/

Tektronix

/

Tektronix PWS4305

SCPI COMMAND REFERENCE

Tektronix PWS4305

Tektronix PWS4305

The Tektronix PWS4305 is Tektronix's power supply in the PWS4000 Series Linear DC Power Supplies family. Its SCPI remote-control interface exposes 89 commands across 14 subsystems - 45 settable and 44 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.

89

Commands

45

Settable

44

Queries

14

Subsystems

SCPI

Verified

2026-07-16

All commands

*OPC?query

Places the ASCII character "1" into the output queue when all pending operation-complete commands are complete.

enum - Returns 1 when all pending OPC operations are finished.
*OPC? might return 1 to indicate that all pending OPC operations are finished.
*SRE?query

Sets and queries the bits in the Service Request Enable Register (SRER).

integer - Returns the Service Request Enable Register value.
*CLSset / query

Clears the Status Byte Register and the Event Status Register. This command also clears the device’s error queue.

*ESEset / query

Sets the Event Status Enable register. The register bits determine which standard event status conditions are enabled to contribute to the status summary.

NameTypeValuesDescription
enableinteger0 - 255Value to load into the Event Status Enable register.
*ESR?query

Returns the Standard Event Status Register. The register reports the event status summary.

integer - Returns the contents of the Standard Event Status Register.
*IDN?query

Returns the instrument identification string.

string - Returns the manufacturer, model, serial number, and firmware version as a comma-separated string.
*OPCset / query

Sets the operation complete bit in the Standard Event Status Register when all pending command operations have finished. The command has no parameters.

*RCLset / query

Recalls a previously saved instrument state from nonvolatile memory.

NameTypeValuesDescription
locationinteger0 - 9Storage location to recall.
*RSTset / query

Resets the instrument to its default state. This is a common IEEE 488.2 common command.

*SAVset / query

Stores the current state of the power supply in nonvolatile memory for later recall.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateinteger0 - 4Memory location to save the present instrument state.
*SREset / query

Sets the service request enable register. It determines which enabled status sources can generate a service request.

NameTypeValuesDescription
registerinteger0 - 255Service request enable register value.
*STB?query

Returns the status byte value. This query is part of the IEEE 488.2 status and error command set.

integer - The status byte value.
*TRGset / query

Triggers a group of commands to execute immediately. It is the equivalent of sending a trigger on the bus.

*TST?query

Performs an internal self-test. The query returns the self-test result code.

integer - Self-test result code.
*WAIset / query

Waits until all pending selected device operations are completed. It does not generate a response.

Sets the state of the rear-panel TTL control output and queries the state of the rear-panel TTL control input. The command is enabled only when the port mode is DIGITAL.

integer - Decimal representation of the state of the rear-panel TTL control output and input.

Sets or queries the function of the TTL control lines on the rear panel of the power supply. The power-on reset value is TRIGger.

NameTypeValuesDescription
modeenumTRIGger | RIDFi | DIGitalSelects the TTL control line function.
enum - Returns the current TTL control line function.

Sets the digital function used by the source output. The command is listed in the index as a source subsystem command.

Returns or configures the function mode of the power supply. It can be set to fixed mode or list mode; the query returns the current mode.

enum - Returns the current function mode.
[SOURCE:]FUNCTION:MODE LIST

Sets the source function mode. The command is listed under the source command group; the page slice does not provide further syntax details.

Sets or queries how many times the active list will execute. The count can be a specific integer, ONCe, or REPeat.

NameTypeValuesDescription
countenumONCE | REPeatNumber of times the active list will execute.
integer - Returns the number of times the active list is set to execute.
LIST:COUNT 6 would set the active list to execute 6 times before stopping.

Sets or queries the current for a list step in the active list. Current is specified in amperes or milliamperes when setting the value; the query returns the current setting in amperes for the specified step.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stepinteger1 - 80Step number in the active list.
real (A) - Decimal current setting in amperes for the specified step.

Determines the power supply response to a trigger in list mode. The query returns whether the active list executes continuously or one step per trigger.

enum - Returns the current list trigger mode.
LIST:MODE CONT
LIST:MODE? might respond with STEP to indicate that the active list is configured to wait for one trigger for each step.

Configures the number of steps in the active list. The number of steps must be configured before loading the voltage levels, current levels, and/or durations of the steps.

integer - Returns the number of steps configured in the active list.

Sets the duration of a specified step in a list. The query form returns the duration for a specified step.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stepinteger1 - 80Step number in the active list.
durationreal-Duration for the step.
qualifieroptenumMIN | MAXSets the duration to the minimum or maximum value.
NR2 - Duration for the specified step.
LIST:WIDth 1, 3S
LIST:WIDth? 1

Sets the number of points in the source list. This command is part of the source list programming commands.

NameTypeValuesDescription
countinteger1 - 65535Number of points in the source list.

Sets the current level in a source list. This command is part of the LIST subsystem and is the list-current equivalent of the standard current level command.

