We warrant each of our products to be free
from defects in material and workmanship. Our
obligation under this warranty is to repair or
replace any instrument or part thereof which,
within a year after shipment, proves defective
upon examination. We will pay domestic
surface freight costs.
To exercise this warranty, call your local
field representative or the Cleveland factory,
DDD 216-248-0400. You will be given assistance and shipping instructions.
REPAIRS AND RECALIBRATION
Keithley Instruments maintains a complete repair service and standards laboratory in Cleveland, and has an authorized field repair facility
in Los Angeles and in all countries outside the
United States having Keithley field representatives.
To insure prompt repair or recalibration service, please contact your local field representative or the plant directly before returning the
instrument.
Estimates for repairs, normal recalibrations,
and calibrations traceable to the National Bureau of Standards are available upon request.
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
INTRODUCTION . l-1
1.
Specifications . 1-2
OPERATION. . 2-1
2.
Operating Controls . . . 2-l
Preliminary Set-Up . 2-l
General Precautions. . . 2-2
Measuring Voltage. . 2-3
Other Applications 2-4
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION. 3-1
3.
Input Circuit.
AC Amplifier
DC Amplifier . . . . . .
.
3-l
. . 3-l
3-l
Zero Suppression . . . . 3-2
Other Controls .
Power Supply . .
. . . .
. . . .
3-2
3-2
Section
MAINTENANCE. . . . . . . . .
4.
Trouble-Shooting . . . . .
Excessive Output Noise . . . .
Output not Zero with Input
Terminals Shorted . . .
220-Volt Operation . . . . . . .
REPLACEABLE PARTS. . . . 5-l
5.
Replaceable Parts List . .
How to Order Parts . . .
Model 149 Replaceable Parts List
Models 1483, 1484 Replaceable
Parts List. . . . . . . . 5-6
Model 1491 Replaceable Parts List 5-7
Model 1501 Replaceable Parts List 5-7
Model 1502 Replaceable Parts List 5-7
Voltage and Resistance Chart . 5-9
Schematic Diagram. . . . . .
Green Repair and Calibration Form
*
Change Notice . . . . . Last
Page
4- 1
4-l
4- 1
4-2
4-3
5-1
5-l
5-2
5-11
5-13
Page
K
Yellow Change Notice sheet is included only for instrument modifications
affecting the Instruction Manual.
1068R
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
l-l. GENERAL.
The Model 149 Milli-Microvoltmeter is a stable, versatile instrument for measuring
a.
low-level dc signals. It functions as a voltmeter from 100 nanovol s full scale to 100
millivolts.
It also operates as a dc amplifier with gains up to 10 ' for driving recor-
ders.
The low noise level of the Model 149, together with its long-term stability, makes
b.
it ideal for many measurements requiring extreme power sensitivity.
Typical applications include measuring the output from strain gages, thermopilcs,
C.
thermocouples, bolometers, phototubes, ionization chambers, scintillation counters, and
barrier layer cells. Other applications are found in cell studies, measurement of elec-
trochemical potentials, electrolytic corrosion studies, molecular weight analysis and
Hall effect studies.
In addition to its use as a direct indicator of minute potentials and currents, the
d.
Model 149 may also be used as a null detector in Wheatstone or Mueller bridges.
e. An important feature of the instrument is zero suppression up
to
100
times
full
scale in place of the usual more limited meter zero. This permits measurements of small
signals in the presence of large thermal emf's or other masking dc signals.
FIGURE 1.
Keithley Instruments Model 149 Milli-Microvoltmeter.
l-l
INTRODUCTION
l-2. SPECIFICATIONS.
RANGE: 0.1 micro"olt (10 x 10-8 volt) full scale to 100 millivolts on zero-center meter.
13 overlapping ranges in lx and 3x steps.
ACCURACY: *2% of full scale on all ranges exclusive of noise and drift.
ZERO DRIFT: Less than 10 nanovolts per hour or less than 30 nanovolts in any *-hour period after approximately Z-hour warm-up with reasonably constant ambient temperature.
Long-term drift is non-cumulative.
