Gamry Reference 3000 User manual

988-00008 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 1
Reference 3000™
Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA
Quick-Start Guide
Installation Sequence is Important
for Success
The Gamry potentiostats are plug-and-play devices.
Therefore, setup is easiest if you use the sequence
below, installing the software before the hardware.
Setup of the Reference 3000 Potentiostat takes about
15 minutes.
1) Install the Gamry Framework™ software on the
PC. In the process, you will also install the Gamry
software packages you have purchased, such as
DC105 DC Corrosion Techniques and EIS300
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Software. See page 5.
2) Connect the Reference 3000™ Potentiostat to
the PC. The operating system and Gamry
software will recognize the Potentiostat
automatically when you connect the USB and turn
on the power to the instrument. See page 6.
3) Complete software setup. You will be prompted
through this task when you restart the PC after
installing the software and hardware. See page 8.
4) Calibrate the potentiostat using the Universal
Dummy Cell 4 included in your Gamry shipment.
See page 9.
5) Do an optional test using the Universal Dummy
Cell 4. See page 12.
When the first four tasks have been completed, the
Reference 3000 potentiostat is ready to use.
You can run experiments and gather data with your
Gamry software packages. Instructions for running
experiments are on page 16.
This guide also includes instructions for installing
Gamry Echem Analyst™. (See page 14.) Gamry
Echem Analyst makes it easy for you to view and
manipulate experiment data.
Table of Contents
Installation Sequence is Important for Success...........1
Table of Contents.........................................................1
Cautions.......................................................................1
Computer and Power Requirements............................2
Compatibility Between Software Versions and
Potentiostats.................................................................2
Authorization Codes and Serial Numbers....................2
Preparations.................................................................3
Installation of Gamry Framework and Software
Packages......................................................................5
Connecting the Potentiostat.........................................6
Completing Software Setup .........................................8
Calibration....................................................................9
Optional Tests............................................................12
Gamry Echem Analyst Installation.............................14
Sources of More Information......................................15
Contacting Gamry ......................................................15
Reference Information................................................16
Procedure for Experiments....................................16
Grounding..............................................................16
Gamry File Types...................................................16
General Instructions for Connecting Leads...........16
Cautions
To avoid damaging electronic
components of the Gamry Potentiostat or
your PC, observe standard precautions
against static damage.
Ground yourself before touching the
inputs of your potentiostat.
Do not place fingers or objects into the
fan openings on the rear of the
instrument.
Do not open or modify the instrument in
any fashion.

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
2 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 988-00008
Installed Potentiostat with Cell Cable Attached
Computer and Power Requirements
You must connect the Gamry Potentiostat and install the Gamry
Framework Version 5 software in the same computer. Your
Reference 3000 communicates using the Universal Serial Bus
(USB). This PC must meet the requirements below.
Hardware
•A Windows-compatible personal computer
•One available USB port, revision 2.0 (preferred) or 1.1.
•Use the supplied certified USB interconnect cable with an A/B
connector configuration.
Software
•Microsoft®Windows®Vista or Windows®XP, either 32-bit or 64-
bit versions
•At least 512 MB of memory (1000 MB recommended) and
200 MB of available hard disk space
Power
•Use the supplied AC to DC power brick.
Compatibility Between Software Versions
and Potentiostats
Gamry Version 5 software is compatible with all Gamry Potentiostats
in the current generation.
•The Reference 3000™, Reference 600™ and Series G
Potentiostats work with Gamry Version 5 software only.
•The PCI4/300™ and PCI4/750™ Potentiostats, and the FAS2™
Femtostat work with either Version 5 or Version 4 of the Gamry
software.
Earlier potentiostat generations (PC4, FAS1, and PC3 Potentiostats)
are not compatible with Version 5 Gamry software.
Authorization Codes and Serial Numbers
A sticker on the software license envelope contains the ten-digit
Authorization Codes needed to install (or upgrade) the Gamry
software.
Before you can use a Gamry software package, you must enter the
Authorization Code to access the software. Authorization Codes are
tied to the five-digit serial number of a specific potentiostat. The
serial number of each Reference 3000 Potentiostat is on a plate on
the bottom of the unit.
If you bought more than one potentiostat (to be installed in more than
one PC), each potentiostat will be packed in a separate carton with
its own controller board and software Authorization Codes. Keep the
contents of each carton together. Authorization Codes are valid only
for the potentiostat shipped with the codes.

