Connector Production Testing Solutions
Connector Production Testing Solutions
Pin Isolation
Test Equipment Continuity Test Measurement Ranges Notable Features
Model 2750 Multimeter/ Pin Continuity: 1mW+ Optional internal switching.
Switch System Isolation: Up to 100MW Offset compensation.
• • Common-side ohms configuration.
Enhanced low ohms measurement capability.
Model 2790 SourceMeter/ Pin Continuity: 10mW+ Optional internal switching.
Switch System Isolation: Up to 1GW Offset compensation.
• • 500V programmable voltage source (low power).
50mA programmable current source.
Model 2400 SourceMeter® Pin Continuity: 1mW+ Programmable test current (pin continuity).
SMU Instruments Isolation: ~ 1GW Programmable voltage source (isolation test).
• • Ability to save 100 test setups in memory.
Auto output-off → reduce device heating.
Contact check option.
Model 2400 SourceMeter and Model Pin Continuity: 1μW+ Programmable test current.
2182A Nanovoltmeter • Delta mode—current reversal technique for 2400 and 2182A.
Model 3706A System Switch/ Pin Continuity: 1mW+ Optional internal switching.
Multimeter Isolation: Up to 100MW Offset compensation.
• • Common-side ohms configuration.
Enhanced low ohms measurement capability.
Up to 576 two-wire multiplexer channels.
Model 6487 Picoammeter with Isolation: 1kW–1TW Independent programmable voltage source (±500V).
Voltage Source • V/I Ohms.
Model 6517B Electrometer Isolation: 200kW–1e17W Independent programmable voltage source (±1000V).
• Optional internal switching.
Optional temperature and humidity measurements.
Model 2001/2002 High Performance Pin Continuity: 10mW Offset compensation.
Multimeter Isolation: Up to 1GW Optional internal switching.
• • Optional Model 1801 Nanovolt Preamp to increase sensitivity (with
this preamp, pin continuity range can extend down to 5mW at a
test current of 9.2mA).
Model 6221 Current Source and Pin Continuity: 100nW Delta Mode for low thermal, low resistance measurements.
Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter • Isolation: Up to 100GW
•
• What are the speed and accuracy requirements?
After having determined the specific application needs, the Ch. 1
designer may wish to review the switching and measurement
solution with a Keithley Applications Engineer.
Ch. 2
Maximum Reading
Integra Series Number Communication Maximum Channel Internal Data Rate, Single Channel
Product of Slots Interface Count or Crosspoints Buffer Capacity (readings/second) Additional Features
80 channels or
Model 2700 2 GPIB, RS-232 55,000 2000
96 crosspoints
80 channels or
Model 2701 2 Ethernet, RS-232 450,000 3500 Portable, ½ rack, 2U design
96 crosspoints
200 channels or Low ohms capability (1μW max.
Model 2750 5 GPIB, RS-232 110,000 2500
240 crosspoints sensitivity)
576 channels or Low ohms capability (0.1μW max.
Model 3706A 6 650,000 14,000
576 crosspoints sensitivity)
Each Model 7751 or 7752 module allows two-wire Like the Model 2400, you have control over the test current.
connections to 12 DUTs. If more connections are required, And the Model 6221 has the trigger link connection to trigger
consider using the Model 7702 40-Channel multiplexer card the Model 2182A for delta measurements. The main advantage
in the second slot of the Model 2790. In addition to higher to using Models 6221/2182A over Models 2400/2182A is that the
channel count, this card permits routing to the DMM for general Model 6221 controls the two units. The data is shown on the
measurements, including voltage, current, and resistance. The Model 6221 in volts, ohms, watts, or siemens. Since the two units
sources on the Model 7751/2 cards are accessible via screw were developed with delta mode in mind, the system is very
terminals and may be routed to the Model 7702 card for simple to configure.
measurement. Once the serial cable and trigger link cable are connected
For some applications, the measurement range of the Series between the two instruments, it takes only a few button
2700 instruments may not be broad enough to accommodate pushes to configure and start the delta mode. The Model 6221’s
the test requirements for both isolation and continuity maximum current is 100mA.
measurements. The engineer may also want more flexibility in
The 2400 Series’ maximum current is 5A. If using 100mA
the level of source current or voltage used in the test. In these
and below, then Models 6221/2182A are recommended. If using
cases, one of the Series 2400 SourceMeter® SMU instruments
above 100mA, then the 2400 Series with the Model 2182A is
may be a more suitable solution.
recommended.
