Performs a self-test and then returns the result.
SCPI COMMAND REFERENCE
The Keysight N8742A is Keysight's power supply in the N8700 Series System DC Power Supply family. Its SCPI remote-control interface exposes 94 commands across 22 subsystems - 57 settable and 37 queries - and every command is documented here with its parameters, accepted values, return format, and a copy-paste PyVISA example for automating test and measurement.
94
Commands
57
Settable
37
Queries
22
Subsystems
SCPI
Verified
2026-07-16
All commands
Reads the Standard Event Status Enable register. The bit configuration matches the Standard Event Status Event register; a bit value of 1 enables the corresponding event.
Reads the current state of the Service Request Enable Register. The register determines which Status Byte Register bits may set the Master Status Summary (MSS) and Request for Service (RQS) bits.
Generates a trigger when the trigger source is set to BUS. It has the same effect as the Group Execute Trigger (<GET>) command.
Synchronizes command execution and indicates when all pending operations are complete. The response from the instrument must be read each time *OPC? is given.
Queries the identification (model number) of the power supply.
Returns the power supply to the power-on state. Same as *RST.
Recalls the saved settings from the specified register. Up to 16 store/recall states are supported, and the settings must have been previously stored using STO.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| reg | integer | 0 - 15 | Register number to recall. |
Stores the present power supply settings in the specified register. There are up to 16 store/recall states.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| reg | integer | 0 - 15 | Register number to store the current settings into. |
Generates error 203. The service request capability of the power supply is only supported using the SCPI commands.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| setting | integer | - | Setting value for the service request capability. |
Always returns 0.
Always returns 0.
Clears the event registers and error queue.
Sets the event status enable register bits. The command controls which standard event status conditions are enabled to generate a summary bit in the status byte.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | integer | 0 - 255 | Bit mask for the event status enable register. |
Returns the value of the Standard Event Status Register. The register reports the occurrence of common event conditions such as command errors and execution errors.
Sets the Operation Complete bit in the Standard Event Status Register when all pending operations are finished. Use it for command synchronization.
Returns the option information string for the instrument.
Sets the service request enable register. This register determines which events in the standard event status register can generate a service request.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | integer | 0 - 255 | Bit mask for enabling standard event status register bits. |
Returns the status byte. The status byte reports the state of the instrument's status register.
Delays execution of the next command until all previous commands have been executed.
Initiates the calibration of the output current.
Enters a calibration value obtained by reading an external meter. You must first select a calibration level with CALibrate:LEVel, and the value is entered in volts or amperes depending on the function being calibrated.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | V or A | Calibration value to enter. |
Stores the date the unit was last calibrated. The date must be entered in numeric format yyyy/mm/dd.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| date | string | - | Calibration date in yyyy/mm/dd format. |
Returns the date the unit was last calibrated. The date is stored in numeric format yyyy/mm/dd.
Selects the next point in the calibration sequence. P1 is the first calibration point and P2 is the second calibration point.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | enum | P1 | P2 | Next point in the calibration sequence. |
Lets you change the calibration password. A new password is automatically stored in nonvolatile memory; if the password is set to 0, password protection is removed and access to calibration mode is unrestricted.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| password | integer | 0 | New calibration password. |
Enables or disables calibration mode. Calibration mode must be enabled before the power supply accepts other calibration commands.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | ON | OFF | Enabled or disabled state. |
| passwordopt | integer | - | Password required when enabling calibration mode if the existing password is not 0. |
Returns the calibration state only, not the password. Calibration mode enables the power supply to accept other calibration commands.
Initiates the calibration of the output voltage.
Performs a measurement and returns the DC output current in amperes. The command acquires new data before returning the reading.
Performs a measurement and returns the DC output voltage in volts. MEASure commands acquire new data before returning the reading.
