New Keithley DMM6500 and now DAQ6510

[tom321]

Hello,
my first post here, unfortunately reporting a problem and wondering have anyone ever seen a similar glitch.
Purchased for the Lab Keithley 6510 with 7708 40 channels scanner card, primarily for temperature measurement (both Pt100 RTD and thermocouples).
At first run I connected 12 channels Pt100 2W to test the heat exchanger, after two hours of logging measured results went blatantly weird (see picture, temperature in degC calculated from resistance).
Tested front and rear inputs with decade resistor, on continuous measurement results were Ok, but starting scanning measurement on the 7708 card readings went higher by several Ohms (!), both with Kickstarter and in the standalone mode. Tested for several days.
Borrowed new 7700 card from other department, upgraded FW to version 1.7, and for half day problem seemed solved, scanning went flawlessly.
Then after couple of hours measured resistances on the card went up and with jitter, playing with other parameters could not rectify the problem. Did not test voltage signals on the card.
At first the obvious suspect was the 7708 card, but the persistence of the problem with second card suggests problems in software.
Returned 6510/7708 under warranty to the local representative, got demo 2002 to keep working  .
Does anyone have suggestion how to pinpoint the problem, as I am dubious they will test 6510 and 7708 separately and find them valid, although I have stated that problem occurs only in scanning mode?

[HighVoltage]

Welcome to the forum,

The DMM6500 has a know problem with the PT100 measurements that is supposed to be software related but has not been fixed in any FW update, as far as I know. May be it effects the DMM6510 as well.

Best to contact Keithley help desk, they usually are very helpful, at least in Germany.

[Octane]

Hello valued eevblog forum users!

I tried to download the current firmware for my DMM6500 but I can't find the download button!!
Am I stupid? I go to the firmware download page and I can download the release notes, but I can't for the life of it, not find a download button for the actual firmware file....

Please help!

Edit: yes, I'm logged in.

Thanks,
Michael

[MikeP]

 Most likely this is the desired button. 

[Zmogas]

Hello,

I had same problem. Instead of "Download file" on right I got "Refresh address" button (or so, I don't rememeber). Solution: you must first click on "Refresh address" and fill in yours address (because US export regulations).

[Octane]

Hey! Thanks for pointing that out! I tried that, but the button didn’t change. I’ll try again shortly. At least I know I’m not delirious!

BR,
Michael

[Octane]

Ok, I got one step further now. The download button appeared. But I have to wait for:

"In compliance with U.S. Government regulation, Tektronix is required to review all software download activity. This process may take up to one U.S. business day and you will be notified when the process is complete.”

That sucks....

BR,
Michael

[HendriXML]

One feature I would really appreciate is the following:
Measurements can be done using SCPI. It even allows reading values as a double float. But it would be nice if the uncertainty or accuracy of that value could be read along with it. ("Significant digit" info is a lost when using floats)
I know it depends on: calibration age, range, environment temp, nplc, value, etc. But it should be possible to have the DMM supply a best case plus/minus value. That value could then be used to display the value with appropriate significant digits. Or use it for uncertainty propagation when calculating stuff.
I could calculate it myself -using specifications-, but for instance the range that was used (when using auto ranging) can not be determined without making assumptions. And making assumptions and automation are not really best friends.

It also would be nice if the uncertainty could shown in the GUI. Now the significant digits are reduced, depending on the settings, but that is coarse: either it might show a digit that is not really certain or a digit might be "hidden" which still has meaning.

[Kleinstein]

Reducing the resolution to the accuracy limit would be too much. Quite often more resolution is needed, e.g. for relative values, changes or ratios. A limitation to the noise limit (of at least not much beyond that) would sometimes be nice. Especially the statistics values sometimes show way to many digits. For the SCPI interface this is less important as the program can take care of it. In computer times it is OK and more like best practice to record the data with a little more resolution than the noise limit, so that there is no significant rounding happening that could be avoided.  Only writing down the significant digits is a thing of the past when writing down the numbers by hand.

It could still be useful to also calculate / show the uncertainty. Still there are unknowns wether the 30 days or 1 year specs are more appropriate.
However the 6500 is not a metrology grade meter anyway. It's strength is more the graphical display and scanner option for a good price. Still the extra information could be handy in some cases.