INPUT NOISE (with input shorted): Less than 0.6 nanovolt rms (3 nanovolts peak-to-peak)
on most sensitive range.
INPDT CHARACTERISTICS:
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER
Input Resistance
Greater than,
m
0.1 P"
0.3 ,I"
1.0 &I"
3.0 ,1"
10.0 1"
30.0 )A"
100 pv and above
Note:l
LINE FREQUENCY REJECTION: Greater than 5O:l on the most sensitive r~ange. (Ratio of impressed peak-to-peak line frequency voltage at input to indicated dc voltage.)
ISOLATION: Circuit ground to chassis ground: Approximately 10'
crofarad.
RISE TIME (10% to 90%):
O.l-microvolt Range:
maximum; 4 seconds using maximum source resistance.
0.3-microvolt to lOO-millivolt Ranges: Less than 1 second when source resistance is
less than 10% of maximum; 2 seconds using maximum source resistance.
Source resistances higher than the recommended maximum will increase noise
and rise time.
Circuit ground may be floated up to *400 volts with respect to chassis ground.
mess than 2 seconds when source resistance is less than 10% of
ohms
10 k
30 k
100 k
300 k
1M
3M
10 M
Maximum Source1
Resistance,
ohms
100
300
lk
3k
10 k
30 k
30 k
ohms shunted by 0.05 mi-
-
ZERO SUPPRESSION: Up to at least 1 millivolt on the microvolt ranges and up to at least
10 millivolts on the millivolt ranges. Stability is such that 100 times full scale may
be suppressed.
RECORDER OUTPUT:
output: *lO volts dc at up to 5 milliamperes for full-scale meter deflection.
Resistance:
Gain:
1-2 1167R
Range setting in volts
Less than 10 ohms within the amplifier pass band,
10 volts
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER
INTRODUCTION
Noise:
Modulation Products:
CONNECTORS:
Input noise times gain plus modulation products.
Less than 2% peak-to-peak of full scale with input shorted.
Input:
Special connector.
Front Output: Binding posts.
Rear Output:
Amphenol 80-PC2F.
POWER:
105-125 or 210-250 volts, 60 cps, 50 watts.
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT:
7 inches high x 19 inches wide x 13 inches deep; net weight, 24 pounds.
SO-cps models available.
ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED: Model 1501 Low Thermal Input Cable with alligator clips; mating
output connector; length of low-thermal solder.*
-'t The solder is screwed to the right side of the copper input chassis, located inside the
Model 149.
Remove the top cover to reach the solder.
1-3
MDDEL 149 KLLI-MICROVOLB
2-1
OPERATION
SECTION 2 - OPERATION
A.
OPERATING CONTROLS
The controls of the Model 149 are simple and conveniently
placed.
Their functions are as follows:
ON-OFF switch is located to the right of the panel
meter.
FUNCTION switch selects the function which Is to be
used:
MilliVOltS, Or
!dCrOVOltB.
2AN'm switch selects the full scale multiplier of
the function selected by the FUNCTION switch.
ZERC SUPPiWSS controls consists of the ZERO RANGE
switch which selects the coa.188 range of suppressing voltage in discreet steps and the ZERO
SET potentiometer which gives continuously
variable fine control Including settings through
TieI-0.
PRELIMINARY SET-UP
B.
Connect the instrument to the power line. Unless otherwise
marked the unit may be used on 117 volt, 60 cps line.
vert to 220-volt operation,
refer to the
MAIN'lXK4NC!E
To con-
section.
A three-wire line cord is furnished, which grounds the cabinet.
If a three-wire receptable is not available, use the two-pin
adapter furnished, and ground the third lead to an external
ground.
Set controls *a followa:
Function:
Range :
Millivolts
100
zero suppress: OFF
Input:
Short the input leads together.
OPE3ATION
C.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
1.
sistance SpeCifiCatYiOg the maximum source resistance for use with
each voltage range is specified.
with source resistance up to ten times greater than those specified,
however, the measurement will suffer from a considerable decrease in
speed of response,
left completely open-circuited,
scale on any range.
