Keithley 620 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MODEL 620
MULTI-PURPOSE ELECTROMETER
AND ACCESSORIES

WARRANTY
We warrant each of our products to be free
from defects in material and workmanship. Our
obligation under this warranty is to repair or
replace any instrument or part thereof, except
tubes, transistors, fuses, and batteries, which,
within a year after shipment to the orig-
inal buyer, proves defective on examination.
DAMAGE IN SHIPMENT
Be sure to include the instrument model num-
ber and serial number in all communications.
If the instrument is damaged when received,
or fails to operate properly, a claim should be
filed with the carrier. Upon receipt of the claim
agent’s report, we will inform you regarding
repair or replacement.
REPAIRS
When returning an instrument for repair or
recalibration, it should be securely packed
against shipping damage and sent to the fac-
tory, freight prepaid. A brief letter describing
the difficulty should accompany the instrument.

CONTENTS I
-___-
SIWION
INTRODUCTION
...............................................
SPECIFICATIONS .............................................
OP&RATION
..................................................
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
0.
Prel-iminary Steps
Voltmeter
Ammeter
(1) Normal
(2) Fast
Ohmmeter
(1) Normal
(2) External Voltage
Battery Check.
Using External Indicators
Miscellaneous Applications
(1) Current Source
(2) Static Charge Detector
CIRCUIT DISCUSSION..*..**.....,r.*....,....**.*.....*..,...
A.
Voltmeter
EL Ammeter
(1) Normal
(2) Fast
C. Ohmmeter
(1) Normal
(2) EXternal Voltage
ACCESSORIES
. . . . . . . . . . . ..*........*............*...*........
MAINTENANCE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*...~*.....*.*....*........*...*.
A. Trouble-Shooting
B. Schematic
?* Voltage-Resistance Diagram
D. Replacement Parts List
I
IT
III
IV
V
VI.
in
KEITHLEY INSTFiUMEXTS
620
CLEVELAND, OHIO

SECTIOI\T I - INTROiXJCTION
The Keithley Model 620 Electrometer is an ultra-high impedance volt-
meter with full-scale ranges of 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10 volts.
The maximuminput resistance is greater than 1014 ohms; in additi
the input resistance may be varied in decade steps from 106 to n
10
YOO,
ohmsby means of the shunt resistors built into the instrument.
Thus, the 620 is not only appropriate for measurement in high-impedance
circuits, but also can be used with decreased input impedance where
a high input impedance would merely introduce unwanted pickup.
The 620 may be used as a direct-reading ammeter from 10-5 to-lo-11
amperes full scale. This (j-decade range is covered in overlapping
3x and 10x scales. Two current measuring methods are available to
the user of the 620. Normally, current is determined by measuring
the voltage drop across7a resist&r shunted from input to ground.
Alternately, on the ,lO to 10 ampere ranges, negative feedback
can be applied.to the input of the voltmeter through the current
measuring resistor. This largely eliminates the input drop and in-
creases measuring speed, particularly on the more sensitive ranges.
The 620 measures 105 to 10" ohms full scale with a two-terminal
input. Unlike conventional ohmmeters, the resistance is read on
the samelinear scales used for current and voltage,
As a dc preamplifier, the 620 has gains of 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10.
Continuing gain stability is assured by a large feedback factor on
all ranges.
The output is 1 volt, open circuit, with an internal impedance of
16.67K for fW.l. scale input on all ranges. Thus, the output may
be used for driving oscilloscopes or pen recorder amplifiers, or
the output may be shunted down to provide lo- or 50-1~ outputs for
servo-rebalance recorders. Note that a phase reversal occurs from
input to output.
620 I-l

