Section 4: Theory of operation
2606B System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
4-14
2606B-901-01 Rev. B / May 2018
Source I measure I, source V measure V
The System SourceMeter
®
instrument can measure the function it is sourcing. When sourcing a
voltage, you can measure voltage. Conversely, if you are sourcing current, you can measure the
output current. For these operations, the measure range is the same as the source range.
This feature is valuable when operating with the source in compliance. When in compliance, the
programmed source value is not reached. Thus, measuring the source lets you measure the actual
output level.
Measure only (voltage or current)
The figures below show the configurations for using the instrument exclusively as a voltmeter or
ammeter.
As shown in the following figure, to configure the instrument to measure voltage only, set it to source
0 A and measure voltage.
Figure 92: 2606B measure voltage only
Set the voltage limit to a level that is higher than the measured voltage. If the voltage limit is
set to a level that is lower than the measured voltage, excessive current will flow into the
instrument. This current could damage the instrument. Also, when connecting an external
energy source to the instrument when it is configured as a current source, set the output off
state to the high-impedance mode. See
(on page 2-65) for more information
on the output-off states. See
(on page 2-35) for details on compliance limit.
In the following figure, the instrument uses a 2-wire local sensing configuration and is set to measure
current only by setting it to source 0 V and measure current. Note that to obtain positive (+) readings,
conventional current must flow from HI to LO.
Figure 93: 2606B measure current only