Shielding - Since the instrument operates with a modulator
2.
frequency of 120 cps,
up unless it is large enough to overload the amplifier. The pickup
may be a source of difficulty when using the amplifier with high
impedances on ~the more sensitive voltage ranges. In these cases it
is desirable to shield the leads and the sources as completely as
possible. In some cases a simple low-pass filter at the input to
eliminate frequencies of about 1 cps and above will be helpful.
No use is made of an input filter in this instrument since any input
series impedance due to the filter will increase the input noise and
the thermal drift. When operating above ground, the case of the instrument must be grounded.
Source Resistance -
and measuring accuracy.
it is not generally sensitive to 60 cps pick-
KNEL
1n
Section luncler the Input Re-
149
MILLI-MICROVOL-R
Reasonable operation is possible
If the instrument is
the meter will generally drift off
3.
the output of the AC amplifier at the point of the demodulator is
provided at the rear of the instrument. It is labeled DEMOD. OUTPUT.
If an inability to make consistent readings persists, it is possible
to check for the presence of excessive pick-up by observing the
wave-form at this point.
be approximately as shown in figure 2. If
served it will look as shown in figure
reasonably well as long as the wave-form
in figure 4.
Determination of Excessive AC Pickup - A terminal attached to
With the input shorted the picture should
excessive
3.
The circuit will operate
does
not clip as shown
At this point the operation will be erratic.
pickup is ob-
--I.-
lo v P-P
t
FIOUIlE2
c
40 v P-P
t
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLl'METI
Thermal EMF - Extreme precautions have been taken in the input
4.
circuit to minimize thermal EMF's so the residual RMF is usually less
than 0.5 uv.
The material used in the input circuit is pure copper.
Any other metal will generate a thermocouple potential.
particularly troublesome. Where thermal W's are a problem, soldering
should be done with the cadmium-tin solder supplied with the instrument.
Input Noise - The noise at the input is a function of input
5.
resistance and is approximately given by
E = 1.29 x 10-loum
OPERATION
FIGURE 4
Lead solder is
where E is the RMS noise, and R is the source resistaixe. It is assumed
that the bandwidth of the instrument is about 1 cps and the temperature
is 80° F.
If noise is observed, calculate the theoretical noise and
compare results. Also bear in mind that only wire-wound resistors
approach the ideal resistor. However, if Evanohm or Manganin resistors
are used,
a considerable thermal EMF of the resistor material against
copper will be observed.
Checking the Zero Point - At low levels, spurious W's may be
6.
generated
under test.
simply by contact between the input leads and the terminals
If possible,
always leave the instrument connected and
adjust the zero after establishing a zero reference in the apparatus
under test. For example, in bridge measurements, disconnect the bridge
exciting voltage;
Overloads - The current applied to the input circuit should be less
7.
than one milliampere dc steady state,
or with a phototube, shield the tube from light.
10 milliamperes dc short-term.
When the FUNCTION switch is on the MILLIVOLTS position, the off-scale
impedance can be as low as 1000 ohms.
On the MICROVOLTS position, it may
approach one ohm.
MEASURING VOLTAGE
D.
Direct Voltage Measurements - Place the FUNCTION switch at MILLIVOLTS
1.
or MICROVOLTS as necessary for the measurement to be taken.
Then turn
the RANGE switch to more sensitive ranges until the meter gives a usable
deflection,
Measuring Voltage Variations
2.
- To observe small variations in a large
steady signal, first set the FUNCTION and RANGE switches as described in
D 1.
the meter deflection to zero.
Then operate the ZERO SUPPRESS switch and potentiometer to reduce
Increase the meter sensitivity with the range
0667R
2-3
OPERATION
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER
switch.
suppression.
Model 149 after suppressing the meter deflection to zero, the RANGE may set at 100
microvolts.
after suppression variations of 2.5OC are seen full-scale.
3. Measuring Differential Voltages - When measurements are to be made in a circuit
where the LOW connection is above ground potential,
posts.
attempt to make such measurements where the side of the circuit being measured is
more than 400 volts above external ground potential.
If a recorder is being used with the instrument in this arrangement, the recorder must
not be grounded since the low side of the output is no longer being grounded.