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
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Preparations
The pictures below and on the following page identify the items in a
typical shipment from Gamry.
Standard cables are pictured on page 4. If you ordered special
cables, those may also be included in the potentiostat shipment.
To prepare to install your new Potentiostat:
1) Unpack the shipment carefully.
Do not discard the software license shipped with the CD.
Authorization Codes that you will need to install the software
are on the license sheet. (See Authorization Codes and Serial
Numbers on page 2.)
The potentiostat is shipped in a well-constructed foam
container. Save this container. If you return the potentiostat to
Gamry, put the instrument in this container for shipment.
2) If custom scripts (standard scripts with modifications) are
already on this PC, back up the scripts.
3) If a previous version of the Gamry Framework and associated
software packages are on the PC, these will be uninstalled
during the installation process.
The contents of your “My Gamry Data” folder will not be
removed when you upgrade. The data in the folder will not be
overwritten when you install the new version of the Gamry
software. Scripts in the “Scripts” folder will be overwritten if they
have the same name as Version 5 scripts.
These script and data files may be relocated depending on the
version you are upgrading from. If this is the case, the target of
the desktop icons will also automatically update.
4) No tools are needed to install the potentiostat.
The Two Versions of the Reference 3000 Potentiostat

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
4 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 988-00008
Mouse Pad with Color Coding for Leads
Cell Cable (black with color-coded clips on leads), CD, Universal Dummy Cell 4, Calibration Shield,
USB Cable, Ground Cable, and Power Brick and associated AC line cord

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
988-00008 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 5
Installation of Gamry Framework and
Software Packages
Purpose of Gamry Framework Software
Gamry Framework software serves as the user interface for
the Gamry software packages used to acquire experiment
data. Examples of Gamry software packages are DC105 DC
Corrosion Techniques and EIS300 Electrochemical
Impedance Spectroscopy Software.
The Framework software is also used to calibrate the
potentiostat. Therefore, install the Framework software, even
if you do not plan to use any of the Framework-based
software packages. If you bought only Gamry ESA410,
VFP600, or Electrochemistry Toolkit software (which have
their own graphical user interfaces), install the Framework
software for calibration.
All the Gamry software is provided on a single CD.
Starting the Installation Process
To start the installation process:
1) Put the Gamry software CD into the drive. The Gamry
setup page on the CD will be displayed automatically in
your Web browser, if auto-run is enabled.
2) If the Gamry software setup page is not displayed
automatically, select Start > Run. In the Run window,
type D:\switchboard in the Open field, and then click
on OK. (Substitute the letter of your CD drive for D.)
3) Click on the Framework Setup link to start the
Installation Wizard. The Wizard will step you through the
installation process. Most of the steps will be familiar;
they are common to many other software installation
procedures. The next subsections provide instructions
for two Gamry-specific screens.
Selecting Software Packages to Install
When you get to the Select Features screen, check all the
software packages (applications) that you want to install.
You can install software you have not yet purchased, as well
as the software packages you did buy. After installation, you
will be able to see the standard experiments available in all
installed applications. However, you will not be able to use
unlicensed applications. Your Gamry shipment included
Authorization Codes for the software packages you bought.
You will enter those codes later in the installation process. 1
The installation routine assumes that at least one Gamry
Potentiostat will be installed in this PC. Therefore, no
potentiostats are listed on the Select Features screen. If you
have ordered additional Gamry hardware that is on the list,
check the name of the hardware now.
1If you like what you see and decide to buy more Gamry
software packages, contact your Gamry sales representative.
When you buy an additional software package you will get a
new Authorization Code. If you have already installed the
software package, you will be able to enter the Authorization
Code without repeating the installation process. The tip on
page 9 explains how to enter an additional Authorization
Code.

