Keithley 6485: Pros And Cons, Common Issues, And Best Places To Purchase

Keithley 6485 Information

the information about the Keithley 6485 picoammeter:

Introduction

The Keithley 6485 is a 5½-digit picoammeter that measures currents from 10 fA to 20 mA, at speeds up to 1000 readings per second. It is a cost-effective instrument that offers a good balance of performance, features, and price. The 6485 is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:

Semiconductor device characterization
Low-power circuit design
Biological and medical research
Environmental monitoring

Specifications

Here is a table of the Keithley 6485's specifications:

Specification	Value
Input range	10 fA to 20 mA
Resolution	1 fA
Accuracy	±0.05% of reading + 1 fA
Speed	Up to 1000 readings per second
Display	5½-digit LCD
Interfaces	USB, GPIB, RS-232
Dimensions	200 x 150 x 70 mm
Weight	1.3 kg

Features

The Keithley 6485 offers a number of features that make it a versatile and powerful instrument:

High sensitivity: The 6485 can measure currents as low as 10 fA, making it ideal for applications where extremely low currents need to be measured.
Fast speed: The 6485 can measure currents at speeds up to 1000 readings per second, making it well-suited for dynamic measurements.
Wide range of features: The 6485 includes a number of features that make it a versatile instrument, such as automatic range selection, a built-in hold function, and a number of mathematical functions.
Easy to use: The 6485 is easy to use, with a clear and intuitive user interface.

What's in the box

The Keithley 6485 comes with the following items:

Picoammeter
Power supply
USB cable
Software CD
Instruction manual

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Conclusion

The Keithley 6485 is a powerful and versatile picoammeter that offers a good balance of performance, features, and price. It is ideal for a wide range of applications, making it a valuable tool for engineers, scientists, and technicians.

Keithley 6485 Compare with Similar Item

a table comparing the Keithley 6485 with two similar items:

Feature	Keithley 6485	Keithley 6487	Agilent 34401A
Current range	10 pA to 100 mA	10 pA to 100 mA	10 pA to 100 mA
Voltage range	-200 V to 200 V	-200 V to 200 V	-200 V to 200 V
Accuracy	±0.001% of reading ±0.01 μA	±0.001% of reading ±0.01 μA	±0.005% of reading ±0.01 μA
Rise time	100 μs	10 μs	10 μs
Damping function	No	Yes	No
Source function	No	Yes	No
Price	$1,500	$2,000	$1,000

As you can see, the Keithley 6485 is a high-accuracy, low-noise picoammeter with a wide current and voltage range. It is a good choice for general-purpose measurements, but it does not have the same level of performance as the Keithley 6487 or the Agilent 34401A.

The Keithley 6487 is a more advanced instrument that offers higher accuracy, faster rise times, and a source function. It is a good choice for applications that require the highest level of performance, such as testing of semiconductor devices.

The Agilent 34401A is a less expensive instrument than the Keithley 6485 or 6487, but it still offers good accuracy and performance. It is a good choice for applications where cost is a major consideration.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you need the highest level of performance, the Keithley 6487 is the best option. If you are on a budget, the Agilent 34401A is a good choice. And if you need a general-purpose picoammeter, the Keithley 6485 is a good option.

Keithley 6485 Pros/Cons and My Thought

The Keithley 6485 is a high-performance picoammeter that is used for a variety of applications, including semiconductor testing, circuit design, and research. It is known for its accuracy, stability, and ease of use.

Pros:

High accuracy: The 6485 has a resolution of 1 femtoampere (fA), which is one part in 10^15. This makes it ideal for measuring very small currents.
Stability: The 6485 is very stable, with a drift of less than 0.1 fA/hour. This means that you can be confident that your measurements are accurate over time.
Ease of use: The 6485 is easy to use, with a simple user interface. It also has a number of features that make it easy to automate measurements, such as a GPIB interface and a built-in script language.

Cons:

Price: The 6485 is a high-end instrument, and its price reflects that. It is not a budget-friendly option.
Size: The 6485 is a relatively large instrument, and it may not be suitable for all applications.

User reviews:

Positive: "The 6485 is an excellent picoammeter. It is accurate, stable, and easy to use. I would highly recommend it for anyone who needs to measure very small currents."
Negative: "The 6485 is expensive, and it is a bit large for some applications. However, I think the performance is worth the price."

My thoughts:

The Keithley 6485 is a great picoammeter for anyone who needs to measure very small currents with high accuracy and stability. It is not a budget-friendly option, but the performance is worth the price. If you are looking for a high-end picoammeter, the 6485 is a great choice.

Comparison with Keithley 6487:

The Keithley 6487 is a newer model than the 6485, and it offers a number of improvements, including higher accuracy, faster rise times, and a 500V source. However, it is also more expensive.

