PUC-Rio. You can access terms of license for the Lua software and associated documentation at
the Lua licensing site (http://www.lua.org/license.ht ml) .
Document number: 2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016
Safety precaut ions
The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation. Although
some instruments and accessories would normally be used with nonhazardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous
conditions may be present.
This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions
required to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information carefully before using
the product. Refer to the user documentation for complete product specifications.
If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product warranty may be impaired.
The types of product users are:
Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the
equipment is operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately trained.
Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the
instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.
Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product to keep it operating properly, for example, setting the line
voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the user documentation. The procedures
explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.
Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, perform safe installations, and repair products. Only properly trained
service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley Instruments products are designed for use with electrical signals that are measurement, control, and data I/O
connections, with low transient overvoltages, and must not be directly connected to mains voltage or to voltage sources with high
transient overvoltages. Measurement Category II (as referenced in IEC 60664) connections require protection for high transient
overvoltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Certain Keithley measuring instruments may be connected to
mains. These instruments will be marked as category II or higher.
Unless explicitly allowed in the specifications, operating manual, and instrument labels, do not connect any instrument to mains.
Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test
fixtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than
30 V RMS, 42.4 V peak, or 60 VDC are present. A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous voltage is present in any
unknown circuit before measuring.
Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that operators
are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be exposed to potential
human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If
the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 V, no conductive part of the circuit may be exposed.
Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance-limited
sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards, install protective
devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.
Before operating an instrument, ensure that the line cord is connected to a properly-grounded power receptacle. Inspect the
connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.
When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main input
power disconnect device must be provided in close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the operator.
For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under
test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting
cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.
Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth)
ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the
voltage being measured.
For safety, instruments and accessories must be used in accordance with the operating instructions. If the instruments or
accessories are used in a manner not specified in the operating instructions, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as defined in the specifications and operating
information, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or switching card.
When fuses are used in a product, replace with the same type and rating for continued protection against fire hazard.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as protective earth (safety ground)
connections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use
of a lid interlock.
If a screw is present, connect it to protective earth (safety ground) using the wire recommended in the user documentation.
The
user documentation in all cases where the symbol is mark ed on the instr u ment .
The
contact with these voltages.
The
The
If this
properly disposed of according to federal, state, and local laws.
The WARNING heading in the user documentation explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read
the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The CAUTION heading in the user documentation explains h az ards that coul d dama ge the instrument. Such damage may
invalidate the warranty.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mai ns cir cu its — inc lud ing the power
transformer, test leads, and input jacks — must be purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses with applicable national
safety approvals may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are not safety-related may be
purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component (note that selected parts should be
purchased only through Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product). If you are unsure about the
applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments office for information.
symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of danger. The user must refer to the operating instructions located in the
symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of electric shock. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal
symbol on an instrument shows that the surface may be hot. Avoid personal contact to prevent burns.
symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment frame.
symbol is on a product, it indicates that mercury is present in the display lamp. Please note that the lamp must be
To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water-based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply
cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that consist of a circuit board with
no case or chassis (e.g., a data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never require cleaning if handled
according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected, the board should be returned to the
factory for proper cleaning/servicing.
Contact information .................................................................. 1-2
Thank you for choosing a Keithley Instruments product. The Model 2460 High-Current Interactive
®
SourceMeter
Instrument is a precise, low-noise instrument that combines a stable DC power supply,
high-current source, electronic load, and a high-impedance multimeter. The design of this instrument
features intuitive setup and control, enhanced signal quality and range, and better resistivity and
resistance capabilities than similar products on the market.
The Model 2460 can source up to 7 A, and features 1 A, 4 A, 5 A, and 7 A ranges. With 0.012 percent
basic accuracy at 6½-digit resolution, the Model 2460 is a good solution for testing a wide variety of
materials and devices in applications such as power semiconductors, solar energy, high brightness
LEDs, power conversion, electrochemistry, batteries, and more.
Introduction to this manual
This manual provides instructions to help you calibrate and adjust your Keithley Instruments Model
2460. In this manual, the term "calibration" refers to the process of verifying that the accuracy of the
instrument is within its one-year accuracy specifications. The term "adjustment" refers to the process
of changing the calibration constants so that the accuracy of the instrument is within its one-year
accuracy specifications.
