Models 2634B, 2635B, and 2636B

System SourceMeter® Instruments

Quick Start Guide
Safety precautions Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, perform safe installations, and
repair products. Only properly trained service personnel may perform installation and
service procedures.
Observe the following safety precautions before using this product and any associated Keithley Instruments products are designed for use with electrical signals that are rated
instrumentation. Although some instruments and accessories would normally be used Measurement Category I and Measurement Category II, as described in the
with nonhazardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous conditions may be International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60664. Most
present. measurement, control, and data I/O signals are Measurement Category I and must not
This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards be directly connected to mains voltage or to voltage sources with high transient
and are familiar with the safety precautions required to avoid possible injury. Read and overvoltages. Measurement Category II connections require protection for high
follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information carefully before using the transient overvoltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Assume all
product. Refer to the user documentation for complete product specifications. measurement, control, and data I/O connections are for connection to Category I
If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product sources unless otherwise marked or described in the user documentation. Main supply
warranty may be impaired. voltage fluctuations not to exceed ±10 % of the nominal voltage.
The types of product users are: Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present
Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for use and maintenance of on cable connector jacks or test fixtures. The American National Standards Institute
equipment, for ensuring that the equipment is operated within its specifications and (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than 30 V RMS,
operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately trained. 42.4 V peak, or 60 V DC are present. A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous
voltage is present in any unknown circuit before measuring.
Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical
safety procedures and proper use of the instrument. They must be protected from Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The
electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits. responsible body must ensure that operators are prevented access and/or insulated from
every connection point. In some cases, connections must be exposed to potential
Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product to keep it human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect
operating properly, for example, setting the line voltage or replacing consumable themselves from the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is capable of operating at or
materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the user documentation. The above 1000 V, no conductive part of the circuit may be exposed.
procedures explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be
performed only by service personnel.
Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits,
to be used with impedance-limited sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to NOT as protective earth (safety ground) connections.
AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards, install protective devices to If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device
limit fault current and voltage to the card. under test. Safe operation requires the use of a lid interlock.
Before operating an instrument, ensure that the line cord is connected to a If a screw is present, connect it to protective earth (safety ground) using the wire
properly-grounded power receptacle. Inspect the connecting cables, test leads, and recommended in the user documentation.
jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use. This symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of danger. The user should refer
When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as to the operating instructions located in the user documentation in all cases where
rack mounting, a separate main input power disconnect device must be provided in the symbol is marked on the instrument.
close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the operator. This symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of electric shock. Use standard
For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments safety precautions to avoid personal contact with these voltages.
while power is applied to the circuit under test. ALWAYS remove power from the This symbol on an instrument shows that the surface may be hot. Avoid personal
entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting contact to prevent burns.
cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes,
such as installing or removing jumpers. This symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment frame.
Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the
If the mercury symbol is on a product, it indicates that mercury is present in the
circuit under test or power line (earth) ground. Always make measurements with dry
display lamp. Please note that the lamp must be properly disposed of according to
hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the voltage
federal, state, and local laws.
being measured.
WARNING This heading in the user documentation explains dangers that might result
The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its specifications and
in personal injury or death. Always read the associated information very
operating instructions, or the safety of the equipment may be impaired.
carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as defined
CAUTION This heading in the user documentation explains hazards that could
in the specifications and operating information, and as shown on the instrument or test
damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate the warranty.
fixture panels, or switching card.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
When fuses are used in a product, replace with the same type and rating for continued
protection against fire hazard. Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mains Storage 25 °C to 65 °C
circuits - including the power transformer, test leads, and input jacks - must be
Pollution degree 1 or 2
purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses with applicable national safety
DC source 30.3 W maximum
approvals may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are
not safety-related may be purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent output ± 200 V DC maximum
to the original component (note that selected parts should be purchased only through ± 1.515 A at ± 20 V DC
Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product). If you are ± 101 mA at ± 200 V DC
unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments Pulse region 4 * Region maximums Max pulse width Max duty cycle
office for information. 10 A at 5 V 1 ms 2.2 %
To clean an instrument, remove power from the instrument. Use a damp cloth or mild,
Measurement Measurement category I
water-based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply cleaner
input Voltage: 200 V DC maximum HI to LO, 250 V DC LO to ground
directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products
Current: 101 mA at 200 V; 1.515 A at 20 V
that consist of a circuit board with no case or chassis (e.g., a data acquisition board for
Impedance: Variable
installation into a computer) should never require cleaning if handled according to
instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected, the board * See full specifications for other pulse regions.
should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning and servicing.

