Keithley 238 High Current Source Measure Unit

The Keithley 238 High Current Source Measure Unit is a single-channel SMU engineered for precision sourcing and measurement of DC voltage and current in high-power applications. It sources up to 20 A and 10 V while simultaneously measuring both parameters with high accuracy, delivering 200 W maximum power output. The instrument settles in less than 50 ms and maintains tight temperature stability of ±0.01% per °C, making it ideal for characterization of power semiconductors, circuit validation, and demanding laboratory test environments.

– Technical Specifications

Sourcing Capabilities
• Voltage: 0 to 10 V at 1 mV resolution; accuracy ±0.1% + 1 mV
• Current: 0 to 20 A at 1 mA resolution; accuracy ±0.2% + 5 mA

Measurement Capabilities
• Voltage: 0 to 10 V at 1 mV resolution; accuracy ±0.1% + 1 mV
• Current: 0 to 20 A at 1 mA resolution; accuracy ±0.2% + 5 mA

Operating Parameters
• Maximum power output: 200 W
• Voltage compliance: 0 to 10 V
• Current compliance: 0 to 20 A
• Settling time: <50 ms to 0.1% (typical)
• Temperature coefficient: ±0.01% per °C (typical)
• Bidirectional operation: sources and sinks current

– Key Features

IEEE-488 GPIB interface with SCPI command compatibility enables integration into automated test systems. Forced air cooling supports continuous operation. Input accepts 100 V, 120 V, 220 V, or 240 V AC at 45 to 400 Hz, accommodating global deployment. Compact footprint—17 inches wide × 18 inches deep × 5.25 inches high—fits standard instrument racks at 45 lbs weight.

– Typical Applications

• Power device characterization: transistors, MOSFETs, IGBTs, diodes
• High-current circuit testing and power supply validation
• DC parametric measurement of semiconductor components
• Material characterization under high current density

– Compatibility & Integration

Standard GPIB connectivity and SCPI support integrate into ATE platforms. Dual sourcing and measurement on a single channel reduces test time for power device qualification and performance mapping across full operating ranges.