Keysight Technologies B2980A Series User manual

CONFIGURATION
GUIDE
Keysight B2980A Series
Femto/Picoammeter and
Electrometer/High Resistance Meter
The world’s only graphical Picoammeter/Electrometer
that can confidently measure down to 0.01 fA and up to 10 PΩ

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Table of Contents
Configure Your Keysight B2980A Series Femto/Picoammeter & Electrometer ����������������03
Step 1� Select a B2980A Series model��������������������������������������������������������������������������������03
Step 2� Add optional localized User’s Guide �����������������������������������������������������������������������05
Step 3� Add optional productivity tools��������������������������������������������������������������������������������05
Step 4� Choose optional accessories������������������������������������������������������������������������������������06
Step 4� Choose optional accessories������������������������������������������������������������������������������������07
Step 5� Choose calibration plan��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Related Literature ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10

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Configure Your Keysight B2980A Series Femto/Picoammeter & Electrometer
Keysight B2980A Series consists of the following four models�
– B2981A Femto/Picoammeter, 0�01fA
– B2983A Femto/Picoammeter, 0�01fA, Battery
– B2985A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter, 0�01 fA, 1000V
– B2987A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter, 0�01 fA, 1000V, Battery
This configuration guide contains a step-by-step process to help you configure your Femto/Picoammeter & Electrometer and related
accessories to meet your specific test requirements� For detailed specifications, refer to the B2980A Series Femto/Picoammeter &
Electrometer data sheet (literature number 5991-4878EN)�
The accessory catalog is also available (literature number 5991-3878EN)�
First, you’ll need to decide on either a picoammeter or an electrometer based on your required measurement parameters and either a
battery model or not based on your requirement for realizing low noise measurement� This will then determine which B2980A model is
best for you� Please note that the B2980A Series are not upgradable later on�
Measurement Parameters Voltage
Source
Battery
Operation
Current Voltage Resistance Charge
Femto/
Picoammeter
B2981A √
B2983A √ √
Electrometer B2985A √ √ √ √ √
B2987A √ √ √ √ √ √
Additional information 0.01 fA to 20 mA 1 μV to 20 V < 10 PΩ1 fC to 2 μC Up to ±1,000 V
Step 1. Select a B2980A Series model

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12. Thermocouple
13. Interlock
connector head
14. Humidity probe
connector head
7. Ground connection cable, Banana to Screw-lug
5.Earthing wire
for B2985A/87A
11.High voltage test leads
Li-ion battery for B2983A/87A 6. USB cable 4. Power code
10. Alligator clips
9. Open cap for Triax
connector
8.Triax cable 1.5 m
The following items are supplied as standard with each B2980A Series model:
Standard furnished items Number of pieces
Description Orderable parts number B2981A B2983A B2985A B2987A
1. Quick startup poster/Quick reference NA 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
2. Product reference (manuals) CD-ROM NA 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
3. Keysight IO Libraries CD-ROM NA 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
4. Power cord NA 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
5. Earthing wire (2 m) NA 1ea 1ea
6. USB cable 8121-1696 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
7. Ground connection cable, Banana to Screw-lug B2981-61715 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
8. Triax cable (1.5 m, 200 V) 16494A-001 1ea 1ea 1ea 1ea
9. Open cap for Triax connector N1417A 1ea 1ea 2ea 2ea
10. Alligator clips (black & red) U3606-60030 1ea 1ea
11. High voltage test leads (black & red, 1000 V) U8201-60001 1ea 1ea
12. Thermocouple for B2985/B2987 N1423A 1ea 1ea
13. Interlock connector head NA 1ea 1ea
14. Humidity probe connector head NA 1ea 1ea

