Basic Circuit Configurations - Keithley 2601B Reference Manual

Series 2600B System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual Section 4: Theory of operation

Basic circuit configurations

Source V
When configured to source voltage (V-source) as shown in the figure below, the System
®
SourceMeter instrument functions as a low-impedance voltage source with current limit capability,
and can measure current (I-meter) or voltage (V-meter).
Sense circuitry is used to monitor the output voltage continuously and make adjustments to the V-
source as needed. The V-meter senses the voltage at the HI / LO terminals (2-wire local sense) or at
the device under test (DUT) (4-wire remote sense using the sense terminals) and compares it to the
programmed voltage level. If the sensed level and the programmed value are not the same, the V-
source is adjusted accordingly. Remote sense eliminates the effect of voltage drops in the test leads,
ensuring that the exact programmed voltage appears at the DUT. With 4-wire sensing enabled, both
remote sense leads must be connected or incorrect operation will occur. For the Models 2601B,
2602B, 2611B, 2612B, 2635B, and 2636B, use contact check to verify that the sense leads are
connected (see Contact check measurements (on page 2-44)).
Figure 102: Source V configuration
2600BS-901-01 Rev. B / May 2013 4-19