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Specifying Line Frequency
On the Additional Information screen, be sure to select the
appropriate AC line frequency for your location. For example,
in the United States, select 60 Hertz. In Europe, select 50
Hertz.
Completing Installation
To complete software installation and get ready for hardware
installation:
1) Read the Readme file at the end of the installation
process. In addition to release history information and
notes on software fixes, this file contains any late-
breaking news about the software that is not included in
the other documentation.
2) Leave the Gamry CD in the drive.
3) Shut down Microsoft Windows. Do not restart the
computer yet.
Next you will install the potentiostat in this PC.
Connecting the Potentiostat
Preparations
To prepare to connect the Reference 3000:
1) Locate an available USB Port.
2) Locate an available AC outlet.
3) Turn on the PC.
Connect the USB Cable to the Computer
Plug the USB type A-male connector into an available female
type-A connector on the computer as shown. The connector
is unidirectional, and cannot be plugged in incorrectly.
Connect the USB Cable to the Reference 3000
Plug the USB type B-male connector into the USB type B-
female connector on the rear of the instrument. Again, this
connector is unidirectional, and cannot be plugged in
incorrectly.

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Connect the Power Brick to an AC Power
Source
The AC to DC power brick included with your system requires
power from a 110V or 220V AC power outlet. The cable
included with the system is suitable for use with 110V style
power outlets. A converter or cable appropriate for 220V
power outlets is not included with the shipment, but any IEC
C13 line socket power cord can be used.
Connect the power cord to the power brick as shown, and
then plug the other end into an available AC outlet.
Connect the Power Cord to the Rear of the
Potentiostat
The instrument is powered by a DC power connector from the
power brick included with the system.
To power the instrument, connect the male end of the power
cable to the Power In female connector on the rear of the
instrument.
Attach Cell Cable to Potentiostat
Two cell cables is shipped with the potentiostat. One end of
the cable has multiple color-coded cell leads ending in
alligator clips. The other end of the cables have a fifteen pin
male or female D connectors.
To install the cell cable:
1) Connect the cell cables to the appropriate fifteen pin D
connector on the front of the Reference 3000.
2) Use the screws on the cable connector to secure the
connection. (Although screwdriver slots are provided,
connecting the cable screws finger-tight is sufficient.)
Turn on the Potentiostat
After both the USB cable and the DC power cable have been
attached to the rear of the potentiostat, turn on the instrument
using the power toggle switch on the rear panel.
The blue power LED on the front of the instrument should
flash 3 times, and then stay lit. The green USB LED should
also light and stay lit light while the computer is powered.
If either of these LEDs do not stay lit, double check your
connections as described. If you have made all of the
connections properly and are still unable to resolve the
problem, contact Gamry Instruments for assistance.

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Found New Hardware (Windows Vista)
Found New Hardware (Windows XP)
Make Sure Potentiostat Has Been Detected by
Windows
Because you installed the Gamry software before you
installed the potentiostat, the potentiostat should be
recognized automatically, and the correct software drivers
installed.
To check hardware detection:
1) With the Gamry CD still in the drive, turn on the PC.
2) After the operating system starts, you will see a
message that an instrument from the Reference Family
Instrument has been detected.
If running Windows Vista, the “Found New Hardware”
screen appears. Select “Locate and install driver
software”. You may then need to acknowledge a
security prompt on the next screen.
If running Windows XP, the “Found New Hardware
Wizard” asks questions about the software installation.
When asked about connecting to the Internet, select
“No”. When asked about searching the computer to load
drivers automatically, select “Yes”. After working
through the wizard, go to the next step.
3) If the Reference Family of instruments was detected,
remove the Gamry CD from the drive.
or
If you see a message that refers only to “USB Device”,
the operating system could not find the Gamry drivers.
Try this: Unplug the USB cable connecting the
Reference 3000, shut down Windows and turn off the
PC. Power up the PC and wait until Windows has
completed normal startup. Shut down Windows and turn
off the PC. Reinsert the USB cable. Power up the PC.
Completing Software Setup
Assign Label (Name) to Potentiostat
The potentiostat’s Device Settings window opens
automatically the first time the PC is started after the
Framework software has been installed successfully. This
window shows the model number of the potentiostat, followed
by its serial number.
Use this window to specify the text label that will be used to
identify the potentiostat on Gamry software screens. The
maximum size of a label is ten characters (including spaces).
To assign a name to a potentiostat, type the name in the
Label field in the Device Settings window.
Do not click on Finish. You must enter Authorization Codes
as described below.

