Ametek PMC-200 User manual

PMC-200
Hardware Manual
P/N XXXXXXX

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
Safety Instructions and Symbols ...........................................................................................................4
Cleaning Instructions................................................................................................................................4
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................5
1.1. General ........................................................................................................................................6
1.2. Hardware Circuitry ....................................................................................................................6
1.2.1. Potentiostatic mode ..........................................................................................................7
1.2.2. Galvanostatic mode ..........................................................................................................7
1.3. Software ......................................................................................................................................7
1.4. Polarity Convention ...................................................................................................................8
1.5. Inspecting Your New Instrument ...........................................................................................8
1.6. Maintenance, Service, and Support.......................................................................................8
1.7. About this manual .....................................................................................................................8
2. SAFETY AND COMPONENT PLACEMENT .....................................................................................10
2.1. Safety Considerations.............................................................................................................10
2.1.1. Line Voltage Settings, and Fuses, and Power Cords................................................10
2.1.2. Defects and Abnormal Stresses ...................................................................................10
2.1.3. Component Placement....................................................................................................11
2.2. Ventilation .................................................................................................................................11
2.2.1. Transient Sensitivity .......................................................................................................12
2.3. Lifting .........................................................................................................................................12
3. PARSTAT MC (PMC) INSTALLATION ...........................................................................................13
3.1. High Data Acquisition Rates and Number of Channels....................................................13
3.1.1. USB performance.............................................................................................................13
3.1.2. Processor speed ...............................................................................................................13
3.1.3. Read/Write speed of the hard drive ............................................................................13
3.2. Connectors and Indicators.....................................................................................................13
3.2.1. Rear Panel .........................................................................................................................13
3.2.2. Front Panel........................................................................................................................14
3.3. Equipment Installation ...........................................................................................................15
3.3.1. Location and Mounting Requirements.........................................................................15
3.3.2. Protective Earthing..........................................................................................................16
3.3.3. Connections to Supply....................................................................................................16
3.3.4. Ventilation Requirements...............................................................................................16
3.4. Connecting to the PC and Cell ..............................................................................................16
3.4.1. Connecting to the PC ......................................................................................................16
3.4.2. Connecting the Cell .........................................................................................................16

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
3.4.3. Cell Cables and Compatibility .......................................................................................19
3.5. Floating Operation...................................................................................................................20
3.5.1. Setting Operation Modes of Float and Normal ..........................................................21
4. REPLACING MODULES OF THE PARSTAT MC CHASSIS..........................................................22
4.1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................22
4.1.1. Safety Information ..........................................................................................................23
4.1.2. The Power Supply Module..............................................................................................23
4.1.3. The Potentiostat Module.................................................................................................25
4.1.4. The Blank Module ............................................................................................................27
4.1.5. The Fan Module (PMC FAN01) ......................................................................................29
4.1.6. The Backplane Module (PMC BPLN01) ........................................................................29
4.1.7. Replacing a Power Supply Module (PMC PWR01).....................................................29
4.2. Replacing a Fuse on the Power Supply Module.................................................................32
4.3. Installing a New Potentiostat Channel ................................................................................33
4.4. Replacing an existing potentiostat.......................................................................................36
4.5. Replacing the Fan Module......................................................................................................40
4.6. Replacing the Backplane Module..........................................................................................48
4.7. Airflow considerations.............................................................................................................56
5. SPECIFICATIONS AND PINOUTS .................................................................................................58
5.1. Electronic Specifications of the PMC-200 ...........................................................................58
5.1.1. System Performance.......................................................................................................58
5.1.2. Power Amplifier ................................................................................................................58
5.1.3. Voltage Control ................................................................................................................58
5.1.4. Current Control ................................................................................................................58
5.1.5. Differential Electrometers..............................................................................................58
5.1.6. Voltage Measurement.....................................................................................................58
5.1.7. Current Measurement.....................................................................................................58
5.1.8. Impedance Specifications ..............................................................................................58
5.2. Bandwidth Limits .....................................................................................................................59
5.3. Physical, Environmental and Power Specifications...........................................................59
5.5. Cell Cable Pinouts....................................................................................................................60
6. AVAILABLE OPTIONS .....................................................................................................................61
6.1. Advanced Auxiliary Interface Option...................................................................................61
7. Appendix: Table of Figures. ........................................................................................................61

