Operation With Earth-Grounded Cells And Auxiliary Apparatus; Temperature And Ventilation - Gamry Interface 5000 Operator's Manual

The Interface 5000 contains surge suppressors that limit the voltage difference between the Interface 5000's
chassis ground and earth ground to about 28 V. These surge suppressors are not part of the safety mechanisms
in the Interface 5000. Instead they are present to limit the possibility of improper instrument operation or
instrument damage due to electrostatic discharge (static electricity) and other surge events such as lightning.
Caution:
that exceed their threshold voltage of ±28 V. In the worst case this can cause catastrophic failure of the
system. Do not connect an Interface 5000 to a cell in a battery or fuel cell stack when the cell voltage is far
from earth ground.

Operation with Earth-grounded Cells and Auxiliary Apparatus

As described above, the Interface 5000 circuitry is isolated from earth ground, allowing it to make
measurements on cells that include an earth ground. This ground isolation is often called floating operation.
Cells with earth ground include many fuel cells, flow batteries, and certain complex battery-packs.
Connection of the Interface 5000 to auxiliary apparatus will often earth-ground the Interface 5000, destroying
its ability to float and make measurements on earth-grounded cells. Connection of the Monitor Connector to
an oscilloscope is an example where the instrument is earthed.
The User I/O connector must be connected with care. Connection of the User I/O connector to earth-
grounded apparatus can easily earth-ground the Interface 5000. The metal shell on the Interface 5000 User I/O
Connector is connected to the instrument's chassis which is a floating ground. In a system that needs isolation
from earth ground, the shield of your I/O cable must not connect the D-connector's metal shell to earth ground.
Reference all user I/O signals to pin 6 of the D-connector, which is an earth ground on the Interface 5000.
Caution:
to your I/O Connector. We do not recommend use of standard 15-pin shielded cables with this connector.
Custom cables with the shield connected to pin 6 of the D-connector are preferred.

Temperature and Ventilation

Your Interface 5000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA was designed for indoor use at ambient temperatures
between 0C and 45C.
The Interface 5000 uses forced-air cooling to keep the Interface 5000 components within their operating
temperature range. Most of the air needed to cool the Interface 5000 enters the chassis through holes in its
bottom plate. Some air also enters the chassis from small slots on the right side of the chassis (as viewed from
the front of the instrument).
The fan within the Interface 5000 has two operating speeds with different audible noise levels. The Interface
5000 normally operates with the slower, quieter fan setting. The fan switches to a higher speed when the
Interface 5000's internal heat sink gets hotter than 50C.
The cooling air flows through a heat sink mounted inside the chassis. The air exits through a large array of slots
on the left side of the instrument.
Safety Considerations
The surge suppressors can be irreparably damaged by non-transient voltages
Floating operation of the Interface 5000 can be compromised by improper cables
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