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
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Tip: Current packages are: DC105, EIS300, PHE200, PV220,
EN120, EFM140, CPT110, VFP600, ESA400, eChemBasic,
eChemDC, and eChemAC.
Tip: If you want to change the name of a potentiostat or enter
Authorization Codes after setup, use the Properties window for the
potentiostat.
To edit the potentiostat’s properties:
1) Open the Control Panel by selecting Start > Control Panel.
2) Open the Device Manger window by: In Vista, System and
Maintenance > System > Device Manager from the Task
Window on the left. In Windows XP: Start > Control Panel >
System. Open the Device Manager window by clicking on the
Device Manager button on the Hardware tab in the System
Properties window.
3) In the Device Manager window, expand the “Gamry Instruments
Devices” list.
4) Display a context menu by right-clicking on the current name of
the potentiostat and selecting Properites.
5) Click on the Device Settings tab.
6) Edit the properties as needed.
7) Click on OK to save the changes.
Enter Authorization Codes During Setup
The Device Settings window for each potentiostat contains a
listbox showing Authorization Codes for every Gamry
software package that has been authorized.
You must enter an Authorization Code for a software package
before you can use it to run experiments. If you try to run an
experiment with an unlicensed package, a message naming
the Authorization Code you need will be displayed.
To enter the Authorization Codes:
1) Find the ten-digit Authorization Codes on the license
shipped with the potentiostat.
2) In the Device Settings window for the potentiostat, use
the Add button to access the Authorization Code Entry
window. Enter the name of the Package and
corresponding Authorization Code. Press Ok. Repeat
for each package included on your license.
Authorization Codes are linked to a specific
potentiostat’s serial number. Be sure to enter the
Authorization Codes that were shipped with the
potentiostat named in the Device Settings window.
3) When you have labeled the potentiostat and entered all
Authorization Codes, click on Finish.
Calibration
Launch Gamry Framework
The process of installing the Gamry Framework software
adds two new icons to the desktop: Gamry Framework and
My Gamry Data.
Use the Gamry Framework icon to launch
the Gamry Framework software and open
the Framework main window.
Use the My Gamry Data icon to access the
default location for experiment data. You
can use the Framework Options menu to
specify a different destination for experiment
data files.
Icons are not added for the software packages you installed.
You will use the Gamry Framework user interface to run
experiments with these software packages.
You can also use the Start > Programs > Gamry
Instruments path to open the Gamry Framework main
window.
Make Sure Potentiostat Is Recognized by
Framework
When you restarted the PC after installing the Gamry
hardware and software, you confirmed that the operating
system recognized the potentiostat and found the appropriate
software drivers.
Now confirm that the Gamry Framework software recognizes
the potentiostat.

