2600S-901-01 Rev. C / January 2008
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4-11
Series 2600 System SourceMeter® Instruments Reference Manual
Section 4: Basic Operation
smua.source.levelv = 5 --Set voltage source to 5V.
smua.source.limiti = 10e-3 --Set current limit to 10mA.
smua.measure.rangei = 10e-3 --Set current range to 10mA.
smua.source.output =smua.OUTPUT_ON --Turn on output.
print(smua.measure.i()) --Request current reading.
smua.source.output =smua.OUTPUT_OFF --Turn off output.
Measure only
In addition to being used for conventional source-measure operations, the SourceMeter can also
be used to measure only voltage or current. Perform the following steps to use the SourceMeter to
measure voltage or current:
1. Select source-measure functions.
Measure voltage only (voltmeter) — Press SRC to select the I-Source, and press MEAS to
select the voltage measurement function.
Measure current only (ammeter) — Press SRC to select the V-Source, and press MEAS to
select the current measurement function.
2. Set source and compliance levels.
Use the editing procedure provided in steps 1 and 2 of the
described earlier in this section to edit the source and compliance levels as
follows:
a. Select the lowest source range and set the source level to zero (000.000nA or
000.000mV, 0.00000nA for Models 2635/2636).
b. Set compliance to a level that is higher than the expected measurement.
CAUTION
When using the SourceMeter as a voltmeter, V-Compliance must be set
higher than the voltage that is being measured. Failure to do this could
result in excessive current flow into the SourceMeter (<150mA) and
incorrect measurements.
3. Select range:
Use the RANGE keys to select a fixed measurement range that will accommodate the
expected reading. Use the lowest possible range for best accuracy.
When measuring the function opposite from the source function, AUTO range can be used
instead. The SourceMeter will automatically go to the most sensitive range.
4. Connect voltage or current to be measured. Connect the DUT to the SourceMeter using
5. Turn output on. Press the ON/OFF key to turn the output on.
6. Take reading from display (press TRIG if necessary). When finished, turn output off.
