2470 High Voltage SourceMeter Instrument Reference Manual
Section 4: Sourcing and measuring
2470-901-01 Rev. A /
May
2019
4-37
Ranges
You can set ranges for the source and measurement values. You can set specific ranges or allow the
instrument to choose the ranges automatically.
The source range determines how accurately the source output can be set.
The measurement range determines the full-scale input for the measurement. The measurement
range also affects the accuracy of the measurements and the maximum signal that can be measured.
The highest available range is determined by the limit setting for the function that is being sourced or
measured.
Source range
For most applications, you will select the automatic source range. This causes the instrument to set
the source range to the best range for the present settings.
In most cases, the only reason you would select a specific source range is to reduce the time that is
needed to make a measurement. Selecting a specific range eliminates the time that the instrument
needs to select the range automatically.
If you set the source range manually through either the front panel or a remote command, the setting
for automatic source range is set to disabled.
The selected source level must be lower than the overvoltage protection limit. When the overvoltage
protection level is exceeded, OVP is displayed in the SOURCE area of the home screen.
To select the range, specify the approximate source value that you will use. The instrument selects
the lowest range that can accommodate that level. For example, if you expect to source levels around
3 V, set the source level to 3. The 2470 selects the 20 V range.
Selecting a specific source range
If you select a specific source range, the range must be large enough to source the value. If not, an
overrange condition can occur.
If an overrange condition occurs, an event is displayed and the change to the setting is ignored.
The fixed current source ranges are 10 nA, 100 nA, 1 µA, 10 µA, 100 µA, 1 mA, 10 mA, 100 mA,
and 1 A.
The fixed voltage source ranges are 200 mV, 2 V, 20 V, 200 V, and 1000 V.
From the front panel:
1.
Press the
HOME
key.
2.
Under SOURCE, select
Range
. The Select Range dialog box is displayed.
3.
Select the range.