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virtual LED
Tip: If the selected potentiostat has never been calibrated, no
Current Calibration Status information is displayed in the bottom
half of the Potentiostat Calibration window. The calibration
information in a Reference 3000 is stored inside the unit and moves
with the unit from computer to computer.
However, if the potentiostat has already been calibrated this window
displays information about the most recent calibration.
To confirm hardware recognition:
1) Look at the top left corner of Framework screen (below
the menu bar). When the Framework window first opens
“Initializing Devices” is displayed.
2) After the potentiostat has been initialized, the “Devices
Present” line should display the name (label) assigned to
the potentiostat. A green “virtual LED” should also be
displayed to symbolize that the potentiostat is ready for
use.
When a potentiostat is in use, the virtual LED turns
yellow. The virtual LED and potentiostat label should
always be displayed.
3) If the name of the potentiostat is displayed and the
virtual LED is green, you are ready to calibrate the
potentiostat as described in the next subsection.
4) However, if a potentiostat’s name is not displayed, the
Reference 3000 may not be installed correctly. Check
the power connections and USB cable. Make sure the
USB connector on the computer is enabled or
connected. Verify the Power and USB LED’s on the
instrument are lit.
Calibration Preparation
Before you can use a new potentiostat, you must calibrate it
using the Universal Dummy Cell 4 shipped with the
potentiostat.
Recalibrate a potentiostat every six months or after moving
the potentiostat to a different environment.
To prepare for calibration:
1) Let the Reference 3000 warm up for at least 30 minutes.
2) Place the dummy cell inside the Calibration Shield.
3) Make sure the cell cable supplied with the potentiostat is
firmly connected to the potentiostat to be calibrated.
Start Calibration Utility and Select the
Potentiostat
If you see a green virtual LED and the name of the
potentiostat installed in the PC, you are ready to calibrate.
A Utilities submenu in the Experiment menu is always
available in Framework. The Utilities submenu always
includes the Calibrate Instrument choice.
The other submenus available from the Experiment menu
depend on the selections you made when installing the
Gamry software. An Experiment submenu is available for
every Gamry software package you installed, although you
can run experiments only for authorized software packages.
To start the calibration utility:
1) Open the Potentiostat Calibration window by selecting
Experiment > Utilities > Calibrate Instrument from the
Framework menu bar.
2) In the Potentiostat Calibration window select the option
button labeled with the name of the potentiostat to be
calibrated.
3) Select the calibration type “Both”.
4) Click on OK. The Potentiostat Calibration window
remains open. The Connection Information window will
open. It contains general instructions for using the
Universal Dummy Cell (UDC). Specific instructions for
using the Universal Dummy Cell are in this document
(see below).

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988-00008 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 11
Attach Cell Leads to Calibration Side of
UDC 4 (or UDC3)
When calibrating a Reference 3000 Potentiostat, use the
Universal Dummy Cell 4 that is included with the potentiostat.
The Universal Dummy Cell 3 is also fine. The older Universal
Dummy Cell 2 is not sufficient for calibrating a Reference
3000 Instrument.
It is easy to connect the cell leads correctly, because they are
color coded. You can always refer to your Gamry mouse pad
for the meanings of the cell cable lead colors.
To attach cell leads to the Universal Dummy Cell:
1) Use the alligator clips on the cell cable to make the
following connections to the posts on the Calibration
edge of the Universal Dummy Cell 4.
Clip
Color Calibration Connector Label on Universal Dummy Cell 4
white Reference
red Counter
orange C. Sense
blue W. Sense
green Work
2) If you use the Gamry Calibration Shield (recommended)
or any Faraday Cage, see page 16 for grounding
instructions.
Start Calibration
When the potentiostat has been connected to the Universal
Dummy Cell you are ready to start the calibration:
To start calibration:
1) Click on OK in the Calibration Information window. The
Performance Tips window is displayed.
2) Click on OK in the Performance Tips window.
3) Confirm that the virtual LED for the potentiostat selected
in the Potentiostat Calibration window has turned yellow
(to show that the potentiostat is in use).
4) Sit back and wait.
Wait for Completion
No operator action is required during the main portion of the
calibration, which takes about ten minutes.
During calibration, a series of messages are displayed in the
status bar at the bottom of the Framework window. Data are
displayed in the Framework window. It is impossible to make
sense of this data; don’t bother trying!
Towards the end of the calibration, you will be asked whether
or not to calibrate the thermocouple input. Most users can
select No, at which point the calibration will complete. If you
select Yes, follow the on-screen instructions for calibrating the
thermocouple.
At the conclusion of the calibration, one of two messages will
be displayed.

