Zra Mode Cell Connections - Gamry Reference 600+ Operator's Manual

Potentiostat/galvanostat/zra
Table of Contents

Advertisement

If your cell is a typical glass laboratory cell, all of the electrodes are isolated from earth ground. In this case,
you may be able to reduce noise in your data by connecting the Reference 600+'s Floating Ground to an
earth ground.
Caution:
Reference 600+ chassis to earth ground. Autoclaves, stress apparatus, and field measurements may
involve earth-grounded electrodes. A binding post on the rear panel of the Reference 600+ is provided
for this purpose. A water pipe can be a suitable earth ground.
Warning:
source of earth ground. Consult a qualified electrician if you are uncertain how to obtain an earth
ground. Connecting the Reference 600+ to an incorrect and unsafe voltage can create a safety hazard
(see Chapter 1 for details).
If you are measuring very small currents, you may find that a metal enclosure completely surrounding your
cell (a "Faraday shield") significantly lowers measured current noise. You should normally connect this
Faraday shield to both earth ground and floating ground. The floating ground on the black cell lead is a
convenient source of ground.
If any electrode in your cell is connected to earth ground, only connect your Faraday shield to the black
cell lead (Floating Ground).
In either potentiostatic or galvanostatic mode, if you do not have a reference electrode in your cell, the
reference lead can be connected to the counter electrode for a two-electrode experiment. The potential
reading will be the difference between the counter electrode and the working electrode.

ZRA Mode Cell Connections

The Reference 600+ can function as a precision Zero Resistance Ammeter (ZRA). As a ZRA, it maintains
two metal samples at the same potential and measures the current flow between the samples. It can also
measure the potential of the samples versus a reference electrode. The cell cable connections for ZRA
mode are shown in Table 5-2. Note that the connections are very similar to those for the potentiostat and
galvanostat modes. A second working electrode is substituted for the counter electrode, and the Orange
Counter Sense lead must be connected.
If any electrode in your cell is at earth ground, never connect the
Make sure that your earth-ground connection is made to a legitimate
40

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Table of Contents