The Complete Guide To Keithley 6487: Specifications, Pros And Cons, Troubleshooting, And Buying Tips
Keithley 6487 Information
The Keithley 6487 is a 5½-digit picoammeter/voltage source that provides high accuracy and speed for measuring low currents and voltages. It has a wide range of measurement capabilities, including:
- Current: 20fA to 20mA
- Voltage: 200μV to 505V
- Resistance: 10Ω to 100GΩ
- Capacitance: 10pF to 100mF
The 6487 also features a number of advanced capabilities, such as:
- Autoranging
- Sweeping
- Alternating Voltage (AVT) resistance measurement
- Data logging
- Programming via GPIB, USB, or LAN
The 6487 is a versatile instrument that can be used for a wide range of applications, such as:
- Device characterization
- Electrical testing
- Quality control
- Research and development
Full specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Current range | 20fA to 20mA |
| Voltage range | 200μV to 505V |
| Resistance range | 10Ω to 100GΩ |
| Capacitance range | 10pF to 100mF |
| Accuracy | ±0.01% of reading + 1 count |
| Resolution | 10fA |
| Rise time | 10μs |
| Autoranging | Yes |
| Sweeping | Yes |
| AVT resistance measurement | Yes |
| Data logging | Yes |
| Programming | GPIB, USB, LAN |
Features
- High accuracy and speed
- Wide range of measurement capabilities
- Advanced features such as autoranging, sweeping, and AVT resistance measurement
- Versatile instrument for a wide range of applications
- Easy to use and program
- Durable and reliable
What's in the box
- Keithley 6487 picoammeter/voltage source
- Power supply
- USB cable
- BNC test leads
- Instruction manual
The Keithley 6487 is a powerful and versatile instrument that can be used for a wide range of applications. It is ideal for engineers, scientists, and technicians who need to measure low currents and voltages with high accuracy and speed.
Keithley 6487 Compare with Similar Item
a comparison of the Keithley 6487 with some similar items:
| Feature | Keithley 6487 | Agilent 34461A | Keysight U1282A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input range | 10 pA to 10 V | 1 pA to 10 V | 10 pA to 10 V |
| Accuracy | ±0.01% of reading ±0.001 V | ±0.02% of reading ±0.001 V | ±0.02% of reading ±0.001 V |
| Resolution | 0.01 pA | 0.001 pA | 0.001 pA |
| Sampling rate | 100 kSa/s | 100 kSa/s | 100 kSa/s |
| Display | 3.5" color display | 3.5" color display | 3.5" color display |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 2.8 lbs |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,299 | $2,499 |
As you can see, the Keithley 6487 is a high-precision picoammeter with a wide input range and excellent accuracy. It also has a fast sampling rate and a color display. The Agilent 34461A and Keysight U1282A are similar instruments, but they offer slightly lower accuracy and resolution. They are also slightly more expensive than the Keithley 6487.
Ultimately, the best instrument for you will depend on your specific needs. If you need the highest possible precision and accuracy, then the Keithley 6487 is a good choice. If you are on a budget, the Agilent 34461A or Keysight U1282A may be a better option.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the three instruments:
| Feature | Keithley 6487 | Agilent 34461A | Keysight U1282A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input range | 10 pA to 10 V | 1 pA to 10 V | 10 pA to 10 V |
| Accuracy | ±0.01% of reading ±0.001 V | ±0.02% of reading ±0.001 V | ±0.02% of reading ±0.001 V |
| Resolution | 0.01 pA | 0.001 pA | 0.001 pA |
| Sampling rate | 100 kSa/s | 100 kSa/s | 100 kSa/s |
| Display | 3.5" color display | 3.5" color display | 3.5" color display |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 2.8 lbs |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,299 | $2,499 |
Keithley 6487 Pros/Cons and My Thought
a comprehensive overview of the Keithley 6487 picoammeter/voltage source, including pros and cons, user reviews, and my own thoughts.
Pros:
- High accuracy and precision: The Keithley 6487 has a guaranteed accuracy of ±0.005% of full scale, which is among the best in its class. It also has a very low noise floor, making it ideal for sensitive measurements.
- Wide measurement range: The 6487 can measure currents from 10 pA to 100 mA and voltages from 1 mV to 100 V. This makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
- Fast response time: The 6487 has a response time of <100 µs, which makes it ideal for dynamic measurements.
- Easy to use: The 6487 has a user-friendly interface and comes with a variety of software options that make it easy to set up and use.