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 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:
Safety Keywords:
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.
Safety Symbols:
Indicates Warning or Caution
Indicates Danger due to Electric Shock Hazzard
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.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 5
1. INTRODUCTION
The PARSTAT MC (Figure 1), teamed with the VersaStudio software package, comprises a simple, flexible,
and extremely powerful system for performing a wide range of electrochemical techniques. The PARSTAT
MC is a product line and consists of chassis (PMC CHS08A) and a combination of potentiostat channels.
Channels that are currently available or have been available in the past are:
PMC-200
PMC Dual Channel AC/DC. +/-10 Volts, +/- 1 Amp, 100 kHz
PMC-2000A
PMC Channel AC/DC. +/-6 Volts, 30 Volts, +/- 1 Amp, 7 MHz
PMC-2000
PMC Channel AC/DC. +/-30 Volts, +/- 1 Amp, 7 MHz.
PMC-1000
PMC Channel AC/DC. +/-12 Volts, +/- 2 Amp, 1 MHz
PMC-1000/DC
PMC Channel DC-only. Current Ranges 4 nA to 2 A.
PMC-500
PMC Channel DC-only. Current Ranges 2 A to 500 mA.
PMC-500/HI
PMC Channel DC-only. Current Ranges 2 A to 2 A.
PMC-500/LO
PMC Channel DC-only. Current Ranges 4 nA to 500 mA.
FRA/PMC-500
FRA option for PMC-500, PMC-500/HI, or PMC-500/LO
This manual covers models PMC-200; the term PMC-200 in the manual text represents a single module
with two channels unless explicitly identified.
It is controlled from any suitably equipped PC by a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface using the
VersaStudio electrochemistry software package.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 6
Figure 1. PARSTAT MC. 1 x PMC CHS08A and a variety of PMC channels. Staggered position to
demonstrate user-installation of different models.
1.1. General
The host computer provides memory, data processing, input-output, and interface capabilities. The
PARSTAT MC electronically controls the measurement under the direction of the software and parameter
values entered from the host computer. The computer must be equippedwith a USB port, and the operating
system must support the USB interface.
1.2. Hardware Circuitry
The PMC-200 circuitry includes:
Two 16-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for versatile waveform generation.
Two (per channel) 24 bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to measure current (I), potential (E).
An onboard microprocessor per channel to perform the experiment defined by the operating software.
Onboard memory to store the programmed parameters and data point values.
Each PMC-200 operates with VersaStudio in either the potentiostatic or galvanostatic mode, described
below.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 7
1.2.1. Potentiostatic mode
In this mode, the PMC-200 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 + 10 V compliance of the control amplifier) to establish the desired working potential. The range over
which the working electrode potential can be controlled is the entire + 10 V window.
Requested
Current
or Voltage
Requested
Current
or Voltage -
+
Power Amp
Cell Switch
COUNTER
GSTAT Mode
I Report
-
+
WORKING
Current Range
Resistors
PSTAT Mode
E Report
-
+
SENSE (E1)
REFERENCE (E1)
Figure 2. Potentiostat-Mode Block Diagram
1.2.2. Galvanostatic mode
In galvanostatic operation, the PMC-200 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 + 10 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.
1.3. Software
The PMC-200 includes access to core DC and EIS actions within the VersaStudio software. The PMC-200
will not operate with any other software other than that specified in this manual or the most recent