This manual presents calibration information, adjustment information, and command descriptions for
the calibration and adjustment commands.
For additional command descriptions, refer to the Model 2460 Reference Manual, which is available
on the Downloads, Manuals, and Documentation web page at http://www.tek.com/downloads
(http://www.tek.com/downloads).
Section
Calibration and Adjustment Manual
1: Introduction Model 2460
Extended warranty
Additional years of warranty coverage are available on many products. These valuable contracts
protect you from unbudgeted service expenses and provide additional years of protection at a fraction
of the price of a repair. Extended warranties are available on new and existing products. Contact your
local Keithley Instruments office, sales partner, or distributor for details.
Contact information
If you have any questions after you revie w the infor mation in this documentation, please contact your
local Keithley Instruments office, sales partner, or distributor. You can also call the corporate
headquarters of Keithley Instruments (toll-free inside the U.S. and Canada only) at 1-800-935-5595,
or from outside the U.S. at +1-440-248-0400. For worldwide contact numbers, visit the
To return the instrument to Keithley Instruments for repair:
Keithley
•Call the Repair Department at 1-800-833-9200 or send an email to
RMAREQUEST@tektronix.com for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number.
• Carefully pack the instrument in the original packing carton.
• Write ATTENTION REPAIR DEPARTMENT and the RMA number on the shipping label.
1-2 2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016
Calibration verification and adj ustm ent con si derat ions ............ 2-7
Section 2
Preparing for calibration verification and adjustment
In this section:
Calibration verification and adj ustm ent test requir e ment s ........ 2-1
Calibration and adjustment connections .................................. 2-3
Calibration verification and adjustment test requirements
The following topics describe what you must do to prepare the Model 2460 for calibration verification
and adjustment.
Environmental conditions
To ensure accurate results, the calibration verification and adjustment environment must meet the
following conditions.
Temperature and relative humidity
Conduct the calibration verification and adjustment procedures in a test environment with:
• An ambient temperature of 18 °C to 28 °C (65 °F to 82 °F).
• A relative humidity of less than 70 percent, unless otherwise noted.
Warm up period
Allow the Model 2460 to warm up for at least one hour before conducting the calibration verification or
adjustment procedures.
If the instrument has been subjected to temperatures outside of the ranges stated above, allow
additional time for the internal temperature of the instrument to stabilize. Typically, allow one extra
hour to stabilize an instrument that is 10 °C (18 °F) outside the specified temperature range.
Also, allow the test equipment to warm up for the minimum time specified by the manufacturer.
Line power
The Model 2460 requires a line voltage of 100 V to 240 V and a line frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
Calibration verification and adjustment should be done within this range.
The instrument automatically senses the line frequency at power up.
Section
Calibration and Adjustment Manual
Keithley Instruments Model 2002 Digital Multimeter
200 mV
100 V
Digital multimeter
DC current
1 A
For better accuracy on the 4 A, 5 A, and 7 A ranges, you can use shunt
on the Model 2460 one-year accuracy specifications.
2: Preparing for calibration verification and adjustment Model 2460
Recommended test equi pm e nt
The following table summarizes recommended calibration verification and adjustment equipment.
Test equipment uncertainty adds to the uncertainty of each measurement. Generally, test equipment
uncertainty should be at least four times smaller than the corresponding Model 2460 specifications.
Refer to the test equipment manufacturer's specifications to calculate the uncertainty, which varies
for each function and range test point.
Description Ranges
Digital multimeter DC voltage
2 V
7 V
10 V
20 V
Any digital multimeter with a test uncertainty ratio (TUR) of 4:1 or better 1 µA
10 µA
100 µA
1 mA
10 mA
100 mA
resistors if the combined uncertaint ies for the test set up stil l meet the
required test uncertainty ratio of 4:1 or better. This ratio should be based
5 A
7 A
200 Ω
2 KΩ
20 KΩ
200 KΩ
2 MΩ
2-2 2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016
Model 2460
ion and adjustment
Calibration and Adjustment Manual Section 2: Preparing for calibration verificat
Calibration and adjus tment connections
Connections for Model 2460 calibration verification and adjustment are the same. The following topics
describe the connections you should use for the different ranges and functions.