SECTIONII - SPECIFICATIONS
Ranges:
II
b” Voltage: 0.1
0.3, 1 3,
10-5 to 10-11 and 10 volts full scale.
Current: amperes full scale in lx and 3x
overlapping ranges.
(c) ohms:
105 ohmsto lo" ohms full scale on linear lx and 3x
(d) overlapping ranges. Meter Scales: Left Zero 0 to
3 and 0 to 10.
Accuracy:
Voltage:
Current:
2% of full scale on all. r3nges.
3% of full scale fz$m 10 amperes to 10-Y amperes.
(c) $of full scale from 3 x 10 0
t LO-l1 amperes.
4% of full scale from 10 ohms to 109 ohms.
5s of
full. scale from 3 x 109 ohms to LOU ohms.
Resistance Standards:
109 and lOlo ohms, 2%accuracy.
oh~resistors may be expected to decrease in
value at about & per year.
Input Impedance:
On the VOLTSposition, the input impedance is greater than 1014
ohms resistive, shunted by approxiasteu
30 micromicrofarads.
Drift:
Less than 3 millivolts per hour after 2 hours warm-up.
Recorder Output:
one volt for fur. scale meter deflection,l6.6m source impedance.
Amplifier:
Frequency response is Cc to 100 cycles on all ranges. Maximum
gain is 10. Noise is less than 2%peak to peak of fWl scale.
Front Panel Controls and Terminals:
INWJ! comector is a teflon insulated. UHFtype receptacle. An
accessory binding post which plugs into the cente?Zof the con-
nector is furnished. A ground binding post is mounted on the
panel above the input connector.
RANGEswitch is located in the center of the front panel. This
control selects VOIIp9, OHMS,or AMPERFS. On the AMPERESposition,
620
II - 1

a shunt resistor whose value is the rec%procal of the designated
range may be used to decrease the input resistance as well as to
measure current.
MULTIPLIERswitch, located in the center of the front panel above
the RANGEswitch, determines the voltage sensitivity of -the dc
amplifier, and sets the voltage range when the RANGEis set on
VOLTS. On OHMSor AMPERES,the setting of this knob multiplied. by
the OHMSor AMPIXESsetting gives the full scale meter reading.
ZERCcontrol, located at the left under the meter, is used to set
the meter to zero.
METER-BATTERYswitch, at the right under the meter, turns the
instrument on, determines meter polarity, and tests the batteries.
ZEROCHECK-OPERATEswitch, located at the bottom right, shorts the
input terminal through 5 megohmswhile the amplifier input is shorted.
Rear Panel Controls:
OIJTPCTreceptacle for external recorders, Amphenol 8opC2F; Mat-
ing plug Amphenol 8oPC2M.
Normal-Fast control is locked in NORMALposition. In FASTpositi-
tion, current measurements are made with feedback around the shunt
resistor.
COARSEZEROis used to bring the front panel ZEROcontrol in range
if the aaplifier is quite badly unbalanced.
Tubes:
one 5886, two 6418
Cabinet:
@" wide by &' high by 6 314" deep. Weight 5 314 lbs.
Batteries:
Battery !422.? Expected Life
Bl Mallory FMl2R or
350 hours
equivalent (3 req'd)
E, B3, B4 tieready- #4l2 or
500 hours
equivalent
620 II - 2

SECTION III - OPERATION
A. PREPARINGTEEINSTRUMENTM)ROPERATION
(1) Set controls as follows:
MULTIPLIER: 10
RANGESWITCH: VOLTS
ZEROC~K SWITCH: Zero check position (horizontal).
(2) Turn the METERswitch to meter +. The instrument should
cometo zero in approximately 5 seconds.
(3) Rotate the MULTIPLIERswitch toward the high sensitivity
end, adjusting ZEROas required. If it is impossible to zero
the meter with the front panel ZEROcontrol use COARSEZERO
control on rear panel to,bring the instrument within range of
the ZEROcontrol.
(4) Connect leads as required for measurement. If high im-
pedance is involved, the input should be shielded using s. co-
axial connection or shielded enclosure. The various 600 series
accessories may be used. See Section V.
If the impedance is low (below about lOlo ohms) and leads can
be kept short, the binding post adapter furnished with the in-
strument may be used.
B. MEASURINGVOLTAGE
Place RANGEswitch.at VOLTS. Turn MULTIPLIERswitch to expected
sensitivity and check meter zero. If the sensitivity of the in-
strument is increased., recheck the zero reading.
C. MEASURINGCURRENT
(1) NOFMATJmethod (lo-5 anperes to lo-l1 amperes full scale),
Turn PANGEswitch to desired AMPERESrange. Make sure the switch
&t the rear of the instrument is on the NORMALposition. Connect
current source to the input. Ful& scale sensitivity is the
product of the settings of the RANGEswitch and.MULTIPLIER.
Check zero with the ZEROCHECKswitch and then read the unknown
current. The full. scale voltage drop is the setting of the
MULTIPLIERswitch.
(2) FASTmethod (10-T to LO"= amperes full scale).
Proceed as above except with the FAST-NORMALstitch at FAST.
The input drop is now negligible and the input circuit time
constant is reduced at least 100 times. Observe the following
cautions:
620 III - 1