Series 2400 SourceMeter® SMU Instruments As discussed previously, it’s generally preferable to test high
SourceMeter SMU instruments consist of a voltage source, value resistors with the source voltage method. Given that Series
current source, voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter in a single 2400 instruments all have a voltage source, these instruments
half-racksized package. With these components, SourceMeter may be used to measure isolation resistances of up to 1GW or
SMU instruments offer greater measurement sensitivity for pin more with reasonable accuracy. With a 1100V source, the Model
continuity tests and extended range for isolation resistance tests. 2410 offers the possibility of testing very large resistances.
Some devices, however, may not be able to withstand such a high Testing a 10GW resistor at 500V, the Model 2410 offers just
level of current without experiencing device heating, which can 0.67% uncertainty.
introduce significant error to the measurement. The SourceMeter
products have an auto output-off feature that keeps the source Additional Isolation Test Equipment
turned on only long enough to complete the measurement (only Other solutions for high insulation resistance measurement
a few milliseconds), which reduces device heating. As an added include the Model 2001, Model 2002, and Model 3706A Digital
benefit, auto output-off provides cold switching, for extended Multimeters. These instruments offer the ability to measure up to
relay life in switch systems. Series 2400 instruments also include 1GW using the constant current method, in addition to standard
offset compensation, as well as programmable compliance multimeter functions such as AC voltage, AC current, and
settings that allow users to apply dry circuit conditions. temperature. The Model 6487 Picoammeter has an independent
500V programmable source voltage and a “V/I resistance mode,”
For extremely low resistance devices that require a high
which make it suitable and convenient for measuring insulation
degree of test accuracy, a more sensitive voltmeter, such as
resistance. The Model 6517B electrometer, with an independent
the Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter, will likely need to be paired
1000V programmable source and 3fA offset on its ammeter,
with the SourceMeter SMU instrument. Using the Model 2182A
offers the best high resistance measurement accuracy of all
and a SourceMeter SMU instrument, the uncertainty of a 1mW
standard Keithley instruments. This instrument may be necessary
measurement with a 10mA source is 0.45%. Comparing these
for extremely high insulation resistances (hundreds of gigaohms
specifications with the example in the previous paragraph
or teraohms).
(where the SourceMeter SMU instrument alone was used), the
2182A/2400 configuration with a 100× reduction in source Obviously, there are many instrumentation options available.
current leads to only a 0.15% increase in uncertainty. The Therefore, when choosing test equipment, the project engineer
combination of these two instruments offers wider flexibility should carefully consider the entire range of resistance to be
in source current and measurement time. The Delta Mode tested and other measurements or applications for which the
feature of the Model 2182A also allows coordination with the instrument may be used.
SourceMeter SMU instrument to add offset compensation to the
Switching Solutions
measurement.
Once it’s clear what instrumentation option is most appropriate,
Another potential source is to use the Model 6221 Current the project engineer can focus on the switching requirements
Source with the Model 2182A Nanovoltmeter. They were of the application. While the Series 2700 Integra Systems and
designed to work together for low resistance measurements. Model 3706A can be used for switching alone, Keithley also
At 100mA test current from the Model 6221 and the sensitivity offers the Series 7000 line of switching products, which are
of the Model 2182A at 10nV, the low resistance measurement is designed for use with measurement hardware. The Model 7001
sensitive to 1e-7W (100nW). and 7002 mainframes house and control the plug-in switch cards,
which contain the relays that will connect the test equipment The Series 7000 switch mainframes are “smart” in that they
to the test points of the connector. Plug-in switch cards are can save switch patterns and sequences. These mainframes also
available in a variety of relay configurations. The multiplexer have built-in trigger hardware (see the Trigger Link description
and the matrix are the two most common switch topologies. in the section titled “Optimizing the Measurement”) that affords
Multiplexer cards are used to connect one instrument to many hardware handshaking between the switch mainframe and the
measurement equipment. With this external triggering, the
test points or vice versa. Figure 5 shows a simple multiplexer
instruments can execute the programmed test sequence without
configuration in which resistors are connected across each relay.
operator intervention.
