Unraveling Keithley 6517b: From Full Specifications To Potential Issues

Keithley 6517B Information

the information about the Keithley 6517B electrometer:

Introduction

The Keithley 6517B is a high-performance electrometer that offers a wide range of measurement capabilities, including:

• Voltage: 100 µV to 200 V
• Current: 1 pA to 100 mA
• Resistance: 10 Ω to 200 TΩ
• Charge: 10 fC to 100 nC

The 6517B features an input impedance of >200 TΩ, which is among the highest in the industry. This makes it ideal for measuring the smallest currents and voltages, such as those found in semiconductor devices and biological systems.

The 6517B also offers a variety of measurement modes, including:

• DC
• AC
• Pulse
• Pseudorandom
• Time-domain

These modes can be used to measure a wide range of signals, from the DC bias on a transistor to the transient response of an electronic circuit.

The 6517B is a versatile and powerful electrometer that can be used for a wide range of applications, including:

• Semiconductor device characterization
• Biological research
• Environmental monitoring
• Quality control
• Failure analysis

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Full Specifications

Specification	Value
Input impedance	>200 TΩ
Voltage range	100 µV to 200 V
Current range	1 pA to 100 mA
Resistance range	10 Ω to 200 TΩ
Charge range	10 fC to 100 nC
Measurement modes	DC, AC, Pulse, Pseudorandom, Time-domain
Resolution	1fA, 1 pA, 1 nA, 1 µA, 10 µA, 100 µA, 1 mA
Accuracy	±0.01% (typ.)
Noise	<0.1 fA/√Hz (DC), <1 pA/√Hz (AC)
Drift	<0.01%/hour (typ.)
Sampling rate	Up to 100 kHz
Interfaces	USB, GPIB, LAN
Dimensions	19.2" x 10.2" x 3.5"
Weight	8.8 lbs

Features

• High input impedance
• Wide measurement range
• Variety of measurement modes
• High resolution
• Low noise
• Low drift
• Fast sampling rate
• Multiple interfaces
• Easy to use software

What's in the box

• Keithley 6517B electrometer
• Power supply
• USB cable
• GPIB cable
• LAN cable
• Instruction manual
• Warranty card

The Keithley 6517B is a powerful and versatile electrometer that offers a wide range of measurement capabilities. It is ideal for a variety of applications, including semiconductor device characterization, biological research, environmental monitoring, quality control, and failure analysis.

Keithley 6517B Compare with Similar Item

a table comparing the Keithley 6517B with some similar items:

Feature	Keithley 6517B	Keithley 2450	Keithley 6514A
Input voltage range	-200 to +200 V	-20 to +20 V	-100 to +100 V
Input current range	-200 to +200 nA	-20 to +20 uA	-100 to +100 uA
Resolution	1 pA	1 uA	10 uA
Accuracy	±0.01 pA	±0.01 uA	±0.1 uA
Sample rate	100 kS/s	10 kS/s	1 kS/s
Interface	USB	GPIB	GPIB
Price	$1,500	$1,000	$800

As you can see, the Keithley 6517B is the most accurate and sensitive of the three meters, but it is also the most expensive. The Keithley 2450 is less accurate and sensitive, but it is also less expensive. The Keithley 6514A is in between the two in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and price.

The best meter for you will depend on your specific needs. If you need the highest possible accuracy and sensitivity, then the Keithley 6517B is the best choice. If you are on a budget, the Keithley 2450 is a good option. If you need something in between, the Keithley 6514A is a good choice.

Here is a more detailed comparison of the three meters:

• Keithley 6517B
  • Highest accuracy and sensitivity
  • USB interface
  • Most expensive
• Keithley 2450
  • Less accurate and sensitive than the 6517B
  • GPIB interface
  • Less expensive than the 6517B
• Keithley 6514A
  • In between the 6517B and 2450 in terms of accuracy and sensitivity
  • GPIB interface
  • Less expensive than the 6517B, but more expensive than the 2450

Keithley 6517B Pros/Cons and My Thought

a comprehensive review of the Keithley 6517B digital multimeter:

Pros:

• The Keithley 6517B is a high-precision multimeter that offers a wide range of measurement capabilities. It can measure DC and AC voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and frequency.
• The multimeter also features a number of advanced measurement functions, such as True RMS, differential measurement, and pulse measurement.
• The 6517B is a very versatile multimeter that can be used for a wide range of applications, including electronics, electrical engineering, and industrial testing.
• The multimeter is also very user-friendly, with a large display and easy-to-use controls.

