SYSTem:ERRor?

34980A

SYSTem:ERRor?

Syntax

SYSTem:ERRor?

Description

This command reads and clears one error from the instrument's error queue. A record of up to 20 errors can be stored in the instrument's error queue. Each remote interface I/O session (i.e., GPIB, USB, LAN, etc.) has its own interface-specific error queue. Errors appear in the error queue of the I/O session that caused the error. For example, if an error was generated by a command sent over the GPIB interface, send this command from GPIB to read the error queue.

For a complete listing of the Agilent 34980A's error messages, see SCPI Error Messages.

Remarks

  • The instrument beeps once each time a command syntax or hardware error is generated. The front-panel ERROR annunciator turns on when one or more errors are currently stored in the error queue.

  • A special global error queue holds all power-on and hardware-related errors (e.g., over-temperature, Safety Interlock, etc.).

  • Errors are retrieved in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order. The first error returned is the first error that was stored. Once you have read all of the interface-specific errors, the errors in the global error queue are retrieved.

  • Errors are cleared as you read them. When you have read all errors from the interface-specific and global error queues, the ERROR annunciator turns off and the errors are cleared.

  • If more than 20 errors have occurred, the last error stored in the queue (the most recent error) is replaced with -350,"Error queue overflow". No additional errors are stored until you remove errors from the queue. If no errors have occurred when you read the error queue, the instrument responds with +0,"No error".

  • The front panel reports errors from all I/O sessions as well as the global error queue. To read the error queue from the front panel, use the View key.

  • Error conditions are also summarized in the Status Byte Register. For more information on the SCPI Status System for the Agilent 34980A, see Status System Introduction.

  • The interface-specific and global error queues are cleared by the *CLS (Clear Status) command and when power is cycled. The errors are also cleared when you read the error queue. The error queue is not cleared by a Factory Reset (*RST command) or an Instrument Preset (SYSTem:PRESet command).

Return Format

The command reads and clears one error string from the error queue. The error string may contain up to 160 characters and consists of an error number and an error string enclosed in double quotes. For example:

-113,"Undefined header"

Example

The following query reads and clears one error.

SYST:ERR?

Typical Response:  -101,"Invalid character"

See Also

*SRE