Datasheet

LOW LEVEL MEASURE & SOURCE
A Greater Measure of Confidence
www.keithley.com
1.888.KEITHLEY
(U.S. only)
6517B
Electrometer/High Resistance Meter
produces a highly repeatable, accurate measure-
ment of resistance (or resistivity) by the seventh
reversal on most materials (i.e., by discarding the
first three readings). For example, a 1mm-thick
sample of 10
14
W-cm material can be measured
with 0.3% repeatability in the Model 8009 test
fixture, provided the background current chang-
es less than 200fA over a 15-second period.
Simple DMM-like Operation
The Model 6517B is designed for easy, DMM-like
operation via the front panel, with single-button
control of im por tant functions such as resistance
measurement. It can also be controlled via
a built-in IEEE-488 inter face, which makes it
possible to program all func tions over the bus
through a computer controller.
High Accuracy High Resistance
Measurements
The Model 6517B offers a number of features
and capabili ties that help ensure the accuracy of
high resistance mea sure ment applications. For
example, the built-in volt age source simplifies
determining the relation ship between an insula-
tor’s resistivity and the level of source voltage
used. It is well suit ed for capacitor leakage and
insulation resistance mea sure ments, tests of the
surface insula tion resis tance of printed circuit
boards, voltage coefficient test ing of resistors,
and diode leakage characteriza tion.
Temperature and Humidity Stamping
Humidity and temperature can influence the
resist ivity values of materials significantly. To
help you make ac curate comparisons of readings
acquired un der varying conditions, the Model
6517B offers a built-in type K thermo couple and
an optional Model 6517-RH Relative Humidity
Probe. A built-in data storage bu f fer allows
recording and recalling read ings stamped with
the time, tempera ture, and relative humidity at
which they were acquired.
Accessories Extend
Measurement Capabilities
A variety of optional accessories can be used
to extend the Model 6517B’s applications and
enhance its performance.
Scanner Cards. Two scan ner cards are avail-
able to simplify scan ning multiple signals. Either
card can be easily inserted in the option slot of
the instru ment’s back panel. The Model 6521
Scan ner Card offers ten channels of low-level
cur rent scanning. The Model 6522 Scanner Card
provides ten channels of high impedance vol t age
switching or low current switching.
Test Fixture. The Model 8009 Resistivity
Chamber is a guard ed test fixture for measuring
vol ume and sur face resistivities of sam ple mat-
er ials. It has stain less-steel elec trodes built
to ASTM stan dards. The fixture’s elec trode
dimensions are pre- programmed into the Model
6517B, so there’s no need to calculate those
values then enter them man ually. This accessory
is designed to protect you from contact with
potentially hazardous voltages —opening the lid
of the cham ber automatically turns off the Model
6517B’s volt age source.
Applications
The Model 6517B is well suited for low current
and high impedance voltage, resistance, and
charge meas ure ments in areas of re search such
as physics, optics, and mater ials science. Its
extremely low voltage bur den makes it particu-
larly appropriate for use in solar cell applica-
tions, and its built-in voltage source and low
current sensitivity make it an excellent solution
for high resistance measurements of nanomateri-
als such as polymer based nanowires. Its high
speed and ease of use also make it an ex cellent
choice for quality control, product engineering,
and production test appli ca tions involving leak-
age, breakdown, and resistance testing. Volume
and sur face resistivity measurements on non-
conduc tive mater ials are particularly enhanced
by the Model 6517B’s voltage reversal method.
The Model 6517B is also well suited for electro-
chemistry applications such as ion selective elec-
trode and pH measurements, conductivity cells,
and potentiometry.
Model 6517B Enhancements
The Model 6517B is an updated version, replac-
ing the earlier Model 6517A, which was intro-
duced in 1996. Software applications created
for the Model 6517A using SCPI commands can
run without modifications on the Model 6517B.
However, the Model 6517B does offer some
useful enhancements to the earlier design. Its
internal battery-backed memory buffer can now
store up to 50,000 readings, allowing users to log
test results for longer periods and to store more
data associated with those readings. The new
model also provides faster reading rates to the
internal buffer (up to 425 readings/ second) and
to external memory via the IEEE bus (up to 400
readings/ second). Several connector modifica-
tions have been incorporated to address modern
connectivity and safety requirements.
Ordering Information
6517B Electrometer/High
Resistance Meter
Accessories Supplied
237-ALG-2 Low Noise
Triax Cable, 3-slot Triax to
Alligator Clips, 2m (6.6 ft)
8607 Safety High Voltage
Dual Test Leads
6517-TP Thermocouple Bead Probe
CS-1305 Interlock Connector
ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE
CABLES
6517B-ILC-3 Interlock Cable
7007-1 Shielded IEEE-488 Cable, 1m (3.2 ft)
7007-2 Shielded IEEE-488 Cable, 2m (6.5 ft)
7009-5 RS-232 Cable
7078-TRX-3 Low Noise Triax Cable, 3-Slot Triax Connectors,
0.9m (3 ft)
7078-TRX-10 Low Noise Triax Cable, 3-Slot Triax Connectors,
3m (10 ft)
7078-TRX-20 Low Noise Triax Cable, 3-Slot Triax Connectors,
6m (20 ft)
8501-1 Trigger Link Cable, 1m (3.3 ft)
8501-2 Trigger Link Cable, 2m (6.6 ft)
8503 Trigger Link Cable to 2 male BNCs, 1m (3.3 ft)
8607 1kV Source Banana Cables
PROBES
6517-RH Humidity Probe with Extension Cable
6517-TP Temperature Bead Probe (included with 6517B)
TEST FIXTURE
8009 Resistivity Test Fixture
OTHER
CS-1305 Interlock Connector
ADAPTERS
237-BNC-TRX Male BNC to 3-Lug Female Triax Adapter
237-TRX-NG Triax Male-Female Adapter with Guard
Disconnected
237-TRX-T 3-Slot Male Triax to Dual 3-Lug Female Triax
Tee Adapter
237-TRX-TBC 3-Lug Female Triax Bulkhead Connector
(1.1kV rated)
7078-TRX-BNC 3-Slot Male Triax to BNC Adapter
7078-TRX-GND 3-Slot Male Triax to BNC Adapter with guard
removed
7078-TRX-TBC 3-Lug Female Triax Bulkhead Connector
with Cap
RACK MOUNT KITS
4288-1 Single Fixed Rack Mounting Kit
4288-2 Dual Fixed Rack Mounting Kit
SCANNER CARDS
6521 Low Current Scanner Card
6522 Voltage/Low Current Scanner Card
GPIB INTERFACES
KPCI-488LPA IEEE-488 Interface/Controller for the PCI Bus
KUSB-488B IEEE-488 USB-to-GPIB Interface Adapter
Simplifies measuring high resistances and the resistivity of insulating materials