When only one channel is closed, a device is connected to the
inputs of the SourceMeter SMU instrument and can be tested. A In addition to the relay configuration, it’s very important to
matrix configuration, on the other hand, provides the flexibility consider the specifications of the switch card when choosing
switch hardware. The goal of switching is to make connections
required to test many different channel patterns. In a matrix, any
without compromising the measurement. When measuring pin
one point in the system may be connected to any other point
continuity (low resistances), it’s important to choose a switch
in the system. For example, this configuration is useful when
card with low contact potential and a current rating high enough
more than one instrument is needed to test each device. Figure 6 to withstand test current. When measuring insulation resistances,
shows a simple matrix configuration with connections to two choose a switch card with low offset current, high isolation
instruments and five pins of a six-pin device. Although two resistance, and a voltage rating high enough to withstand source
channels must be closed in order to perform a measurement, the voltage. For more detailed information on selecting appropriate
matrix configuration allows testing any possible combination of switch hardware, refer to Keithley’s Switching Handbook.
connector pins.
Optimizing the Measurement
Trigger Link
40 The Trigger Link is a hardware handshake bus used by the
Up to 40 instruments to ensure proper test sequencing. It’s a standard
differential
channels per feature on all newer Keithley instruments, including those
7011 Switch Card 39 mentioned in this note. When the meter and switch mainframe
are connected via a Trigger Link cable, they can trigger each
other to allow faster test completion. This built-in bus eliminates
38 the need for direct PC control of most system synchronization
functions. When the Trigger Link function is used properly,
the only functions the PC performs are initiating the test and
Model
1 retrieving data from the system.
24XX
Solutions to Typical Sources of Error
Model 7011
Quad 1×10 Multiplexer Noise
Noise can come from many sources in the production
Figure 5. Multiplexer Configuration environment. When electrically charged objects, such as
machinery, electrical motors, or fluorescent lights are brought
Connector near an uncharged object (i.e., the device under test), small,
Under Test unwanted voltages may be generated. To minimize the effects
of this electrostatic interference, ensure all system cabling is
properly shielded. All shields should be connected to a single
common point such as the signal LO. Whether the system cabling
is single- or multi-conductor, it’s best to use one shield around
Ammeter HI
the wire bundle.
Model 6517B Guard
Electrometer
V-Source LO Leakage Current
LO Stray or leakage current in cables and fixtures can be a source
Model 2010 of error in measurements of extremely low currents, such as for
DMM HI high impedance devices or parameters. To minimize leakage
current problems, the test fixture insulation must be made of
materials with resistances much higher than the impedances
Model 7153 High Voltage/Low Current Matrix Card
being tested. If proper care is not taken, some portion of the test
Figure 6. Matrix Configuration current will flow through any low impedance path to ground,
affecting measurement results. An alternate method of reducing the voltmeter senses the voltage drop across the DUT without the
leakage currents is to guard the test. When testing multi-pin effect of the lead resistance.
connectors, it’s also important to guard the other pins that are
not being tested because the resistance between the other pins
and ground may affect the final measurement. By connecting the
guard output from the meter to the other pins, the undesirable Output Sense Output Sense
HI HI HI HI
resistance and subsequent leakage to ground is eliminated. Refer Model 24XX Model 24XX
RS
to Keithley’s Low Level Measurements handbook for detailed Sour ceMeter Sour ceMeter
Alternative Solutions
Some types of connectors must be tested over wider voltage and
current ranges than those described here. Keithley Application
Note #2154, “Testing Devices with High Voltage and High
Current,” describes how to configure a test system based on
SourceMeter SMU instruments that supports testing isolation
resistance up to 1100V and continuity up to 3A.
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