The Keithley Model 370 Recorder is ideal for use with the Model 149 in recording
operations.
Milli-Microvoltmeter's entire range.
E. QTJEJ APPLICATIONS
Null Indicator - The Model 149 makes an extremely sensitive null indicator which
1.
may be used in a wheatstone or Mueller Bridge.
If the bridge is arranged so than one terminal of the detector is grounded, the Model
149 may be used as described in D 1.
the DISCONNECT LINK at the rear and observe the same precautions as in D 3.
The stability of the suppression voltage is adequate for 100 x full scale
Thus,
If the 10 millivolt signal corresponds to a temperature of 250°C then
This disconnects the instrument circuit ground from chassis ground.
The Model 370 maximizes the performance of the Mo$el 149 over the
if a thermocouple is suppling a signal of 10 millivolts to the
slide OUTPUT LINK from one of its
The Model 370 can float -500 off ground.
If the aet~ector must be used floating, remove
NOT DO
7-4
0667R
MDEL 149 MILIJ-IWROVOLI~
SECTION 3 - CIRCUIT DESCRIPTlON
CIRCUIT DESCFUFTION
The Model 149 is basically
negative feedback to stabilize the gain and increase the input impedance.
A.
B.
Input Circuit
Zero Stability: The effect of thermal EMF's generated in the input
circuitry is reduced to nearly the vanishing point by the we of only
copper in the input circuit. All aoldar points are made with a low
thermal cadmium-tin solder. The chopper and chopper transformer
employ copper leads. All switching in the input circuit is accomplished
with copper switch.
wound of copper wire. The input connector has solid copper,apringloaded contacts.
The input voltage is applied to the moving arm of a 120 cpa mechanical chopper. The feedback voltage is connected to the primary
center tap of the input transformer. Thus,
is applied first acro88 one half of the primary and then, with phase
reversal, to the other half. This full wave error signal is stepped
up 90 to 1 by the inputtransformer and applied to the grid of
VI, 'a 6084 low-noise pentode.
AC Amplifier
In parallel with the plate load resistor of Vl is a relatively high
Q, 120 cps resonant circuit which narrow the bandwidth and reduce8
spurious signals.
a narrow-band
Critical resistors in the input circuit are
chopper amplifier employing
the difference voltage
V2 and V3, EF86 pentodes, further amplify the chopper error signal
which is then demodulated synchronously by silicon diodes Dl through
m.
To obtain the 120 cps demodulator driving signal, use is made of the
ripple frequency from a bridge rectifier circuit operating from the
line voltage.
driver transformer.
lx2 Amplifier
C.
The demodulated signal is applied to the grid of V4.
V6 form the dc amplifier and.output cathode follower which add
further forward gain to the system and supply output power. Feedback around V4,
demodulator filter capacitor Cl13 by about 1000. This yields the
large equivalent capacitance necessary to smooth the demodulated
error signal.
stages outside the pass band of the whole amplifier are effeCtiVely
degenerated.
The ripple is used in the primary of the demodulator
V4, V5, and
V5 and V6 multiplies the effective capacitance of
Because of the feedback, spurious noise in the dc
CIRCUIT DESCRIF'l'ION
D.
Zero Suppression
A low-current
using lo-volt zener diodes.
voltage from
propriate dropping resistors to the feedback point to achieve zero
suppression.
ZERO STJF'F'FESS, while switch 53, which determines the portion feed-
aback, is labeled 7LERO SUPPRESS, OFF-INCREASE.
E.
Other Controls
Two controls are set at the factory
quent attention by the user.
R118 is an internal control marked DC AMP BAL. It is used to zero
the DC amplifier, i.e., to set the output voltage to zero when the
demodulator output is zero. This is not very critical since an "nbalance will simply be fed back to the input to produce a small error signal to correct itself. R127 is marked CAL. This is the var-
iable portion of the meter multiplier resistance to allow for meter-
to-meter sensitivity differences.
power Supply
F.
+10 volt supply is derived from the main dc supplies
Potentiometer Rl54,may be set at any
-10 to +lO volts, this voltage is applied through apThe potentiometer is the front panel control marked
and
should require only infre-
A standard half-wave rectifier followed by an R-C filter is used to
supply unregulated B l and B- to the output cathode follower.
