Operating Boundaries - Keithley SourceMeter 2400 User Manual

6-14 Source-Measure Concepts

Operating boundaries

Source or sink
Depending on how it is programmed and what is connected to the output (load or source),
the SourceMeter can operate in any of the four quadrants. The four quadrants of operation
for the SourceMeter models are shown in
in the first (I) or third (III) quadrant, the SourceMeter is operating as a source (V and I
have the same polarity). As a source, the SourceMeter is delivering power to a load.
When operating in the second (II) or fourth (IV) quadrant, the SourceMeter is operating as
a sink (V and I have opposite polarity). As a sink, it is dissipating power rather than sourc-
ing it. An external source or an energy storage device, such as a capacitor or battery, can
force operation in the sink region. See
Duty cycle
The duty cycle is the ratio of source on time to total time period expressed as a percentage.
For example, if the source is on for six out of 10 seconds, the duty cycle is 60%.
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2400 Series SourceMeter
Figure 6-4 through Figure 6-8. When operating
Section 3, "Sink operation," for more information.
User's Manual