(4 U
se only the ZEROCHECKswitch to check zero. Do
not short the input.
(b) The low side of the output is no longer at ground.
Therefore, a recorder attached to the output must not be
pounded to the Model 620.
(c) i?o not use this method for the measurement of capacitor
leakage.
D. MEASURINGOHMS
(1) NOW method (lo5 to 1Ol-l ohms full scale).
Turn RANGEswitch to desired OIQ4Srange. Make sure that NOBMAL-
FAST switch is in the NORMALposition.
Connect resistance sample to be measured only after Z&W CHECK
switch has been returned to zero check position (horizontal).
The testvoltage at full scale is the setting of the MULTIPLIER
switch. Before reading OHMS,turn RANGEswitch to the approxi-
mate range of the unknown resistance. By manipulating the WLT-
IPLIER and the RANGEswitch, the sample can be tested at a num-
ber of test potentials, if desired.
(2) EXTERNALVOLTWEmethod.
Any dc voltage may be used. The unknown is connected between
the external source and the electrometer input. The RANGE
switch is set to AWEE and the resistance may be calculated
from the applied voltage and the indicated current.
Proceed as follows:
(a) Set the Z&XI CHECKswitch in the zero check (horizontal)
position.
(b) Connect unknown between IEHJT terminal and source
of potential. A switch should be connected In the high
voltwe line so that when the sample is disconnected from
the potential, the low impedance end of the sample is grounded,
(c) FAST-E0FWA.Lswitch should be at NORMAL.
(d) Set RANGEswitch at 10e6 AMPERE. Apply potential
to sample before setting the ZlDiUCKEXKswitch to OPEB-
ATE. Advance the sensitivity until a reading is obtained.
If the potential applied is at least 100 times the ammeter
drop (the setting of the MULTIPLIERswitch), the resistance
is equal to:
620 III - 2

FCTEJ!JTIALAPPLIED
cuRREm READING
If the potential applied is not large compared to the sm-
meter drop, the resistance is equal to:
WTENTIAL APPLIED- INPUT DROP(VOLTS),
CURREIKCPt.&WING
(e) If the noise in the source is low enough it is possible
to have the FAST-RCFNALon FASTand the input drop need
not be connidored in the calculation.
E. BATI'ERY
CmK
Turn METER-BATTERYswitch to Bl, B2, etc. All batteries should read
half scale or higher on the meter.
All batteries are tested directly. Bl consists of three.l.34 volt bat-
teries in series and all three, should be replaced if the reading
in Bl position is less than half scale.
F. USIX EXTERNALINDICATORS
The output of the Model 620 may be used to drive servo rebalance
recorders as well RS high impedentie devices such as oscilloscopes
and dc amplifiers.
(1) For use with servo rebalance recorders:
The output circuit consisto~of a 16.G’71<resistor through which
60 microamperes flow for full scale deflection of the panel
meter. Shorting the output does not affect the meter reading
of the Model 620; low impedances placed across the output ter-
minals will lower the terminal voltage for full scale deflection,
Thus, if it is deslred that the output voltage for full scale
of 50 millivolts is required, 878 ohms should be used.
(21, For use with oscilloscopes and high impedance dc smpllfiers,
the output is one volt for full scale input on
any range, with a phase inversion.
The frequency response is dc to 100 cycles on all ranges. The
maximumamplitude which can be delivered by the amplifier is
approximately 2 volts peak to peak.
CURRENTSOURCE
G.
When
measuring ohms, the instrument is designed to supply R constant
current to sny device placed across its input terminals. The magnitude
of the cbrrent is equal to the reciprocal of the designation on the
OHMSsegment Of the MEGE switch. Therefore the instroment may be
usedas a current source for calibration of other instruments if
desired.
620
Turn RANGEswitch to OHMSand ZEROCHfXKswitchto OPERATE. The
current that is supplied on each range is the reciprocal of the OHMS
III - 3