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The B2980A manuals (User’s Guide etc�) are included in the CD-ROM shipped with the B2980A as PDF files� Printed manuals are not
furnished� Order the following product number if required�
Description Product Number Additional Information
User Guide English for B2980 Series N1403A-ABA Printed copy
User Guide Japanese for B2980 Series N1403A-ABJ Printed copy
Step 2. Add optional localized User’s Guide
There are several productivity tools that can help you startup your measurement quickly and maintain measurement integrity for your
challenging sensitive measurements�
Description Product Number Additional Information
Applicable Model
B2981A B2983A B2985A B2987A
Starter kit for B2985/
B2987
N1410A The following items are included:
N1415A Triax to alligator clip cable, 1ea
N1414A High resistance measurement universal
adapter, 1ea
√ √
Setup integrity checker
for B2980 series, fixed
perpetual license
N1420A The Setup integrity checker measures and records
the measurement setup’s noise level, which enables
you to isolate the cause of noise related to test
setup elements including cables, adapters, shields,
chambers, etc.
Customer installable software license key
√ √ √ √
Evaluation kit for
B2981/83/85/87A
N1299A-301 The following items are included:
N1422A High value resistor box (100 GΩ),1ea
N1415A Triax to alligator clip cable, 1ea
N1411A Interlock cable, 4 pin terminal plug to 6 pin
circular plug, 1.5 m, 1ea
16493B-001 Coaxial cable, 1.5 m, 1 ea
N1254A-104 Triax (m) to BNC (f) adapter, outer
shield open, 1 ea
Carrying case, 1 ea
Demonstration guide, 1 ea
√ √ √ √
Step 3. Add optional productivity tools

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Step 4-1. Choose a rack mount kit (optional)
Description Product Number Additional Information
Applicable Model
B2981A B2983A B2985A B2987A
Rack Mount Kit B2980A-1CM Includes a rack mount flange and front handle kit.
Fits standard 19-inch rack and occupies two units
of rack space.
√ √ √ √
Step 4-2. Choose additional accessories for current measurements (optional)
You can add the following accessories based on your measurement requirements�
Recommended Connection Simple Connection1
Typical connection
example
Current measurement connection, Grounded Current measurement connection, Grounded
Recommended
accessories
16494A-001 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 1.5 m, Furnished)
N1415A Triax to alligator cable
16494A-002/004 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 3.0 m/4.0 m)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana
to Screw-lug
(Furnished)
N1412A/B/C Low leakage Triax cable
(500 V, 1.5 m/3 m/6 m)
N1416A /B Triax bulkhead connector (200 V/500 V)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to Screw-
lug (Furnished)
1� The “Recommended Connection” is preferred over the “Easy Connection” when making sensitive low-level measurements
Step 4. Choose optional accessories
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Is
Shield
N1416A/B
Triax bulkhead
connector
16494A, N1412A/B/C
Triax cable
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Is
Shield N1415A
Triax to alligator

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Step 4. Choose optional accessories (continued)
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Rx
Shield
16494A
Triaxcable
U8201-60001
High voltage test lead (furnished)
N1415A
Triax to alligator
Step 4-3. Choose additional accessories for resistance measurements (optional)
You can add the following accessories based on your measurement requirements�
Also, you can add the optional N1414A High resistance measurement universal adapter which enables you to simplify the cabling and
monitor source voltage at high resistance measurements�
Recommended Connection Simple Connection1
Typical connection
example
Floating device measurement Floating device measurement
Recommended
accessories
16494A-001 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 1.5 m, Furnished)
N1415A Triax to alligator cable
16494A-002/004 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 3.0 m/4.0 m)
U8201-60001 High voltage test lead
(Furnished)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana
to Screw-lug (Furnished)
N1412A/B/C Low leakage Triax cable (500 V, 1.5 m/
3 m/6 m)
N1416A /B Triax bulkhead connector (200 V/500 V)
U8201-60001 High voltage test lead (Furnished)
N1414A High resistance measurement
universal adapter (Optional)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to
Screw-lug (Furnished)
1� The “Recommended Connection” is preferred over the “Easy Connection” when making sensitive low-level measurements
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Rx
Shield
16494A
Triaxcable
U8201-60001
High voltage test lead (furnished)
N1416A/B
Triax bulkhead connector
16494A,
N1412A/B/C
Triax cable

