3-12
Description
The :A commands calibrate the amps function ranges using a suitable current source. Each
range requires three commands, corresponding to zero, positive full range, and negative full
range. For example, :AZERO2N calibrates 20nA range zero, while :A20N and :AN20N cali-
brate positive 20nA full range and negative 20nA full range values respectively. Commands
using a current source to calibrate all ranges are summarized in Table 3-3. Normally 95% of full-
range values should be used. For example, +19mA and -19mA should be used to calibrate the
20mA range.
The :A<range>CARD commands calibrate the 20pA to 2µA ranges using the optional Model
5156 Electrometer Calibration Standard and a DC voltage calibrator. Commands for use with
the calibration unit and DC voltage calibrator are listed in Table 3-4.
Programming Note
All three commands for a given range must be used in order properly calibrate that range.
Examples
:CAL:PROT:AZERO20P
Cal 20pA range zero
:CAL:PROT:A20P 19E-12
Cal 20pA positive 95% of full range
:CAL:PROT:AN20P -19E-12
Cal 20pA negative 95% of full range
:CAL:PROT:A20PCARD 1.9
Cal 20pA range with cal standard
:CAL:PROT:AN20PCARD -1.9
Cal 20pA range with cal standard
Table 3-4
Amps function calibration commands and parameters (20pA-2µA ranges, using calibration standard)
Range
Command format*
<Cal_voltage> parameter limits (V)
20pA
:cal:prot:azero20p
:cal:prot:a20pcard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an20pcard <Cal_voltage>
None
0.95 to 2.05
-0.95 to -2.05
200pA
:cal:prot:azero200p
:cal:prot:a200pcard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an200pcard <Cal_voltage>
None
0.95 to 2.05
-0.95 to -2.05
2nA
:cal:prot:azero2n
:cal:prot:a2ncard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an2ncard <Cal_voltage>
None
0.95 to 2.05
-0.95 to -2.05
20nA
:cal:prot:azero20n
:cal:prot:a20ncard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an20ncard <Cal_voltage>
None
0.95 to 2.05
-0.95 to -2.05
200nA
:cal:prot:azero200n
:cal:prot:a200ncard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an200ncard <Cal_voltage>
None
9.5 to 2.05
-9.5 to -2.05
2µA
:cal:prot:azero2u
:cal:prot:a2ucard <Cal_voltage>
:cal:prot:an2ucard <Cal_voltage>
None
95 to 205
-95 to -205
* Command short form shown.
NOTE: Model 5156 Electrometer Calibration Standard and DC voltage calibrator are required to use these
commands.