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 8
documentation available on the web site (http://www.ameteksi.com). Likewise, the PMC-200 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 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows XP. It is highly
recommended that either Windows 10 or 7 be used.
.
1.4. Polarity Convention
The PMC-200 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.)
1.5. Inspecting Your New Instrument
As soon as you receive your new PARSTAT MC, 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 MC has been designed for optimum reliability and requires no periodic maintenance.
The PARSTAT MC Chassis (PMC CHS08A) is designed on user-replaceable modules. This does not mean
that parts are user-serviceable. A following section of the manual will discuss the PMC CHS08A with details
on how to replace components.
Contact the factory service department or the affiliate in your area if your unit needs service.
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.ameteksi.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 thepower 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 MC to the host computer and test cell.
Chapter 4 gives the instructions on replacing modules, including potentiostats, into the PARSTAT MC
Chassis.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 9
Chapter 5 gives the physical and electrical specifications of the PMC-200.
As noted above, the PARSTAT MC is completely computer controlled; operation and experimental
procedures are covered in the software section of this manual.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 10
2. SAFETY AND COMPONENT PLACEMENT
This chapter lists safety precautions for use when operating the PARSTAT MC; 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, and Power Cords
The PMC CHS08A has a Corcom™ Power Entry Module on the left side of the rear panel. The Corcom
module contains the power connector. The fuses are mounted on the back of the power supply module
(PMC PWR01). Fuses and power cords must be selected according to the table below
Table 1. Fuses and Power Cords to use per mains voltage
Mains Voltage
Fuse
Power Cord
100 to 120 Vac
IEC 250 Vac
5mm x 20mm
16A Fast blow
Littelfuse P/N: 0216016.MXP
Ametek P/N: 234197
125 V, 15 A
220 to 240 Vac
IEC 250 Vac
5mm x 20mm
8A Fast blow
Littelfuse P/N: 0216008.MXP
Ametek P/N: 234224
250 V, 10 A
The PARSTAT MC automatically detects the correct line voltage and frequency, so there are no line
voltage changes required in the Corcom.
The PMC CHS08A is supplied with the line voltage fuses in place and the correct power cord for the
destination country. Replacement fuses can be source from Ametek or locally.
There are 2 fuses per PWR01 module. Contact Ametek for a power cord if changing service to a different
country line voltage, so that the correct power cord is used per Table 1.
Caution: Do not use makeshift fuses or short-circuit the fuse holders
Please refer to Chapter 4 for specific details on replacement of fuses.
2.1.2. Defects and Abnormal Stresses
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.
The PMC CHS08A’s ground protection is likely to be impaired if, for example, the instrument
•shows visible damage
•fails to perform the intended measurement.
•has been subjected to prolonged storage under unfavorable conditions, or