[thm_w]

One feature I would really appreciate is the following:
Measurements can be done using SCPI. It even allows reading values as a double float. But it would be nice if the uncertainty or accuracy of that value could be read along with it. ("Significant digit" info is a lost when using floats)
I know it depends on: calibration age, range, environment temp, nplc, value, etc. But it should be possible to have the DMM supply a best case plus/minus value. That value could then be used to display the value with appropriate significant digits. Or use it for uncertainty propagation when calculating stuff.
I could calculate it myself -using specifications-, but for instance the range that was used (when using auto ranging) can not be determined without making assumptions. And making assumptions and automation are not really best friends.

It also would be nice if the uncertainty could shown in the GUI. Now the significant digits are reduced, depending on the settings, but that is coarse: either it might show a digit that is not really certain or a digit might be "hidden" which still has meaning.

Its an interesting feature, I couldn't find any immediate examples of manufacturers offering this. Maybe in high end sci or lab gear it would make sense.

Seems like you'd have to:
- Take a measurement on auto
- Set meter to specific range based on that measurement, take another measurement
- Calculate uncertainty of that fixed-range measurement and apply whatever rounding, etc. you like

If you were plotting data, you'd have various uncertainties as you switch between ranges, which is a bit messy. Working with a fixed range is cleaner where possible.

[2N3055]

Metrix handheld MTX 3293 has SPEC mode in which it shows uncertainty interval for measurements.

[HendriXML]

I've added a table using the 10V range which is used for mapping a Voffset of a scope to a more precise value. It shows -if I implemented the 2 years calibration specs correctly- what uncertainty the measured value has. As can seen, it can be an order of magnitude larger than the resolution / last significant digit. (Note: the relative uncertainty drops with increasing voltage)

The voltages are generated with a channel awg using a combiner, for more details:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/battery-charging-using-a-siglent-sds1104x-and-spd3303x/msg2864724/#msg2864724
Using this combiner one can easily generate voltages well within the uncertainty of the DMM (of the 10V range).

When tracking a slow changing signal (charging a battery) and then remapping the Voffset to the previously measured value, the used scope can do measurements of around 100 μV uncertainty as well (shown in the comparison graph).

Code: [Select]

