A Tektronix Company
LOW LEVEL MEASURE & SOURCE
6517B
Electrometer/High Resistance Meter
sal on most materials (i.e., by discarding the first three readings.) For example, a 1mm-thick sample 
of 10
14
Ω-cm material can be measured with 0.3% repeatability in the 8009 Test Fixture, provided the 
background current changes less than 200fA over a 15-second
 p
eriod.
Simple DMM-like Operation
The 6517B is designed for easy, DMM-like operation via the front panel, with single-button control of 
im por tant functions such as resistance measurement. Also, all the functions of the 6517B can be pro-
grammed through either the RS-232 interface or the GPIB (IEEE-488) interface.
High Accuracy High Resistance Measurements
The 6517B offers a number of features and capabili ties that help ensure the accuracy of high 
resistance mea
 sure ment applications. For example, the built-in volt age source simplifies determining 
the relation
 sh
ip between an insulator’s resistivity and the level of source voltage used. It is well-
suit ed for capacitor leakage and insulation resistance mea    sure ments, tests of the surface insulation 
resis tance of printed circuit boards, voltage coefficient test ing of resistors, and diode leakage 
characterization.
Temperature and Humidity Stamping
Humidity and temperature can influence the resist ivity values of materials significantly. To help you 
make ac curate comparisons of readings acquired un der varying conditions, the 6517B offers a built-
in type K thermo co
uple and an optional 6517-RH Relative Humidity Probe. A built-in 50,000 reading 
data storage buffer allows recording and recalling measurements stamped with the time of the meas-
urement, the temperature, and the relative humidity.
Ordering Information
6517B Electrometer/High 
Resistance Meter
Accessories Supplied
237-ALG-2 Low Noise
 T
riax
 C
able, 
3-slot Triax to Alligator
 Clips, 
2m (6.6 ft)
8607 Safety High Voltage 
Dual Test Leads
6517-TP Thermocouple Bead Probe
CS-1305 Interlock Connector
+1
0
Current (pA)
Current
Stored Current 
Measurement
Sample’s 
Background Current
Voltage Source
–1
+V
0
–V
The alternating voltage source polarity method eliminates the effects of background currents 
in materials for making repeatable, accurate high resistance and resistivity measurements.
6517B Electrometer/High Resistance Meter