Peekel Instruments User manual PICAS V2.6.1
Page 24 of 59
3 Setting-up the instrument
3.1 General
3.1.1 Power up
When the power switch at the rear of the instrument is switched ON („I”), for a short time,
the display shows the PEEKEL Instruments logo, after which it comes into the operational
mode for Channel 1, Menu 1.
The instrument has to be switched on for at least 15 minutes, before the instrument will
operate within the specified accuracy.
3.1.2 Presentation of numbers
Throughout the channel-settings, floating-point numbers are used. They are internally
stored as 4 bytes and can take very small and very large values. They are generally shown
in the format +1.2345 or +12.345 or +123.45 where the plus sign might be replaced by the
minus sign. As an example, values smaller than 1.0000 will be shown as +123.45 m, where
m stands for milli or 1/1000.
Remember also that +123.45mV (for example) is the same as +0.12345V.
The m can be understood as a prefix to the physical unit (V in this case) but can also be
thought of as a suffix to the value (+123.45 in this case).
PICAS always presents its floating-point numbers using the suffixes p, n, µ, m, none, k, M,
G and T, standing for: pico, nano, micro, milli, none, kilo, Mega, Giga and Tera.
A value of +825.0 µV/V is (for example) the same as +0.825 mV/V. On the other side,
values larger than 999.99 will be shown for example as 1.2345 k where k stands for kilo or
1000.
Note that there are 2 keys on the frontpanel EXP
and
EXP that easily toggle the
discussed suffix while editing a number.
3.1.3 Conventions
In this manual, the following conventions are being used:
Any line in a menu shall firstly be selected by putting the cursor in front of it, using the UP /
DOWN buttons. After this, the following controls may be used:
adjustable means that a value can be entered and edited by using the keyboard. To start
editing push ENTER. To leave this mode, push ENTER again.
selectable means that a choice can be made from a pre-defined list of expressions etc.
which can be scrolled by using the LEFT / RIGHT buttons
adjustable and selectable means that, after adjusting the numerical value, the suffix can be
selected with the UP / DOWN buttons.
<execute> means that a command can be given by pressing the ENTER button, after which
the required command is then being executed.
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