Gamry Instruments eQCM 10M User manual

1
Impedance Scanning
Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Operator’s Manual
Copyright ©2012–2016 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Revision 7.1
November 14, 2016
TM

2
988-00020

3
If You Have Problems
Please visit our service and support page at www.gamry.com/service-support/. This page contains
information on installation, software updates, and training. It also contains links to the latest available
documentation. If you cannot find the information you need from our website, contact us via email using
the link provided on our website. Alternatively, you can contact us one of the following ways:
Internet www.gamry.com/service-support/
Telephone [phone], 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, US Eastern Standard Time
[phone] Toll Free US & Canada Only
Please have your instrument model and serial numbers available, as well as any applicable software and
firmware revisions.
If you have problems in installation or use of a system containing an eQCM10M, try to call from a phone
next to your computer, where you can type and read the screen while talking to us.
We will be happy to provide a reasonable level of free support for registered users of the eQCM10M.
Reasonable support includes telephone assistance covering the normal installation, use and simple
customization of a computerized system containing an eQCM10M connected to a Windows®-compatible
computer.
A service contract that extends both the hardware warranty and software update period is available at an
additional charge. Software updates do not include software enhancements offered to our customers at
additional cost.
Enhancements to the eQCM10M and Gamry’s standard applications software that require significant
engineering time on our part can be performed on a contract basis. Contact us with your requirements.
Limited Warranty
Gamry Instruments, Inc. warrants to the original user of this product that it shall be free of defects
resulting from faulty manufacture of the product or its components for a period of two years from the
original shipment date of your purchase.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. makes no warranties regarding either the satisfactory performance of the eQCM
10M including the software provided with this product or the fitness of the product for any particular
purpose. The remedy for breach of this Limited Warranty shall be limited solely to repair or replacement,
as determined by Gamry Instruments, Inc., and shall not include other damages.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. reserves the right to make revisions to the system at any time without incurring
any obligation to install same on systems previously purchased. All system specifications are subject to
change without notice.
There are no warranties which extend beyond the description herein. This warranty is in lieu of, and
excludes any and all other warranties or representations, expressed, implied or statutory, including
merchantability and fitness, as well as any and all other obligations or liabilities of Gamry
Instruments, Inc; including but not limited to, special or consequential damages.
This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have others, which vary from state to
state. Some states do not allow for the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages.

4
No person, firm or corporation is authorized to assume for Gamry Instruments, Inc., any additional
obligation or liability not expressly provided herein except in writing duly executed by an officer of Gamry
Instruments, Inc.
Disclaimers
Gamry Instruments, Inc. cannot guarantee that the eQCM 10M will work with all computer systems,
operating systems, and third-party software applications hardware/software.
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate as of the time of
printing. However, Gamry Instruments, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors that might appear.
Copyrights and Trademarks
eQCM 10M™ Impedance Scanning Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance Operator’s Manual:
copyright ©2012–2016 Gamry Instruments, Inc., all rights reserved.
Gamry Framework copyright ©1989–2016 Gamry Instruments, Inc., all rights reserved.
Reference 600™, Reference 3000TM, eQCM 10M™, Gamry Framework™, and Gamry™are trademarks of
Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Windows®is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Teflon is a registered trademark of
Chemours.
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of
Gamry Instruments, Inc.