setting, and is not affected by the setting of the MULTIPLIERswitch.
H. STATIC CHARGEMkXSUF@NEWIS
The Instrument Is zeroed and the RANGEswitch placed on VOLTS. The
MUI/l'IPLIEFl Is placed at 3 or 10 volts f7iJ.l scale. The charged object
is then brought near the uncovered, unshielded input connector of the
620. Depending on the distance between the charge and the Instrument
a voltage will be induced on the input terminal and can be read on
the panel meter. The instrument zero should be checked frequently
since accumulation of charge due to the electrometer tube grid cur-
rent will cause a slow,drift of input voltage.
Connecting a capacitor across the input reduces the drift due to
grid current and also the sensitivity to charge. An electrode con-
nected to the INPUT terminal which increases the capacitance between
the INPUTterminal and the charged object will increase the sensitivity
to charges.
620 III - 4

SECTIONIV - CIRCUIT DISCUSSION
The basic element of the Model 620 is a highly accurate, stable dc
voltmeter with a full scale sen
input impedance greater than 10" tivity of 100 millivolts and an ohms shunted by 30 micro-microfarads.
The various connections necessary for current and resistance measure-
ments will be discussed following the detailed description of the
voltmeter.
A. VOLTMETER
Refer to DR 1.3364~ at the rear of the manual. The amplifier proper
consists of Vl and V2. V3
is a cathode follower which
drives the amplifier at
the same instantaneous po-
11 &?I
Vl + V2' tential as the input sig-
nal. In other words the
I I.1 “NY,,
ic
L. neutral or low impedance
-22 terminal of the amplifier
is not grounded but is at-
tached to the outnut cathode
follower.
Fig. 620-1. shows
this diagramatically.
PIQIJRE620-1
Since the amplifier proper is driven by the cathode follower, the
plus and minus 22 volt batteries for the cathode follower are referred
to input ground while the battery supplies for the amplifier are
referred to amplifier ground which is "floating". In subsequent
discussion, referrence will be madeto the amplifier ground as "float-
ing ground' and to cathode follower ground as "output ground".
The amplifier input consists of a 5886 electrometer tube. The fila-
ment is operated in series with V2 and V3 from battery Bl. The control
grid of Vl, the electrometer tube, is protected by R102, a 1000 Megohm
resistor, bypassed for high frequencies by C102.
The ZEXCcontrols set the output to zero by adjusting the dc voltage
on the screen of the electrometer tube.
The voltmeter sensitivity is determined by the value of the feedback
resistor selected by S4, the MULTIPLIERswitch. With full scale input
on any range a current of 60 microamperes will flow thru ~1.36 producing
an output of one volt.
620
IV-l

620
PUT
5
(1) Shunt Resistor Method (NIXWAL)
In the normal operating connection as shown in Fig. 620-2 CW-
rent is measured by placing a resistor across the input [email protected]
and measuring the voltage drop. Currents from 10-5 to lo-
amperes may be measured by thdS~m&thod s nce the range switch
selects resistors ranging from 10 to 10
10 ohms in decade steps.
The voltage drop is selected by the MULTIPLIERswitch; the setting
is the input voltage drop for full scale meter deflection.
(2) Feedback Method (FAST)
In the voltmeter discussion above, floating ground is driven
by the cathode follower and output ground is connected to the
low impedsnce side of the input connector. In the FASTconnection,
the amplifier ground is connected to the low impedance side of
the input; the output ground floats, and negative feedback is
applied to the input through the shunt resistor,
In the Model 620 it is possible to use this connection with
currents of O.lmicroamperes or less. To change the connection,
remove the lock from NORMAL-FASTswitch at the bottom of the
rear panel and change it to the FASTposition. The advantages
of this connection are:
(a) The effect of input capacity is largely neutralized,
that Is, the time constant of the input and cable capacity
and.the shunt resistor used will be decreased at least
100 times as compared to the NXNAL connection, correspond-
ing to a 100-fold Increase in response speed.
(b) The input drop will be reduced about 100 times.
It will be seen that this connection converts the 620 into an
operational amplifier with a resistor from the output to the
input. Therefore, the following cautions apply:
(a) The input cannot be shorted since this will remove
the feedback.
(b) The internal impedance of the current source being
measured should not be less than about one-tenth of the
value of the feedback resistor used for measurement.
(c) this connection should not be used for measuring the leak-
age current of capacitors since the connection of a capacitor to the
Iv-2

