Differences between the Series 3706 and the Series 3706A System/Switch Multimeter

Differences between the Series 3706 and the Series 3706A System/Switch Multimeter

The 3706A was designed to be a drop-in replacement for the 3706. However, there are some minor differences between the two series that users might consider when migrating from the 3706 or when adding a 3706A to a system containing a 3706.

• The instrument will report the "3706A" model number when queried using '*IDN?'' or other means. This may cause some compatibility issues with existing software and drivers. To resolve this potential incompatibility, the user may press the "MENU" button on the front panel and select the "EMULATION" option to toggle the reported model number between "3706A" and "3706". This setting is preserved through a power cycle and instrument reset.
  • Instead of using the front panel, the command 'localnode.emulation = localnode.EMULATION_3706' may be used over a remote interface.
• The 3706A supports the IEEE 1588-2008 (version 2) precision time protocol while the 3706 supports IEEE 1588-2002 (version 1). The two versions can co-exist on a common network. However, there may be timing errors relating to clock synchronization if the two versions are used together.
• Values returned in scientific notation now use two digits for the exponent instead of three. For example,
  > print(dmm.measure())
  The series 3706 returns: -6.569610108e-001
  The series 3706A returns: -6.569610108e-01
• The function 'os.date()' using the '%c' parameter returns a format that is now compatible with other Keithley TSP instruments. For example,
  > print(os.date("%c", os.time()))
  The series 3706 returns: 06/20/11 11:45:00
  The series 3706A returns: Mon Jun 20 11:45:00 2011
• The 3706A meets or exceeds all prior performance specifications of the 3706. Users should expect faster measurement and scan timing in the 3706A under some circumstances.