Sets or queries the source list mode. The command is part of the LIST subsystem for configuring list-based sourcing.

Recalls a previously saved list from nonvolatile memory into the active source list. The command is part of the LIST subsystem under SOURCE.

Saves the present source list settings. This command stores the current LIST configuration in nonvolatile memory.

Advances the source list by one step. The command is part of the source list subsystem.

Sets the list voltage level for the selected source. This command is part of the LIST subsystem and may be written with the optional SOURce and LEVel nodes omitted.

Sets the width of the list output step. This command is documented in the source list command group.

Associates the rear-panel DFI TTL output with a specified bit in the status byte register. Once associated, the DFI signal reflects the selected bit state; the port must be in DFI or RI mode before use.

enum - Returns the current DFI source setting.
OUTput:DFI:SOURCE QUES sets the DFI signal to respond to the state of the QUES bit in the status byte register (SBR).

Configures whether the power supply powers up with its output turned off or returns the output to the state it was in when it powered down.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateoptenumRST | RCL0Selects the power-up output state.
enum - Returns the current power-up output state.
OUTPUT:PON RST
OUTPUT:PON? might return RCL0, which would indicate that the instrument will return to the present output state if the power is cycled.

Returns the current input mode of the RI (remote inhibit) input pin. The command is effective only when the rear panel TTL input and output are configured in RI/DFI mode using [SOURce:]DIGital:FUNCtion.

enum - Returns the RI input mode as OFF, LATC, or LIVE.
OUTP:RI:MODE LATC
OUTP:RI:MODE? might return OFF, which would indicate that remote inhibit is not controlling the output of the instrument.

Sets or queries the output timer delay. When the timer is activated and a duration is set, the output turns off automatically after the specified duration if left on.

NameTypeValuesDescription
durationreal0.01s - 60000sTime duration of the output timer.
qualifieroptenumMIN | MAX | DEFSets the delay to the minimum, maximum, or default timer duration.
real (s) - Returns the timer duration in seconds.

Turns the output timer function on and off. When activated and a duration is set, the output turns off automatically if left on longer than the specified duration.

enum - Returns the output timer state as 0 or 1.

Selects the source for the DFI signal used by the output section. The command is part of the output control subsystem.

NameTypeValuesDescription
sourceenum-DFI source selection.

Sets or queries the power-on output state. The command determines the output state after power is turned on.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateoptenumON | OFFPower-on output state to set or query.

Sets the output timer delay. The timer delay is associated with the output timer function.

NameTypeValuesDescription
delayreal0 - 10Delay time for the output timer.

Sets or queries the output timer state. This command can be used to enable or disable the output timer for the source output.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateoptenumON | OFFEnables or disables the output timer state.
enum - Returns the output timer state.

Sets or queries the output state of the source output. The command may be used with the optional SOURCE prefix and optional STATE node.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateoptenumON | OFFTurns the output on or off.
enum - Returns the output state.

Sets the over voltage protection (OVP) threshold level. The query form returns the present OVP threshold setting.

NameTypeValuesDescription
voltagereal0 - the maximum OVP levelOVP threshold level to set.
qualifieroptenumMIN | MAX | DEFSets the OVP threshold to the minimum, maximum, or default level.
real (V) - The present over voltage protection threshold setting in volts.

Sets or queries the source voltage level. The value can be specified in V, mV, or kV, or set to MIN, MAX, or DEF.

NameTypeValuesDescription
voltagereal0 - maximum nameplate voltage of the power supplyVoltage setting in volts.
qualifieroptenumMIN | MAX | DEFSets the voltage to the minimum, maximum, or default level.
real (V) - NR2 is the voltage setting in volts.
VOLTAGE:MIN
VOLTAGE? might return 1.05, which would be the voltage setting in volts.

Activates, deactivates, or checks the status of overvoltage protection (OVP).

enum - Returns 0|1, where 0 means the over voltage protection is off and 1 means it is on.
VOLT:PROT:STAT 1
VOLT:PROT:STAT? might return 1, which would indicate that overvoltage protection is active.

Queries the present voltage range limit. The returned value is in volts.

real (V) - The voltage limit in volts.
VOLT:RANG? might return 3.2, which would be the maximum programmable voltage in volts.

Sets or queries the voltage protection state for the selected source. The command is part of the source voltage protection subsystem.

Sets the voltage protection level for the source output. The command supports the optional level node in the mnemonic.

NameTypeValuesDescription
levelreal0 - 50Voltage protection level.

Sets the voltage range for the source. The command is part of the source voltage subsystem and is documented alongside the source voltage level and protection commands.

Sets the source voltage level. The command is also shown in abbreviated form as [SOURce:]VOLTage[:LEVel].

NameTypeValuesDescription
voltagereal0 - 18 VVoltage level to set.

Sets and queries the contents of the operation enable register (OENR), an eight-bit mask that determines which Operation Event Register bits affect the OPER bit in the Status Byte Register. The setter accepts a decimal integer mask from 0 to 255.

