12 Quick Results Guide
Sink operation
When operating as a sink (V and I have opposite polarity), the SourceMeter is dissipating
power rather than sourcing it. An external source can force operation into the sink region.
The SourceMeter can be used to charge/discharge (source/sink) batteries. For operation
information on battery charging/discharging (and the associated precautions), see Section
3, Sink operation of the Model 6430 Instruction Manual.
Measure only (V or I)
The SourceMeter can be used to measure voltage only (voltmeter) or current only
(ammeter). The procedure to measure only is provided in Table 4.
CAUTION 1 When using the SourceMeter as a voltmeter only, voltage compliance must be
set higher than the voltage that is being measured. Failure to do so could result
in instrument damage due to excessive current that will flow into the SourceM-
eter.
CAUTION 2 When using the SourceMeter as a voltmeter only, DO NOT use auto range and
NEVER select a measurement range that is below the applied signal level.
Otherwise, high current drawn from the external source could damage the
external source or the test circuit.
Table 4
Measure only (V or I) procedure
Procedure Details
1. Select source-measure
functions.
To measure voltage, press SOURCE I and MEAS V. To
measure current, press SOURCE V and MEAS I.
2. Set source level to zero. Use DISPLAY EDIT key to place cursor in source field
(Vsrc or Isrc), use RANGE key to select lowest range,
press MENU to display zero source level, then press
ENTER.
3. Set compliance higher than
the expected measurement
(see CAUTION 1).
Use DISPLAY EDIT key to place cursor in Cmpl field, use
RANGE and keys to select range, use edit keys to key
in compliance value, then press ENTER.
4. Select measurement range
(see Note).
Use RANGE and keys to select a fixed measurement
range. For best accuracy, use the lowest possible range.
5. Connect voltage or current
to be measured.
Connect DUT to SourceMeter using 2-wire connections (see
Figure 6).
6. Turn output on and take
reading from display.
Press ON/OFF OUTPUT key. OUTPUT indicator on.
7. Turn output off when
finished.
Press ON/OFF OUTPUT key. OUTPUT indicator off.
Note: When measuring current, auto range can be used. When measuring voltage, DO NOT use auto range
(see CAUTION 2).