• RE: Alternating Polarity Resistance/Resistivity Test of 6517B

    Did you ever get a response?<br> <br> The manual says this about the standard method:<br> When this test is run, the V-source is initially set to source 0 V for a specified time (PREDISCH time) to allow any charge to dissipate. The V-source then applies a specified voltage (BIAS V) to the electrodes of the test fixture for a specified time (BIAS-TIME). This “bias” period allows currents in the test circuit to stabilize. The V-source then applies the test voltage (MEAS-V) and, after a specified delay (MEAS-TIME), the Model 6517B measures the resistivity of the sample and stores the reading in the buffer. Note that the test voltage (MEAS-V) is typically at the same level as the bias voltage (BIAS V).<br> <br> (I should maybe make my own post but thought I might have more of a chance to get an answer from you than from Tektronix since you have not had a reply in the forum for three months)<br> <br> What is hard to understand here is the difference between BIAS-TIME and MEAS-TIME, especially if the BIAS-V and MEAS-V are the same. The &quot;General measurement procedure&quot; for resistivity says that the bias time IS the&#160;electrification period, but then the measurement time must be zero, right? So if I need to electrify the sample for 60 seconds, do I set BIAS-TIME or MEAS-TIME to 60? Or do I set BIAS-TIME to 0 and MEAS-V to 60 if I have the same BIAS-V and MEAS-V? The standard method conforms to ASTM D257, but I cannot see anything there about the distinction between a bias voltage and measure voltage, so the use-case for this is unclear to me.<br> <br> &#160;