Measuring low DC currents may demand more than a digital multimeter can deliver. Electrometers measure low currents but have circuitry and functions which build up cost. The Keithley 6487 Picoammeter/Voltage Source combines the economy and ease-in-use of a digital multimeter with low current sensitivity close to that of an electrometer. With eight current measurement ranges and high speed autoranging, the 6487 can measure currents from 20fA to 20mA, take measurements at speeds up to 1000 readings per second and source voltage from 200μV to 505V.

• Direct resistance measurements. Optimized for resistances from 50 Ω to 5x1014 Ω using the Source Voltage/Measure Current method.
• Alternating Voltage method resistance measurements. This method improves resistance measurements on devices with high background current or high noise. It extends the measurable resistance range up to 1016 Ω.
• 500 V overload protection. This high overload protection and a robust design let the 6487 tolerate abusive overflows, including accidentally shorting the voltage source directly into the ammeter.
• Rear panel triax input. This allows the picoammeter to be used in floating operation, up to 500 V. When not floating, the addition of a triax to BNC adapter allows inexpensive, easy-to-use BNC cables to be employed, rather than more expensive triaxial cables.
• RS-232 and IEEE-488 interfaces. These interfaces make it easy to integrate the 6487 into automated test and measurement systems.
• Scaled voltage analog output. This output allows the 6487 to transmit measurement results to devices like DMMs, data acquisition cards, oscilloscopes, or strip chart recorders.
• Built-in Trigger Link interface. The Trigger Link interface simplifies synchronizing the 6487 with other instruments and voltage sources. This interface combines six independent selectable trigger lines on a single connector for simple, direct control over all instruments in a system.
• Display on/off switch. For research on light-sensitive components, such as measuring the dark currents of photodiodes or I-V measurements on unpackaged semiconductors, the front panel display can be switched off to avoid introducing light that could significantly reduce the accuracy of the results.
• One-touch front panel design. Functions can be configured easily with the push of a button, without complicated function menus.
• KickStart Software. Start measuring in minutes with this instrument control software. Graph and store data for later analysis in software environments like Excel.

Picoammeter Accessories
Adapters
RS Stock No. 7600339 7078-TRX-BNC (Coaxial adapter)

Cable and Interface Accessories
RS Stock No. 7600335 7078-TRX-10 (Male to Male Triaxial Cable)
RS Stock No. 2409953 8501-1 (Trigger Link Cable)
RS Stock No. 7600341 KPCI-488LPA (Low Profile IEEE-488 Interface Board)
RS Stock No. 7600345 KUSB-488B (IEEE-488.2 USB-TO-GPIB Interface Adapter)

Rack Mount Kits
RS Stock No. 9223003 4288-1 (Single Rackmount Kit)
RS Stock No. 2409953 4288-2 (Dual Rackmount Kit)

Software Options
Kickstart www.tek.com/en/products/keithley/keithley-control-software-bench-instruments/kickstart

KickStart www.tek.com/en/products/keithley/keithley-control-software-bench-instruments/kickstart

For full list of accessories, application and software options, please see datasheet

Keep your instrument up to date and to enhance the functionality, please visit Tektronix website for the latest software updates at https://www.tek.com/en/products/software

• Resistance/resistivity measurements
• Beam monitoring and radiation monitoring
• Leakage current testing in insulators, switches, relays, and other components
• Galvanic coupling measurements
• I-V characterization on semiconductor and optoelectronic devices
• Fiber alignment
• Circuit test and analysis in DCLF circuits
• Sensor characterization
• Capacitor leakage

Keithley