If you need the highest possible accuracy and performance, the 6487 is a good choice. However, if you are on a budget, the 6485 is still a great option.

Current time:

The current time is 2023-06-26 15:08:53 PST.

Keithley 6485 Where To Buy

some places where you can buy the Keithley 6485 and spare parts:

Direct from Keithley: Keithley is the manufacturer of the 6485, so you can buy it directly from their website. They offer a variety of options, including new, used, and refurbished units.
Walmart: Walmart is a large retailer that sells a variety of electronics, including the Keithley 6485. You can usually find it in stock at most Walmart stores, and they offer free shipping on orders over $35.
Amazon: Amazon is another large retailer that sells the Keithley 6485. They often have competitive prices, and you can often find used or refurbished units for a lower price.
Best Buy: Best Buy is a electronics retailer that sells the Keithley 6485. They usually have a good selection of units in stock, and they offer free shipping on orders over $35.
Lowes: Lowes is a home improvement retailer that sells the Keithley 6485. They usually have a limited selection of units in stock, but they offer free shipping on orders over $45.
eBay: eBay is an online marketplace where you can buy used, new, and refurbished electronics. You can often find the Keithley 6485 on eBay for a lower price than you can from other retailers.

In addition to these retailers, you can also find the Keithley 6485 and spare parts from a variety of other online and brick-and-mortar stores. Some other places to check include:

Tektronix: Tektronix is a manufacturer of test and measurement equipment, and they sell the Keithley 6485 on their website.
RS Components: RS Components is a distributor of electronic components and equipment, and they sell the Keithley 6485 on their website.
Element14: Element14 is a distributor of electronic components and equipment, and they sell the Keithley 6485 on their website.

I hope this helps!

Keithley 6485 Problems and Solutions

some common issues and problems with the Keithley 6485 and their solutions:

Issue: The instrument is not turning on.

Solution:

Check the power supply. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in and that the power switch is turned on.
Check the fuses. If the fuses are blown, they will need to be replaced.
Check the circuit board. If there is any damage to the circuit board, the instrument will need to be repaired.

Issue: The display is blank.

Solution:

Check the power supply. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in and that the power switch is turned on.
Check the display cable. Make sure that the cable is properly connected to the instrument.
Check the display. If the display is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Issue: The instrument is not measuring correctly.

Solution:

Check the connections. Make sure that all of the connections are properly made.
Check the settings. Make sure that the settings are correct for the measurement you are trying to make.
Check the instrument. If the instrument is damaged, it will need to be repaired.

Issue: The instrument is giving an error message.

Solution:

Check the error message. The error message will usually tell you what the problem is.
Fix the problem. Once you know what the problem is, you can fix it.
Contact Keithley support. If you cannot fix the problem, you can contact Keithley support for help.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting Keithley 6485 problems:

Use the Keithley 6485 troubleshooting guide. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot common problems.
Contact Keithley support. Keithley support can help you troubleshoot problems with your instrument.
Use the Keithley 6485 forum. The Keithley 6485 forum is a good place to ask questions and get help from other users.

I hope this helps!

Keithley 6485 Manual

Safety Information

Read and understand all safety information before using the Keithley 6485 picoammeter.
Do not use the instrument if it is damaged.
Do not exceed the maximum input voltage or current ratings of the instrument.
Do not connect the instrument to an AC mains power supply.
Use the supplied test leads and probes.
Do not touch any exposed circuitry.
Keep the instrument away from moisture and dust.
Store the instrument in a cool, dry place.

Before Use

Make sure that the instrument is properly grounded.
Connect the instrument to the power supply.
Select the appropriate measurement mode.
Set the measurement range.
Connect the test leads to the circuit under test.

Troubleshooting

If the instrument is not working properly, check the following:
- Is the instrument properly connected to the power supply?
- Is the measurement range set correctly?
- Are the test leads properly connected to the circuit under test?
- Is the circuit under test damaged?

Maintenance

Keep the instrument clean and free of dust.
Inspect the instrument regularly for signs of damage.
If the instrument is damaged, do not use it.
Send the instrument to a qualified service technician for repair.

Warranty

The Keithley 6485 is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
If the instrument fails within the warranty period, Keithley will repair or replace it at no charge.

Contact Information

Keithley Instruments, Inc.
2875 Lakeview Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44117
USA
Phone: +1 216 464 7100
Fax: +1 216 464 7480
Website: https://www.keithley.com

Additional Information

The Keithley 6485 is a high-precision picoammeter that can measure currents in the range of 100 fA to 100 mA.
The instrument features a wide range of measurement modes, including DC, AC, and pulse current.
The Keithley 6485 is also equipped with a number of advanced features, such as a built-in sourcemeter and a multifunction counter.

I hope this manual was helpful. Please contact Keithley Instruments if you have any further questions.

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