-99,99 mV ± 50 μV -100,5349 mV
-95,00 mV ± 50 μV -95,53678 mV
-90,00 mV ± 50 μV -90,54946 mV
-84,99 mV ± 50 μV -85,52059 mV
-80,00 mV ± 50 μV -80,53651 mV
-75,01 mV ± 50 μV -75,52939 mV
-70,01 mV ± 50 μV -70,50574 mV
-65,01 mV ± 50 μV -65,54060 mV
-60,00 mV ± 50 μV -60,49446 mV
-55,01 mV ± 50 μV -55,50427 mV
-50,01 mV ± 50 μV -50,48485 mV
-45,00 mV ± 50 μV -45,49579 mV
-40,01 mV ± 50 μV -40,49002 mV
-35,00 mV ± 50 μV -35,47937 mV
-30,00 mV ± 50 μV -30,48827 mV
-25,01 mV ± 50 μV -25,48568 mV
-20,01 mV ± 50 μV -20,49384 mV
-15,01 mV ± 50 μV -15,48463 mV
-9,99 mV ± 50 μV -10,46401 mV
-4,99 mV ± 50 μV -5,454895 mV
10 μV ± 50 μV -371,5116 μV
4,99 mV ± 50 μV 4,574460 mV
10,00 mV ± 50 μV 9,595678 mV
15,00 mV ± 50 μV 14,59546 mV
20,00 mV ± 50 μV 19,54206 mV
24,99 mV ± 50 μV 24,60280 mV
30,01 mV ± 50 μV 29,59512 mV
34,99 mV ± 50 μV 34,55598 mV
40,00 mV ± 50 μV 39,55425 mV
45,00 mV ± 50 μV 44,53928 mV
49,99 mV ± 50 μV 49,54786 mV
55,01 mV ± 50 μV 54,55485 mV
59,99 mV ± 50 μV 59,58802 mV
64,99 mV ± 50 μV 64,58159 mV
70,00 mV ± 50 μV 69,57994 mV
75,00 mV ± 50 μV 74,55330 mV
80,01 mV ± 50 μV 79,55213 mV
85,00 mV ± 50 μV 84,52459 mV
90,00 mV ± 50 μV 89,52627 mV
94,99 mV ± 50 μV 94,52729 mV
100,01 mV ± 50 μV 99,51768 mV
104,99 mV ± 50 μV 104,5233 mV
109,99 mV ± 50 μV 109,5235 mV
115,00 mV ± 50 μV 114,5176 mV
120,00 mV ± 50 μV 119,5990 mV
125,00 mV ± 50 μV 124,6036 mV
129,99 mV ± 50 μV 129,6045 mV
135,00 mV ± 50 μV 134,6102 mV
140,01 mV ± 50 μV 139,6132 mV
145,00 mV ± 50 μV 144,6507 mV
149,99 mV ± 50 μV 149,6477 mV
155,00 mV ± 50 μV 154,6367 mV
159,99 mV ± 50 μV 159,6287 mV
165,01 mV ± 50 μV 164,6443 mV
170,00 mV ± 60 μV 169,6320 mV
174,99 mV ± 60 μV 174,6115 mV
179,99 mV ± 60 μV 179,6204 mV
184,99 mV ± 60 μV 184,6194 mV
189,99 mV ± 60 μV 189,6480 mV
194,99 mV ± 60 μV 194,6334 mV
199,99 mV ± 60 μV 199,6508 mV
205,00 mV ± 60 μV 204,6405 mV
209,99 mV ± 60 μV 209,6471 mV
215,01 mV ± 60 μV 214,6855 mV
219,99 mV ± 60 μV 219,6651 mV
224,99 mV ± 60 μV 224,6446 mV
229,99 mV ± 60 μV 229,6605 mV
235,01 mV ± 60 μV 234,7256 mV
240,00 mV ± 60 μV 239,6987 mV
245,00 mV ± 60 μV 244,7299 mV
250,00 mV ± 60 μV 249,7007 mV
254,99 mV ± 60 μV 254,6993 mV
260,01 mV ± 60 μV 259,7119 mV
265,01 mV ± 60 μV 264,6929 mV
270,01 mV ± 60 μV 269,6844 mV
275,00 mV ± 60 μV 274,7003 mV
280,00 mV ± 60 μV 279,7140 mV
285,00 mV ± 60 μV 284,6962 mV
289,99 mV ± 60 μV 289,6868 mV
295,01 mV ± 60 μV 294,6965 mV
299,99 mV ± 60 μV 299,6881 mV
305,01 mV ± 60 μV 304,6993 mV
309,99 mV ± 60 μV 309,6885 mV
315,00 mV ± 60 μV 314,6754 mV
320,00 mV ± 60 μV 319,6926 mV
324,99 mV ± 60 μV 324,6841 mV
329,99 mV ± 60 μV 329,6775 mV
335,00 mV ± 60 μV 334,7041 mV
339,99 mV ± 60 μV 339,6665 mV
345,00 mV ± 60 μV 344,6773 mV
350,01 mV ± 60 μV 349,7198 mV
355,01 mV ± 60 μV 354,7714 mV
360,01 mV ± 60 μV 359,7726 mV
364,99 mV ± 60 μV 364,7993 mV
369,99 mV ± 60 μV 369,7805 mV
374,99 mV ± 60 μV 374,7776 mV
380,01 mV ± 60 μV 379,7790 mV
385,00 mV ± 60 μV 384,7912 mV
390,00 mV ± 60 μV 389,7871 mV
395,00 mV ± 60 μV 394,7946 mV
400,01 mV ± 60 μV 399,8107 mV
405,00 mV ± 60 μV 404,8234 mV
410,00 mV ± 60 μV 409,8225 mV
415,00 mV ± 60 μV 414,8555 mV
420,01 mV ± 60 μV 419,8323 mV
425,01 mV ± 60 μV 424,8297 mV
430,00 mV ± 60 μV 429,8127 mV
434,99 mV ± 60 μV 434,8216 mV
440,00 mV ± 60 μV 439,8321 mV
445,00 mV ± 60 μV 444,8185 mV
450,00 mV ± 60 μV 449,7805 mV
455,01 mV ± 60 μV 454,7854 mV
459,99 mV ± 60 μV 459,7913 mV
465,01 mV ± 60 μV 464,8078 mV
470,01 mV ± 60 μV 469,8463 mV
