I measured current with three DMMS: 1 pcs 34465A (6.5 with 7.5 current measurement accuracy) and 2 pcs 3458a (8.5).
A current source is used to deliver 4.5uA current, a DMM is in series with a 1M Ohm resistor. DMM “I” port is connected to current source output, DMM “LO” port is connected to 1M Ohm resistor, 1M Ohm resistor is connect to current source GND.
Auto range is used for current measurement. Only one DMM is connected for each time.
The current readings are (10uA range is used for both 34465A and 3458a):
34465A: 4.501uA
1st 3458a: 4.498uA
2nd 3458a: 4.500uA
Then I exchanged the connection of “I” and “LO” of DMMs (DMM “I” is connected to 1M Ohm resistor, DMM “LO” is connected to current source output).
The current readings are (10uA range is used for both 34465A and 3458a):
34465A: -4.500uA
1st 3458a: -4.284uA
2nd 3458a: -4.236uA
Why 3458a DMMs current reading have big changes while 34465A is relative stable?
After that, I connected current source directly with 1M Ohm resistor, no DMM is in series. I connected current source output to a DMM “I” port, “LO” port was left open. The recorded current readings are:
34465A: 11.9nA
1st 3458a: -13.6nA
2nd 3458a: -3nA
Are these readings reasonable? Why 4.5V voltage gives so big current error?