User Manual

6-2 Source-Measure Concepts 2400 Series SourceMeter
®
User’s Manual
Compliance limit
When sourcing voltage, the SourceMeter can be set to limit current. Conversely,
when sourcing current, the SourceMeter can be set to limit voltage. The SourceM-
eter output will not exceed the compliance limit.
2400/2400-LV/2401 — Current limit can be set from 1nA to 1.05A, and the voltage
limit can be set from 200µV to 210V (21V for 2400-LV and 2401).
2410 — Current limit can be set from 1nA to 1.05A, and the voltage limit can be
set from 200µV to 1.1kV.
2420 — Current limit can be set from 10nA to 3.15A, and the voltage limit can be
set from 200µV to 63V.
2425 and 2430 DC Mode — Current limit can be set from 10nA to 3.15A, and the
voltage limit can be set from 200µV to 105V.
2430 Pulse Mode — Current limit can be set from 10nA to 10.5A, and the voltage
limit can be set from 200µV to 105V.
2440 — Current limit can be set from 10nA to 5.25A, and the voltage limit can be
set from 200µV to 42V.
NOTE For the following discussion, “measurement range” refers to the mea-
surement function that is the opposite of the source function. When
sourcing voltage, the current measurement range is the point of discus
-
sion. Conversely, when sourcing current, the voltage measurement
range is the point of discussion.
Types of compliance
There are two types of compliance: “real” and “range.” Depending upon which
value is lower, the output will clamp at either the displayed compliance setting
(real compliance) or at the maximum possible compliance value for the fixed mea-
surement range (range compliance). This clamping action effectively limits the
power that can be delivered to the device. When the SourceMeter is acting as a
current source, the voltage is clamped at the compliance value; conversely, the
current is clamped at the compliance value when the SourceMeter is acting as a
voltage source. Note that range compliance cannot occur if the AUTO measure-
ment range is selected. Thus, to avoid range compliance, use AUTO range.
NOTE For the Model 2430, AUTO range is not valid in the Pulse Mode.
When in real compliance, the source clamps at the displayed compliance value.
For example, if the compliance voltage is set to 1V and the measurement range is
2V, output voltage will clamp at 1V. In this case, the “CMPL” annunciator will flash.