475,00 mV ± 60 μV 474,8327 mV
480,00 mV ± 60 μV 479,8199 mV
485,00 mV ± 60 μV 484,8307 mV
490,00 mV ± 60 μV 489,8171 mV
495,00 mV ± 60 μV 494,8271 mV
500,00 mV ± 60 μV 499,8344 mV
505,00 mV ± 70 μV 504,8193 mV
510,00 mV ± 70 μV 509,8614 mV
515,01 mV ± 70 μV 514,8297 mV
520,01 mV ± 70 μV 519,8481 mV
525,00 mV ± 70 μV 524,8184 mV
529,99 mV ± 70 μV 529,8358 mV
534,99 mV ± 70 μV 534,8227 mV
540,00 mV ± 70 μV 539,8380 mV
545,00 mV ± 70 μV 544,8297 mV
550,00 mV ± 70 μV 549,8280 mV
555,00 mV ± 70 μV 554,7797 mV
560,01 mV ± 70 μV 559,8151 mV
564,99 mV ± 70 μV 564,7944 mV
570,00 mV ± 70 μV 569,8030 mV
574,99 mV ± 70 μV 574,8193 mV
580,00 mV ± 70 μV 579,8347 mV
584,99 mV ± 70 μV 584,8952 mV
590,00 mV ± 70 μV 589,8831 mV
595,00 mV ± 70 μV 594,8761 mV
599,99 mV ± 70 μV 599,8789 mV
605,00 mV ± 70 μV 604,8748 mV
610,00 mV ± 70 μV 609,8812 mV
615,00 mV ± 70 μV 614,8796 mV
620,00 mV ± 70 μV 619,8576 mV
625,01 mV ± 70 μV 624,8890 mV
630,01 mV ± 70 μV 629,9123 mV
635,01 mV ± 70 μV 634,8910 mV
639,99 mV ± 70 μV 639,8793 mV
645,00 mV ± 70 μV 644,8758 mV
649,99 mV ± 70 μV 649,8946 mV
655,01 mV ± 70 μV 654,8675 mV
659,99 mV ± 70 μV 659,8758 mV
665,00 mV ± 70 μV 664,8355 mV
670,00 mV ± 70 μV 669,8303 mV
675,00 mV ± 70 μV 674,8412 mV
680,01 mV ± 70 μV 679,8284 mV
684,99 mV ± 70 μV 684,7921 mV
690,01 mV ± 70 μV 689,8023 mV
695,01 mV ± 70 μV 694,8211 mV
700,01 mV ± 70 μV 699,8159 mV
705,01 mV ± 70 μV 704,8991 mV
710,00 mV ± 70 μV 709,8561 mV
715,01 mV ± 70 μV 714,8611 mV
720,00 mV ± 70 μV 719,8602 mV
725,00 mV ± 70 μV 724,8801 mV
730,01 mV ± 70 μV 729,8767 mV
735,01 mV ± 70 μV 734,8649 mV
739,99 mV ± 70 μV 739,8490 mV
745,00 mV ± 70 μV 744,8708 mV
749,99 mV ± 70 μV 749,8844 mV
755,00 mV ± 70 μV 754,8795 mV
760,00 mV ± 70 μV 759,8908 mV
765,01 mV ± 70 μV 764,8508 mV
770,00 mV ± 70 μV 769,8599 mV
775,00 mV ± 70 μV 774,8739 mV
780,00 mV ± 70 μV 779,9373 mV
785,01 mV ± 70 μV 784,8872 mV
790,01 mV ± 70 μV 789,8821 mV
794,99 mV ± 70 μV 794,8619 mV
800,00 mV ± 70 μV 799,8638 mV
805,00 mV ± 70 μV 804,8734 mV
810,01 mV ± 70 μV 809,8798 mV
815,01 mV ± 70 μV 814,8688 mV
819,99 mV ± 70 μV 819,9254 mV
824,99 mV ± 70 μV 824,8850 mV
830,01 mV ± 70 μV 829,9399 mV
834,99 mV ± 80 μV 834,9402 mV
840,00 mV ± 80 μV 839,9390 mV
845,01 mV ± 80 μV 844,9882 mV
849,99 mV ± 80 μV 849,9630 mV
855,00 mV ± 80 μV 854,9764 mV
860,01 mV ± 80 μV 859,9938 mV
865,00 mV ± 80 μV 864,9919 mV
869,99 mV ± 80 μV 869,9828 mV
875,00 mV ± 80 μV 874,9798 mV
880,00 mV ± 80 μV 880,0091 mV
885,01 mV ± 80 μV 885,0155 mV
890,00 mV ± 80 μV 890,0274 mV
895,01 mV ± 80 μV 895,0633 mV
900,00 mV ± 80 μV 900,0357 mV
905,00 mV ± 80 μV 905,0420 mV
909,99 mV ± 80 μV 910,0475 mV
915,00 mV ± 80 μV 915,0193 mV
920,01 mV ± 80 μV 920,0200 mV
925,00 mV ± 80 μV 925,0597 mV
929,99 mV ± 80 μV 930,0651 mV
935,00 mV ± 80 μV 935,0435 mV
939,99 mV ± 80 μV 940,0951 mV
944,99 mV ± 80 μV 945,1004 mV
949,99 mV ± 80 μV 950,0850 mV
955,00 mV ± 80 μV 955,1330 mV
960,01 mV ± 80 μV 960,0984 mV
964,99 mV ± 80 μV 965,0851 mV
969,99 mV ± 80 μV 970,0792 mV
975,00 mV ± 80 μV 975,0742 mV
980,01 mV ± 80 μV 980,0845 mV
984,99 mV ± 80 μV 985,0734 mV
990,01 mV ± 80 μV 990,0646 mV
995,01 mV ± 80 μV 995,0435 mV
1,00001 V ± 80 μV 1,000054 V
1,00500 V ± 80 μV 1,005048 V
1,01000 V ± 80 μV 1,010047 V
1,01500 V ± 80 μV 1,015038 V
1,02000 V ± 80 μV 1,020039 V
1,02500 V ± 80 μV 1,025050 V
1,03000 V ± 80 μV 1,030010 V
1,03500 V ± 80 μV 1,035022 V
1,04000 V ± 80 μV 1,040041 V