Determines whether the power-on state is set to the reset state or to the settings the unit had when it was turned off. RST programs the unit to the reset state; AUTO programs it to the previous settings.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | RST | AUTO | Selects the power-on state mode. |
Determines whether the power-on state is restored to the reset state or to the settings the unit had when it was turned off. RST programs the unit to the reset state; AUTO restores the prior settings.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | RST | AUTO | Selects the power-on state behavior. |
Clears the latched protection signals that have disabled the output. The output is restored to the state it was in before the fault condition occurred, after the fault source is removed.
Enables or disables the specified output(s). The enabled state is On (1); the disabled state is Off (0).
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | ON | OFF | Sets the output state. |
Enables or disables the specified output(s). The enabled state is On (1) and the disabled state is Off (0).
Enables or disables the over-current protection (OCP) function. The enabled state is On (1) and the disabled state is Off (0); an over-current condition can be cleared with the Output Protection Clear command after the cause is removed.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | ON | OFF | Enables or disables over-current protection. |
Sets or queries the triggered output current level. Values are programmed in amperes, and the *RST value is Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | 0 - 420 | Triggered current level to program. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Requests the minimum or maximum allowed current level. |
Returns or sets the triggered output current amplitude in amperes. The *RST value is Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Selects the minimum or maximum current value. |
Sets the immediate output current level. The triggered current level is documented separately under the corresponding TRIGgered command.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | 0 - 420 | Current level to program, in amperes. The allowed range depends on the model. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Sets the value to the minimum or maximum allowed current. |
Sets or queries the immediate output current level. Values are programmed in amperes, with the range determined by the model; the *RST value is Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | 0 - 420 | Immediate output current level to program. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MINimum | MAXimum | Requests the minimum or maximum current level instead of a numeric value. |
Sets the current protection state for the source subsystem.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | - | Protection state. |
Sets the current trigger value used by the source subsystem. This command is listed under source commands and is the trigger-level counterpart to the current setting command.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| current | real | - | Trigger current value. |
Sets the source current level immediately. The index lists it under source commands as a command path alias for the current level command.
[SOUR] CURR [IMM]
Sets the triggered output voltage level. Values are programmed in volts, and the triggered level is a stored value that transfers to the output when a trigger occurs. The *RST value is Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | table minimum - table maximum | Triggered output voltage level. |
Sets the triggered output voltage level. The value is programmed in volts and the *RST value is Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | MIN - MAX | Triggered output voltage level. |
Sets the immediate output voltage level. A query returns the present immediate voltage setting; both setter and query accept the optional MIN or MAX qualifier.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | MIN - MAX | Immediate output voltage level to program. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Requests the minimum or maximum allowed value. |
Sets or queries the immediate output voltage level. The value is programmed in volts, with the allowed range coupled to the voltage protection and voltage limit low settings; *RST values are Min.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | V | Output voltage level to program. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Returns or programs the minimum or maximum allowed voltage level. |
Queries the low voltage limit of the output. An optional qualifier may request the minimum or maximum allowable low limit.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Selects the minimum or maximum low voltage limit value. |
Sets or queries the over-voltage protection (OVP) level of the output. If the output voltage exceeds the OVP level, the output is disabled and OV is set in the Questionable Condition status register.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | 0.5 - 660 | OVP level in volts. |
| qualifieropt | enum | MIN | MAX | Selects the minimum or maximum allowable protection level. |
Sets the trigger voltage level for the source output. This command is listed under source commands and cross-referenced in the index alongside [SOUR] VOLT [IMM] and [SOUR] VOLT PROT LEV.
Sets the source voltage level for the immediate output path. The index lists it under source commands as [SOUR] VOLT [IMM].
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| voltage | real | 0 - MAXimum | Source voltage level to be set. |
Returns the value of the Operation Condition register. This read-only register holds the live, unlatched operational status of the power supply.
Sets and reads the value of the Operation Enable register. This register masks bits from the Operation Event register to determine the operation summary bit (OPER) in the Status Byte register.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | integer | 0 - 65535 | Mask value for the Operational Enable register. |
Sets and reads the value of the Operational Enable register. The register masks which Operation Event bits can set the operation summary bit (OPER) in the Status Byte register; the preset value is 0.