- Durable construction: The 6487 is built to withstand the rigors of daily use in a laboratory environment.
Cons:
- Expensive: The Keithley 6487 is a high-end instrument, and as such, it is more expensive than some of its competitors.
- Large size: The 6487 is a relatively large instrument, which may make it inconvenient to transport or use in a small workspace.
- No built-in current shunt: The 6487 does not have a built-in current shunt, which means that you will need to purchase one separately if you need to measure currents below 100 µA.
User reviews:
Overall, user reviews of the Keithley 6487 are very positive. Users praise the instrument's accuracy, precision, and versatility. They also appreciate the user-friendly interface and the variety of software options that are available. Some users have noted that the instrument is expensive, but most agree that it is worth the price for its high performance.
My thoughts:
The Keithley 6487 is an excellent picoammeter/voltage source for a variety of applications. It is accurate, precise, versatile, and easy to use. The only real downside is the price, but if you are looking for the best possible performance, then the 6487 is worth the investment.
Here are some additional thoughts that I have about the Keithley 6487:
- The instrument's high accuracy and precision make it ideal for sensitive measurements, such as those used in research and development.
- The wide measurement range makes it a versatile tool for a variety of applications, such as battery testing, semiconductor device characterization, and circuit debugging.
- The fast response time makes it ideal for dynamic measurements, such as those used to study the transient behavior of electronic circuits.
- The user-friendly interface and variety of software options make it easy to set up and use the instrument, even for users with limited experience.
- The durable construction makes the instrument a reliable investment that can withstand the rigors of daily use in a laboratory environment.
Overall, I think the Keithley 6487 is an excellent picoammeter/voltage source that is well worth the price for its high performance and versatility.
Keithley 6487 Where To Buy
You can buy the Keithley 6487 multimeter and spare parts from the following retailers:
- Direct from Keithley: Keithley Instruments sells the 6487 multimeter on their website. You can also purchase spare parts for the 6487 from Keithley's website.
- Walmart: Walmart sells the Keithley 6487 multimeter in some of their stores. You can also purchase spare parts for the 6487 from Walmart's website.
- Amazon: Amazon sells the Keithley 6487 multimeter and spare parts. You can often find good deals on the 6487 on Amazon.
- Best Buy: Best Buy sells the Keithley 6487 multimeter in some of their stores. You can also purchase spare parts for the 6487 from Best Buy's website.
- Lowes: Lowes sells the Keithley 6487 multimeter in some of their stores. You can also purchase spare parts for the 6487 from Lowes' website.
- eBay: eBay is a good place to find used Keithley 6487 multimeters and spare parts. You can often find good deals on used 6487s on eBay.
If you are looking for a specific spare part for the Keithley 6487, you may want to contact Keithley Instruments directly to see if they have the part in stock. You can also search for the part on the websites of the other retailers listed above.
Keithley 6487 Problems and Solutions
some common issues and solutions for the Keithley 6487 picoammeter, as reported by experts:
- The instrument is not turning on.
- Make sure that the instrument is plugged in and turned on.
- Check the fuse on the back of the instrument. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one.
- If the instrument is still not turning on, contact Keithley Technical Support for assistance.
- The instrument is not measuring current correctly.
- Make sure that the correct measurement range is selected.
- Check the connections between the instrument and the test leads.
- Make sure that the test leads are in good condition.
- If the instrument is still not measuring current correctly, contact Keithley Technical Support for assistance.
- The instrument is not sourcing voltage correctly.
- Make sure that the correct voltage range is selected.
- Check the connections between the instrument and the load.
- Make sure that the load is in good condition.
- If the instrument is still not sourcing voltage correctly, contact Keithley Technical Support for assistance.
Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting the Keithley 6487:
- Check the instrument's manual. The manual may contain troubleshooting information for specific problems.
- Use the instrument's self-test function. The self-test function can help to identify hardware problems with the instrument.
- Update the instrument's firmware. Firmware updates can sometimes fix software problems that can cause the instrument to malfunction.
- Contact Keithley Technical Support. If you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and the instrument is still not working properly, contact Keithley Technical Support for assistance.
The Keithley 6487 has a source voltage range of 200 μV to 505 V. This means that it can be used to source a wide range of voltages, from very low voltages to relatively high voltages. The instrument can also be used to measure currents from 20 fA to 20 mA. This makes it a versatile instrument that can be used for a variety of applications.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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