NameTypeValuesDescription
maskinteger0 - 255Decimal integer mask used to set the OENR bits.
integer - Returns the decimal integer contents of the Operation Enable Register (OENR).
STATUS:OPERATION:ENABLE 8
STATUS:OPERATION:ENABLE? might return 8, which would indicate that only the Constant Current bit of the Operation Event Register would affect the OPER bit of the Status Byte Register.

Sets or queries the questionable enable register (QENR). The QENR is an eight-bit mask register that determines which bits in the Questionable Event Register affect the QUES bit in the Status Byte Register.

NameTypeValuesDescription
maskinteger0 - 255Decimal integer mask written to the QENR; the binary bits are set according to this value.
integer - Returns the decimal integer contents of the QENR mask register.
STATUS:QUESTIONABLE:ENABLE 8
STATUS:QUESTIONABLE:ENABLE? might return 8, which would indicate that only a transition of the Remote Inhibit bit of the QCR would affect the QUES bit of the Status Byte Register.

Sets the negative transition filter of the questionable event register. The filter bits are set according to the supplied mask value, and a bit in the questionable event register becomes 1 when the corresponding questionable condition bit transitions from 1 to 0.

NameTypeValuesDescription
maskinteger0 - 255Mask value used to set the Questionable NTR register bits.

Sets the positive transition filter of the questionable event register. The filter contents cause the corresponding bit in the questionable event register to become 1 when the corresponding questionable condition bit transitions from 0 to 1.

NameTypeValuesDescription
maskinteger0 - 255Bit mask loaded into the Questionable PTR register.
integer - Returns the contents of the Positive Transition register as a mask value.
STATUS:QUESTIONABLE:PTRANSITION 8
STATUS:QUESTIONABLE:PTRANSITION? might return 8 which would indicate that a positive transition on the Remote Inhibit bit of the QCR would be registered as an event.

Returns the present condition register of the operation status subsystem.

integer - Returns the current contents of the operation condition register.

Enables bits in the operation status register mask. This command is part of the status subsystem.

NameTypeValuesDescription
maskinteger0 - 255Bit mask used to enable operation status reporting.

Returns the present questionable status condition register value.

integer - Returns the current value of the Questionable Condition register.

Enables or disables the Questionable Status Enable Register. This register determines which questionable status conditions are included in the status summary.

NameTypeValuesDescription
enableinteger0 - 1Enable value for the Questionable Status Enable Register.

Returns the questionable event register value. This query reports the contents of the Questionable event register.

integer - Returns the questionable event register value.

Simulates a front-panel button press by key code. The instrument must be in local mode for this command to take effect.

NameTypeValuesDescription
key codeinteger-Integer code for the front-panel button to simulate.
integer - Returns the key code.
SYSTem:KEY 64 would simulate a press of the Shift key.

Determines how the power supply initializes when power is turned on. It can power up with default settings or restore the settings that were in effect when it was turned off.

enum - Returns the power-up initialization setting: RST means default settings are applied after a power cycle; RCL0 means the most recent settings are saved and restored after a power cycle.
SYSTEM:POSETUP? might respond with RST, which would indicate that the power supply is configured to restore the power supply to default settings when it powers up.

Returns the next error in the instrument error queue. The response includes an error code and message.

string - An error code and error message, typically in the form <error code>,"<error message>".
:SYSTem:REMoteset / query

Enables remote control of the instrument. The command is listed in the index as a system command.

:SYSTem:RWLockset / query

Locks or unlocks the front panel controls for remote operation.

Sets or queries the trigger source used for trigger events. Valid sources are manual front-panel trigger, immediate trigger, external TTL pulse, or bus trigger.

enum - Returns the current trigger source.
TRIGGER:SOURCE BUS

Sets whether the sound function is enabled or disabled.

NameTypeValuesDescription
stateoptenumON | OFFTurns the sound function on or off.

Returns the present DC current reading. The optional :DC node is included in the documented query mnemonic but does not change the returned quantity in the index entry.

real (A) - The present DC current value.

Returns the present DC voltage reading from the fetch buffer. The [:DC] node is optional in the command syntax.

real (V) - Returns the present DC voltage reading.

Returns the fetched scalar power measurement.

real - Returns the present scalar power reading.

Returns the GPIB-USB interface ID string.

string - The GPIB-USB interface ID string.

Measures the output current. The optional ":DC" node specifies DC current measurement.

real (A) - Returns the measured current.

Measures the output voltage. The optional DC suffix indicates DC voltage measurement.

real (V) - Returns the measured voltage.

Sets the current level of the source output. The command accepts a value in amps, with optional MINimum, MAXimum, or DEFault qualifiers.

NameTypeValuesDescription
currentreal0 - 5.000Current level to set.
qualifieroptenumMINimum | MAXimum | DEFaultSelects the minimum, maximum, or default current level.