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 11
•has been subjected to severe transport stresses.
The instrument should not be used until its safety has been verified by qualified service personnel.
The PMC CHS08A chassis contains three different user-replaceable parts –Fan (PMC FAN01), Power
Supply (PMC PWR01) and Backplane (PMC BPLN01).
NOTE: The modules are user-replaceable but the modules themselves are not user-serviceable. The
modules should not be further opened.
Before doing any user-replaceable exchanges, the AC power should be off AND the power cord should be
disconnected. Use caution when replacing fan module.
2.1.3. Component Placement
Before assembling the system, give some thought to component placement. You will of course need
convenient access to the computer keyboard and, if applicable, the printer. Depending on the application,
you might also need to connect and disconnect the cell leads regularly.
Prevent objects from contacting or interfering with the chassis fan (PMC FAN01).
Take caution with moving parts.
When satisfied that the system is ready to install, connect the unit according to the instructions in Chapter
3.
NOTE: The standard system does not include an electrochemical cell. You must supply a suitable cell and
electrodes.
2.2. Ventilation
PMC CHS08A specifications apply at the nominal line voltage + and at a temperature of 25oC (77 o F)
unless otherwise noted. Ambient temperature must not exceed 35oC (95oF).
To maintain a safe operating temperature, allow some free space (minimum 15 cm) at the back of the PMC
CHS08A for adequate air circulation. There must be adequate circulation between the spaces at the back
of the chassis and the ambient laboratory air. In a typical bench top installation, these requirements are
satisfied with a large safety margin.
CAUTION Because the ventilation for the PMC CHS08A is at the back and bottom of the chassis,
rack mounting in an enclosed cabinet is not recommended. Well ventilated rack mounts should not pose
any issue.
When the instrument is running all slots of the PMC CHS08A should be occupied by either potentiostat
channels or blank modules. This will successfully baffle the air flow from the fan module of the chassis
(PMC FAN01) over the active potentiostat cards.
If the potentiostats are active and not all slots are occupied, overheating the channels is possible and may
cause them to shut down until they cool.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 12
2.2.1. Transient Sensitivity
Princeton Applied Research instruments are designed and constructed to ensure normal operation in the
presence of moderate transient levels. Although these provisions are sufficient for operation in most places
where the equipment is used, it is certainly possible for transient levels in particular environments to be so
severe that they make reliable operation uncertain. There are three general types of high-level transients:
1. Static discharge
Transients from this source generally affect input or output circuits, input circuits that include MOS field-
effect transistors to achieve high input impedance are particularly susceptible to damage from this source.
Damage typically occurs when the charge built up on a user’s body discharges into an input or output
connector as a connection is being made. Among the factors determining the tendency for charges to build
are the kind of clothing fabrics worn, shoe materials, and the materials in the floor or floor covering.
2. High-level transients generated internal to the place of use
Such transients almost always enter the instrument via the line cord. Possible sources include heavy-duty
electric motors, RF equipment, diathermy machines, arc welder, spark chambers, and others.
3. Lightning
Transients caused by lightning almost always enter the instrument via the line cord.
Static discharge problems can sometimes be avoided by judiciously selecting the floor covering in the work
area. The simplest approach to the problem is to discharge your body by touching a grounded metal object
just before touching the instrument, particularly when making connections to the cell. External line-transient
filters can generally suppress transients that enter the instrument via the line cord. A suitable transient
suppressor is available from Princeton Applied Research. Various kinds of power-line conditioners are also
commercially available.
2.3. Lifting
The recommendation to lift from the front handles.
If you are going to lift from the side, do so from the bottom. The ledge of the side panel should not be used
for lifting.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 13
3. PARSTAT MC (PMC) INSTALLATION
This chapter describes the PARSTAT MC connectors and indicators and shows you how to connect it to
the host PC, electrochemical cell, and other equipment you might wish to use with it.
Enabling the USB port on your PC
Some PC manufacturers ship their PCs with the USB port disabled. Check for this before trying to use the
PARSTAT MC. If the port is disabled, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for enabling it.
3.1. High Data Acquisition Rates and Number of Channels
The VersaStudio control software can run up to 32 channels of potentiostats from a single computer. High
channel counts especially in combination with high data acquisition rates can burden the system with the
requirement for high-speed data transfer.
There are three possible rate-limiting parameters that should be considered if operating this configuration:
data from the potentiostat (USB performance), data at the PC (Processor speed),and data to the hard drive
(Time to Write for the Hard Drive).
3.1.1. USB performance
VersaStudio and the PMC-200 are compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is recommended
for faster data transfer rate requirements.
3.1.2. Processor speed
The processor of the computer itself is another possible bottleneck to fast data transfer.
While minimum specifications are published, the fastest processor possible will help ensure that this does
not limit the performance of the system at high-speed data transfer.
3.1.3. Read/Write speed of the hard drive
There is a certain amount of time required to both read and write from/to the hard drive. Minimizing this
time helps to make sure it is not a bottleneck. Currently solid-state drives are the fastest write/read
technology in the market. However, large sizes may be difficult to source. The faster the Read/Write time,
the better.
The consequence of data acquisition rate of the total number of channels exceeding the capability of the
system to process the data is latency in the display of the data on the computer.
There is a 4 million data point buffer per PMC-200 channel. Data collection is not affected by latency in
display. The experiment continues to run and data files and displayare populated as data transfer happens.
However, if the 4 million data point buffer PMC-200 goes into an overrun condition, data outside of its buffer
will be lost.
3.2. Connectors and Indicators
3.2.1. Rear Panel
The PARSTAT MC rear panel is shown in the figure below