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Description Product Number Additional Information
High resistance meter fixture adapter N1413A
Resistivity Cell for N1413 with B2980 Series
(50 mm Electrodes)
N1424A The N1413A High resistance meter fixture adapter is required to use these
accessories.
Resistivity Cell for N1413 with B2980 Series
(26/50 mm Diameter Electrodes)
N1424B
Resistivity Cell for N1413 with B2980 Series
(26/50/76 mm Diameter Electrodes)
N1424C
Low Noise Test Leads for N1413 with B2980
series (1.5 m/3.0 m)
N1425A/B
Pin Probes for N1425 N1426A
Soldering Sockets for N1425 N1426B
Alligator Clips for N1425 N1426C
Low Noise Test Cables for N1413 with B2980
series (1.5 m/3.0 m)
N1427A /B
Component Test Fixture for N1413 with B2980
Series
N1428A
The obsoleted accessories such as the 16008B, 16117B/C, and 16339A can be used with the B2985A/87A if you have them� The
N1413A is also needed to use those accessories� The N1425A/B Low Noise Test Leads for N1413 with B2980 series requires one of the
N1426A/B/C to connect the device under test�
N1413A High resistance
meter fixture adapter
To:
N1424A/B/C
N1425A/B
N1427A /B
N1428A
To: interlock connector
The B2985A/87A supports the Keysight’s accessories for high resistance measurement� The N1413A High resistance meter fixture
adapter is needed to use those accessories�
Step 4. Choose optional accessories (continued)

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Step 4. Choose optional accessories (continued)
Step 4-4. Choose additional accessories for voltage measurements (optional)
You can add the following accessories based on your measurement requirements�
Recommended Connection Simple Connection1
Typical connection
example
Guarded measurement connection Guarded measurement connection
Recommended
accessories
16494A-001 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 1.5 m, Furnished)
N1415A Triax to alligator cable
16494A-002/004 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 3.0 m/4.0 m)
U8201-60001 High voltage test lead (Furnished)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to
Screw-lug (Furnished)
N1412A/B/C Low leakage Triax cable
(500 V, 1.5 m/3 m/6 m)
N1416A /B Triax bulkhead connector (200 V/500 V)
U8201-60001 High voltage test lead (Furnished)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to
Screw-lug (Furnished)
1. The “Recommended Connection” is preferred over the “Easy Connection” when making sensitive low-level measurements.
Step 4-5. Choose additional accessories for charge measurements (optional)
You can add the following accessories based on your measurement requirements�
Recommended Connection Simple Connection1
Typical connection
example
Guarded measurement connection Guarded measurement connection
Recommended
accessories
16494A-001 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 1.5 m, Furnished)
N1415A Triax to alligator cable
16494A-002/004 Low leakage Triax cable
(200 V, 3.0 m/4.0 m)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to
Screw-lug (Furnished)
N1412A/B/C Low leakage Triax cable
(500 V, 1.5 m/3 m/6 m)
N1416A /B Triax bulkhead connector (200 V/500 V)
B2981-61715 Ground connection cable, Banana to
Screw-lug (Furnished)
1� The “Recommended Connection” is preferred over the “Easy Connection” when making sensitive low-level measurements�
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Vs
Shield
Guard shield
16494A,
N1412A/B/C
Triax cable
U8201-60001
High voltage test lead (furnished)
N1416A/B
Triax bulkhead connector
Banana-to- lug cable
(furnished)
Vs
Shield
Guard shield U8201-60001
High voltage test lead (furnished)
N1415A
Triax to alligator
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Qs
Shield
N1416A/B
Triax bulkhead
connector
16494A,
N1412A/B/C
Triax cable
Banana-to-lug cable
(furnished)
Qs
Shield N1415A
Triax to alligator