1,04501 V ± 80 μV 1,045050 V
1,05000 V ± 80 μV 1,050045 V
1,05499 V ± 80 μV 1,055102 V
1,05999 V ± 80 μV 1,060090 V
1,06500 V ± 80 μV 1,065107 V
1,07001 V ± 80 μV 1,070128 V
1,07499 V ± 80 μV 1,075121 V
1,08000 V ± 80 μV 1,080145 V
1,08500 V ± 80 μV 1,085124 V
1,08999 V ± 80 μV 1,090122 V
1,09501 V ± 80 μV 1,095173 V
1,09999 V ± 80 μV 1,100171 V
1,10499 V ± 80 μV 1,105185 V
1,11000 V ± 80 μV 1,110202 V
1,11501 V ± 80 μV 1,115209 V
1,12001 V ± 80 μV 1,120183 V
1,12500 V ± 80 μV 1,125199 V
1,12999 V ± 80 μV 1,130201 V
1,13500 V ± 80 μV 1,135184 V
1,14000 V ± 80 μV 1,140197 V
1,14500 V ± 80 μV 1,145192 V
1,15000 V ± 80 μV 1,150212 V
1,15501 V ± 80 μV 1,155170 V
1,16001 V ± 80 μV 1,160203 V
1,16500 V ± 80 μV 1,165193 V
1,17000 V ± 90 μV 1,170194 V
1,17499 V ± 90 μV 1,175242 V
1,18000 V ± 90 μV 1,180212 V
1,18500 V ± 90 μV 1,185212 V
1,19001 V ± 90 μV 1,190221 V
1,19500 V ± 90 μV 1,195222 V
1,20000 V ± 90 μV 1,200239 V
1,20500 V ± 90 μV 1,205198 V
1,21001 V ± 90 μV 1,210208 V
1,21501 V ± 90 μV 1,215216 V
1,22000 V ± 90 μV 1,220210 V
1,22499 V ± 90 μV 1,225199 V
1,22999 V ± 90 μV 1,230161 V
1,23499 V ± 90 μV 1,235163 V
1,24001 V ± 90 μV 1,240162 V
1,24500 V ± 90 μV 1,245175 V
1,25000 V ± 90 μV 1,250166 V
1,25500 V ± 90 μV 1,255178 V
1,25999 V ± 90 μV 1,260133 V
1,26501 V ± 90 μV 1,265150 V
1,26999 V ± 90 μV 1,270129 V
1,27500 V ± 90 μV 1,275117 V
1,28000 V ± 90 μV 1,280131 V
1,28500 V ± 90 μV 1,285112 V
1,29001 V ± 90 μV 1,290195 V
1,29501 V ± 90 μV 1,295198 V
1,30000 V ± 90 μV 1,300224 V
1,30500 V ± 90 μV 1,305238 V
1,31000 V ± 90 μV 1,310261 V
1,31500 V ± 90 μV 1,315252 V
1,31999 V ± 90 μV 1,320255 V
1,32500 V ± 90 μV 1,325291 V
1,33000 V ± 90 μV 1,330281 V
1,33500 V ± 90 μV 1,335280 V
1,34001 V ± 90 μV 1,340328 V
1,34501 V ± 90 μV 1,345332 V
1,35001 V ± 90 μV 1,350317 V
1,35499 V ± 90 μV 1,355310 V
1,35999 V ± 90 μV 1,360346 V
1,36501 V ± 90 μV 1,365338 V
1,36999 V ± 90 μV 1,370351 V
1,37499 V ± 90 μV 1,375338 V
1,38000 V ± 90 μV 1,380334 V
1,38500 V ± 90 μV 1,385369 V
1,38999 V ± 90 μV 1,390349 V
1,39500 V ± 90 μV 1,395348 V
1,39999 V ± 90 μV 1,400334 V
1,40500 V ± 90 μV 1,405348 V
1,41001 V ± 90 μV 1,410435 V
1,41500 V ± 90 μV 1,415393 V
1,41999 V ± 90 μV 1,420382 V
1,42500 V ± 90 μV 1,425395 V
1,42999 V ± 90 μV 1,430397 V
1,43499 V ± 90 μV 1,435426 V
1,43999 V ± 90 μV 1,440440 V
1,44500 V ± 90 μV 1,445446 V
1,45000 V ± 90 μV 1,450415 V
1,45500 V ± 90 μV 1,455428 V
1,46001 V ± 90 μV 1,460467 V
1,46500 V ± 90 μV 1,465453 V
1,46999 V ± 90 μV 1,470502 V
1,47501 V ± 90 μV 1,475483 V
1,48000 V ± 90 μV 1,480482 V
1,48500 V ± 90 μV 1,485508 V
1,48999 V ± 90 μV 1,490494 V
1,49499 V ± 90 μV 1,495504 V
1,50001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,500554 V
1,50501 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,505440 V
1,51000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,510430 V
1,51500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,515436 V
1,52001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,520466 V
1,52499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,525520 V
1,53001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,530524 V
1,53499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,535520 V
1,54000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,540514 V
1,54500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,545532 V
1,55000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,550552 V
1,55500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,555600 V