Power and environmental specifications

Carefully consider and configure the appropriate output-off state,
For indoor use only. and source and compliance levels before connecting the
Supply voltage 100 V to 240 V AC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz (autosensing), instrument to a device that can deliver energy. Failure to consider
range 240 VA maximum the output-off state, and source and compliance levels may result
Altitude Maximum 2000 m above sea level in damage to the instrument or to the device under test.
Operating 0 °C to 50 °C, 70% relative humidity up to 35 °C. Derate 3%
relative humidity / °C, 35 °C to 50 °C
Introduction to the Series 2600B System SourceMeter® Instrument
The Keithley Instruments Series 2600B System SourceMeter®
Instruments are medium-power source-measure units (SMUs) that
CD-ROM contents
simplify test processes by combining source and measure capabilities
in a single instrument. A Series 2600B SourceMeter Instrument is a The CD-ROMs that are included with your instrument contain:
scalable, high-throughput, cost-effective solution for precision DC,  The Test Script Builder (TSB) Software and Series 2600B TSB
pulse, and low-frequency AC source-measure testing. add-in, which is a software tool you can use to create, modify,
The Series 2600B documentation includes: debug, and store Test Script Processor (TSP®) test scripts
 Product documentation in PDF format, including the Quick Start
 Quick Start Guide: Shows you how to unpack and set up the Guide, Reference Manual, product specifications, and
instrument to determine that the instrument is functional. rack-mount kit instructions
 Reference Manual: Provides comprehensive information about  IVI™ instrument driver and related release notes
the instrument’s features, operation, optimization, maintenance,
 National Instruments LabVIEW™ driver and related release
troubleshooting, and programming commands.
notes
The documentation is in PDF format on the CD-ROM that is  Java™ SE Runtime Environment
included with the instrument. If you do not have Adobe Reader® to
view the files, you can download a free copy of it at  Keithley I/O layer and release notes
http://get.adobe.com/reader/. For the latest drivers and additional support information, see
http://www.keithley.com/support.
Unpack and inspect the instrument
To unpack and inspect the instrument:
1. Inspect the box for damage.
2. Open the top of the box.
3. Remove the bag that contains the documentation, accessories,
and CD-ROMs.
4. Carefully lift the instrument out of the box.
5. Remove the packaging inserts.
6. Inspect the instrument for any obvious signs of physical damage. In addition to the Series 2600B System SourceMeter® Instrument,
Report any damage to the shipping agent immediately. you should have received:
1 Series 2600B Product Information and Test Script Builder
CD-ROMs
2 UL safety supplement
3 Keithley USB flash drive containing the Model 2400 software
emulation
4 Interlock DB-25 male connector kit hardware
5 One RJ-45 LAN crossover cable for the Model 2634B. Two
RJ-45 LAN crossover cables for the Models 2635B and 2636B
6 Power line cord
7 One triaxial to alligator clip cable for the Model 3635B. Two
triaxal to alligator clip cables for the Models 2634B and 2636B
8 16 AWG black grounding wire
9 3-pin screw terminal connector
10 Safety Standards Conformance Information
11 Models 2634B, 2635B, and 2636B System SourceMeter®
Instruments Quick Start Guide
Refer to the packing list for additional items that might have shipped
with your instrument.
Connect the instrument
Important test system safety information  Read and comply with the specifications of all instruments in the
system. The overall allowed signal levels may be constrained by
the lowest rated instrument in the system. For example, if you are
This product is sold as a stand-alone instrument that may become
using a 500 V DC power supply with a 300 V DC rated switch,
part of a system that could contain hazardous voltages and energy
the maximum allowed voltage in the system is 300 V DC.
sources. It is the responsibility of the test system designer, integrator,
installer, maintenance personnel, and service personnel to make sure  Make sure any test fixture connected to the system protects the
the system is safe during use and is operating properly. operator from contact with hazardous voltages, hot surfaces, and
sharp objects. Use shields, barriers, insulation, safety interlocks,
You must also realize that in many test systems a single fault, such as and so on to accomplish this.
a software error, may output hazardous signal levels even when the  Cover the device under test (DUT) to protect the operator from
system indicates that there is no hazard present. flying debris in the event of a system or DUT failure.
It is important that you consider the following factors in your system  Double-insulate all electrical connections that an operator can
design and use: touch. Double insulation ensures that the operator is still
protected even if one insulation layer fails. Refer to IEC 61010-1
 The international safety standard UL 61010-1 defines voltages as for specific requirements.
hazardous if they exceed 30 V RMS and 42.4 V peak, or 60 V DC
for equipment rated for dry locations. Keithley Instruments, Inc.  Make sure all connections are behind a locked cabinet door or
products are only rated for dry locations. other barrier. This protects the system operator from accidentally
removing a connection by hand and exposing hazardous voltages.
 Use high-reliability fail-safe interlock switches to disconnect
power sources when a test fixture cover is opened.
Install the instrument
 Where possible, use automatic handlers so that operators are not The Series 2600B can be used on a bench or in a rack. See the
required to access the DUT or other potentially hazardous areas. instructions that came with your rack-mount kit if you are installing
 Provide training to all users of the system so that they understand the Series 2600B in a rack.
all potential hazards and know how to protect themselves from
injury. Note that the air intakes for the fan are located on the top cover and
side panels of the Series 2600B. The space around these areas should
 In many systems, during power up, the outputs may be in an be free from obstruction to ensure proper fan operation.
unknown state until they are properly initialized. Make sure the
design can tolerate this situation without causing operator injury
or hardware damage.
Connect line power
The Series 2600B operates from a line voltage of 100 V to 240 V at a
frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Line voltage is automatically sensed
(there are no switches to set). Make sure the operating voltage in your
To keep users safe, always read and follow all safety warnings area is compatible.
provided with each of the instruments in your system.

