Section 2: Getting started
Model 6517B Electrometer User's Manual
2-14
6517B-900-01 Rev. B August 2022
Display
The display of the 6517B provides measurement readings with their units and types of
measurements. It also displays informational messages, such as menu headings and selections. The
top of the display has annunciators that indicate states of operation.
The top line of the display shows readings and units. It can also display the measurement type, hold,
the math operation type, channel number, menu headings, and messages.
The bottom line of the display shows the range, voltage source value, menu items, messages, and
NEXT displays.
Longer text strings are indicated by arrows on either side of the text. Use the ◄ and
►
keys to display the additional information.
Exponent mode (engineering or scientific)
Readings on the display can be expressed in engineering units or in scientific notation. Examples are
shown in the table below. When scientific notation is selected, the exponent can be fixed to a
specified value or it can be floating. When the exponent is set to float, the instrument automatically
selects the exponent value.
Typical display exponent values
Engineering units
Scientific notation
Value
Display
Value
Display
Picoamperes
pA
10
-12
A
e-12A
Nanoamperes
nA
10
-9
A
e-9A
Microamperes
µA
10
-6
A
e-6A
Milliamps
mA
10
-3
A
e-3A
Nanocoulombs
nC
10
-9
C
e-9C
Microcoulombs
µC
10
-6
C
e-6C
Kilo-ohms
kΩ
10
3
Ω
e3Ω
Mega-ohms
MΩ
10
6
Ω
e6Ω
Giga-ohms
GΩ
10
9
Ω
e9Ω
Tera-ohms
TΩ
10
12
Ω
e12Ω
Peta-ohms
PΩ
10
15
Ω
e15Ω
