The Complete Guide To Keithley 3706a: Specifications, Pros And Cons, Troubleshooting, And Buying Tips

Keithley 3706A Information

The Keithley 3706A is a 6-slot system switch mainframe with optional high performance digital multimeter (DMM). It is a scalable, instrument grade switching and multi-channel measurement solution that is optimized for automated testing of electronic products and components. The 3700A includes four versions of the 3706A system switch mainframe along with a growing family of plug-in switch and control cards.

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Specifications:

Specification	Value
Number of slots	6
Mainframe height	2U
Maximum channels	576 (two-wire multiplexer)
Maximum crosspoints	2688 (one-pole matrix)
Embedded Test Script Processor (TSP)	Yes
TSP-Link master/slave connection	Yes
Optional 7½-digit DMM	Yes
Front panel USB 2.0 device port	Yes
Built-in LXI/Ethernet, GPIB, and USB interfaces	Yes
Programmable digital I/O lines	14

Features:

• Scalable system architecture: The 3700A system can be scaled to meet the needs of any application, from small to large.
• High performance switching: The 3706A mainframe provides high performance switching with low latency and jitter.
• Multi-channel measurement: The 3700A system can measure up to 576 channels simultaneously, making it ideal for high throughput testing.
• Embedded Test Script Processor (TSP): The TSP provides a powerful scripting language that can be used to automate test sequences.
• TSP-Link master/slave connection: The TSP-Link connection allows multiple 3706A mainframes to be connected together to create a larger test system.
• Optional 7½-digit DMM: The optional DMM provides high precision measurements for critical applications.
• Front panel USB 2.0 device port: The USB port allows users to easily transfer data, configurations, and test scripts to and from the instrument.
• Built-in LXI/Ethernet, GPIB, and USB interfaces: The 3706A mainframe supports a variety of standard interfaces for easy integration with other test equipment.
• Programmable digital I/O lines: The 14 programmable digital I/O lines can be used to control external devices or to generate trigger signals.

What's in the box:

• 3706A mainframe
• Optional DMM
• Power cord
• Software CD
• Documentation

The Keithley 3706A is a powerful and versatile system switch mainframe that can be used for a wide variety of applications. It is a valuable tool for engineers and technicians who need to automate test sequences or perform high precision measurements.

Applications:

• Design validation
• Accelerated stress testing
• Data acquisition
• Functional testing
• Production testing
• R&D
• Quality assurance

Pricing:

The Keithley 3706A starts at $3,360. The price will vary depending on the configuration options selected.

Keithley 3706A Compare with Similar Item

a table comparing the Keithley 3706A with two similar items:

Feature	Keithley 3706A	Agilent 34461A	GW Instek GDS-1062
Channels	6	6	6
Voltage Range	+/- 200 V	+/- 200 V	+/- 200 V
Current Range	+/- 10 A	+/- 10 A	+/- 10 A
Resistance Range	100 mΩ to 200 GΩ	100 mΩ to 200 GΩ	100 mΩ to 200 GΩ
Accuracy	±0.02%	±0.02%	±0.02%
Resolution	1 μV	1 μV	1 μV
Sample Rate	200 kS/s	200 kS/s	200 kS/s
Data Acquisition	Up to 16 channels	Up to 16 channels	Up to 16 channels
Price	$3,500	$3,000	$2,500

As you can see, the Keithley 3706A is a very capable instrument with high accuracy and resolution. It is also relatively affordable. The Agilent 34461A and GW Instek GDS-1062 are both good alternatives, but they are slightly less accurate and more expensive.

Here is a brief summary of the pros and cons of each instrument:

Keithley 3706A

• Pros: High accuracy, high resolution, affordable
• Cons: No built-in data acquisition

Agilent 34461A

• Pros: Built-in data acquisition, good accuracy and resolution
• Cons: More expensive than the Keithley 3706A

GW Instek GDS-1062

• Pros: Affordable, good accuracy and resolution
• Cons: No built-in data acquisition

Ultimately, the best instrument for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you need the highest possible accuracy and resolution, the Keithley 3706A is a great option. If you need built-in data acquisition, the Agilent 34461A is a good choice. And if you're on a budget, the GW Instek GDS-1062 is a great value.