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Message Displayed Following
Successful Calibration
Example of Message Displayed Following
Unsuccessful Calibration
If the calibration was successful, you will see the “Calibration
Complete” message. Clear the message by clicking on OK.
If the calibration was not successful, you will see an error
message that tells which test failed, and the measured value
that was outside the valid range, which is also displayed.
Clear the message and continue to the next test by clicking
on Ignore.
Calibration Results
Calibration results are stored in non-volatile memory inside
the Reference 3000 as well as in a file in the “My Gamry
Data” folder. The name of the file is “Calibration Results
<SN>.txt”, where <SN> is the serial number of the Reference
3000.
The next time you select this potentiostat in the Potentiostat
Calibration window, the information in the calibration results
file will be displayed. When you calibrate the potentiostat
again, the results file will be overwritten.
If the Calibration Was Not Successful
If the calibration was not successful, check the following after
clicking on Retry and trying again.
•Make sure the cell cable is firmly connected to the
potentiostat.
•Check that the cell leads are clipped to the correct
connectors on the Universal Dummy Cell. (If in doubt,
check the color codes on the Gamry mouse pad.)
•Be sure the welds on the underside of the Universal
Dummy Cell are not touching a conductive surface.
Also, wait until the Reference 3000 warms up (to drive off any
moisture inside the unit), and then try again.
If you have checked all of the above and waited until the
Reference 3000 is completely warmed up, contact Gamry.

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EIS300 “Check300” Test Results
Error for Not Authorized Package
Optional Test
Introduction
After the Gamry Framework and Gamry software packages
have been installed, and the potentiostat has been calibrated,
you are ready to use the Framework interface to run
experiments with the Gamry software packages. General
instructions for running experiments are on page 16.
If you bought the EIS300 Electrochemical Impedance
Spectroscopy Software, you can run an EIS test experiment
using Universal Dummy Cell 3 or 4.
This test is not required. However, it is a good idea to run it
to check potentiostat functionality and to become familiar with
the process of running experiments through the Framework
interface.
EIS300 “Check300” Test
Using the EIS edge of the Universal Dummy Cell and
the”Check300.exp” script (found in the “Scripts” folder), you
can run a Potentiostatic EIS scan on the Universal Dummy
Cell.
To do the EIS300 test:
1) Connect the clips on the cell cable to the appropriate
posts on the EIS edge of the Universal Dummy Cell 4.
(For color codes, see page 16 or wait until the script
displays connection information.)
2) Run the “Check300.exp” script that is stored in the
“Scripts” folder. No parameter values apply to this test.
The results are automatically written to a file named
“Check300.dta”.
3) When the test has concluded, compare your results with
the screenshot (see left).
If the plot in your Framework window is similar to ours,
the potentiostat passed the test.
If the plot in your Framework window is not similar to
ours, try the experiment again with the Universal Dummy
Cell in a Faraday Cage, such as the Calibration Shield.
If your plot is not similar to ours after running the test
with the Universal Dummy Cell in a Faraday Cage,
contact us.
If your Potentiostat is not authorized for the EIS300 software
package, this experiment will not run. You will receive an
error like the one shown here. This message is similar to
other messages generated when experiments from not-
authorized packages are ran. See Page 9 to correct the code
entry or your local Gamry representative to purchase the
additional code.

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Gamry Echem Analyst Installation
Purpose of Gamry Echem Analyst
Use Gamry Echem Analyst software to manipulate and
interpret data gathered with experiments run with Gamry
software packages (through the Gamry Framework user
interface).
Echem Analyst can be installed on the same PC as the one
containing the potentiostat or on a different PC. You are
licensed to install Echem Analyst on multiple computers.
Starting the Installation Process
To start the installation process:
1) Put the Gamry software CD into the drive. The Gamry
setup page on the CD will be displayed automatically in
your Web browser, if auto-run is enabled.
2) If the Gamry software setup page is not displayed
automatically, select Start > Run. In the Run window,
type D:\switchboard in the Open field, and then click
on OK. (Substitute the letter of your CD drive for D.)
3) Click on the Echem Analyst Setup link to start the
installation wizard. The wizard will step you through the
installation process. Most of the steps will be familiar;
they are common to many other software installation
procedures. The next subsection provides instructions
for a Gamry-specific screen.
Selecting Features
When you get to the Select Features screen, check all the
software packages (applications) you installed with the Gamry
Framework software.
Completing Installation
To complete software installation:
1) Read the Readme file at the end of the installation
process. In addition to release history information and
notes on software fixes, this file contains any late-
breaking news about the software that is not included in
the other documentation.
2) Remove the Gamry CD from the drive.

