Ametek PARSTAT 4000 User manual

PARSTAT 4000
Hardware Manual
P/N 224187

PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual
Contents
Safety Instructions and Symbols...................................................................................................................4
Cleaning Instructions.....................................................................................................................................4
Allow the instrument to dry before reconnecting the power cord. 1. INTRODUCTION................................4
1.1. General..............................................................................................................................................5
1.2. Hardware Circuitry.............................................................................................................................6
1.2.1. Potentiostatic mode....................................................................................................................6
1.2.2. Galvanostatic mode....................................................................................................................7
1.3. Software.............................................................................................................................................8
1.4. Polarity Convention............................................................................................................................8
1.5. Inspecting Your New Instrument .......................................................................................................8
1.6. Maintenance, Service, and Support ..................................................................................................9
1.7. About this manual..............................................................................................................................9
2. SAFETY AND COMPONENT PLACEMENT..........................................................................................10
2.1. Safety Considerations......................................................................................................................10
2.1.1. Line Voltage Settings and Fuses..............................................................................................10
2.1.2. Defects and Abnormal Stresses...............................................................................................11
2.2. Component Placement....................................................................................................................11
2.2.1. Ventilation.................................................................................................................................12
2.2.2. Radio Frequency Interference..................................................................................................12
2.2.3. Transient Sensitivity .................................................................................................................13
3. INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................................................15
3.1. Enabling the USB port on your PC..................................................................................................15
3.2. Connectors and Indicators...............................................................................................................15
3.2.1. Rear Panel................................................................................................................................15
3.2.2. Front Panel...............................................................................................................................17
3.3. Connecting to the PC and Cell ........................................................................................................17
3.3.1. Connecting to the PC ...............................................................................................................17
3.3.2. Connecting the Cell..................................................................................................................18
3.3.3. Connecting the External Dummy Cell ......................................................................................22

PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual
4. SPECIFICATIONS AND PINOUTS ..........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1. Electronic Specifications....................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.1 System Performance.......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.2. Power Amplifier...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.3. Voltage Control...........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.4. Current Control...........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.5. Differential Electrometer.............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.6. Voltage Measurement ................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.7. Current Measurement ................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.8. iR Compensation........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.9. Potential/Current Control............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.10. Impedance Specifications ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.2. Physical and Power Specifications....................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.3. Standard Environmental Conditions................................................................................................25
4.4. AUXILIARY INTERFACE Pinouts ...................................................................................................28
4.5. Cell Cable Pinouts...........................................................................................................................28
5. AVAILABLE OPTIONS............................................................................................................................29
5.1 Advanced Auxiliary Interface Option ................................................................................................29
5.2 Power Booster Options.....................................................................................................................29
5.3 VersaSTAT LC ultra Low Current Option .........................................................................................30
Appendix 1. .................................................................................................................................................32
PARSTAT 4000 External Current Booster Connections ........................................................................32

PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual
PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 4
Safety Instructions and Symbols
This manual contains up to three levels of safety instructions that must be observed in
order to avoid personal injury and/or damage to equipment or other property. These are:
DANGER Indicates a hazard that could result in death or serious bodily harm if the
safety instruction is not observed.
WARNING Indicates a hazard that could result in bodily harm if the safety instruction
is not observed.
CAUTION Indicates a hazard that could result in property damage if the safety
instruction is not observed.
Please read all safety instructions carefully and make sure you understand them fully
before attempting to use this product.
Cleaning Instructions
WARNING: Using this instrument in a manner not specified by the manufacturer
may impair the protection provided by the instrument.
To clean the instrument exterior:
Unplug the instrument from all voltage sources.
Remove loose dust on the outside of the instrument with a lint-free cloth.
Remove remaining dirt with a lint-free cloth dampened in a general-purpose detergent
and water solution. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION: To prevent moisture inside of the instrument during external cleaning,
use only enough liquid to dampen the cloth or applicator.
Allow the instrument to dry before reconnecting the power
cord.

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 5
1. INTRODUCTION
The PARSTAT 4000 (Figure 1), teamed with the VersaStudio software package,
comprises a simple-to-use, flexible, and extremely powerful system for performing a wide
range of electrochemical testing. The PARSTAT 4000 is a potentiostat/galvanostat with
frequency response analyzer (FRA) contained in a single unit. It is controlled from any
suitably equipped PC by a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface using the VersaStudio
electrochemistry software package.
Figure 1. PARSTAT 4000
1.1. General
The host computer provides memory, data processing, input-output, and interface
capabilities. The PARSTAT 4000 electronically controls the measurement under the
direction of the software and parameter values entered from the host computer. The
computer must be equipped with a USB port, and the operating system must support the
USB interface.
NOTE: The PARSTAT 4000 requires 20s between power-off and power-on. If
the main power switch is cycled off-on shorter than this 20s duration,
the main voltages to the electronics will not be applied, and the system
will not power up properly. This delay enhances the overall reliability
of the internal power supply and the system as a whole.

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 6
1.2. Hardware Circuitry
The PARSTAT 4000 circuitry includes:
Two 16-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for versatile waveform generation.
Three 18-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to measure current (I), potential (E),
SYNC ADC INPUT.
An onboard microprocessor to perform the experiment defined by the operating
software.
Onboard memory to store the programmed parameters and data point values.
The PARSTAT 4000 operates with VersaStudio in either the potentiostatic or
galvanostatic mode, described below.
1.2.1. Potentiostatic mode
In this mode, the PARSTAT 4000 controls the potential at the working-sense electrode
with respect to the reference electrode (see Figure 2). The counter electrode is driven to
the potential required (consistent with the + 48 V compliance of the control amplifier) to
establish the desired working potential. The range over which the working electrode
potential can be controlled is + 10 V.