The unregulated B- is regulated to -150 volts in V7, OA2, and is
used for the negative returns for the dc amplifier.
Unregulated B+ is fed to the plate of V6, 12B4A, the series tube in
a 225-volt electronic regulator. The output voltage from this reg"later is divided by R510 and R511 and compared to reference tube
V9, a 5651. The difference signal is amplified by cascade amplifier
VIO, a 12AX7,
tube.
lifier,
This
through a decoupling filter (R176, Cl101 to the second end
and
regulated
applied to the grid-cathode circuit of the series
225 volts supplies B+ directly to the dc amp-
third ac amplifier stages, and through another decoupling filter
(R103, C104) to the first ac amplifier stage.
Regulated B+ and B- also supply currents to the 10 volt zoner diodes
which are used for zero suppression.
This gives two-stage regulation
for these very critical voltages.
Zoner DiodeDllZ regulates the filament voltage of Vl to reduce line
transient effects.
MODEL 149 KILLI-KKROVOL'lXl!TER
SECTION
Except for occasional tube or chopper replacement, very little rcalntenance is
required by the Modell@. Components are operated well below rating and solid
state devices are employed where possible to achieve long, trouble-free service.
Certain portions of the input circuit are wired using chopper wire and special
cadmium-tin solder. These special joints are painted red. If, for sny reason,
these joints must be unsoldered or re-soldered, USE ONLY CADMIUM-TIN SOLDER
TIN SOLDER. A mall spool of cadmium-tin solder is supplied with each instrument.
What
trouble-shooting the instrumeut, check to see whether it operates correctly with:
If the difficulty persists, the following systematic procedure may be employed
to determine the fault.
may seem to be circuit failure in the milJ.imicrovoltmeter is quite often
found to be an unusuel condition in the entire test set-up. !l!herefore, before
1. All other circuitry disconnected.
2.
Input shorted (with copper leads).
POwer Line voltage and
3.
4
- MAINTENANCE
frequency
correct.
Reference is made to the Schematic Magrsm
Diagram enclosed at the rear of the manuel.
To begin trouble-shooting, short the input terminals, StrapGto I1) with the
link provided. end switch ZERO suppREsS, OFF-INCREASE to OFF. A Zero offset
of v.1 to 0.4 mlcromlt is
E2ZESSIVEOUTFUTNOISE(INiTlTTpIMINAIs SHORTED)
Because of the vary low signal levels involved, noise in the ac amplifier Is
difficult to trace except by the substitution method. Most likely noise sources
are Vlendthe chopper.
being generated in the dc amplifier or power supply. A stage-by-stage search
~shouldrevealthe source.
~mtetal film resistor.
resistors tend to introduce inductive pickup.
To replace the chopper, unplug the cap atthetop. Frcmtha
14.9, removetheplate covering the areaaroundthe chopper base. Unsolder the
chopper leads.
a
correct connection
the chopper frca the top.
Claen out the lead at the input connector; teg the telminsl for
Replace onlywlththe equivalentreeistor. Win-wound
later.
normal.
If noise persists after replacing the chopper, it is
Very often the noise is generated by RlG2, low noise
Unscrewthe choppermunting screws endlift out
13621~,
and the Voltage-Resistance
bottom
of the&o&l
MUNTEWNCE
Insert the new chopper from the
top, putting the wire leads through
the holes. For convenience, place
the No. 2 lead nearest the Model
149 side as shown in Figure
the bottom, secure the chopper with
four No. 4-40 NC-2
proxim&ely 34 In. of teflon tubing
over
other two Gads.
Solder lead No. 2 to the input connector. Insert a shorting bar into
the input connector to push out the
leads enough to facilitate working
on the connection.
lead No. 2 and 2+ in.
screws. Put ap-
5.
over
From
the
M2DEL 149
MIUI-MICRCVOL
NOTEZ
new solid copper tip end low-thermal cadmium solder for all sol&r
connections painted red. This
solder is supplied tith the Model
149.
and mecheacal connections.