Hazardous voltages may be present on all output and guard terminals. To prevent electrical
shock that could cause injury or death, never make or break connections to the Model 2460
while the instrument is powered on. Turn off the equipment from the front panel or
disconnect the main power cord from the rear of the Model 2460 before handling cables.
Putting the equipment into standby does not guarantee that the outputs are powered off if a
hardware or software fault occurs.
The maximum common-mode voltage (voltage between LO and chassis ground) is 250 V
peak
.
Exceeding this value may cause a breakdown in insulation, creating a shock hazard.
The front and rear terminals of the Model 2460 are rated for connection to circuits rated
Installation Category I only. Do not connect the Model 2460 terminals to CAT II, CAT III, or
CAT IV circuits. Connection of the SourceMeter® instrument input/output terminals to
circuits higher than CAT I can cause damage to the equipment or expose the operator to
hazardous voltage.
The maximum voltage between input/output HI and LO or 4-wire sense HI and LO is 210 V
peak
. The
maximum voltage between input/o utput HI and 4-wire sense HI or between input/output LO and 4wire sense LO is 5 V. Exceeding these voltages may result in instrument damage.
2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016 2-3
Section
Calibration and Adjustment Manual
2: Preparing for calibration verification and adjustment Model 2460
Connections for the 200 mV to 10 0 V range s
For calibration verification or adjustment on the 200 mV to 100 V ranges, use either the front-panel or
rear-panel connections shown in the following figures.
The default voltage source protection value is 40 V. Before testing the 100 V range, be sure to assert
the interlock. Without the interlock asserted and the green interlock light on, the Model 2460 is
limited to 40 V. For more information on the Model 2460 interlock, see the “Using the Interlock”
section in the Model 246 0 Refer ence Manual.
Figure 1: Front-panel connections for the 200 mV to 100 V ranges
Figure 2: Rear-panel connections for the 200 mV to 100 V ranges
2-4 2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016
Model 2460
Preparing for calibration verification and adjustment
Calibration and Adjustment Manual Section 2:
Connections for the 1 µA to 1 A ranges
For calibration verification or adjustment on the 1 µA to 1 A ranges, use either the front-panel or
rear-panel connections shown in the following figures.
Figure 3: Front-panel connections for the 1 µA to 1 A ranges
Figure 4: Rear-panel connections for the 1 µA to 1 A ranges
Connections for the 4 A to 7 A ranges
For calibration verification or adjustment on the 4 A to 7 A ranges, use either the front-panel or
rear-panel connections shown in the following figures.
Figure 5: Front-panel connections for the 4 A to 7 A ranges
2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016 2-5
Section
Calibration and Adjustment Manual
2: Preparing for calibration verification and adjustment Model 2460
Figure 6: Rear-panel connections for the 4 A to 7 A ranges
Connections for resistance calibration verification and adjustment
For resistance calibration verification or adjustment, use either the front-panel or rear-panel
connections shown in the following figures.
Figure 7: Front-panel resistance connections
Figure 8: Rear-panel resistance connections
2-6 2460-905-01 Rev. A / January 2016
Model 2460
paring for calibration verification and adjustment
Calibration and Adjustment Manual Section 2: Pre
Remote communications c onne c t ions
The procedures in this manual use SCPI commands sent to the Model 2460 from a remote interface.
Select one of the remote interface connections shown below. The instrument automatically detects
the connection. For more detailed information about the remote communications connections, see
"Remote communications interfaces" in the Model 2460 Reference Manual.
Figure 9: Remote communications interfaces
If you are using the IEEE-488 interface, make sure the primary address of the Model 2460 is the
same as the address specified in the program you will be using to send commands.
Calibration verification and adjustment considerations
When performing the calibration verification or adjustment procedures:
•Make sure that the test equipment is properly warmed up and connected to the Model 2460 input
and output jacks. Ensure that either the front-panel or rear-panel terminals are selected
(depending on your connections) with the TERMINALS FRONT/REAR button or using the
:ROUTe:TERMinals <FRONt or REAR> SCPI command.