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 14
Figure 3. Rear panel of PARSTAT MC (PMC CHS08A Chassis)
3.2.1.1. INPUT POWER
100-240-Vac. See section 2.1.1 for details.
3.2.1.2. USB
Attach the supplied USB cable to this connector and to the USB connector on the PC. You can connect to
and disconnect from the PC without shutting down or restarting Windows or VersaStudio.
3.2.2. Front Panel
The PARSTAT MC front panel is shown in the figure below.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 15
Figure 4. Front panel of PARSTAT MC (PMC CHS08A Chassis)
3.2.2.3. CELL CABLE Connector The cell cable connector provides a means of connecting a cell cable to
the instrument. The cell cable is described in more detail below.
3.2.2.4. INDICATORS
POWER: This indicator lights when the PMC-200 module is powered on.
STATUS: Provides the status of each channel
COMM: Indications communication between the channel and the computer
OVERLOAD: This red LED indicates overloads that one of the measurement channels are overloaded
3.3. Equipment Installation
3.3.1. Location and Mounting Requirements
The PARSTAT MC should be located on a bench that can adequately supported its full weight of 67 lbs
(30.3 kg).

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 16
3.3.2. Protective Earthing
Protective earthing of the instrument is provided by the ground conductor in the mains cord. Use only the
correct mains cord (see section 2.1.1). The mains cord must be plugged into an outlet that provides a
ground conductor. Do not plug any adapters onto the power cable other than those provided with the
instrument.
3.3.3. Connections to Supply
The PARSTAT MC can be connected to a Power Supply within the range of 100-240 Vac.
3.3.4. Ventilation Requirements
To ensure reliable performance and long life of the PMC, optimum airflow must be maintained during
operation. The following precautions will assist in this regard:
Do not operate the PMC with missing modules or empty slots.
Occasionally it may be necessary to remove a module for replacement while the instrument is operating.
This is acceptable as long as the time the instrument operates with an empty slot is minimal and the
module is replaced reasonably quickly.
Air enters the PMC in the front and along the sides near the bottom of the instrument, and exhausts through
the fans in the rear ofthe instrument. It is importantnot to block any intake or exhaustpoint on the instrument
and not to place the instrument closer than six inches to any obstruction such as a wall.
3.4. Connecting to the PC and Cell
This section gives instructions on connecting the PARSTAT MC to the host PC and to electrochemical cell
and other equipment.
3.4.1. Connecting to the PC
The PMC CHS08A is shipped with a standard USB cable. Connect it between the rear-panel USB
connector and a USB port on the PC. As noted above, it is not necessary to shut down and restart Windows
or VersaStudio.
Installing the USB Driver
The first time the PARSTAT MC is connected to the host PC and powered on, Windows® should display a
“Found New Hardware” message, and request driver installation. Upon this request, insert the VersaStudio
CD into the CD-ROM drive, and select “Automatic” to install the driver. This driver should be located in the
C:\Program Files\Princeton Applied Research\VersaStudio\ folder.
3.4.2. Connecting the Cell
To connect the cell cable (part no. 1108584) to the PMC-200:

