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Keithley 6517A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter (Pre-Owned)

Keithley 6517A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter (Pre-Owned)

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Keithley 6517A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter (Pre-Owned)

Key Features At A Glance

  • Measures resistances up to 10^16 Ω with built-in ±1 kV voltage source for leakage, breakdown, and resistivity testing
  • 1 fA to 20 mA current measurement range with <20 µV burden voltage on the lowest current ranges
  • 200 TΩ input impedance and <3 fA input bias current for near-ideal circuit loading on voltage and resistance measurements
  • Voltage measurements from 10 µV to 200 V and charge measurements from 10 fC to 2 µC
  • Up to 125 readings/second to internal buffer; 0.75 fA p-p noise on low current ranges
  • Unique alternating-polarity voltage reversal method for high resistance measurements on materials with background currents
  • Built-in type K thermocouple input plus optional humidity probe for temperature- and humidity-stamped readings
  • IEEE-488 (SCPI and DDC) and RS-232 interfaces; optional plug-in scanner cards for multi-channel measurements
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The Keithley 6517A is a 5½-digit electrometer and high resistance meter designed for low-level current, high-impedance voltage, resistance, and charge measurements. The half-rack instrument combines a low-current input amplifier with a built-in ±1 kV voltage source in a single chassis, providing the source and measurement capability needed for insulation, leakage, and resistivity testing from one unit.

Applications listed on the datasheet include low-current and high-impedance voltage, resistance, and charge measurements in physics, optics, nanotechnology, and materials science research. The 6517A is positioned for solar cell work where low voltage burden matters, for high-resistance measurements on nanomaterials such as polymer-based nanowires, and for quality control, product engineering, and production test involving leakage, breakdown, and resistance testing. Volume and surface resistivity measurements on non-conductive materials are specifically highlighted as benefiting from the alternating-polarity voltage reversal method.

ValueTronics has been a specialist source for test and measurement equipment since 1992, operating from a 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Every electrometer that passes through the facility is inspected and performance-tested by our technicians before it is offered for sale, and condition is documented on a per-unit basis rather than estimated from a model number. That hands-on process — distinct from drop-shippers and pass-through brokers — is what stands behind every 6517A we list.

Brand Heritage

Keithley Instruments was founded in 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, building a long reputation in low-level current, voltage, and resistance measurement. Keithley was acquired by Danaher Corporation in 2010 and, following Danaher's industrial spin-off in 2016, became part of Fortive Corporation alongside Tektronix. The Keithley brand and its electrometer product family — including the 6517A — continue under that ownership.

Accessories Supplied

  • 237-ALG-2 Low Noise Triax Cable, 3-slot Triax to Alligator Clips, 2m (6.6 ft)
  • 8607 Safety High Voltage Dual Test Leads
  • 6517-TP Thermocouple Bead Probe
  • CS-459 Interlock Connector