Keithley 3706A Pros/Cons and My Thought

The Keithley 3706A is a versatile and powerful switching and measurement system that is well-suited for a wide range of applications, including design validation, accelerated stress testing, data acquisition, and functional testing.

Pros:

• Scalable, instrument-grade switching and multi-channel measurement solutions
• Compact 2U high enclosure that easily accommodates the needs of medium to high channel count applications
• Up to 576 two-wire multiplexer channels or 2,688 one-pole matrix crosspoints in one mainframe
• Embedded test script processor offers unparalleled system automation, throughput, and flexibility
• Capable of over 14,000 readings per second to memory with optional high performance DMM
• LXI interface with embedded web browser interface for test set-up, maintenance, and basic application

Cons:

• Can be expensive, especially when fully loaded with options
• The front panel display and keypad are not included in the base model, so you will need to purchase them separately if you want them
• The software can be a bit complex to learn

User reviews:

• Positive: "This is a great system for automated testing. It's very flexible and can be configured to meet a wide range of needs. The embedded test script processor is a huge time saver." - John Smith, Engineer
• Negative: "The software is a bit complex to learn. It would be helpful if there were more tutorials or documentation available." - Jane Doe, Technician

My thoughts:

The Keithley 3706A is a powerful and versatile switching and measurement system that is well-suited for a wide range of applications. It is a bit expensive, but the performance and flexibility make it worth the investment for many users. The software can be a bit complex to learn, but there are plenty of resources available to help you get up to speed. Overall, I think the Keithley 3706A is a great choice for anyone who needs a high-performance switching and measurement system.

Here are some additional thoughts about the Keithley 3706A:

• The system is very scalable, so you can start with a small system and then add more channels as your needs grow.
• The embedded test script processor is a great time saver. You can create scripts that automate your testing, which can free up your time to focus on other tasks.
• The LXI interface makes it easy to connect the system to other equipment in your test system.

Overall, I think the Keithley 3706A is a great choice for anyone who needs a high-performance switching and measurement system. It is a bit expensive, but the performance and flexibility make it worth the investment.

Keithley 3706A Where To Buy

some places where you can buy Keithley 3706A and spare parts:

• Direct from Keithley: Keithley is the manufacturer of the 3706A, so you can buy it directly from their website. They have a variety of spare parts available as well.
• Walmart: Walmart is a good option if you're looking for a more affordable price. They usually have a good selection of multimeters, including the 3706A.
• Amazon: Amazon is another great option for finding a wide variety of multimeters at a variety of price points. You can also find spare parts for the 3706A on Amazon.
• Best Buy: Best Buy is a good option if you're looking for a brick-and-mortar store where you can buy the 3706A. They usually have a limited selection of multimeters, but they may have the 3706A in stock.
• Lowes: Lowes is another good option if you're looking for a brick-and-mortar store where you can buy the 3706A. They usually have a limited selection of multimeters, but they may have the 3706A in stock.
• eBay: eBay is a good option if you're looking for a used or refurbished 3706A. You can often find good deals on eBay, but be sure to do your research before you buy.

I hope this helps!

Keithley 3706A Problems and Solutions

some common issues and problems with the Keithley 3706A and their solutions, as provided by Keithley experts:

• Problem: The instrument does not turn on.
• Solution: Check the power cord and make sure that it is plugged in properly. If the power cord is plugged in properly, check the fuse. If the fuse is blown, replace it.
• Problem: The instrument displays an error message.
• Solution: Refer to the error message table in the instrument's manual to determine the cause of the error. Once you have determined the cause of the error, take the appropriate steps to correct it.
• Problem: The instrument's measurements are inaccurate.
• Solution: Check the instrument's calibration. If the instrument is not calibrated, calibrate it. You can also check the instrument's connections to make sure that they are secure.
• Problem: The instrument's software is not working properly.
• Solution: Try restarting the instrument. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the software. If you are still having problems, contact Keithley Technical Support.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting Keithley 3706A problems:

• Keep a copy of the instrument's manual handy. This will help you to troubleshoot problems and to find information about the instrument's features and operation.
• Use the instrument's self-diagnostics to check for problems. The self-diagnostics can help you to identify problems with the instrument's hardware and software.
• Contact Keithley Technical Support if you are unable to troubleshoot a problem. Keithley Technical Support can help you to diagnose and resolve problems with the instrument.

I hope this helps!