Input Related Commands & Queries

The Model 346 supports a variety of temperature input configurations across the ten built in inputs, plus additional option card inputs. The two dedicated inputs, A and B, have a 10 Hz update rate, while the remaining inputs C1 to D4, can have a variable update rate, ranging from 10 Hz with only one input per card enabled, to 2.5 Hz with all four inputs enabled. This update rate variance is mirrored for any additional installed scanner option cards.

SRDG? Sensor input Reading Query

SRDG? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4, ALL

Returns

<sensor reading>[term]

Remarks

If the mnemonic ALL is provided for the <input> term the Model 346 will return readings for all the active temperature inputs. While a value will always be returned by this query if the input is present, the reading integrity may vary based on the input state and should be queried using RDGST?.

KRDG? Kelvin Reading Query

KRDG? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4, ALL

Returns

<temperature reading>[term]

Remarks

A valid curve must be loaded and assigned to the input in order for a valid temperature response to be generated, and if a curve is not assigned, absolute zero (0 K) will be returned. If the mnemonic ALL is provided for the <input> term, the Model 346 will return readings for all the active temperature inputs. While a value will always be returned by this query if the input is present, the reading integrity may vary based on the input state and should be queried using RDGST?.

CRDG? Celsius Reading Query

CRDG? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4, ALL

Returns

<temperature reading>[term]

Remarks

A valid curve must be loaded and assigned to the input in order for a valid temperature response to be generated, but if a curve is not assigned, absolute zero will be returned (-273.15). If the mnemonic ALL is provided for the <input> term, the Model 346 will return readings for all the active temperature inputs. While a value will always be returned by this query if the input is present, the reading integrity may vary based on the input state and should be queried using RDGST?.

INTYPE Temperature Input Type Command

INTYPE <input>, <sensor type>, <autorange>, <range>, <compensation>, <units>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
sensor type	n	Specifies input sensor type: 0 = Disabled 1 = Diode 2 = PTC RTD e.g., platinum or RhFe 3 = NTC RTD e.g., Cernox or Rox 4 = Thermocouple
autorange	n	Specifies autoranging: 0 = off 1 = on
range	n	Specifies input range when autorange is off
compensation	n	For resistive sensors, compensation refers to EMF compensation and is achieved through current reversal. For thermocouples, compensation refers to room temperature compensation. Always 0 if input is a diode. 0 = off 1 = on.
units	n	Specifies the temperature units when a curve is assigned to the input: 0 = Kelvin 1 = Celsius

range values are based on the sensor type:

Diode	0 = 2.5 V
PTC RTD	0 = 10 Ω
	1 = 100 Ω
	2 = 1 kΩ
NTC RTD	0 = 100 Ω
	1 = 300 Ω
	2 = 1 kΩ
	3 = 3 kΩ
	4 = 10 kΩ
	5 = 30 kΩ
	6 = 100 kΩ
Thermocouple	0 = 50 mV

Example

INTYPE A,2,1,0,1,0[term]

Sets Input A sensor type to PTC RTD, autorange on, compensation on, temperature units to kelvin.

Remarks

The <range> and <autorange> parameters do not apply to the thermocouple sensor type, and the <range>, <autorange> and <compensation> parameters do not apply to the diode sensor type. When configuring these sensors, the parameters must be included, and should be set to 0.

INTYPE? Temperature Input Type Query

INTYPE? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<sensor type>,<autorange>,<range>,<compensation>,<units>[term] (see command for description)

Remarks

If autorange is on, the returned range parameter is the present auto-selected range.

INNAME Thermometry Custom Input Name Command

INNAME <input>, <name>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to configure: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
name	s	Specifies the custom name for the input. Maximum length is 32 characters.

Example

INNAME A,"Sample Chamber"[term]

Sets Input A name to “Sample Chamber”.

Remarks

Input names are used for identification purposes and can be retrieved using the INNAME? query. Names are limited to 32 characters and can include ASCII characters when sent over the remote interface. When configured from the front panel, names can include any unicode character, but will not query back correctly as unicode encoding over the remote interface is not supported.

INNAME? Thermometry Custom Input Name Query

INNAME? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<name>[term] (see command for description)

Remarks

If no custom name has been assigned to the input, a default blank string (“”) will be returned.

TLIMIT Temperature Limit Command

TLIMIT <input>, <limit>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
limit	+n.nnn	The temperature in Kelvin at which outputs will be shut off

Remarks

The Temperature Limit parameter provides a means of protecting your equipment from damage by shutting down all control outputs when the assigned temperature limit is exceeded on any sensor input. This limit is on an input by input basis, but does not require the input to be tied to any output to function. The limit will not be used if it is set to 0 K, or if the input is not configured with a valid curve.

Example

TLIMIT A, 100[term]

Set the temperature limit for input A to 100 K.

TLIMIT? Temperature Limit Query

TLIMIT? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<limit>[term] (see command for description)

FILTER Temperature Input Filter Command

FILTER <input>, <enabled>, <points>, <window>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
enabled	n	Enables or disables the filter 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled
points	n	The number of points (2 to 64) to use in the filter
window	n	Specifies what percent of full scale reading limits the filtering function. Reading changes greater than this percentage reset the filter. Valid range = 1 to 10%.