Product Core & Specifications

Volts
Range 5½-Digit Resolution Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C ±(%rdg+counts) Temperature Coefficient 0°–18°C & 28°–50°C ±(%rdg+counts)/°C
2 V 10 µV 0.025 + 4 0.003 + 2
20 V 100 µV 0.025 + 3 0.002 + 1
200 V 1 mV 0.06 + 3 0.002 + 1
NMRR: 60dB on 2V, 20V, >55dB on 200V, at 50Hz or 60Hz ±0.1%. CMRR: >120dB at DC, 50Hz or 60Hz. Input Impedance: >200TΩ in parallel with 20pF, <2pF guarded (10MΩ with zero check on). Small Signal Bandwidth at Preamp Output: Typically 100kHz (–3dB).
Amps
Range 5½-Digit Resolution Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C ±(%rdg+counts) Temperature Coefficient 0°–18°C & 28°–50°C ±(%rdg+counts)/°C
20 pA 100 aA 1 + 30 0.1 + 5
200 pA 1 fA 1 + 5 0.1 + 1
2 nA 10 fA 0.2 + 30 0.1 + 2
20 nA 100 fA 0.2 + 5 0.03 + 1
200 nA 1 pA 0.2 + 5 0.03 + 1
2 µA 10 pA 0.1 + 10 0.005 + 2
20 µA 100 pA 0.1 + 5 0.005 + 1
200 µA 1 nA 0.1 + 5 0.005 + 1
2 mA 10 nA 0.1 + 10 0.008 + 2
20 mA 100 nA 0.1 + 5 0.008 + 1
Input Bias Current: <3fA at TCAL. Temperature coefficient = 0.5fA/°C. Input Bias Current Noise: <750aA p-p (capped input), 0.1Hz to 10Hz bandwidth, damping on. Digital filter = 40 readings. Input Voltage Burden at TCAL ±1°C: <20µV on 20pA, 2nA, 20nA, 2µA, 20µA ranges. <100µV on 200pA, 200nA, 200µA ranges. <2mV on 2mA range. <4mV on 20mA range. Temperature Coefficient of Input Voltage Burden: <10µV/°C on pA, nA, µA ranges. Preamp Settling Time (to 10% of final value): 2.5s typical on pA ranges damping off, 4s typical on pA ranges damping on, 15ms on nA ranges, 2ms on µA and mA ranges. NMRR: >95dB on pA, 60dB on nA, µA, and mA ranges at 50Hz or 60Hz ±0.1%.
Coulombs
Range 5½-Digit Resolution Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C ±(%rdg+counts) Temperature Coefficient 0°–18°C & 28°–50°C ±(%rdg+counts)/°C
2 nC 10 fC 0.4 + 5 0.04 + 3
20 nC 100 fC 0.4 + 5 0.04 + 1
200 nC 1 pC 0.4 + 5 0.04 + 1
2 µC 10 pC 0.4 + 5 0.04 + 1
Input Bias Current: <4fA at TCAL. Temperature coefficient = 0.5fA/°C.
Ohms (Normal Method)
Range 5½-Digit Resolution Accuracy (10–100% Range) 18°–28°C (1 Yr.) ±(% rdg+counts) Temperature Coefficient (10–100% Range) 0°–18°C & 28°–50°C ±(% rdg+counts) Auto V Source Amps Range
2 MΩ 10 Ω 0.125 + 1 0.01 + 1 40 V 200 µA
20 MΩ 100 Ω 0.125 + 1 0.01 + 1 40 V 20 µA
200 MΩ 1 kΩ 0.15 + 1 0.015 + 1 40 V 2 µA
2 GΩ 10 kΩ 0.225 + 1 0.035 + 1 40 V 200 nA
20 GΩ 100 kΩ 0.225 + 1 0.035 + 1 40 V 20 nA
200 GΩ 1 MΩ 0.35 + 1 0.110 + 1 40 V 2 nA
2 TΩ 10 MΩ 0.35 + 1 0.110 + 1 400 V 2 nA
20 TΩ 100 MΩ 1.025 + 1 0.105 + 1 400 V 200 pA
200 TΩ 1 GΩ 1.15 + 1 0.125 + 1 400 V 20 pA
Voltage Source
Range 5½-Digit Resolution Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C ±(% setting + offset) Temperature Coefficient 0°–18°C & 28°–50°C ±(% setting+offset)/°C
100 V 5 mV 0.15 + 10 mV 0.005 + 1 mV
1000 V 50 mV 0.15 + 100 mV 0.005 + 10 mV
Maximum Output Current: ±10mA, active current limit at <11.5mA for 100V range; ±1mA, active current limit at <1.15mA for 1000V range. Settling Time: <8ms to rated accuracy for 100V range; <50ms to rated accuracy for 1000V range. Noise: <150µV p-p from 0.1Hz to 10Hz for 100V range; <1.5mV p-p from 0.1Hz to 10Hz for 1000V range.
Temperature (Thermocouple)
Thermocouple Type Range Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C ±(% rdg + °C)
K –25°C to 150°C ± (0.3% + 1.5°C)
Humidity
Range Accuracy (1 Year) 18°–28°C, ±(% rdg + % RH)
0–100% ± (0.3% + 0.5)
Humidity probe accuracy must be added. This is ±3% RH for Model 6517-RH, up to 65°C probe environment, not to exceed 85°C.
IEEE-488 Bus & RS-232
Implementation SCPI (IEEE-488.2, SCPI-1993); DDC (IEEE-488.1)
Trigger to Reading Done 150ms typical, with external trigger
RS-232 Implementation Supports SCPI 1991.0
Baud Rates 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2k
Important: Maximum input: 250 V peak, DC to 60 Hz sine wave; the mA ranges are rated for 10 seconds per minute maximum. Maximum common-mode voltage is 500 V peak at the electrometer input and 750 V peak at the voltage source.Recommended pairing: the datasheet lists the Model 8009 Resistivity Test Fixture (guarded chamber with ASTM-standard stainless-steel electrodes and a lid interlock that disables the 6517A's voltage source when opened) for volume and surface resistivity measurements, and the optional Model 6524 High Resistance Measurement Software for the alternating-polarity test sequence.

About this used unit

  • Warranty included
  • Functional verification included
  • Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
  • Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.

Model No

Keithley

Condition

Used

Manufacturer

Keithley