The power cord supplied with the Series 2600B contains a

separate ground wire for use with grounded outlets. When
proper connections are made, the instrument chassis is
connected to power line ground through the ground wire in the
power cord. Failure to use a grounded outlet may result in
personal injury or death due to electric shock.
 3. Connect the plug of the power cord to a grounded AC outlet.

Operating the instrument on an incorrect line voltage may cause Turn on the instrument
damage to the instrument, possibly voiding the warranty.
Turn on the instrument by pressing the front panel POWER switch
to the on (|) position.
To connect line power:
1. Make sure the front panel power switch is in the off (0) position.
2. Connect the socket of the supplied power cord to the power
connection on the rear panel.
Power-up sequence The entire power-up process takes approximately 30 seconds to
complete. When initialization is complete, if the instrument is a
Model 2634B or a Model 2636B, you will see the default display
When the instrument is turned on, you should see: screen, shown below.
 A series of dots.
 All segments of the display light.
 A brief display showing the instrument model. For example, if
the instrument is a Model 2635B, the display will show
“KEITHLEY Model 2635B.”
 Line frequency detection and other startup checks.
If the instrument is a Model 2635B, you will see the default display
screen, shown below.
Test the instrument Step 1: Set source function, range, and level

The following test verifies basic operation of the Model 2634B,

Model 2635B, and Model 2636B. In this test, you will use the If the instrument has two channels (Models 2634B or 2636B) and is in
front-panel controls shown below to source voltage and measure the dual-channel display mode, press the DISPLAY button once to show
voltage output. only the settings for SMU channel A.
You do not need to connect a device under test (DUT) for this test.
1. Press the SRC key. You will see a blinking character in the
SrcA value field. Confirm that mV is displayed; if not, press the
SRC key again.
2. While that character is still blinking, press the up or down
RANGE keys until 20 V is displayed.
 The main display screen reappears:
Step 2: Set the source limit
1. Press the LIMIT key. You will see a blinking character in the
LimA value field.

2. While that character is still blinking, press the down

RANGE keys as needed to select the 10 mA limit range.
3. Press the CURSOR keys to move the cursor to the Verify that the source limit value in the LimA field is
10s digit. 10.0000 mA.
4. Press the navigation wheel to enter EDIT mode. The EDIT
indicator appears in the upper left corner of the display.
5. Turn the navigation wheel to set the source value to
20.0000 V, and then press the navigation wheel to enter the
selection and exit EDIT mode.
Step 3: Set measurement function and range Step 4: Turn the output on
1. Press the MEAS key as many times as needed to select the V Turn the output on by pressing the OUTPUT ON/OFF control
(voltage) measurement function. In the following figure, the (for Model 2634B and 2636B) or (Model 2635B). The
measurement function has been set to “V.” ON/OFF indicator LED lights and measurements begin.
Step 5: Observe measurements
Observe the measured voltage on the main area of front-panel
display. The readings should be very close to the 20 V source value.
Step 6: Turn the output off
When you finish making measurements, turn the output off by
2. Press the AUTO key as many times as needed to select pressing the OUTPUT ON/OFF or control. The
the AUTO range function. When AUTO is selected, the Series output indicator LED turns off.
2600B automatically selects the best range for the measured
value. You will briefly see the display shown below, and then the
main display screen reappears.
These steps confirm basic functionality of your Model 2634B, Model
2635B, or Model 2636B instrument. Turn instrument power OFF now.

For a basic understanding of the of the Series 2600B functionality, we

strongly recommend that first-time users become familiar with the
Series 2600B Reference Manual.
FAQs What do I do if I lost or formatted the included USB drive?
How can I get another copy of the Model 2400 personality
script?
What should I do if I see an error message when I turn the
instrument on? If you lose or format the USB drive or delete the 2400 personality
script, you can download the latest version of it from the Keithley
If an error message is displayed, press the EXIT (LOCAL) key. The Instruments website at www.keithley.com.
Series 2600B will return to the default display screen. For detailed
information about error messages, see “Errors and status messages”
in the Series 2600B Reference Manual. Next steps
How do I use the included USB drive?
Series 2600B Reference Manual
The USB drive included with the Series 2600B can be used to load
test scripts onto the instrument from the front panel. The included Refer to the Series 2600B Reference Manual for detailed information
USB drive contains a copy of the 2400 personality script, which about all features of the instrument. This manual is on the Product
allows the Series 2600B instrument to accept Model 2400 SCPI Information CD-ROM that came with your instrument.
commands. For more information about loading and running the Keithley Instruments website
2400 personality script, see “Model 2400 emulation” in the Series
2600B Reference Manual. See www.keithley.com for support and additional information about
the instrument.