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6. Operation
6.1.
Setting up the VA-10X Voltammeter
The VA-10X amplifier is shipped as a stand alone system and equipped with a small
headstage with a BNC connector. When the system arrives the headstage will not be
connected to the cabinet.
For biological voltammetric measurements the experimental setup typically consists of a
microscope located within a Faraday cage to minimize noise pickup. A manipulator is used
for positioning the voltammeter headstage with the attached electrode so that the electrode tip
is near the cell(s) to be investigated.
Install the VA-10X unit in a convenient location near the experimental setup
Mount the headstage to the manipulator. Be careful and avoid static discharge during
the handling of the headstage. Once the headstage has been mounted it can be
connected to the VA-10X via the 8-pole connector.
Caution: Please always adhere to the appropriate safety regulations (see chapter 1). Please
turn power off when connecting or disconnecting the headstage from the HEADSTAGE
connector!
Remember that the shield of the BNC connector and the enclosure of the headstage are linked
to the command potential output (driven shield configuration) and must not be connected to
ground.
To improve noise reduction of the setup, the faraday cage and the microscope may be
connected to the INTERNAL GROUND located on the back of the VA-10X. Needless to say,
grounding for low noise is an art. If you are not familiar with the principles of low noise
connections, you should consult the local electrophysiology expert or electrical engineer.
Set the switches at the front panel to the following positions:
Gain:
LP Filter:
3-position command polarity switch: 0
Turn on the power. The reading of the display in the module is an indicator for a
present power supply. The LCD should read 0.
As mentioned above the VA-10X can be used for DC amperometry, taking advantage of the
internal voltage source, or it can be used with user-supplied external waveforms, e.g. for
cyclic voltammetry.
For use of the internal voltage source the 3-position command toggle has to be
switched to "+' or "-" depending on the polarity of the desired command potential.
The command voltage is displayed at the LCD in mV. This voltage is applied to the
electrode mounted on the headstage.
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version 7.0
VA-10X User Manual
1 mV / pA
20 kHz
page 12
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