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(A) Sample Potentiostatic EIS data file as it opens
in the Gamry Echem Analyst.
(B) Manipulated form of the same data file — the secondary Y-axis (Phase
Angle) is reversed, data are fitted, axes are formatted, and both the Curve
Selector and Point Information Viewer are open.
Accessing Gamry Echem Analyst
Installing the Gamry Echem Analyst software
adds a new icon to the desktop: Echem
Analyst.
You can also use the Start > Programs > Gamry
Instruments path to open the Gamry Echem Analyst main
window. A shortcut to the Echem Analyst main window is also
available in Framework. Click on Analysis in the Framework
menu bar to launch the Echem Analyst software.
Manipulating Sample Data
Files containing sample data are written to the “My Gamry
Data” folder when the Gamry Framework software is installed.
You can begin to gain an appreciation for the rich set of
features available in Echem Analyst by manipulating this
sample data.
To open a data file, select File > Open from the Echem
Analyst menu bar. The sample data filenames start with
“Sample” and include the name of the type of experiment,
such as “Sample Cyclic Voltammetry.dta”. Figure A is an
example of a data file as it opens.
Some functions available in the Echem Analyst window are
applicable to many types of experiments. For example,
commands in the Tools menu are available to display point
information, change the current convention, and make other
choices that affect how data is displayed. The Common
Tools menu choices, such as Linear Fit, Add Constant E,
and Add Constant I, let you manipulate data.
Other functions, specific to the experiment type, are available
from the menu named for the type of experiment. For
example, when analyzing data gathered with Potentiostatic
EIS, the Impedance menu contains commands for functions
specific to EIS300 experiments.
Similarly, some tabs in the display, such as Experimental
Setup and Hardware Settings, are common to all types of
experiments. Other tabs, such as Bode, Nyquist, and
Randles (the selected Fit model) in Figure B, are specific to
particular types of experiments.
After you have used Echem Analyst menu functions to
manipulate the data and its presentation, you can use File >
Save As to save your changes, along with the experiment
data, as .GData files. You can open the .GData file later (by
selecting File > Open) and see the data presented exactly as
you saved it.
Sources of More Information
Technical specifications for the potentiostat are in the hardware manual on the
CD shipped with the instrument.
More information about the Gamry software is available in Help, accessible from
the Framework and Echem Analyst menu bars.
Gamry manuals (as .pdf files) are on the software CD. Access the files from the
links on the page you used to install the Framework and Echem Analyst
software. This page is in the file “Welcome.htm”. It is at the root of the CD. For
example, if your CD drive is D, the path to the file is D:\Welcome.htm.
The Readme file is installed in the same folder as the Gamry software.
More information about Gamry potentiostats, software, and electrochemical
applications is available at the Gamry Web site: http://www.gamry.com
Contacting Gamry
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or
problems during the installation or operation of the
potentiostat.
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: Within the USA and Canada. phone [phone]-
4267. From other countries phone [phone].
The support team is available from 8:15 AM to 6:00 PM
US Eastern Standard Time.
Fax: [phone]
Mail: Gamry Instruments, Inc.
734 Louis Drive
Warminster, PA 18974
USA

