617

The Keithley 617 is a high-performance programmable electrometer designed for highly sensitive measurements of voltage, current, resistance, and charge. Featuring a 4½-digit LED display, an integrated isolated 100V voltage source, and standard IEEE-488 (GPIB) connectivity, the Keithley 617 delivers the exceptional input impedance and low input bias current required for sensitive research and calibration environments.

Current Measurement Electrical Testing Metrology Resistance Measurement

Specifications

General

Parameter	Value
Interfaces	IEEE-488 (GPIB)
Display	4½-digit LED with 2-digit exponent
Warm-up Time	1 hour to rated accuracy
Standard Accessories	Model 6011 triaxial input cable

Physical

Parameter	Value
Power Supply	90–125 V AC / 180–250 V AC, 50–60 Hz, 35 VA max
Operating Temperature	0°C to 50°C
Dimensions (W×H×D)	216 mm × 127 mm × 359 mm
Weight	2.9 kg

General Measurement Capabilities

Parameter	Value
Measurement Functions	DC Voltage, DC Current, Resistance (constant-current and constant-voltage), Charge
Display Type	LED, 4½-digit mantissa plus 2-digit exponent
Ranging Modes	Automatic and Manual
Data Store Buffer	100 readings
Calibration	Digital calibration from front panel or IEEE-488 bus
Zero Correct	Front panel zero correct control
Baseline Suppression	One-button suppression from front panel or IEEE-488 bus
Triggering	One-shot front panel or bus control

DC Voltage Measurements (Voltmeter)

Parameter	Value
Voltage Measurement Range	200 mV to 200 V
200mV Range Resolution	10 µV
2V Range Resolution	100 µV
20V Range Resolution	1 mV
200V Range Resolution	10 mV
Input Impedance	>200 TΩ
Input Bias Current	<5 fA at 23°C
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)	>120 dB
Normal Mode Rejection Ratio (NMRR)	>60 dB at 50 Hz or 60 Hz

DC Current Measurements (Ammeter)

Parameter	Value
Current Measurement Range	2 pA to 20 mA
2pA Range Resolution	100 aA
20pA Range Resolution	1 fA
200pA Range Resolution	10 fA
2nA Range Resolution	100 fA
20nA Range Resolution	1 pA
200nA Range Resolution	10 pA
2µA Range Resolution	100 pA
20µA Range Resolution	1 nA
200µA Range Resolution	10 nA
2mA Range Resolution	100 nA
20mA Range Resolution	1 µA
Input Voltage Burden	<1 mV (<3 mV on 20 mA range)

Resistance Measurements (Ohmmeter)

Parameter	Value
Resistance Measurement Range	2 kΩ to 200 GΩ (up to 10^16 Ω with V-source)
2kΩ Range Resolution	100 mΩ
20kΩ Range Resolution	1 Ω
200kΩ Range Resolution	10 Ω
2MΩ Range Resolution	100 Ω
20MΩ Range Resolution	1 kΩ
200MΩ Range Resolution	10 kΩ
2GΩ Range Resolution	100 kΩ
20GΩ Range Resolution	1 MΩ
200GΩ Range Resolution	10 MΩ
Maximum Open Circuit Voltage	250 V DC
Resistance Measurement Methods	Constant current and constant voltage

Charge Measurements (Coulombmeter)

Parameter	Value
Charge Measurement Range	200 pC to 20 nC
200pC Range Resolution	10 fC
2nC Range Resolution	100 fC
20nC Range Resolution	1 pC

Internal Voltage Source (V-Source)

Parameter	Value
V-Source Output Voltage Range	-102 V to +102 V
V-Source Output Resolution	5 mV steps on 10V range, 50 mV steps on 100V range
V-Source Configuration	Isolated from electrometer section

Analog & Auxiliary Outputs

Parameter	Value
Analog Outputs	Preamplifier output and 2V full range output on rear panel

System Interfaces & Connectivity

Parameter	Value
Guard Configuration	Selectable driven cable guard
Input Connector Type	2-slot female triaxial

Power and Environmental Specifications

Parameter	Value
Power Consumption	35 VA maximum
Line Voltage Selection	90–125 V AC or 180–250 V AC (rear panel switch)
Line Frequency	50 Hz to 60 Hz
Operating Humidity Range	<70% relative humidity up to 35°C
Storage Temperature Range	-25°C to 65°C

Voltage Source

Parameter	Value
Voltage Source Max Current	2 mA (short circuit protected)
Voltage Source Accuracy (10V Range)	±(0.15% + 10 mV)
Voltage Source Accuracy (100V Range)	±(0.15% + 100 mV)
Voltage Source Temperature Coefficient	±(0.005% + 100 µV)/°C on 10V range, ±(0.005% + 1 mV)/°C on 100V range
Voltage Source Output Resistance	< 0.1 Ω

Protection

Parameter	Value
Overload Protection (Volts)	250 V peak, DC to 60 Hz continuous
Overload Protection (Amps)	100 V peak on 2 pA to 200 nA ranges, 250 V peak on 2 µA to 2 mA ranges
Overload Protection (Ohms)	250 V peak, DC to 60 Hz continuous
Overload Protection (Coulombs)	100 V peak, DC to 60 Hz continuous

Outputs

Parameter	Value
Preamp Output Voltage	1 V for full scale input (inverting)
Preamp Output Impedance	1 kΩ
2V Analog Output Voltage	2 V for full scale display (non-inverting)
2V Analog Output Impedance	10 kΩ

Interfaces

Parameter	Value
GPIB Interface Functions	SH1, AH1, T5, TE0, L4, LE0, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0, E1

Performance

Parameter	Value
Maximum Reading Rate	18 readings per second (via GPIB)

Voltage Measurement

Parameter	Value
Voltage Measurement Accuracy (200mV Range)	±(0.15% of reading + 4 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Voltage Measurement Accuracy (2V to 200V Ranges)	±(0.05% of reading + 1 count), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Input Capacitance	< 20 pF

Current Measurement

Parameter	Value
Current Measurement Accuracy (2pA Range)	±(1.6% of reading + 6 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Current Measurement Accuracy (2nA to 200nA Ranges)	±(0.25% of reading + 5 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Current Measurement Accuracy (2µA to 20mA Ranges)	±(0.15% of reading + 5 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)

Resistance Measurement

Parameter	Value
Resistance Measurement Accuracy (2kΩ Range)	±(0.2% of reading + 4 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Resistance Measurement Accuracy (20kΩ to 20MΩ Ranges)	±(0.2% of reading + 1 count), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Resistance Measurement Accuracy (20GΩ Range)	±(1.5% of reading + 1 count)
Resistance Measurement Accuracy (200GΩ Range)	±(2.0% of reading + 1 count)

Charge Measurement

Parameter	Value
Charge Measurement Accuracy (200pC Range)	±(0.4% of reading + 4 counts), 1 year (18°C-28°C)
Charge Measurement Accuracy (2nC to 20nC Ranges)	±(0.4% of reading + 1 count), 1 year (18°C-28°C)

Rear Panel Connections

Parameter	Value
GPIB Address Configuration	Selectable via rear panel DIP switches
External Trigger Input	BNC connector, TTL-compatible, active low
Meter Complete Output	BNC connector, TTL-compatible, active low pulse
Voltage Source Output Connector	Safety BNC (red)

Technology

Solid-State Electrometer

Applications

Low-level current, high resistance, voltage, and charge measurements