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If the instrument is connected in stack mode and the reference input is not used, it should be connected to the
floating ground wire. A pin plug shorting bar is provided for this purpose.
If you don't have a reference electrode in your cell, we recommend that you connect the white reference lead
to the working electrode. In theory, the measured potential will be exactly zero when this is done. In practice,
A/D noise and offset will create a small potential signal with a value very close to zero.
Stack Mode Cell Connections
Batteries, fuel cells, and super-capacitors are often connected with several individual cells connected in series to
allow higher voltage operation. This type of connection will be referred to as a Stack connection . Special
experiment scripts allow the Reference 3000 to control and measure stack voltages as large as its compliance
voltage (±15 volts or ±30 volts). These scripts will refer to Stack Mode cell connections. The cell connections in
Stack Mode differ from those in Potentiostatic and Galvanostatic modes.
Voltages in Stack mode are measured as the voltage difference between the Counter Sense input and the
Working Sense Input. A special high-voltage electrometer allows the orange lead to operate at high voltage and
still draw minimal current from the system under test.
Connections in Stack mode are very similar to ZRA mode. The cell cable connections for Stack mode are
shown in Table 5-3.
Color
Type
Blue
Banana Plug
Green
Banana Plug
White
Pin Jack
Red
Banana Plug
Orange
Banana Plug
Black
Pin Jack
The Counter Sense and the Counter leads are connected to one end of a stack. The Working and the Working
Sense leads are connected to opposite ends of a Stack.
The white pin jack on the cell cable can be connected to a low voltage point in the stack. Some Gamry scripts
allow the voltage difference between the white and blue leads to be read, even though the Reference 3000 is
in Stack Mode.
If the instrument is connected in stack mode and the reference input is not used, it should be connected to the
floating ground wire. A pin plug shorting bar is provided for this purpose.
If you don't have a reference electrode in your cell, we recommend that you connect the white reference lead
to the working electrode. In theory, the measured potential will be exactly zero when this is done. In practice,
A/D noise and offset will create a small potential signal with a value very close to zero.
Membrane Cell Connections
The Reference 3000 can be used with membrane cells. In this type of cell, a membrane separates two
electrolyte solutions. Two reference electrodes are used - one in each electrolyte. Each electrolyte also
Chapter 5 -- Cell Connections--Stack Mode Cell Connections
Cell Cable Connections for ZRA Mode
Name
Working Sense
Working Electrode
Reference
Counter Electrode
Counter Sense
Floating Ground
Table 5-3
Normal Connection
Connect to first end of a stack.
Connect to first end of a stack.
Can be connected to a reference electrode
Connect to the second end of a stack
Connect to the second end of a stack
Leave open or connect to a Faraday shield
5 - 4
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