5
Table of Contents
Chapter 1:Safety Considerations .......................................................................................................... 7
Inspection__________________________________________________________________________________________________7
Product Safety _____________________________________________________________________________________________7
AC Mains Connection to the Power Brick__________________________________________________________________7
Grounding in the eQCM 10M______________________________________________________________________________8
Temperature and Ventilation ______________________________________________________________________________8
Defects and Abnormal Stresses____________________________________________________________________________9
Environmental Limits ______________________________________________________________________________________9
Cleaning ___________________________________________________________________________________________________9
Service _____________________________________________________________________________________________________9
Emission Warning________________________________________________________________________________________ 10
Electrical Transient Sensitivity____________________________________________________________________________ 10
CE Compliance___________________________________________________________________________________________ 10
RoHS Compliance________________________________________________________________________________________ 10
Chapter 2:Introduction ...........................................................................................................................12
About this Manual _______________________________________________________________________________________ 12
About the eQCM 10M ___________________________________________________________________________________ 12
Notational Conventions _________________________________________________________________________________ 12
Chapter 3:Instrument Circuitry............................................................................................................14
eQCM 10M Schematic/Block Diagram___________________________________________________________________ 14
Chapter 4:Installation..............................................................................................................................17
Initial Visual Inspection __________________________________________________________________________________ 17
Physical Location_________________________________________________________________________________________ 18
Computer Requirements_________________________________________________________________________________ 18
Plug & Play System Configuration_______________________________________________________________________ 18
Power Cord and Power Connection _____________________________________________________________________ 18
Power-Up Test ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 20
USB Connection _________________________________________________________________________________________ 21
First-Time Device Installation in Windows _______________________________________________________________ 21
Chapter 5:Cell Connections ..................................................................................................................23
Normal Cell Connections ________________________________________________________________________________ 23
Quartz Crystal Installation _______________________________________________________________________________ 23
Chapter 6:Panel Indicators and Connectors ..................................................................................35
Front Panel_______________________________________________________________________________________________ 35
QuartzConnector................................................................................................................................................35
PowerLED............................................................................................................................................................35
TheDataLED........................................................................................................................................................35
Rear Panel _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 36
PowerJack...........................................................................................................................................................36
PowerSwitch.......................................................................................................................................................36
GND......................................................................................................................................................................36
USBPort...............................................................................................................................................................37
Chapter 7:eQCM 10M Specifications................................................................................................38
Chapter 8:CE Certificate .........................................................................................................................39

6
Declaration of Conformity _______________________________________________________________________________ 39
Chapter 9:Comprehensive Index ........................................................................................................41

Chap
t
Your eQC
contains i
10M.
Inspec
When yo
u
inspect it
and the s
h
Produ
c
The eQC
M
requirem
e
standard,
The instr
u
defined i
n
is used to
As a gen
e
consider
e
The AC A
d
mains vol
t
Always u
s
instrume
n
AC M
a
The eQC
M
desktop
A
operate
e
Q
CM
1
power
s
should
t
t
er 1:
M 10M has
b
nformation a
t
ion
u
receive you
r
for evidence
h
ipping carri
e
c
t Safety
M
10M is desi
e
nts for elect
r
it is a Categ
o
u
ment contai
n
n
EN 61010 (t
h
reduce the r
i
e
ralization, in
p
d safe.
d
apter suppli
e
t
age to 12 V
s
e the AC ada
n
t.
a
ins Conn
M
10M does
n
A
C adapter (p
Warn
i
damaged a
p
1
0M to indica
Cauti
o
s
ources may
a
The ins
t
t
herefore be
u
Safety
b
een supplied
nd warnings
t
r
eQCM 10M
of shipping
d
e
r immediatel
gned, tested,
r
ical equipm
e
o
ry I apparatu
n
s a limited a
m
h
e standard
m
i
sk of electric
a
p
ut and outp
u
e
d with the i
n
D
C, which is
u
pter (power
b
ection t
o
n
ot connect d
ower brick),
w
i
ng: An eQC
M
p
paratus until
te that it cou
l
o
n: Use only
a
lter the perf
o
t
rument’s AC
u
seful throug
Safety Cons
i
Consid
e
in a safe con
t
hat you mus
t
Impedance S
d
amage. If an
y
y. Save the s
h
and certified
e
nt for meas
u
s, designed f
o
m
ount of int
e
m
entioned a
b
a
l shock due
u
t voltages in
n
strument is
c
u
sed to pow
e
b
rick) supplie
d
o
the Po
w
irectly to an
A
w
hich output
s
M
10M dama
a qualified s
e
l
d be a safet
y
Gamry-appr
o
o
rmance and
/
Adapter is ra
hout the wor
i
derations--In
s
7
e
rations
dition. This c
h
t
follow to in
s
canning Elec
t
y
damage is
n
h
ipping cont
a
to meet the
u
rement, cont
r
o
r connectio
n
e
rnal circuitry
b
ove). “Reinfo
t
o this “haza
r
the eQCM 1
0
c
ertified und
e
r the instrum
d
with your e
Q
w
er Brick
A
C Mains su
p
s
12 V DC, wh
ged in shipm
e
rvice technic
y
hazard.
o
ved DC pow
e
/
or safety cha
ted for opera
ld.
spection
s
h
apter of the
s
ure continu
e
t
rochemical
Q
n
oted, please
a
iner for poss
i
requirement
s
r
ol, and labo
r
n
to circuits o
t
that is at “ha
z
rced insulati
o
r
dous live” vo
0
M are limite
e
r EN 60950.
T
ent.
Q
CM 10M to
p
ply. Instead,
t
h
ich in turn p
o
m
ent can be a
c
ian has verifi
e
e
r sources wi
t
racteristics o
f
a
tion from 10
0
eQCM 10M
O
e
d safe opera
t
Q
uartz Crystal
notify Gamr
y
ible inspecti
o
s
of EN 6101
0
r
atory use. As
ther than the
zardous live”
o
n” (again de
f
ltage.
d to 12 V. Th
i
T
he AC Adap
t
supply DC p
o
t
he mains ar
e
o
wers the ins
t
safety hazar
d
e
d its safety.
T
t
h your eQC
M
f
the eQCM 1
0
to 240 V A
C
O
perator’s M
a
t
ion of the e
Q
Microbalanc
y
Instruments
o
n by the carr
i
0
, Safety
defined in th
power main
s
voltages as
f
ined in EN 6
1
i
s voltage lev
e
t
er converts t
h
o
wer to the
e
connected t
t
rument.
d
. Do not
T
ag a damag
e
M
10M. Other
0M.
C
, 47 to 63 H
z
a
nual
Q
CM
e,
Inc.
i
er.
is
s
.
1
010)
e
l is
h
e AC
o a
e
d
r
z
. It