Returns the value of the Operation Event register. The register is read-only, latches events passed by the Operation NTR and/or PTR filter, and is cleared when read.
Sets all defined bits in the Operation and Questionable PTR registers. It also clears all defined bits in the Operation and Questionable NTR and Enable registers.
Sets or reads the value of the Operation NTR (Negative-Transition) register. This register is a polarity filter between the Operation Condition and Operation Event registers.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | integer | 0 - 32767 | Value to store in the Operation NTR register. |
Returns the value of the Operation NTR (Negative-Transition) register. This register is a polarity filter between the Operation Condition and Operation Event registers.
Sets or reads the value of the Operation PTR (Positive-Transition) register. This register acts as a polarity filter between the Operation Condition and Operation Event registers, setting event bits on 0-to-1 transitions when enabled.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | integer | - | Value written to the Operation PTR register. |
Returns the value of the Operation PTR (Positive-Transition) register. This read-only register is used as a polarity filter between the Operation Condition and Operation Event registers.
Returns the value of the Questionable Condition register. This read-only register holds the real-time, unlatched questionable status of the power supply.
Returns the value of the Questionable Event register. Reading the read-only register clears it.
Configures the remote/local state of the instrument. The setting can be Local, Remote, or RWLock; at power-on the communications setting returns to Local.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | LOCal | REMote | RWLock | Remote/local state setting. |
Returns the current remote/local state setting of the instrument. The state can be LOCal, REMote, or RWLock, and at power-on the setting returns to LOCal.
Returns the control connection port number used to open a control socket connection to the instrument.
Returns the next error number and its corresponding message string from the error queue. Each read removes the error from the FIFO queue; when the queue is empty, the query returns 0, NO ERROR.
This query returns the SCPI version number to which the instrument complies. The returned value is formatted as YYYY.V, where YYYY is the year and V is the revision number for that year.
Cancels any trigger actions in progress and returns the trigger system to the IDLE state, unless INIT:CONT is enabled. It also resets the WTG bit in the Status Operation Condition register.
This command continuously initiates output triggers. When disabled, the trigger system must be initiated for each trigger with the INITiate command.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | ON | OFF | Enables or disables continuous initiation of output triggers. |
| transientopt | - | - |
INITiate:CONTinuous[:TRANsient] ON|OFF INITiate:CONTinuous[:TRANsient]?
Continuously initiates output triggers. When disabled, the trigger system must be initiated for each trigger with the INITiate command.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | enum | ON | OFF | Enables or disables continuous initiation of output triggers. |
Controls the enabling of output triggers. When a trigger is enabled, a trigger causes the specified triggering action to occur; if the trigger system is not enabled, all triggers are ignored.
Selects the trigger source for the output trigger system. Only BUS can be selected as the trigger source.
Selects the trigger source for the output trigger system. Only BUS can be selected as the trigger source.
Generates an immediate output trigger if the trigger system has been initiated. The output trigger initiates the output change specified by the CURR:TRIG or VOLT:TRIG settings and clears the WTG bits after the trigger action completes.
Sets the current limit during calibration procedures. The example shows it being used to set a high current limit before voltage calibration.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| level | real | A | Current limit setting. |
ISET 0.5
Sets the output voltage high enough to compensate for voltage drops on the load leads and current shunt. The manual shows it being used during current calibration.
| Name | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | real | - | Output voltage setting. |
VSET 0.5
Returns the present state of the operation status register. The register indicates the current operating conditions of the instrument.
Returns the status of the question subsystem. The query reports the present condition of the STATus:QUEStionable register.
Initiates a command sequence. The manual lists it under initiate commands and cross-references INIT CONT.
Initiates continuous triggering. This command is listed in the manual's command index under initiate commands.