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Step 4-6. Choose additional accessories (optional)
You can add the following optional accessories to meet your system requirement�
Description
Product
Number Additional Information
Applicable Model
B2981A B2983A B2985A B2987A
High value resistor box for N1299A-301
evaluation kit
N1422A √√√√
Low leakage Triax cable, 200 V, 1.5 m 16494A-001
The B2981A/83A/85A/87A is furnished
with one 16494A-001 cable.
16494A triax cable supports up to 200 V
and 1 A.
N1412A/B/C triax cable
supports up to 500 V and 1 A
√√√√
Low leakage Triax cable, 200 V, 3.0 m 16494A-002 √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 200 V, 0.8 m 16494A-003 √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 200 V, 0.4 m 16494A-004 √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 200 V, 4.0 m 16494A-005 √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 500 V, 1.5 m N1412A √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 500 V, 3.0 m N1412B √ √ √ √
Low leakage Triax cable, 500 V, 6.0 m N1412C √ √ √ √
Coax cable, 1.5 m 16493B-001 16493B coax cable supports up to 40 V
and 200 mA.
√√√√
Coax cable, 3.0 m 16493B-002 √ √ √ √
BNC cable, 1.2 m U2921A-100 √√√√
Combo Test Lead Kit U8201A √√√√
Triax bulkhead connector 200 V N1416A √√√√
Triax bulkhead connector 500 V N1416B √√√√
Open cap for triaxial connector N1417A The B2981A/83A is furnished with one
N1417A open cap and the B2985A/87A is
furnished with two N1417A open caps.
√√√√
Triax (t) to BNC (m) adapter N1254A-102 For current measurement,
Floating DUT/sample
√√√√
Triax (t) to BNC (m) adapter N1254A-104 For current measurement,
Grounded DUT/sample
√ √ √ √
Triax (t) to BNC (m) adapter N1254A-105 For voltage measurement √ √
Triaxial (f) to Triaxial (f) adapter,
feedthrough
1250-2618 √ √ √ √
Step 4. Choose optional accessories (continued)

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Description
Product
Number Additional Information
Applicable Model
B2981A B2983A B2985A B2987A
Interlock cable, 4 pin terminal plug to 6
pin circular plug, 1.5 m
N1411A
The B2985A/87A is furnished with one 4 pin
plug interlock connector head.
√ √
Interlock cable, 4 pin terminal plug to 6
pin circular plug, 3.0 m
N1411B √ √
Lithium-ion battery pack for B2983/
B2987
N1418A B2983A/87A is furnished with one N1418A
battery.
√ √
Benchtop battery charger for N1418A N1419A √ √
Thermocouple for B2985/B2987 N1423A The B2985A/87A is furnished with one
N1423A thermocouple.
√ √
RS-232 cable kit for Digital I/O
connector
34398A √ √ √ √
Step 4. Choose optional accessories (continued)
Step 5-1. Choose calibration length (optional)
Keysight factory calibration is provided as standard and free of additional charges�
Description Product number Additional Information
ANSI Z540-1-1994 Calibration B2981A-A6J
B2983A-A6J
B2985A-A6J
B2987A-A6J
Calibration certificate with measurement results available only at time
of purchase
Commercial Calibration Certificate with
Test Data
B2981A-UK6
B2983A-UK6
B2985A-UK6
B2987A-UK6
Calibration certificate with measurement results available only at time
of purchase
Calibration Assurance Plan -
Return to Service Center - 3 years
R-50C-011-3
Calibration Assurance Plan -
Return to Service Center - 5 years
R-50C-011-5
Step 5. Choose calibration plan

Page 12
This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2018, Published in USA, May 23, 2018, 5991-4879EN
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Related Literature
Publication Number Publication Title
5991-4978EN Keysight B2980A Series Femto/Picoammeter & Electrometer, Datasheet
5991-3878EN Accessories for the Keysight B2900 Precision Instrument Family