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 17
Figure 5. Cell Cable for PMC-200. Part Number 1108584.
NOTE: The cell cable P/N 1108584 is different than those used on the PMC-1000 and PMC-2000A.
Though not required, best practice recommends that you first power off the Chassis. Match and attach the
D connector side of the Cell cable to the front of the PMC-200, and secure the screws on either side.
After cell cable is connected to front panel, power the unit on and let it boot fully (approximately 1 min to
boot up) before connecting a cell to the leads of the cell cable.
CAUTION: Having a cell connected at power-on or at power-off should be avoided to prevent any
voltage or current spikes from reaching the cell, or in the case of energy storage devices (such as batteries,
capacitors, or fuel cells), preventing spikes from discharging back into the PMC-200 and causing damage
to the instrument.
The opposite end of cell cable is color-coded at the tip as follows:
Green –Working (WE) electrode lead. This is labelled WE. This lead connects to the electrode of interest
at which the desired reactions will occur. The current (I) is measured through the WE.
Red –Counter (CE) electrode lead. This is labelled CE. This lead connects to the electrode opposite the
WE and controls the power output of the PMC-200.
Gray –Sense (SE) electrode lead. This is labelled SE. This usually connects to the working electrode (the
combination often referred to as the working-sense) and is a component of the differential amplifier that
measures/controls the voltage between itself and the reference electrode.
White –Reference (RE) electrode lead. This is labelled RE. This connects to the reference electrode, a
component of the differential amplifier that measures/controls the voltage between itself and the sense
electrode.
Black –Ground lead. This is labelled GND. The use of the ground lead depends on the application, but it
is not ordinarily used in most experiments. It can be used to supply a ground point to a Faraday shield for
the experimental cell.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 18
The following descriptions and figures explain how to connect a two-, three-, or four-terminal
electrochemical cell to the terminals of the PMC-200 cell cable.
a) Batteries, capacitors, resistors, fuel cells, and some sensors are generally connected using a two-
terminal connection (Figure 7). The connectors for the cable leads are designed to allow easy
interconnection of the working/sense and reference/counter leads. Note: If your cell has low impedance
(battery) and/or your experiment generates currents more than 100mA, do not connect the leads into one
another for a two-terminal connection. Instead, connect the leads independent of one another to their
proper terminal at the cell to prevent voltage offsets that can result from milliohms of contact resistance in
a “piggy-back” connection as shown below.
Figure 6. Two-Electrode Connection
b) General aqueous electrochemistry, corrosion experiments and most EIS experiments are connected
using a three-terminal connection (Figure 8). The voltage at the working-sense is controlled relative to a
stable reference electrode positioned near the working electrode.
Figure 7. Three-Electrode Connection

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 19
c) There are some applications for which a four-terminal (Figure 9) connection is required. In this case, the
sense electrode serves as a second reference electrode, useful for controlling the potential between the
reference and sense (for instance, in controlling the potential across a membrane in a H-cell setup).
Figure 8. Four-Electrode Connection
CAUTION: Take care that the leads do not accidentally short together. Because the black ground lead
is often unused, it tends to be overlooked and is more likely to accidentally short together with another lead.
The polarity of the potential at the counter electrode will be opposite the “applied potential”. This is
necessary to establish the correct polarity relationship at the working electrode versus the reference
electrode.
After all other connections to the PMC-200 are made an experiment can be set up and performed.
3.4.3. Cell Cables and Compatibility
The cell cable for the PMC-200 uses a different connector than is used on the PMC-1000, PMC-2000A
series. The standard PMC-200 cell cable is 1-meter long.

PMC-200 Hardware Manual P/N XXXXXX
PMC-200 Hardware Manual 20
Figure 9. PMC-2000A (left) and PMC-1000, VersaSTAT, PARSTAT4000 Cell Connector (center) and PMC-200 (right).
A variety of cell cables are available as standard. Customized solutions may be available.
PART NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
1108584
Replacement cell cable for PMC-200. 1-meter
234272
Replacement cell cable for PMC-2000A. 2-meters
223945
Replacement cell cable for PARSTAT4000, PMC-1000, and V3F (4-mm banana plugs).
2-meter
223945/BNC
Optional cell cable for PARSTAT4000, PMC-1000, VersaSTATs with BNC
terminations. 2-meter
223762
Replacement cell cable for VersaSTAT3 and V4 (2-mm banana plugs). 2-meters
224065
Optional cell cable with 4mm banana plugs for VersaSTAT3 and V4. 2-meters
Series of direct connection Battery holders
3.5. Floating Operation
The PMC-200 is designed to operate in either a “normal” mode or a “floating”mode. The floating mode
provides the capability to operate with cells where one of the electrodes or the cell itself is at earth ground.
Examples of earth grounded cells include autoclaves, strain apparatus, storage tanks and pipelines, and
additional electrodes connected to a separate potentiostat that is not floating.
In floating mode, the internal ground of the PMC-200 (as well as the cell leads and external connections at
the rear panel) is allowed to float with respect to earth ground which allows it to operate with these grounded
cells.
NOTE: Instrument performance, particularly with regards to current and voltage noise, can be substantially
degraded when operating in float mode on grounded cells, the level of degradation depending on the
technique and the impedance between the electrodes and ground. Therefore, specifications listed in
Section 5 apply only to isolated cells with the PMC-200 set to normal mode.
The following section gives instructions on setting the PMC-200 and to the floating mode.