The instr
u
connects
cord, or a
in your c
o
uncertain
Groun
d
A Chassis
ground. S
is provid
e
Note that
defined i
n
This bindi
improve
s
significan
t
Temp
e
Your eQC
indoor us
Be carefu
l
enclosure
ventilatio
n
• Most
m
• The c
h
• The p
r
We rec
o
making
than ea
r
injury o
r
should
s
touch
w
u
ment is nor
m
t
he AC main
s
cord that is
n
o
untry. Cont
a
what AC line
d
ing in t
h
Ground bind
imply run a
w
e
d to ease thi
s
this connect
i
n
EN 61010.
ng post is no
s
hielding agai
t
safety haza
r
e
rature a
n
M 10M Impe
d
e
at ambient
l
when opera
t
). The tempe
r
n
holes or ev
e
Source
s
m
etal water
p
h
assis of mos
t
r
otective gro
u
o
mmend that
this earth
-
gro
Wa
r
th ground.
A
r
death.
Cauti
o
s
uffer no da
m
w
ith insufficie
n
Safety C
m
ally provide
d
s
to the AC p
o
n
ot compatib
a
ct your local
cord to use.
h
e eQCM
ing post on t
w
ire from this
s
connection.
i
on of the ins
t
t intended fo
nst noise. Co
r
d.
n
d Ventil
a
d
ance Scanni
temperature
s
t
ing the instr
u
r
ature within
t
e
n forced air-
s
of earth gro
p
ipes,
t
electronic a
u
nd terminal
o
you discuss
g
ound co
nnect
rning: Do n
A
n improper c
o
n: Do not b
m
age due to
e
n
t air flow ar
o
onsiderations
d
with an AC l
o
wer adapter.
le with your l
o
Gamry Repr
e
10M
he rear panel
binding post
t
rument to a
n
r any use oth
nnecting this
a
tion
ng Electroch
e
s
between 0°
C
u
ment in an
e
t
he enclosur
e
cooling for t
h
u
nd include
p
paratus (wh
o
f an AC mai
n
g
rounding wi
t
tion
ot connect t
h
onnection ca
lock the airfl
o
e
xcessive hea
t
o
und the chas
--Grounding
8
ine cord suit
a
If your instr
u
o
cal AC main
e
sentative or
E
of the eQC
M
to a suitable
n
earth groun
er than conn
e
binding pos
t
e
mical Quart
z
C
and 45°C.
e
nclosed spa
c
e
must not ex
c
h
e enclosed s
i
ch are gener
a
n
s power plu
g
t
h an electric
a
h
e chassis-gr
o
n create a sa
f
o
w around th
e
t
, the enclosu
sis.
in the eQCM
a
ble for your
u
ment has be
e
s socket, obt
a
E
mail to tech
s
M
10M is pro
v
source of ea
n
d is not a “P
r
e
cting the e
Q
t
to a hazard
o
z
Crystal Micr
o
c
e (such as an
c
eed 45°C. Y
o
pace if exces
s
ally earth-gr
o
g
.
a
l or electron
o
und binding
f
ety hazard,
w
e
instrument
re may beco
m
10M
location. Thi
s
e
n provided
w
a
in a line cor
d
s
upport@ga
m
v
ided for a co
n
rth ground.
A
r
otective Eart
h
Q
CM 10M to
a
o
us voltage c
a
o
balance wa
s
enclosed rel
a
o
u may need
s
ive tempera
t
o
unded), and
ics professio
n
post to any
v
w
hich could r
e
chassis. Whil
e
m
e uncomfor
t
s
AC line cord
w
ithout an A
C
d
certified for
m
ry.com if yo
u
n
nection to
e
A
black 1.2-m
h
Ground” as
a
n earth grou
a
n create a
s
designed fo
r
a
y rack or NE
to provide
t
ure rise occu
n
al prior to
v
oltage other
e
sult in perso
n
e
the circuitr
y
t
ably hot to t
C
line
use
u
are
e
arth
wire
nd to
r
MA
rs.
n
al
y
he

