Specifications

Errors When Programming Over the GPIB
Question: Why doesn’t my system power supply accept commands over the GPIB? Why do I keep getting an error
when I try to communicate with my system power supply over the GPIB?
Answer: If you are getting either error 11 or error 113 when you try to send GPIB commands to your system supply,
it may be that you are using the wrong command language. Many Agilent power supplies have two different sets of
programmable commands, especially if they were introduced prior to 1989 when SCPI (Standard Commands for
Programmable Instruments) became available. The reason for this feature is to offer customers the choice of
preserving compatibility with existing software programs written for these products some time ago, or allowing new
software programs to be written using the industry standard SCPI codes and formats. Because the supplies can accept
commands only in the language they are set for, sending a command in the “inactive” language will cause an error.
When shipped from the factory, the default language differs depending on the model, as follows :
Compatibility mode for: 6632B, 6633B, 6634B, 603xA
SCPI mode for : 6631B, 661xB, 664xA, 665xA, 667xA, 668xA, 6631xA, 66332A
The procedure for changing command language mode varies depending on the specific product involved. In general,
to change to a different command language mode, enter the following command:
To change to the SCPI command language:
If the customer has: 661xB, 663xxA, 663xB
Enter the command: SYST:LANG SCPI
If the customer has: 664xA, 665xA, 667xA, 668xA, 603xA
Enter the command: SYST:LANG TMSL
To change to the compatibility language:
For all products
Enter the command: SYST:LANG COMP
Note that the current active language setting is stored in non-volatile memory. This mode is retained when the power
supply is shut off. When the power supply is subsequently powered on, it will be set for whichever language was
used last.
For more complete information on changing the command language mode, please refer to the operating manual for
your product. For the 603xA Series products, see also the FAQ entitled: “603xA: How do I change the programming
language?”.