What is the difference between Keithley 2450 and Keithley 2400?
The Keithley 2450 and Keithley 2400 SourceMeter® SMUs are trusted solutions for precision sourcing and measurement, supporting everything from basic I-V characterization to advanced device testing. The Keithley 2400 is a proven industry workhorse, widely adopted for reliable voltage and current sourcing in automated test systems. The newer Keithley 2450 builds on that legacy with a modern touchscreen interface, expanded low-level measurement capability, faster data collection, and flexible scripting for streamlined workflows. Together, they give engineers and researchers scalable options—whether maintaining established test setups or upgrading to a more powerful, intuitive platform for next-generation measurements.
Keithley SourceMeters Comparison Guide
Keithley 2450
| Channels | 1 |
| Power | 20 W |
| Max Current Source/Measure Range | 1A |
| Max Voltage Source/Measure Range | 200V |
| Measurement Resolution | 10fA / 10nV |
| User Interface | 5″ color touchscreen |
| Front/Rear Connections | Front banana, rear triax |
| Connectivity | GPIB, USB, Ethernet (LXI) |
Keithley 2400
| Channels | 1 |
| Power | 20 W |
| Max Current Source/Measure Range | 1A |
| Max Voltage Source/Measure Range | 200V |
| Measurement Resolution | 1pA / 100nV |
| User Interface | Button + text LCD |
| Front/Rear Connections | Front/rear banana |
| Connectivity | GPIB only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the different communication languages available on the Model 2450?
A: 1. TSP - TSP(Test Script Processing) are the ICL commands. 2. SCPI - This is the Model 2450 SCPI commands. 3. SPCI 2400 - This is the Model 2400 emulation mode
Q: What happens in High Capacitance mode in Model 2450 SMU?
A: The SMU is a closed loop control device to maintain a steady force value on your DUT. The capacitance of your cabling and DUT and the current sense resistor (internal to the SMU) form a pole. For certain combinations of current sense resistor and external capacitance, this can result in sufficient phase shift in the control loop to cause instability. Enabling High C mode applies an internal capacitor across the current sense resistor to provide some phase lead to compensate for the phase lag created by capacitance of external DUT and thus restores stable control of the force value. It has nothing to do with guard. It has nothing to do with front panel vs. rear panel connections. In vast majority of applications, High Capacitance mode is not needed. With 2450, you should not need to use this mode unless the load capacitance is greater than about 20nF.
Q: How many different types of Sweeps can a SourceMeter perform?
A: Yes, the series 2400 SourceMeter instruments have step/sweep capabilities for Linear, Log, and Fixed level sweeps.