Gamry Interface 5000 - Membrane Cell Connections; Fuses in the Cell Cable

Cell Connections
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If the instrument is connected in stack mode and the reference input is not used, connect the reference input to
the floating ground wire.
If you do not 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 Interface 5000 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 contains a counter
electrode. The Interface 5000 controls the potential across the membrane. Table 5-4 shows the cell connections
used with a membrane type cell.
Table 5-4
Cell Cable Connections for a Membrane Cell
Color
Type
Name
Normal Connection
Blue
Banana Plug
Working Sense
Connect to reference electrode #1
Green
Banana Plug
Working Electrode
Connect to counter electrode #1
White
Pin Jack
Reference
Connect to reference electrode #2
Red
Banana Plug
Counter Electrode
Connect to counter electrode #2
Orange
Banana Plug
Counter Sense
Leave open (only needed in ZRA mode)
Black
Pin Jack
Floating Ground
Leave open or connect to a Faraday shield
Fuses in the Cell Cable
All standard Interface 5000 Counter/Working cell cables include fuses in the current-carrying leads. These fuses
protect the instrument from the extremely large currents that can flow through an improperly connected
electrochemical-energy generation or storage device (including batteries, fuel cells, and capacitors). For
convenience, the term “battery” is used here to refer to all single-cell or stacked electrochemical devices that
can distribute energy.
Grounding errors on a battery can be particularly dangerous, for they can result in the battery being shorted
through the instrument.
Warning: The fuses in the Interface 5000 Counter/Working cell cable do not protect
against a safety hazard. They are needed to prevent damage to the instrument if it is improperly connected.
Reference electrode #1 and counter electrode #1 must be on one side of the membrane,
and reference electrode #2 and counter electrode #2 must be on the other side.