only able to control a single device through the web. The exception to this would be that you can use TSB Embedded to create a script that accesses other nodes directly in a script.
• What is the raw socket Port number?
– 5025
• I think the AMPS fuse is blown, how do I replace it and what type of fuse do I need to replace it with?
– Disconnect instrument from power line.
– From the rear panel, gently push in AMPS fuse holder with flat blade screwdriver and rotate the fuse holder one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
– Remove old fuse and replace it with same type (3A, 250V, Fast Blow, 5x20mm). The Keithley part number is FU-99-1
– Install new fuse by reversing the procedure above.
• How do I connect via USB to the 3706 or 3706A using TSB
– Have TSB version 1.1 or higher installed on your PC.
– When you plug the 3706 or 3706A in via USB, Windows should then prompt you with the found new hardware wizard. Once this comes up, click on “Next” and have windows find software automatically. Windows should find the driver which is called “USB Test and Measurement Device”. Click on finished.
– After the USB driver is installed, TSB must be configured in order to communicate via USB. By default, there is not a USB device configured in the Keithley configuration panel. This configuration can be done by either running the configuration panel as a stand-alone application or from TSB. Click on the down arrow button directly to the right of the instrument console located in the bottom third of the TSB screen. Once this pop up appears, click on “Instrument” then “Configure”.
– This will load the Keithley configuration panel and the wizard should now load. If the wizard does not automatically load, then run it from the help drop down from the top of the page. Once the select option window loads, select “Add” then click on the “Next” key, then select “USB” for communication bus then click “Next.” \Select the USB resource that you wish to add, then click ”Next”, select “Auto detect Instrument Driver” then click ”Next” once again. The “Name Virtual Instrument” window should now be displayed, leave the default name or change the name of the device, then click finished. The wizard should now bring you back to the “Select Operation” window. Click ”Cancel” from this screen, select save from the file drop down at the top of the main window then exit the Keithley Configuration Panel.
– From the select instrument drop down in TSB, you will now see the USB device you just configured. Select this and then OK and TSB will now connect to the device through TSB.
• Why does my TSB instrument configuration not show 3706A?
– Locate the instrument driver, KE37XX IVI Driver 2.0.0, in the CD that is supplied with the 3706A instrument or through the Download/Software Driver link on www.keithley.com.
– Double click to install the new driver (which provides support to model 3706A).
– Click on the down arrow button directly to the right of the instrument console located in the bottom third of the TSB screen. Once this pop up appears, click on ‘instrument’ then click ‘configure’. This will load the Keithley configuration panel and the wizard should now load. Once the select option window loads, select ‘add’ on the next key, then select ‘Ethernet’ or ‘USB for communication bus’ then click ‘next’. You may be prompted to add a TCP/IP or LXI instrument if you have an Ethernet connection. A list of Ethernet or USB resources will be listed for you to add. Select the appropriate 3706A instrument and click ‘next’, select ‘auto detect’ then ‘next’ once again. The “Name Virtual Instrument” window should now be displayed. Leave the default name or change the name of the device, then click ‘finished’. The wizard should now bring you back to the select operation window, click ‘cancel’ from this screen, select ‘save’ from the file drop down at the top of the main window then exit the Keithley Configuration Panel.
– From the select instrument drop down in TSB, you will now see the newly added Ethernet or USB 3706A model you just configured. Select the appropriate one to establish a remote connection.
• Can the 3706A model be emulated as a 3706 model?
– Yes. A 3706A model can be set to return its instrument IDN string to show itself as a 3706 instead of a 3706A. This can be set from the front panel of the instrument by pressing MENU>EMULATION>3706. It is important to remember that the emulation mode only changes the IDN string. All functionalities of 3706A remain.
– Emulation will not reset by power cycling the instrument. If you wish to return to 3706A IDN string, you must repeat the above steps to select 3706A.
• How do I connect via USB to the 3700 or 3706A when not using TSB
– The series 3700 and series 3700A use a USB driver called “USB Test and Measurement Device”. This driver is installed when NI-VISA is installed in the computer system. Communication to the series 3700 or 3700A would be done through the VISA layer when using a programming language.
• I have set 192.168.1.101, pressed apply and then power cycled. The LAN status LED goes out and then comes on when the address defaultsto 169.254.229.219. Any idea why?
– By default, the series 3700 and series 3700A is configured for DHCP mode. In this mode, the 3700 or 3700A will attempt to get an IP address automatically from a DHCP server. If the server is not present, it is possible for the IP address to change.
– When trying to configure for a static IP address, method must be set for manual. It can be set by the front panel by pressing MENU>LAN>CONFIG>METHOD then select MANUAL
• I have followed the proper procedure to set a static IP address but when I check the IP status, it displays 000.000.000.000, what is wrong?
– This is indicating that the Ethernet cable is disconnected. The configured IP address can still be viewed by selecting CONFIG to view the IP address.
• I am able to connect to the main page but other pages from the internal web page do not appear?
– The other pages require that Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.6 is installed in the computer to display most pages other than the main page. If the computer is connected to the internet, a window should appear to prompt you to automatically download and install the JRE. If the computer is not connected to the internet or the window does not appear, this can be downloaded from www.java.com
• I get an error when trying to do a dmm.close, the error is: “1114, Settings conflict with interlock connection”
– Most of the switch cards have hardware interlock built into the cards. This is necessary due to the voltage hazard that is possible on the rear connector when using the analog bus for higher voltage
– When the interlock connection is removed, the analog backplanes relays are disabled and will be open.
– When using a Screw Terminal Panel, the Interlock connection is closed and Backplane relays are engaged when the screw terminal is connected.
• What does Interlock Override command do? (slot[x].interlock.override)
– This command will disable the interlock errors that occur when interlock is opened. The backplane relays will still disengage and open if interlock is opened.
• There are two types of scanning, Foreground and Background Scan, what is the difference?
– Foreground Scan (scan.execute()):When using this type of scan, the scan must complete before any settings can be queried or reading buffer may be accessed
– Background scan (scan.background()):When doing a background scan, you are able to query the setting of the instrument and access the reading buffers.
– scan.state can be used when doing a background scan to return the state of the scan. Refer to the manual for more detail.
• When should I use nobuffer scans?
– No buffer type scans specify that no reading buffer is used during scanning.