Witness the new Keithley/Tektronix DMM6500.
6.5 digits.
min range DC 100nV, 10pA; AC 100nV, 100pA
R: down to 1uOhms, C down to 0.1pF.
Etc, etc.
I remember that such high performance, scientific instruments cost north of $ 10k.
This one is ... drum roll ... $ 1600.
I know, it's serious money, but still. No bench should be without it.
Jan
6.5 digits.
min range DC 100nV, 10pA; AC 100nV, 100pA
R: down to 1uOhms, C down to 0.1pF.
Etc, etc.
I remember that such high performance, scientific instruments cost north of $ 10k.
This one is ... drum roll ... $ 1600.
I know, it's serious money, but still. No bench should be without it.
Jan
I have a multimeter with a very elaborate circuitry spread over two PCBs. It is not an expensive model like this one and it is plagued by dry joints. I only hope that expensive models use a soldering method which does not result in many dry joints. Modern solder unfortunately, is too brittle, and can easily develop dry joints.
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I recently bought one at work.
We had to record changes over time in the nanoampere range.
It is indeed a pleasure to work with!
We had to record changes over time in the nanoampere range.
It is indeed a pleasure to work with!
Very nice.
I usually work on gear well over nano V & A. 😎
So, as a poor man, I'm quite happy with my old Fluke 87 IV..
Hugo
Its much like cell phones. 50 years ago, nobody ever thought, 'I wish I had a cell phone with apps I can talk to'.
But once you have it, you find you use it all the time for purposes not imagined before. 😎
I find the same with powerful test equipment.
Jan
But once you have it, you find you use it all the time for purposes not imagined before. 😎
I find the same with powerful test equipment.
Jan
Some people spend that to re-cap amplifiers with questionable results 😉
75% of my workbench is in use for projects, and 25% for equipment. I am quite happy with that situation. So about the Tektronix thingy, can it be used as a footrest?
An HP 3456A is a couple hundred on ebay. Its doesn't have USB or logging, unless you want to mess with HPIB, but I'll never part with mine. Still one of the most accurate meters I've used in 40 years.
I would like to have a logging type meter but I never get around to buying one.
I would like to have a logging type meter but I never get around to buying one.
I have the DMM7510 and I absolutely love it - takes about 15 seconds to boot. I have had a HP 35510A for years (and it still sits on the bench with the 7510) and it as well is a great piece of gear.
I like the idea of it, but it's likely that very few if any home hobbyists will do anything needing that kind of measurement capability. It's a lot for the money, though.
It HAS a touchscreen. I have a Keysight 34461A which boots in about 15 seconds and then announced 'Hi Jan' on the display 😉
Jan
A Keithley will get you into the low tens of attoAmpere's
and to think of the projection electrometer which Peter and Marie Curie used!