Example

FILTER A,1,10,5[term]

Enables the filter on input A with 10 points and a window size of 5%. For example, If input A is a diode, the filter will reset if the reading is 125 mV or more from the filtered value.

Remarks

The reading filter applies exponential smoothing to the sensor input readings. If the filter is turned on for a sensor input, all reading values for that input are filtered. The filter is a running average, so it does not change the update rate of an input. The filtered reading is used for everything except closed loop control loop calculations, which use the unfiltered reading.

FILTER? Temperature Input Filter Query

FILTER? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<enabled>, <points>, <window>[term] (see command for description)

Remarks

Returns the filter settings for the provided input.

ALARM Input Alarm Command

ALARM <input>, <enabled>, <high limit>, <low limit>, <deadband>, <latch>, <audible>, <visible>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
enabled	n	Enables or disables the alarm 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled
high limit	+n.nn	High limit for the alarm
low limit	+n.nn	Low limit for the alarm
deadband	+n.nn	Deadband for the alarm
latch	n	Latch the alarm when triggered 0 = No latch 1 = Latch
audible	n	Enable or disable the audible alarm 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled
visible	n	Enable or disable the visual alarm 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Example

ALARM A,1,100,0,10,0,1,1[term]

Enables the alarm on input A with a high limit of 100 K, low limit of 0 K, deadband of 10 K, latching disabled, and both audible and visual alarms enabled.

Remarks

The example above assumes that input A has a valid curve assigned to it, otherwise the limits will be in sensor units. If a curve is applied, the Model 346 will interpret the limits based on the <units> value, as specified in the INTYPE command.

Alarms are often used for process automation when connected to a relay, and can be used to trigger actions when a temperature is reached. This is discussed in more depth in the RELAY command.

ALARM? Input Alarm Query

ALARM? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<enabled>, <high limit>, <low limit>, <deadband>, <latch>, <audible>, <visible>[term] (see command for description)

Remarks

Returns the alarm settings for the provided input.

ALMRST Input Alarm Reset Command

ALMRST [term]

Parameters

none

Remarks

Clears both the high and low status of all alarms, including latching alarms. This mirrors the effect of pressing the alarm reset toast on the front panel, or the reset all alarms action button.

ALARMST? Input Alarm Status Query

ALARMST? <input> [term]

Remarks

This is a query available on the Model 336. Because the Model 346 has additional input operational information to report, alarm status can be found using the RDGOPR? query.

THRESHOLD Reading Threshold Command

THRESHOLD <input>, <id>, <value>, <comparison>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to configure: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
id	n	Threshold identifier (1 to 4)
value	n.nn	Threshold value
comparison	n	Comparison operator 0 = Less than (<) 1 = Greater than (>)

Example

THRESHOLD A,0,50.5,1[term]

Sets threshold 0 on input A to trigger when temperature is greater than 50.5 K.

Remarks

The threshold feature allows monitoring of up to four independent temperature thresholds per input. When the input reading crosses a threshold based on the configured comparison operator, a corresponding bit is set in the input’s operational register (RDGOPR?).

If a curve is assigned to the input, the threshold value is interpreted in temperature units (K or °C) as configured by the INTYPE command. If no curve is assigned, the value is in sensor units.

Thresholds are useful for monitoring multiple temperature points without requiring alarm functionality, and can be used for process control or data logging triggers.

THRESHOLD? Reading Threshold Query

THRESHOLD? <input>, <id>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4
id	n	Threshold identifier (1 to 4)

Returns

<value>, <comparison>[term] (see command for description)

Remarks

Returns the threshold configuration for the specified input and threshold ID.

MDAT? Minimum/Maximum Data Query

MDAT? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Returns

<minimum value>, <maximum value>[term]

Remarks

Returns the minimum and maximum sampled input readings since the last time the min/max readings were reset. If a curve is not assigned, the values will be in sensor units. If a curve is assigned, the values will be units in K. If there has not been a valid (non-questionable) reading since the last reset, this command will return NaN.

Some events tied to input setup can cause these values to reset as the values may no longer be valid. These events include:

Changing the sensor type

Changing curve

MNMXRST Minimum and Maximum Function Reset Command

MNMXRST <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies input to query: ALL, A, B, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, F4, G1, G2, G3, G4, H1, H2, H3, H4

Remarks

Resets the minimum and maximum reading data for the give input, or all inputs if ALL.

TCCOMPOFFSET? Thermocouple Compensation Offset Query

TCCOMPOFFSET? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies thermocouple input to query: E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2

Returns

<offset>[term]

Example

TCCOMPOFFSET? E1[term]

Returns: -0.5

Remarks

Returns the current thermal block compensation offset value in Kelvin for the specified thermocouple input. If no offset has been applied, the query returns 0.0.

TEMP? Thermocouple Junction Temperature Query

TEMP? <input>[term]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
input	a	Specifies thermocouple input to query: E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2

Returns

<junction temperature>[term]

Example

TEMP? H1[term]

Returns: 297.53

Remarks

Temperature is in kelvin. This query returns the temperature of the ceramic thermocouple block used in the room temperature compensation calculation. Note, there is only a single temperature sensor for a given thermocouple card. Because each card has two channels, to maintain the input designation scheme, the same temperature value is returned regardless of which channel is queried.