input causes the circuit to be transformed into a differ-
entiator with the resultant extreme sensitivity to very
small voltage transients. For this measurement the NOR-
MAL should be used.
FIGURE 620-3
(3) Use of, External Volta’se S&y
EXTERNAL
VOLTAQE
FIQURE 620-4
The Model 620 employs a
linear scale to provide a
me~ohmmeter of hish accur-
acy. The linear ohms scale
is achieved by supnlying a
constant current to the
sample and measuring the
voltage drop across it.
The method is shown in
Fie. 620-j.
With the constant current
method of measuring resist-
ance, the voltage across the
unknown may not be arbit-
rarily selected, and the
time of measuring capacitor
leakage tends to be long,
since constant-current
charging is slower than the
expotential charge available
width an RC circuit.
Due to these facts, it may
be desirable to use an ex-
ternal voltage supply and
measure the leakage current
on the AMPERESscale (NORMAL
operation).
The unknown is connected between the input terminal of the electrometer
and the source of voltage, This is shown in Fig. 620-h. If the applied
voltage is large compared to the voltage drop across the electrometer
(so that the voltage across the sample is substantially the applied volt-
ape) the resistance is simply equal to the voltage applied divided by the
current measured. If the voltage drop is an appreciable fraction of the
applied vcltage, the resistance equals the voltage applied minus the input
drop divided by the current measured. It will be rarely necessary to
correct for the input drop of the electrometer due to the excellent volt-
age’ sensitivity of the Model 620.
It is advisable to use the NORMALmicro-microammeter connection for the
measurement of leakage resistance of capacitors fin this manner, since
instability is likely to occur using the FAST connection. However, in
cases where the capacity shunted across the sample is small, it will be
possible to realize a considerable increase in speed of response by util-
izing the FAST connection.
IV - 3

Some precautions are recommended when testina capacitors. Re sure that
capacitors have discharged be,fnre removino from test circuit. With the
ZLRO CHECK swjtch jn the zero check nnsit.inn thr input, i~.s shorted to pround
throuph L.7 megohms providing a dischuve pa~th for the capacitor.
It should be further noted that capacitor measuremc:nt 1,s likely to be
a slow process in any case due to the fact that jut may take con?iderahle
time for the molecular orientation of the dielectric to take place at,
the testinp potential. It may take minutes or even hours in sow cases
to achieve a stable readl.w.
620
TV - II

SETION v - ACCESSORIES
MODEL 6101~ ACCESSORYPROBB:
The Model 610111probe coneists of an Input connector, 3 feet of low
noise cable and a shielded probe head. Its purpose is to allow con-
venient connection to the electrometer input.
MODEL 6102~
- 1O:lDIVIDER PROBE:
The Model 610~ divider probe is intended for general purpose measure-
ments where axi extension of the upper voltage range of the 620 is de-
sired.
resistance is 1016 ohm.
The divis on ratio Is 1O:l correct to 1%and the probe input
The probe is supplied with a mating con-
nector and 3 feet of cable.
WDRL 6103~ - 1OCC:l DIVIDER PROBE:
The Model 6103~ probe is intended for very high voltage measurements
at high impedance. The division ratio is 1ooO:l correct to 346and
the probe input resistance is lO= ohme. The probe 18 supplied with
& mating connector and 3 feet of cable.
The Model 6104 Test Adapter is intended for use in making measurementa
wherein complete shield& of the component under test ie required.
External. terminals are provided for either grounded tests, or a test
requiring an external voltage source.
V-l

