1. When measuring contact and connector resistances, it is important not to puncture oxides and films that may have formed. The 580 ensures this dry circuit condition by clamping the open circuit test voltage to 20mV on the 200mOhm, 2Ohm, and 20Ohm ranges when the 20mV MAX button is pressed.
2. The 580 can test more devices by enabling both test current polarity and waveform (DC or pulsed) to be selected. When using pulsed test current, the 580 automatically compensates for thermoelectric EMFs. Tests on inductive devices are best performed using DC test current, as this avoids the effects of time constants on pulsed current resistance measurements. For temperature-sensitive components, a single trigger mode of operation minimizes power delivered to the device. Single trigger operation is possible via the front panel.
3. The optional IEEE-488 bus interface permits operation as a stand-alone unit as well as in a PC-based system.
