Pico Ammeter Combines 500V Source With Femto Amp Resolution

Addressing the growing need for performing low dc current measurements on devices that also require stimulation, the Model 6487 pico ammeter measures current down to 20 fA and includes a voltage source up to 500V. Using the source voltage in a current-measure topology and an alternating voltage method to minimize background current errors, the 5-1/2 digit instrument provides direct readout of resistances up to 5 x 10E16?. Voltage source ranges are ±10, ±50, and ±500 Vdc with a basic accuracy of ±0.1%. A time-stamped, 3,000-reading data buffer gives minimum, maximum, and standard deviation statistics on all measurements. Other features include a data acquisition rate of 1,000 readings, REL and LOG functions, scaled voltage analog output, one-touch front-panel control, on/off display light for light-sensitive component testing, and digital I/O capabilities. The instrument comes with EceLINX, an add-in utility for Excel, and an instrument driver for use with development environments including LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Basic, C/C++, and TestPoint. Price is $2,995. KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS INC., Cleveland, OH. (888) 534-8453.