Conned lead No. 1 to the red lead
Of trensformer-TR37; connect lead
No. 3 to the blue lead of transformer
m37.
interlock the loops, and solder Do
not cross ortwistthe leads. SliXe
the tubing over the connections.
the end of the shield leed Is free of all-contact.
chopper base.
Use soldering iron with a
Uake sure of goodelectrical
l&k8 loops at the leadends,
Plug in the cap at the top of the chopper.
FIGURR
from the bottom of &Mel 149.
Chopper Replacemnt.
5.
Replacetheplate over the
View
ouTmTNoT2ERo (~0.5mcRo~m)wITRINFuTTwMINnrssRo~
Besurethe?mosuPPmss is
7 of
v4, to glxmld.
control will become very "scratch' but the ad.justment is possible. If this can-
not be done, the dc sqplifler or power supply are at fault. If it ten be set to
zero,
the
trouble n&be
Use the DC AMP RAL control to set the output to Zero. The
set to OFF.
in the ec emplifier or demodulator circuit.
Short the dc amplifier input grid, pin
is
Power
ti -150
the unregulatedB-.
940 volta) a;t the
check the tube pin voltages of VS, Vg, and Vu) to locate the faulty tube or
part.
b. AC Amplifier - Remove the output tube
connectortoground.
ZEIKI SlITandZRRORANUR controls full clockwlse. This puts a large dc error
suppq
on pins 2, 4 or 7 of W.
- B+ should be about
If +225 is not present,
plate pin g
Place the NNCTION switch onMII&IVOLIs, andturnthe
of va.
+225 011 pin 10f va,
If
V7
is not firing, correct the fault in
check for unregulated Dt (about
If the unregulatedB+is all right,
(~6) and
clip pin 1 of the output
and B- should
ImDEL 149 PlILLI-MICROVOLI~2XZR
MAINTENANCE
signal across the chopper and input transformer.
for the presence of I20 cps at the primacy of the input trsnsfomers (the
two outside temiuals on the chopper terminal block). Absence of signal
means chopper failure (or much less likely, a shorted or open input transformer).
necessary.
If the I20 cps signal is present, check stage-by-stage throughout the ac
emp.l.ifier, reducing the input signal as desired by backing off the ZERO
FiANGE and/or 2220 SET controls,
d.
Demodulator Circuit -
secondary of the demodulator transformer (at the ends of
The tests outlined above will not suffice to pin-point every fault which
may exist.
In the event that troubles cannot be corrected by these means, or the user
finds it more expedient, the unit may be returned to the factory for repair
and recalibration at a nominal cost.
220-VOLT OPF&lTION
For 220-volt operation the power tramformer primary connections must be changed.
The juktpers connecting black and black-white together and blue and blue-white
should be removed. The blue and black-white leads should be tied together.
Replace the 1.5~ampere fuse (Keithley Part No. W-8) with a 0.75-ampere fuse
(Keithley Part No. m-14).
Listen for audible chopper action and check chopper drive, if
until the failure is discovered.
Check for presence of about 80 volts 2W at the
They should, however, lead to the correction of comon failures.
Use an oscilloscope to check
FLU3
end FtlJ.4).
4-1
MODEL 149 MILLI-MICROVOLTMETER
SECTION 5. REPLACEABLE PARTS
REPLACEABLE PARTS
5-1. REPLACEABLE PARTS LIST.
Model 149 and its accessories.
tion,
Number.
contained in Table 3.
5-2.
Part Number,
and those parts coded for Keithley manufacture (80164) must be ordered from Keithley
Instruments, Inc.
describe the part,
ment, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
amp
CbVar
I
CerD
:0lU1
Comp
DCb
ETB
f
hy
a suggested manufacturer,
The name and address of the manufacturers listed in the “Mfg. Code” column are
HOW TO ORDER PARTS.
For parts orders,
a.
the circuit designation and a description of the part.
Order parts through your nearest Keithley distributor or the Sales Service Depart-
b.
include the instrument’s model and serial number, the Keithlcy
In ordering a part not listed in the Replaceable Parts List, completely
its function and its location.