Reference 3000™Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Quick-Start Guide
16 Gamry Instruments, Inc. © 2008 988-00008
Reference Information
Procedure for Experiments
The procedure for running any experiment is:
1) Connect the cell cable leads to the appropriate electrodes on
the electrochemical cell. Refer to the table on this page or the
Gamry mouse pad for the color coding of the leads.
2) Select the script you want to run.
To use a standard Gamry script, select it from the application
submenus, such as DC Corrosion or Electrochemical
Impedance, accessible from the Experiment menu.
To use a custom script, select it from the “Scripts” folder
(Experiment > Named Scripts). This folder contains all scripts
(standard and custom), as well as global scripts used by other
scripts.
3) Name the .dta output file that will contain the experiment data
generated by the test. This ASCII text file will be created in “My
Gamry Data” (or the new destination you specify using the
Options menu).
4) Specify parameter values. When the window used to run a
script opens, the parameter values most recently used for this
script will be displayed. At this point you have several choices.
•You can edit the parameter values. You can save the new
values to a “.set” file for future use by clicking on Save.
When assigning a name to the saved parameter values, it
is a good idea to include the name of the script or
experiment in the file name.
•You can use values stored in an existing .set file by
clicking on Restore. A window will open that contains all
the .set files for all experiment types. Pick a file of values
for this type of experiment.
•You can use the Gamry default values for this script by
clicking on Default.
5) Start the experiment and activate the potentiostat by
clicking on OK in the experiment window. Depending on the
script you selected, one or more messages may be displayed
containing advice for running the experiment.
6) If any messages are displayed, follow the advice, and then
acknowledge the messages by clicking on OK.
7) While the experiment is running, plotted data will be displayed.
Messages in the status bar allow you to monitor progress of the
test.
You can cancel the experiment by clicking on F1-Abort (no test
data stored), skip the current stage of the experiment by clicking
on F2-Skip, or temporarily halt the experiment by clicking on
F3-Pause.
8) At the conclusion of the experiment, an “Experiment Done”
message is displayed. The message contains instructions for
closing the window used to start the test.
9) Press the F2 (Skip) button.
Grounding
The Reference 3000 is a floating ground instrument. Its cell cable
contains only a floating ground lead (black clip). There is a
grounding lug on the rear of the Reference 3000 to earth ground the
instrument. If you are working mostly with non-grounded samples,
you should connect earth ground to this lug.
When using a Faraday Cage, connect the cell ground lead to the
cage to achieve the lowest noise. However, disconnect earth
ground from the instrument ground lug if the experiment setup
is earth grounded. For example, if the Faraday Cage, electrolyte
circulation pump, or a metal vessel for the cell is grounded, do not
connect earth ground to the grounding lug.
Gamry File Types
The types of files generated or used by Gamry software are
described below.
File
Type What It Stores
.exp experiment script written in Gamry Explain™
experiment control language; in “Scripts” folder
accessed via Framework Experiment menu
.dta experiment results; in “My Gamry Data” folder
.Gdata experiment results that have been manipulated in
Echem Analyst; in “My Gamry Data” folder
.txt calibration results; in “My Gamry Data” folder; file
name is “calibration results <SN>.txt”, where
<SN> is the serial number of the Reference 3000
.set experiment parameter values; in “Sets” folder
under software installation location
General Instructions for Connecting Leads
The leads on Gamry cell cables are color-coded for easy installation.
The meanings of the colors are below. Color codes are also on the
Gamry mouse pad shipped with the potentiostat.
Clip
Color Electrode
green working
blue working sense
white reference
red counter
orange counter sense
black floating ground
Notes:
blue and green leads – If you have used other manufacturers’
potentiostats and cell cables, you may be puzzled by Gamry’s use of
two leads for working electrodes. The two working electrode leads
make it possible to devise a greater variety of experiments.
However, to do a standard three-electrode potentiostatic experiment,
connect both the green and blue clips to the working electrode (or
clip the green to the blue, and then clip the blue to the electrode).
orange lead – The orange lead is used only in ZRA (zero resistance
ammeter) experiments.
Gamry™, Series G 300™, Series G 750™, Reference 600™, Reference 3000™,
PCI4/300™, PCI4/750™, PC4™, PC3™, FAS2™, FAS1™, Gamry Framework™, and
Echem Analyst™ are trademarks of Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Microsoft®, Windows®, and Microsoft Internet Explorer®are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Copyright 2008 Gamry Instruments, Inc. No part of this document may be copied or
reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Gamry Instruments, Inc.