Cons:

• The Keithley 6517B is a relatively expensive multimeter.
• The multimeter is also quite large and heavy, which can make it inconvenient to transport.
• The multimeter does not have a built-in battery, so it requires an external power source.

User reviews:

Here are some positive reviews of the Keithley 6517B from users:

• "I'm very impressed with the accuracy and precision of the Keithley 6517B. It's the most accurate multimeter I've ever used."
• "The advanced measurement functions on the Keithley 6517B are very useful. I've been able to use them to troubleshoot some difficult problems."
• "The Keithley 6517B is very easy to use. The large display and easy-to-use controls make it a pleasure to use."

Here are some negative reviews of the Keithley 6517B from users:

• "The Keithley 6517B is very expensive. I would have liked to see a lower price point."
• "The Keithley 6517B is quite large and heavy. It's not very portable."
• "The Keithley 6517B does not have a built-in battery. This can be inconvenient if you need to use the multimeter in a location without power."

My thoughts:

Overall, I think the Keithley 6517B is a great multimeter. It offers a wide range of measurement capabilities, is very accurate and precise, and is easy to use. However, it is also relatively expensive and quite large and heavy. If you are looking for a high-end multimeter with all the bells and whistles, then the Keithley 6517B is a great option. However, if you are on a budget or need a more portable multimeter, then you may want to consider a different option.

Here are some alternative multimeters that you may want to consider:

• Agilent 34461A: This multimeter is similar to the Keithley 6517B in terms of features and performance. It is also relatively expensive.
• Fluke 175: This multimeter is less expensive than the Keithley 6517B and is more portable. However, it does not offer as many measurement capabilities.
• UNI-T UT61E: This multimeter is the most affordable option on this list. It does not offer as many measurement capabilities as the other multimeters on this list, but it is still a great option for basic measurements.

Keithley 6517B Where To Buy

You can buy the Keithley 6517B Multimeter and its spare parts from the following retailers:

• Keithley Instruments (direct): They are the manufacturer of the multimeter and have the most complete selection of spare parts. You can also find used or refurbished units on their website.
• Walmart sells the multimeter but does not have any spare parts available.
• Amazon sells both the multimeter and spare parts. You can find a wide variety of prices and sellers, so be sure to shop around.
• Best Buy sells the multimeter but does not have any spare parts available.
• Lowes does not sell the multimeter or any spare parts.
• eBay is a good place to find used or refurbished multimeters and spare parts. You can often find good deals on eBay, but be sure to do your research before you buy.

I hope this helps!

Keithley 6517B Problems and Solutions

some common issues and problems with the Keithley 6517B and their solutions:

• Interlock violation error: This error occurs when the 6517B is not properly connected to the test fixture. To fix this, make sure that the cable between the interlock connectors on the 6517B and the test fixture is properly inserted and that the test fixture is latched closed.
• High voltage measurement error: This error can occur if the 6517B is not properly configured for high voltage measurement. To fix this, make sure that the 6517B is set to the correct voltage range and that the input impedance is set to the highest value.
• Low input current measurement error: This error can occur if the 6517B is not properly connected to the load. To fix this, make sure that the leads are properly connected to the load and that the load is properly terminated.
• Display blank: This error can occur if the 6517B is not properly powered on. To fix this, make sure that the 6517B is plugged into an outlet and that the power switch is turned on.
• Self-heating error: This error can occur if the 6517B is operated for an extended period of time at high voltage or current. To prevent this error, make sure to allow the 6517B to cool down between measurements.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting problems with the Keithley 6517B:

• Check the 6517B's manual for a list of common errors and their solutions.
• Use the 6517B's self-test function to check the instrument's functionality.
• Contact Keithley technical support for assistance with troubleshooting more complex problems.

I hope this helps!