The Agilent/Keysight 6186C is a precision DC current source engineered for demanding semiconductor characterization, resistivity measurement, and electrochemistry applications. It delivers stable, programmable current output with remote control capabilities and exceptional load regulation across three selectable ranges.
Technical Specifications
Output Characteristics
• Output current ranges: 0–1 mA, 0–10 mA, 0–100 mA
• Maximum output voltage: 300 V DC
• Maximum output power: 30 W
• High output impedance architecture eliminates output capacitors
• Full rated current delivery at maximum voltage with adjustable voltage limit throughout output range
Performance & Stability
• Load regulation: <25 ppm of initial value plus 5 ppm of range switch setting; <100 nA for positive output grounded operation
• Line regulation: <25 ppm of initial value plus 5 ppm of range switch setting across 104–127 Vac or 208–254 Vac inputs
• Temperature coefficient: <75 ppm/°C of output plus 5 ppm of range switch setting
• Output current drift: <100 ppm over 8 hours post warm-up
• Programming speed: 10 ms
• Transient recovery: ≤4 ms
• Current resolution: 0.02% of range; 2 mA front-panel resolution
• Voltage resolution: 200 µV with 4-digit push-button and fine-adjust knob
Metering & Display
Dual large-format analog meters enable simultaneous voltage and current monitoring. Meter ranges: 1.2 mA, 12 mA, 120 mA and 360 V DC. Meter accuracy: ±2% of full scale.
– Key Features
• Range switch selects output current and meter scales
• Ten-turn current control for continuous adjustment across full output span
• Single-turn voltage control for continuous voltage limit adjustment
• Analog remote programming of voltage limit via stable, low-noise external resistors
• Built-in SCR crowbar overvoltage protection monitors output and clamps to zero if preset voltage limit is exceeded
– Typical Applications
• Semiconductor device and material characterization
• Precision resistivity and conductivity measurements
• Electrochemical testing requiring stable, controlled current delivery
• Research and production environments demanding tight current stability over extended measurement intervals
