The Keithley 228A is a programmable bipolar voltage and current source and sink, designed to deliver up to 100W of power. Operating in all four quadrants, the 228A can function as a high-precision constant voltage or constant current source, as well as an active electronic load. It features standard GPIB connectivity, dual 4.5-digit LED displays for simultaneous output readback, remote 4-wire sensing, and an internal 100-step program memory for sequencing.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesGPIB (IEEE-488)
DisplayDual 4.5-digit red LED displays for voltage and current
Maximum Common Mode Voltage100 V peak (chassis to output common)
Warm-up Time1 hour to rated accuracy

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply100V / 120V / 220V / 240V AC (switch-selectable), 50/60 Hz, 350 VA max
Operating Temperature0°C to 50°C
Dimensions (W×H×D)133 mm × 435 mm × 448 mm
Weight9.8

Voltage Source Specifications

ParameterValue
Voltage Output Ranges±1.0100 V, ±10.100 V, ±101.00 V
Voltage Programming Resolution100 µV (1 V range), 1 mV (10 V range), 10 mV (100 V range)

Current Source Specifications

ParameterValue
Current Output Ranges±101.00 mA, ±1.0100 A, ±10.100 A
Current Programming Resolution10 µA (100 mA range), 100 µA (1 A range), 1 mA (10 A range)

System & Channel Configuration

ParameterValue
Operating ModesConstant Voltage (CV) or Constant Current (CC)
Four-Quadrant OperationFull 4-quadrant sourcing and sinking up to 100 W
Number of Channels1
Sensing Modes2-wire local or 4-wire remote sensing
Output TerminalsRear panel quick-disconnect terminal block

Measurement Specifications

ParameterValue
Readback MonitorSimultaneous measurement and display of actual output voltage and current
Readback Display Resolution4.5 digits

Triggering and Memory Buffer

ParameterValue
Memory Capacity100-step internal program memory
External Modulation InputRear panel input for external analog programming/modulation

Control and Connectivity

ParameterValue
GPIB InterfaceStandard IEEE-488 compliance

Power Specifications

ParameterValue
AC Input Voltage Options100V, 120V, 220V, or 240V AC (rear-panel switch selectable)
AC Input Line Frequency50 Hz or 60 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption350 VA

Physical and Environmental

ParameterValue
Form FactorFull-rack width, 3U height
Storage Temperature Range-25°C to 65°C
Operating Humidity Range0% to 80% RH up to 35°C (non-condensing)

Performance

ParameterValue
Maximum Output Power100 W (source or sink)
Voltage Programming Accuracy±(0.05% + 10 mV) on 10V range, ±(0.05% + 100 mV) on 100V range
Current Programming Accuracy±(0.1% + 1 mA) on 1A range, ±(0.1% + 10 mA) on 10A range
Voltage Load Regulation±(0.01% + 1 mV) for 0 to full load change
Current Load Regulation±(0.01% + 100 µA) on 1A range, ±(0.01% + 1 mA) on 10A range for 0 to max voltage change
Voltage Line Regulation±(0.01% + 1 mV) for 10% line voltage change
Current Line Regulation±(0.01% + 100 µA) on 1A range, ±(0.01% + 1 mA) on 10A range for 10% line voltage change
Voltage Ripple and Noise<10 mV RMS, <50 mV peak-to-peak (0.1 Hz to 20 MHz)
Current Ripple and Noise<500 µA RMS on 1A range, <5 mA RMS on 10A range
Voltage Slew Rate (100V Range)0.01 V/ms to 100 V/ms (in 1-2-5 sequence)
Voltage Slew Rate (10V Range)0.001 V/ms to 10 V/ms (in 1-2-5 sequence)
Current Slew Rate (10A Range)0.001 A/ms to 10 A/ms (in 1-2-5 sequence)
Current Slew Rate (1A Range)0.0001 A/ms to 1 A/ms (in 1-2-5 sequence)
Temperature Coefficient±(0.1 × specified accuracy) per °C (0°C to 18°C & 28°C to 50°C)
Maximum Sink Power100 W
Load Transient Recovery Time< 1 ms to settle within 100 mV (or 10 mA) of programmed value for a step change of 50% to 100% of full scale load

Modulation Input

ParameterValue
Modulation Input Impedance10 kΩ
Modulation Sensitivity10 V for 100% modulation of range
Modulation BandwidthDC to 1.2 kHz (3 dB bandwidth)

External Trigger

ParameterValue
Trigger Input LevelTTL compatible, active on negative-going edge
Minimum Trigger Input Pulse Width10 µs
Trigger Output LevelTTL compatible, negative-going pulse
Trigger Output Pulse Width20 µs

Remote Sensing

ParameterValue
Maximum Sense Lead Resistance10 Ω per lead
Maximum Voltage Drop in Output Leads0.5 V

Output Characteristics

ParameterValue
Voltage Source Mode Output Resistance< 20 mΩ
Common Mode Impedance> 10^9 Ω in parallel with < 0.05 µF

GPIB Interface

ParameterValue
GPIB Interface FunctionsSH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0, E1

Technology

Linear Power Supply / Source Measure Unit (SMU) precursor

Applications

Precision semiconductor testing, battery charging/discharging simulation, and active load testing