Ametek Solatron Analytical EnergyLab XM User manual

Getting Started –Basic system setup to run first
experiments
Installation Guide - More advanced communications
and system configurations
User Guide –Detailed explanation of menus
and facilities
Getting Started

1. Install Software
EnergyLab XM uses XM-studio software that is supplied on Memory
Stick and CD, and is installed as follows:
1. Start up the PC and log in as a user with Administrator
privileges. If the PC is started up already, close down all
programs that are running.
2. Insert the Memory Stick or the CD.
3. If the installation software does not run automatically, select
Start, Run… and enter the pathname of the setup program,
for example d:\setup.exe
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. If a prompt appears asking you to accept a license agreement
for the installation of Microsoft .Net Framework, read the
agreement and click Accept, and the software installation will
then continue.
Further details regarding Microsoft .Net Framework are in the
Installation Guide.
OR

2. Connect Equipment
Choose a location with a firm solid surface and easy access to
EnergyLab XM (front and rear panels) and PC. Ensure that there are
no obstructions that prevent airflow under and around the instrument,
especially from the fans on the rear of the unit, then proceed as
follows:
1. EnergyLab XM uses a universal power supply that is compatible
with a wide range of supply voltages (check its rear panel for
ranges of operation).
2. Check that the correct fuses are fitted to the EnergyLab XM
corresponding to the voltage that is to be used (fuse ratings are
specified on the rear panel of the unit).
3. The EnergyLab XM unit and PC should then be plugged into
grounded power outlets and switched on.
4. Using the supplied Ethernet RJ-45 ‘straight through’ cable,
connect an unused PC Ethernet interface port to EnergyLab
XM’s “PC”port. Alternatively a USB-Ethernet adaptor can be
connected to the PC, allowing the PC’s built-in Ethernet port to
be networked for email, printing etc.
The PC can use a USB-
Ethernet adaptor (e.g.
StarTech USB31000S)

3. Start the Software
A “splash screen” is briefly displayed then the welcome screen opens
with two tabs at the bottom of the left-hand navigation panel:

On the PC, run the software by double-clicking
the XM-studio ECS icon on the Windows
desktop.

System. This tab displays
User Preferences and
Equipment library.

Project. This tab displays the
currently open project.

4. Test Communications
Make sure that the Project tab is selected,
and check that the project name at the top
of the navigation panel is the default
project Getting Started that opens
automatically when XM-studio software is
first installed and run.
Click on the System tab at the bottom of
the left-hand navigation panel to display
the User Preferences and Equipment
library as shown.
Click on the Equipment library to display
the Equipment Summary. This will be
initially empty because the software has
not yet located the EnergyLab XM.
Click the Search button. The
software will identify
EnergyLab XM confirming
that the PC is communicating
with the unit:
The default IP addresses of the FRA and Potentiostat in the
EnergyLab XM unit are: 169.254.254.10 and 169.254.254.11

If automatic Search does not work, select the EnergyLab XM unit
manually –right-click on Equipment Library and select Add New and
then EnergyLab XM.
The following setup should then appear
Click Test and the screen at the top of this page should appear (the
same as for the search key) confirming that the equipment is
communicating correctly.
If this still does not work refer to the installation guide to check the IP
address settings of the PC.

5. Potentiostat Test
Make sure the Project tab is selected at the bottom of the left-hand
navigation panel, and if necessary, click on the plus (+) symbol
alongside the Getting Started project to expand it, then expand the
sub-elements to reveal the structure as follows (the icons identify the
types of elements):
Click on Potentiostat Test to display the Experiment / Run Menu that
has EnergyLab XM selected in the Potentiostat Group list, together
with the cell connection diagram as follows:
Project
Experiment / Run Menu
Hardware / Cell Setup Menu
Step Sequence Menu
Folder

Connect the ModuLab Test Cell as shown in the connection diagram
using CE, RE and WE connections from EnergyLab XM’s potentiostat
to the labelled test module connections. There is no need to connect
the auxiliary channels for this test. The experiment settings can be
viewed and modified if required by clicking the Hardware / Cell Setup
and Step Sequence Menu entries in the project tree. Default settings
are ok for this Getting Started experiment which is a linear sweep
voltammetry (sweeps voltage while measuring voltage and current).
To run the experiment, make sure that the EnergyLab XM Use button
is ticked in the Experiment / Run Menu, then click the Run button.
When the experiment starts, results are displayed automatically as
follows with a graph appearing on the right of the screen and additional
icons in the project tree that link to the data.
The menu entries that appear in the center of the screen can be used
to change axes and view the data in different formats. The graph can
be zoomed using cursor click and drag techniques and individual data
points can be examined by hovering over the data points. The data
can be reset back to the original graph scaling by double-clicking

anywhere in the graph area, or by clicking the refresh key in the Axes
setup menu.
By the way, you can compare data very easily by clicking one of the
green data icons to display experiment data, and then dragging and
dropping additional data icons from the project tree into the graph area
–a quick and convenient way to overlay data.
By clicking on the entries in the project tree you can now switch
between displaying experiment menu settings, (for example to update
those in preparation for running additional experiments), and
displaying data using the yellow and green icons.
The additional yellow and
green Icons that can now be
seen in the project tree are
links to the data.
The yellow icon is data for
the whole experiment and
green is data for particular
sequence steps.

6. FRA Test
EnergyLab XM includes a
Frequency Response Analyzer
that enables impedance
measurements. The FRA can be
tested without changing cables by
opening the Additional Tests
folder by clicking on the (+) and
selecting FRA Test.
This displays the Experiment / Run Menu for the default FRA test. As
before the Hardware / Cell Setup and Step Sequence Menus
associated with the FRA test can be examined and changed if
required.
To run the test make sure that EnergyLab XM is selected in the
Experiment / Run Menu, and then click the Run key. When the
measurements start the following graphs should appear (graph axes
etc. can be configured as before):

7. Booster Test
EnergyLab XM includes a 2 Amp
Booster that can be used for DC and
impedance measurements. Click on
the (+) next to Additional Tests to
open the folder, and select the
Booster Module Test. The actual test
setup can be examined and changed
if needed by expanding and clicking
that part of the project tree.
Click on Booster Module Test to display the Experiment / Run Menu
for the default test. This shows the booster connected to the 0.1 ohm
test cell that is more suited to higher current tests. Connect as shown.
To run the test, make sure that
EnergyLab XM is selected in the
Experiment / Run Menu, then click
on the Run key. Measurements
should start and the following
display should appear (graphs
can be configured as before):

8. Summary
This Getting Started guide has enabled you to become familiar with:
EnergyLab XM PC connections
EnergyLab XM Cell connections
XM-studio software (project, experiment and data settings)
Running default experiments using various instrument
configurations
The Installation and User Guides discuss these subjects in greater
detail and it is recommended to read those guides to make best use of
your EnergyLab XM system.
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