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Why Does My GPIB Instrument Not Respond to SCPI Commands?

Hardware: GPIB

Problem:
I can see my GPIB instrument on the bus, but when I try to send a *IDN? query the instrument does not return an expected response. Instead, it returns either a voltage value, a timeout error, or an error report. Why?

Solution:
Some instruments do not support standard SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation) commands such as the *IDN?, and so they will respond incorrectly or not at all to the *IDN? query.  Old instruments and certain specialty instruments have their own command sets. Contrarily, instruments such as the Agilent 3478A and Fluke 8840A/42A, for example, can use both SCPI and Agilent command languages.
You should check the instrument's manual for information on the command set it uses. You can also search for the instrument driver on the Instrument Driver Network (IDNet).

Related Links:
External Document: Fluke 8840/42A Manual and Command Reference
KnowledgeBase 0RK854VD: Where Can I Find Documentation about the SCPI Specification?
KnowledgeBase 01593DEO: Why Can't I Communicate with My GPIB Instrument?
National Instruments Instrument Driver Network (IDNet)


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Report Date: 07/11/2005
Last Updated: 04/17/2009
Document ID: 3NACIUXJ

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