• Make sure the Model 2460 is set to the correct source range.
• Make sure the Model 2460 output is turned on before making measurements.
• Make sure the test equipment is set up for the proper function and range.
• Allow the Model 2460 output signal to settle before making a measurement or adjusting each
point.
•When using a shunt resistor for current calibration verification and adjustment, make sure the
shunt is properly rated for the current and power being measured. Also, consider temperature
coefficient and other resistance uncertainty contributors in the overall measurement uncertainty
calculation.
•Do not connect test equipment to the Model 2460 through a scanner, multiplexer, or other
Setting the measurement range ............................................... 3-3
Taking the Model 2460 out of a limit overflow state ................. 3-3
Introduction
Use the procedures in this section to verify that Model 2460 accuracy is within the limits stated in the
instrument’s one-year accuracy specifications. Specifications and characteristics are subject to
change without notice; refer to the Downloads, Manuals, and Documentation web page
(http://www.tek.com/downloads
Section 3
Calibration
(http://www.tek.com/downloads)) for the most recent specifications.
You can use these calibration verification procedures to:
• Make sure that the instrument was not damaged during shipment
• Verify that the instrument meets factory specifications
• Determine if adjustment is required
• Verify that adjustment was done properly
The information in this section is intended for qualified service personnel only. Do not
attempt these procedures unless you are qualified to do so. Some of these procedures may
expose you to hazardous voltages, which could cause personal injury or death if contacted.
Use appropriate safety precautions when working with hazardous voltages.
If the instrument is still under warranty and its performance is outside specified limits, please contact
your local Keithley Instruments office, sales partner, or distributor. You can also call the corporate
headquarters of Keithley Instruments (toll-free inside the U.S. and Canada only) at 1-800-935-5595,
or from outside the U.S. at +1-440-248-0400. For worldwide contact numbers, visit the Keithley
Before performing the calibration verification test procedures, you must calculate the calibration
verification limits using the Model 2460 specifications. The most recent version of the specifications is
on the Downloads, Manuals, and Documentation web page at http://www.tek.com/downloads
(http://www.tek.com/downloads).
In the Model 2460 Specifications document, source specifications are expressed as a percent of
setting plus voltage, current, or ohms offset. Measure specifications are expressed as a percent of
reading plus voltage, current, or ohms offset.
The calculation for calibration verification limits is:
Specification toleranc e = ± [(setting × percent of setting specification) + offset specification
To calculate the calibration verification limits for a range:
1. Select the test setting to verify.
2. Multiply the setting by the percent of setting (for source verification) or percent of reading (for
measure verification) value listed in the specification for that range.
3. Add the absolute value of that calculation to the offset specification for the range.
4. Calculate the low limit by subtracting the result of step 3 from the setting value.
5. Calculate the high limit by adding the result of step 3 to the setting value.
Example source limits calc ulation
As an example of how source limits are calculated, assume you are testing the 20 V DC range using
a 95 percent of scale signal value, and the Model 2460 one-year accuracy specification.
Use ±(0.015 % of setting + 2.4 mV offset) to get the calculated output limits:
Output limits = 19 V ± [(19 V × 0.015 %) + 2.4 mV]
Output limits = 19 V ± (0.00285 + 0.0024)
Output limits = 19 V ± 0.00525 V
Output limits = 18.99475 V to 19.00525 V
Example measure limits calculation
When you verify the measure functions (voltage, current, and resistance), calculate the upper and
lower test limits relative to the reference nominal value determined by the reference instrument. For
voltage and current, the reference nominal value is generally a reading from a reference digital
multimeter (DMM). For resistance, the reference value is the characterized value of the resistance
source.
The calculation of upper and lower test limits is identical to the source limit calculation, except the
reference value is used instead of the nominal setting.
As an example, assume that you are testing the 20 kΩ range, and the actual value of the nominal
19 kΩ calibrator resistor is 19.025kΩ. Using a one-year normal accuracy specification of ±(0.063 %
of reading + 3 Ω), the recalculated reading limits are: