Sourcemeters
Sourcemeters combine a voltage or current source and a high-precision multimeter in a single instrument. They can be used to power a device while simultaneously measuring the electrical response, with resolutions down to the picoampere and microvolt. Their typical measurement range extends from ± 200 V to ± 3 A, with an accuracy of less than ± 0.015 % of the value read. In R&D, they are used to characterise semiconductor components, LEDs, sensors, precision resistors and piezoresistive materials. In production, they are used for I-V testing and checking diodes, transistors and integrated circuits. Modern sourcemeters incorporate automatic scanning, threshold detection, programmable compliance and pulsed bias modes. Their integration via SCPI, USB, GPIB or LAN interfaces means that measurement sequences can be fully automated. In metrology, they guarantee traceability of tests to ISO 17025. These instruments are used in research laboratories, the semiconductor industry, aeronautics and renewable energy applications.
It is a reference instrument for precise electrical characterisation and validation of active devices.
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B2911A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
1-channel sourcemeter with 10 fA resolution and a range from 2 Ω to 200 MΩ.
B2912A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
2-channel source meter with 10 fA resolution and a range from 2 Ω to 200 MΩ.
B2912B
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
2-channel source meter with 10 fA resolution and 210 V voltage range.
B2902B
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
2-channel source meter with high accuracy and wide measurement range.
B2900B/B2900BL
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
Compact measurement unit that generates and measures voltage and current.
B2900C/B2900CL
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
4 quadrant SMU sourcemeter with integrated current and voltage source and measurement functions.
2470
KEITHLEY
Touch-sensitive 20 W (1 A) high-voltage SMU source meter for intuitive testing.
N6786A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
Source/measurement unit for functional testing, multiple ranges, up to 80 W.
2600B
KEITHLEY
SourceMeter SMU 2600B series, powerful and fast for R&D and production testing.
L2053XA
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
Power sensor with a wide dynamic range from -70 to +26 dBm.
MP5000
TEKTRONIX
Compact modular test system integrating power supply and precision measurement.
concrete questions about Sourcemeters
01
What is a sourcemeter and how does it differ from a power supply or a multimeter?A sourcemeter combines in a single instrument the generation (source) of voltage or current, and the simultaneous measurement of the complementary quantity. Unlike a conventional power supply or multimeter, it allows highly accurate sweeps with synchronous acquisition.
02
What is the practical use of this type of instrument?It is commonly used for characterising electronic components (diodes, MOSFETs, LEDs, solar cells), I-V testing, leakage measurements, polarisation curves or ageing cycles.
03
What are the advantages for sensitive or low-power tests?Sourcemeters are capable of measuring extremely low currents (pA) and generating stable voltages with high resolution, making them suitable for low-power devices or precision measurements.
04
Can a sourcemeter be controlled in an automatic test bench?Yes, these instruments have command libraries (SCPI, TSP) and GPIB, USB or LAN interfaces. They can be integrated into controlled characterisation or production benches.
05
Do you need a top-of-the-range model for standard applications?Not necessarily. For simple tests on passive components or for basic scans, entry-level models are sufficient. More advanced versions become useful for ultra-stable or synchronised multi-channel measurements.