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 7
-
+
WORKING
I OUT
I OUT
I/E CONVERTER
CURRENT RANGES (EXAMPLE)
2 mA
200 uA
20 uA
2 uA
200 nA
20 nA
E IN
E IN -
+
POWER AMP
Cell Switch
COUNTER
SINGLE ENDED
-
+
REFERENCE
SENSE
E OUT
E OUT
DIFFERENTIAL
ELECTROMETER
Figure 2. Potentiostat-Mode Block Diagram
1.2.2. Galvanostatic mode
In galvanostatic operation, the PARSTAT 4000 controls the current between the counter
and working electrodes at the specified fraction of the selected current range (up to the
maximum of the current range; see Figure 2). The counter electrode is driven to the
potential required (consistent with the + 48 V compliance of the control amplifier) to
establish the desired cell current. The reference electrode is not used in the control loop,
but is usually used to measure the potential at some point in the electrochemical cell
relative to the working-sense connection point.

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 8
Figure 3. Galvanostat-Mode Block Diagram
1.3. Software
The PARSTAT 4000 is fully compatible with the VersaStudio software only. The
PARSTAT 4000 will not operate with any other software other than that specified in this
manual or the most recent documentation available on the web site
(http://www.princetonappliedresearch.com). Likewise, the PARSTAT 4000 does not have an
open command set to allow user programming outside of the VersaStudio software.
The software is designed specifically to work with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows
8, but it is highly recommended that Windows XP or Windows 7 be used.
1.4. Polarity Convention
The PARSTAT 4000 hardware follows the American polarity convention. (Positive current
is cathodic; that is, a current is defined as positive if reduction is taking place at the
working electrode. Negative current is anodic; that is, a current is defined as negative if
oxidation is taking place at the working electrode. If the working electrode is driven
positive with respect to the equilibrium potential, the resulting current is anodic. If the
electrode is driven negative with respect to the equilibrium potential, the resulting current
is cathodic.)
In complex electrochemical systems, there might be more than one equilibrium system.
Where this is the case, either polarity with respect to the equilibrium potential could give
rise to anodic or cathodic current, according to the systems’ characteristics.
1.5. Inspecting Your New Instrument

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 9
As soon as you receive your new PARSTAT 4000, inspect it for shipping damage. If any
damage is noted, immediately notify Princeton Applied Research and file a claim with the
carrier. Save the shipping container for possible inspection by the carrier.
WARNING: If your instrument has been damaged, its protective grounding might
not work. Do not operate damaged equipment! Tag it to indicate to a
potential user that it is unsafe to operate.
1.6. Maintenance, Service, and Support
The PARSTAT 4000 has been designed for optimum reliability and requires no periodic
maintenance. There are no user-serviceable parts in this instrument. Breaking the
seal by opening the cover will void your warranty! Contact the factory service
department or the affiliate in your area if your unit needs service (see the Warranty in
Section 5. for more information).
Remember that our worldwide staff continues to support you after you have purchased
your instrument. We provide top quality service, applications support, and a variety of
helpful information in the form of application notes, technical notes, and training materials.
For more information, visit our website at www.princetonappliedresearch.com.
1.7. About this manual
Chapter 2 describes recommended safety precautions for operating this instrument,
including the provision of adequate ventilation. It also tells how to deal with transients on
the power line, and discusses the unlikely possibility of the instrument causing radio
frequency (RF) interference.
Chapter 3 shows how to set up the hardware. It describes the functions of the
connections and indicator lights, and shows how to connect the PARSTAT 4000 to the
host computer and test cell.
Chapter 4 gives the physical and electrical specifications of the PARSTAT 4000 including
the AUXILIARY INTERFACE connector pinouts.

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PARSTAT 4000 Hardware Manual 10
2. SAFETY AND COMPONENT PLACEMENT
This chapter lists safety precautions for use when operating the PARSTAT 4000; please
read them. There are suggestions for system component placement and information on
possible RF interference and transient sensitivity.
2.1. Safety Considerations
2.1.1. Line Voltage Settings and Fuses
The PARSTAT 4000 has a Corcom™ Power Entry Module on the left side of the rear
panel. The Corcom module (pictured below) contains the power connector and two line
fuses. The PARSTAT 4000 automatically detects the correct line voltage and
frequency, so there is no line voltage changes required in the Corcom.
The PARSTAT 4000 is supplied with the line voltage fuses in place, as well as extra
fuses supplied with each unit. For fuse replacement:
For 100 –120 Vac line voltages, use a 8.0 A T (slow-blow) fuse (Littlefuse® type
213, 5 x 20 mm or equivalent).
For 220 - 240 Vac line voltages, use a 4.0 A T (slow-blow) fuse (Littlefuse® type
213, 5 x 20 mm or equivalent).
Caution: Do not use makeshift fuses or short-circuit the fuse holders
NOTE: The PARSTAT 4000 requires
20s between power-off and power-
on. If the main power switch is
cycled off-on shorter than this 20s
duration, the main voltages to the
electronics will not be applied, and
the system will not power up
properly. This delay enhances the
overall reliability of the internal
power supply and the system as a
whole.