Defec
t
Treat you
•It sho
•It do
e
•It has
•It has
•It has
Do not u
s
checked
b
Enviro
Note that
eQCM 10
Storage
Shippin
g
Operati
o
Cleani
n
5.
D
6. U
cl
r
a
fl
u
Servic
e
Your eQC
serviceab
l
water
m
Interfac
e
persona
open.
D
PC boa
r
t
s and A
b
r eQCM 10M
ws visible da
m
e
s not operat
e
been stored
been dropp
e
been subjec
t
s
e your eQC
M
b
y qualified s
e
nmental
there are en
v
M has not be
e
Ambi
e
Relati
v
g
Same
Accel
e
o
nAmbi
e
Relati
v
n
g
D
isconnect th
e
se a cloth lig
h
ean the outs
i
a
g or allow fl
u
u
id (includin
g
e
M 10M Impe
d
l
e parts insid
e
Warn
i
m
ay enter the
e
5000 that h
al injury or de
Wa
D
angerous vol
r
d traces. Alw
a
Safety C
o
normal
S
as potentiall
y
m
age,
e
properly,
for a long pe
e
d or subject
e
t
ed to enviro
n
M
10M or a
n
e
rvice person
Limits
v
ironmental l
i
e
n designed
f
e
nt temperat
u
v
e humidity
as storage pl
u
e
ration
e
nt temperat
u
v
e humidity
e
eQCM 10M
h
tl
y
dampen
e
i
de of the en
c
u
id to enter t
h
g
water). Do
n
d
ance Scanni
e
. Refer all se
r
i
ng: This ins
t
chassis, or w
a
as water wit
h
ath
rning: Nev
e
tages may b
e
a
ys remove t
h
o
nsiderations-
S
tresses
y
hazardous i
f
riod of time
u
e
d to severe t
n
mental stres
s
n
y other app
a
nel.
i
mits on the
s
f
or outdoor
u
u
re –4
0
Ma
x
u
s
Ma
x
u
re 0 °
C
Ma
x
from all pow
e
e
d with eithe
r
c
losure. Alter
n
h
e enclosure.
n
ot use any a
b
ng Electroch
e
r
vice to a qua
t
rument is no
t
a
ter vapor m
a
h
in the chassi
s
e
r operate th
e
e
present at s
e
h
e power co
n
-Defects and
A
9
f
any of the f
o
u
nder unfavo
r
ransport stre
s
s
(corrosive a
a
ratus if you
s
torage, ship
p
u
se.
0
°C to 75 °C
x
imum 90%
n
x
imum 30 g
C
to 45 °C
x
imum 90%
n
e
r sources pr
i
r
clean water,
n
atively, you
c
Do not imm
e
b
rasive clean
e
e
mical Quart
z
lified service
t
designed fo
a
y condense
w
s
can create a
e
eQCM 10M
e
veral points
n
nection befo
Abnormal St
r
o
llowing is tr
u
rable conditi
o
s
s,
tmosphere, f
i
think it cou
l
p
ing and ope
r
n
on-condensi
n
on-condensi
i
or to cleanin
g
or water con
t
c
an use isopr
o
e
rse the instr
u
e
rs.
z
Crystal Micr
o
technician.
o
r operation i
n
w
ithin the ch
a
a
safety hazar
d
with any cov
e
within the e
Q
re opening t
h
r
esses
u
e of the uni
t
o
ns,
i
re, etc.).
l
d be hazard
r
ation of this
ng
ng
g.
t
aining a mil
d
o
pyl alcohol.
u
ment in any
o
balance has
n
conditions
w
a
ssis. Operati
o
d
, which coul
e
r or panel o
n
Q
CM 10M ch
a
h
e eQCM 10
M
t
:
ous. Have it
equipment.
T
d
detergent, t
Do not use a
type of clean
no user-
w
here liquid
o
n of an
d result in
n
the chassis
a
ssis, includin
M
case.
T
he
o
wet
ing
g