1,55999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,560545 V
1,56500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,565558 V
1,57000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,570560 V
1,57499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,575567 V
1,58000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,580626 V
1,58500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,585607 V
1,59000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,590610 V
1,59499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,595562 V
1,59999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,600561 V
1,60500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,605582 V
1,60999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,610573 V
1,61499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,615595 V
1,62000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,620537 V
1,62499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,625551 V
1,63000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,630610 V
1,63500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,635585 V
1,64000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,640646 V
1,64500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,645622 V
1,64999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,650611 V
1,65500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,655679 V
1,66000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,660636 V
1,66499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,665652 V
1,66999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,670616 V
1,67500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,675591 V
1,67999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,680624 V
1,68499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,685629 V
1,69000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,690679 V
1,69501 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,695663 V
1,69999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,700650 V
1,70500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,705666 V
1,70999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,710669 V
1,71501 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,715711 V
1,72000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,720716 V
1,72500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,725695 V
1,72999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,730690 V
1,73500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,735705 V
1,74000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,740719 V
1,74501 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,745682 V
1,74999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,750679 V
1,75500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,755712 V
1,76001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,760754 V
1,76500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,765756 V
1,76999 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,770797 V
1,77499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,775777 V
1,78001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,780775 V
1,78500 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,785800 V
1,79001 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,790793 V
1,79499 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,795787 V
1,80000 V ± 1̲00 μV 1,800816 V


