Electrometers

Both types of instruments can technically measure charge and current, since charge is just current integrated over time. In practice, though, each is built and optimized for one measurement over the other.

Charge-measurement instruments have less intrinsic noise than current-measurement instruments, so they're the better choice when you need to resolve ultra-low currents or charges as precisely as possible. If data speed is the priority instead, a current-measurement instrument is usually the better fit, since current-measurement instruments are intrinsically faster.

Current-measurement instruments are intrinsically faster, so they're the better choice when data speed is the priority. If instead you need to resolve ultra-low currents or charges as precisely as possible, a charge-measurement instrument is usually the better fit, since charge-measurement instruments have less intrinsic noise.

They're designed to read out charge-producing detectors such as ionization chambers and other radiation and particle detectors that generate a small electrical charge in response to a signal.

Detectors that produce a continuous or pulsed current in response to radiation, particles, or light, such as ionization chambers, photodiodes, and similar sensors.

Sensitivity varies by specific model and configuration. Pyramid's electrometers are built for precision picoamp-to-milliamp-range work, but for an exact sensitivity spec for your application, contact us or check the datasheet for the specific instrument you're considering.

They're built for low-current measurement from detectors, typically down into the picoamp range. Exact ranges vary by model; see the specific product's datasheet or contact us for your application's requirements.

Common uses include dosimetry in radiotherapy and beam diagnostics, scientific instrumentation reading out ionization or semiconductor detectors, and any application where you need to know the total charge delivered by a pulsed or transient signal.

Many are designed to handle both, but the right configuration depends on your signal characteristics and timing requirements. Reach out and we can help match an instrument to your application.