Measuring Low-Resistance Devices; Introduction; Equipment Required; Device Connections - Keithley Interactive SourceMeter 2450 User Manual

In this section:

Introduction .............................................................................. 5-1

Equipment required .................................................................. 5-1

Device connections .................................................................. 5-1

Low-resistance measurements ................................................ 5-4
Introduction
This application example demonstrates how to use the Model 2450 to measure a low-resistance
device.
You may need to make low-resistance measurements (<10 Ω) in a number of applications. Typical
applications include continuity testing of cables and connectors, substrate vias, and resistors.
Typically, you make these resistance measurements by forcing a current and measuring the resulting
voltage drop. The Model 2450 automatically calculates the resistance. The measured voltage is
usually in the mV range or less. Built-in features of the Model 2450 optimize low-resistance
measurements, such as remote sensing and offset compensation.
Equipment required
•
One Model 2450 Interactive SourceMeter
•
For front-panel connections, use four insulated banana cables, such as the Keithley Instruments
Model 8608 Model 8608 High-Performance Clip Lead Set (one set included with the Model 2450;
you will need another set)
•
For rear-panel connections, use four triaxial cables
•
One low-resistance device to be tested; the application shown here uses a 20 mΩ resistor
Device connections
To provide the best measurement accuracy, use the four-wire (Kelvin) measurement method for this
test. This method eliminates the effects of lead resistance on the measurement accuracy. It is the
preferred method when measuring low resistances.

Measuring low-resistance devices

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instrument
Section 5