Keithley 6430 User Manual

Basic Source-Measure Operation 3-19
Sink operation
Overview
When operating as a sink (V and I have opposite polarity), the SourceMeter is dissipating
power rather than sourcing it. An external source (i.e., battery) or an energy storage device (i.e.,
capacitor) can force operation into the sink region.
For example, if a 12V battery is connected to the V-Source (In/Out HI to battery high) that is
programmed for +10V, sink operation will occur in the second quadrant (Source +V and
measure -I).
C AUT I ON When using the I-Source as a sink, ALWAYS set V-Compliance to a level
that is higher than the external voltage level. Failure to do so could dam-
age the instrument due to excessive current that will flow into the
SourceMeter.
NOT E The sink operating limits are shown in Section 5, “Operating boundaries.”
Sink programming example
Table 3-9 lists a command sequence to program the SourceMeter for sink operation. These
commands set up the unit as follows:
• Source function: volts
• Measure function: current
• Source voltage: 0V
• Measure range: auto
• Compliance (discharge current): 100mA
T a ble 3-9
Sink programming example
Command Description
*RST
:SOUR:FUNC VOLT
:SOUR:VOLT:MODE FIXED
:SENS:FUNC “CURR”
:SENS:CURR:RANG:AUTO ON
:SENS:CURR:PROT 100E-3
:OUTP ON
:READ?
Restore GPIB defaults.
V-source function.
Fixed source mode.
Current measure function.
Auto measure range.
100mA compliance (discharge current).
Turn on output.
Trigger and acquire reading.

Keithley 6430 Specifications

General

Type	Sub-Femtoamp Remote SourceMeter
Compliance Voltage	200 V
Maximum Output Voltage	200 V
Maximum Output Current	100 mA
Compliance Limit	Programmable
Interface	GPIB, RS-232
Input Impedance	>10^14 Ω

Summary

Safety Precautions

3 Basic Source-Measure Operation

Basic Source-Measure Procedure

Details setup for source-measure operations: function, values, limits, and output control.

5 Source-Measure Concepts

Compliance limit

Discusses compliance limits, values, and determination.

Operating boundaries

Covers voltage/current boundaries for source, sink, I-source, V-source, and source-measure modes.

6 Range, Digits, Speed, and Filters

Range and digits

Discusses available ranges, limits, manual/autoranging, and display resolution.

Speed

Filters

Provides information on 3-stage filtering to reduce reading noise.

7 Relative and Math

Math Operations

Details math (FCTN) operations: power, offset ohms, varistor, etc.

9 Sweep Operation

Configuring and Running a Sweep

Discusses setup, configuration, delay setting, and performing sweeps.

10 Triggering

Trigger Model

Discusses trigger model, layers, event detection, delay, and device action.

Configuring Triggering

Details how to configure various triggering aspects.

Remote Triggering

Details remote trigger model, commands, and basic triggering example.

11 Limit Testing

Types of Limits

Discusses three limit types: compliance, coarse, fine; summarizes grading and sorting modes.

Configuring and Performing Limit Tests

Describes configuration for limit tests and typical test procedure.

Remote Limit Testing

12 Digital I/O Port, Interlock, and Output Configuration

Digital I/O Port

Safety Interlock

Describes using Digital I/O Port as a safety interlock.

Front Panel Output Configuration

14 Status Structure

Programming and Reading Registers

Status Byte and Service Request (SRQ)

Explains programming Status Byte for SRQs and using serial poll to detect SRQs.

15 Common Commands

Command Summary

Lists IEEE-488.2 common commands used by the SourceMeter.

Command Reference

Provides detailed reference for common commands, excluding status structure.

16 SCPI Signal-Oriented Measurement Commands

Command Summary

Configuring Measurement Function

Provides detailed info on commands to configure measurement function.

Acquiring Readings

Describes commands to acquire post-processed readings, trigger, acquire, and single measurement.

17 SCPI Command Reference

18 Performance Verification

Verification Test Requirements

Recommended Test Equipment

Performing the Verification Test Procedures

Details restoring factory defaults, setting ranges, and output values.

Mainframe Verification

Covers procedures to verify mainframe accuracy alone.

19 Calibration

Recommended Calibration Equipment

Unlocking Calibration

Mainframe Calibration

Includes procedures to calibrate the mainframe without the Remote PreAmp.

20 Routine Maintenance

Line Fuse Replacement

Covers procedure and part numbers for replacing the line fuse.

Front Panel Tests

F Measurement Considerations

Floating measurement safety concerns

Discusses safety concerns for measurements up to 42V above chassis ground.

Low current measurements

Leakage currents and guarding

Explains reducing leakage currents using insulators, humidity control, and guarding.