Safety Considerations--Emission Warning
10
Emission Warning
Your eQCM 10M Impedance Scanning Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance generates, uses, and
can radiate radio-frequency energy. The radiated levels are low enough that the instrument should not
create an interference problem in most industrial laboratory environments.
The eQCM 10M has been tested for both radiated and conducted RF interference and has been found to
be in compliance with EN 50081-1, 55011, and 55022 and 61000-4-3.
Electrical Transient Sensitivity
Your eQCM 10M Impedance Scanning Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance was designed to offer
reasonable immunity from electrical transients, including transients on the incoming AC Mains supply and
Electrostatic Discharge. It has been tested for compliance with EN 580082-2, 61010-1, and EN 61010-2-
081. The eQCM 10M is not rated for continuous use when subject to ESD events. It should suffer no
permanent damage when subject to the standard ESD events defined in EN61000-4-2, but may cease
normal operation until it is switched off and restarted.
In severe cases, the instrument could malfunction as a result of electrical transients such as a static
discharge. If you are having problems in this regard, the following steps may help:
If the problem is static electricity (sparks are apparent when you touch the instrument or its cables):
• Placing the instrument on a static control work surface may help. Static control work surfaces are now
generally available from computer supply houses and electronics tool suppliers. An antistatic floor
mat may also help, particularly if a carpet is involved in generating the static electricity.
• Air ionizers or even simple air humidifiers can reduce the voltage available in static discharges.
If the problem is AC power line transients (often from large electrical motors near the instrument):
• Try plugging your eQCM 10M into a different AC power branch circuit.
• Plug your eQCM 10M into a power-line surge-suppressor. Inexpensive surge-suppressors are now
generally available because of their use with computer equipment.
Contact Gamry Instruments, Inc. if these measures do not solve the problem.
CE Compliance
The European Community has instituted standards limiting radio-frequency interference emitted by
electronic devices, setting limits for susceptibility of apparatus to RF energy and transient events, and
mandating safety requirements. The eQCM 10M Impedance Scanning Electrochemical Quartz Crystal
Microbalance has been tested to comply with these standards.
The relevant CE regulations include EN 61010 and EN 61326.
RoHS Compliance
The eQCM 10M Impedance Scanning Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance has been built using
lead-free components and lead-free solder. It is in compliance with the European RoHS initiative.