SECTIONVI - MAINTENANCE
No periodic maintenance is required other tban checking the batterlea
as provided for by the front panel control. The method of performing
these checks is outlined in Section III - E.
The calibration of the voltmeter is set by Rllg located on the vertical
printed circuit board. This is set at the factory and should not re-
quire adjustment. If recalibration is performed, an accurate voltage
source should be used.
A. TIXXJBUSHOOTING
The circuit is completely described in Section IV. Study of that
section will facilitate any trouble shooting.
The most usual trouble encountered is that on the most sensitive
voltage range, with the input shorted, it is not possible to bring
the meter pointer to zero. However, before assuming that the instru-
ment is at fault make sure that resetting the COARSEZFXI control
at the rear of the Instrument will not bring the instrument back
into balance. If this does not work it will be necessary to remove
the instrument cover to gain access to all circuitry. The instru-
ment cover is removed by unscrewing the three screws on each side
of the instrument and. lifting the cover. With the cover removed,
follow this procedure:
(1) Short floating ground to output ground, removing the neg-
ative feedback. This is most conveniently done by shorting
the two ends of the FAST-NORMALswitch on the rear panel. The
instrument will. become very sensitivie and it will be difficult
to keep the meter on scale with the zero control.
(2) Measure the plate voltage of Vl as indicated on the voltage
resistance diagram. If it is possible to swing the plate volt-
age thru the correct value with the zero control the first stage
is working properly.
(3) Check V2 and then V3 in~,the~samemanner. Whena stage
Is found that will not give the correct voltage check the tube
itself and then the associated components.
(4) Since the tube filaments are in series all stages will be
inoperative if any one filament is open. With the instrument
on measure the individual filament voltages. The defective tube
will have the full 3.6 volts across Its filament terminals.
620
VI-1

RI.41
Resistor,~,Depos@edcarbon, 9 K, I$, 15 watt
s-2 Switch,~check zero
s-3
Switch, Coarse !&ro
RL2-3CUC
sww-310
SW-x%
s-4,
Stitch, Multiplier

REPLACEABLEPARTSLIST - MODEL 620
circuit
De&@;. Description Part No.
Rl20
RI.21
Rl22
RI.23
RI.24
RJ-25
RI.26
RE7
RI.28
RX9
R130
R131
~132
R133
R134
R135
R136
RUT
~1.38
RI39
R140
S-l
,. S-2
s-3
s-4
s-5
NOTE:
Resistor, Composition 1OM10s .5 watt RI.-1OM
Resistor, composition 22M 10% .5 watt Rl-22M
Resistor, deposited carbon 15K l$ .5 watt Rl2-15K
Resistor, deposited carbon 3.3M 1% .5 watt RX?-3.3M
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 68OK1% .5 watt Rl2-68CK
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 390K 1% .5 watt Rl2-390K
Resistor, Composition l2M lO$ .5 .watt Rl-l2M
Resistor, composition 22M 10% ,5 watt RI.-22M
Resistor, composition 4.7K 10% .5 watt Rl-4.7K
Potentiometer 20K RPl.2-20K
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 220K l$ .5 watt RX?-220K
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 1.667X 1% .5 watt RX?-1.667((u)
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 5K l$ -5 watt Rl2-5K
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 16.667 1% .5 watt RX.?-16.6'7K
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 5OK~l$ .5 watt RI&50K
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 166.7K 1% .5 watt Rl2-166.v
Resistor, Deposited Carbon 16.667 1% -5 watt Rl2-16.67K
Resistor, Composition 150K 5% .5 watt Rig-150K
Resistor, Composition '75OK5s .5 watt Rig-750K
SEW as ~138
Sameas ~138
Switch, Range, SW-103
Stitch, Coarse Balance' ~~-10.06
Switch, Multiplier
SW-104
Switch, Fast -- Normal
SW-45
Switch, Meter -- Battery SW-105
(*) indicates nomlna1 value subject to variation in inavid-
ual instruments.

RFPL~E~~LE PARTSLIST - MODEL 620
Circuit
De&g. Description Pati No.
V-l Tube,
V~CUUII 5886 sd&ed
Ev-5886-5
v-2 Tube, Vacuum 6418 ~~-6418
v-3
Sane as V-2

L
- L