[HendriXML]

Reducing the resolution to the accuracy limit would be too much. Quite often more resolution is needed, e.g. for relative values, changes or ratios. A limitation to the noise limit (of at least not much beyond that) would sometimes be nice. Especially the statistics values sometimes show way to many digits. For the SCPI interface this is less important as the program can take care of it. In computer times it is OK and more like best practice to record the data with a little more resolution than the noise limit, so that there is no significant rounding happening that could be avoided.  Only writing down the significant digits is a thing of the past when writing down the numbers by hand.

It could still be useful to also calculate / show the uncertainty. Still there are unknowns wether the 30 days or 1 year specs are more appropriate.
However the 6500 is not a metrology grade meter anyway. It's strength is more the graphical display and scanner option for a good price. Still the extra information could be handy in some cases.

There's indeed a difference in showing numbers and calculating/working with them. Thats why a separate uncertainty value besides the measurement would be very handy: to keep them separate. Transferring uncertainty using significant digits, certainly with 10-based numbers is "destructive". (We should go binairy  )
The basic functionality of a MM is to supply a measurement value, so the output is very simple. It wouldn't hurt if manufacturers added a bit more complexity to it and calculate the uncertainty. They even could take the warmup time / temperature into account. How to display the values should then be up to the user.

From a development point of view it seem very logical to me, to expose the value (and make it "testable") which is very important to the product's value.

[HendriXML]

Although the functionality is not built in, this could be implemented on the multimeter by using the TSP scripting API.  You could write a script uses 'writable buffers' to store the result of the uncertainty calculation given the measurement, function, range, etc.  A look up table for all functions and ranges would be a good way to do it...  Writable buffers appear on the graph interface too, so you could possible see a +- line above and below your actual measured signal.

Good remark. Would such a script have a required measurement loop on its own, or can it also be integrated (events?) in external loops as well.

[HendriXML]

Just a remark about the significant zero digit presentation in the table I posted. On my iPad the underscore is under the 1, on Windows it's under the zero. I was very happy with the possibility of using a diacritic marker for that. This means one can add something to the character before the marker. However Windows renders it at the succeeding character.
Which I took for granted. Just an example of how large companies struggle with specifications and can destroy a perfectly usable tech.
Having the right significant digit indication should make it easy for a person to visually map the uncertainty on the measurement value.

[MikeP]

 My battery died a week ago also. To my great surprise. I did not expect such a short lifetime.
 Probably now a wave of failures will begin. It makes sense to replace at a convenient time.

[PTR_1275]

Do you leave your meters plugged in and on at the wall (red standby led on the front) or switch them off at the wall?

Most of my gear is running through a double conversion ups and left connected to mains all the time but in standby for most of the time.

I’m curious if the battery is just discharging that quickly because mains power isn’t available, or if it’s still sucking power all the time.

[Kleinstein]

A non user replaceable battery that only lasts some 1.8 years is kind of a fail  . In the EU this could have odd implications with an mandatory 2 years minimum warranty.

This also kind of limits the interval between calibrations if you take those cal void if broken stickers serious.  A change of the battery may have to be part of the cal procedure  .

At least it is replaceable by slightly more experienced users, but it should really be easy accessible. It nearly is,  but probably hard / impossible  to get there without removing the front. Time to fix this in the next HW revision.

[iMo]

A non user replaceable battery that only lasts some 1.8 years is kind of a fail  . In the EU this could have odd implications with an mandatory 2 years minimum warranty.

2y warranty in EU for consumers only.. Does not apply for commercial customers.. 

[jancumps]

my battery is empty too, since a month or so. Unit calibrated in June 2018.

[wn1fju]

I will add to the chorus:  my battery also died recently.  Unit purchased in Summer, 2018.  I am a little less annoyed now that I see others are experiencing the same.

[jancumps]

Confirming that this is very easy. If you aren't ham-fisted, you can do it.

[Mr. Scram]

Does anyone here use the Kickstart software with these and is it worth the trouble? It seems to add not that much but perhaps I am mistaken.

[Joel_l]

Looking at this battery issue, seems when it comes time to do it, might be prudent to relocate it to an easier location to get to, maybe also use a bigger battery given the relatively short life.

[jancumps]

That may be more hassle than replacing it. It's a 15 minute job.