Gamry Interface 1000 User manual

Interface 1000


Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA
Operator's Manual
Copyright 2012 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Revision 6.0
August 27, 2012
988 00026

i
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 are unable to locate the information you need from our website, you can 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]: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 Interface 1000, it would be helpful if
you called 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 Interface 1000
Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA. Reasonable support includes telephone assistance covering the normal
installation, use and simple customization of a computerized system containing an Interface 1000
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 Interface 1000 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.

ii
imited 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 Interface
1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA 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.
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.

iii
Disclaimers
Gamry Instruments, Inc. cannot guarantee that the Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA 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
Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Operator's Manual
copyright 2012, Gamry Instruments, Inc., all rights reserved.
Gamry Framework copyright 1989 2012, Gamry Instruments, Inc., all rights reserved.
Interface 1000, Reference 600, PC4, PCI4, ECM8, Gamry Framework, DC105, EIS300, and
Gamry are trademarks of 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.

Table of Contents
If You Have Problems ....................................................................................................................i
Limited Warranty...........................................................................................................................ii
Disclaimers....................................................................................................................................iii
Copyrights .....................................................................................................................................iii
Chapter 1 Safety Considerations ................................................................................................1 1
Inspection.........................................................................................................................1 1
Product Safety ..................................................................................................................1 1
AC Mains Connection to the Power Brick..........................................................................1 1
Grounding in the Interface 1000 .......................................................................................1 2
Operation with Earth Grounded Cells and Auxiliary Apparatus...........................................1 2
Temperature and Ventilation.............................................................................................1 3
Defects and Abnormal Stresses..........................................................................................1 4
Environmental Limits.........................................................................................................1 4
Cleaning ...........................................................................................................................1 4
Service .............................................................................................................................1 5
RF Warning ......................................................................................................................1 5
Electrical Transient Sensitivity............................................................................................1 5
CE Compliance.................................................................................................................1 6
RoHS Compliance ............................................................................................................1 6
Chapter 2 Introduction..............................................................................................................2 1
About this Manual ............................................................................................................2 1
About the Interface 1000 ..................................................................................................2 1
Software and Applications.................................................................................................2 2
MultEChem Systems .........................................................................................................2 2
Front Panel Personalization ...............................................................................................2 3
Notational Conventions.....................................................................................................2 3
Chapter 3 Installation ................................................................................................................3 1
Initial Visual Inspection .....................................................................................................3 1
Physical Location ..............................................................................................................3 2
Computer Requirements...................................................................................................3 2
Quick Start Guide for System Installation...........................................................................3 2
Software Installation..........................................................................................................3 2
Reboot your Computer after Software Installation..............................................................3 3
Power Cord and Power Connection ..................................................................................3 3
Power Up Test..................................................................................................................3 4
USB Cabling .....................................................................................................................3 4
Multiple Potentiostat Systems............................................................................................3 5
Cell Cable Installation .......................................................................................................3 5
Front Panel USB LED ........................................................................................................3 5
1
st
Time Device Installation in Windows XP .......................................................................3 6
Running the Framework....................................................................................................3 7
Framework Device Status Bar............................................................................................3 8
Gamry Instrument Manager ..............................................................................................3 9
Authorization Codes and Label .........................................................................................3 10
Firmware Update..............................................................................................................3 12
Calibration........................................................................................................................3 14
Separate AC Calibration for Each Interface 1000 Cable Type ................................3 14
DC and AC Calibration ........................................................................................3 14
The Interface 1000 Personalization Label ..........................................................................3 16

Introduction to the Interface 1000 Personalization Label.......................................3 16
Label Sheet Provided With Each Interface 1000. ..................................................3 16
Label Files on the Gamry Website ........................................................................3 16
Procedure to Change a Label ...............................................................................3 16
Chapter 4 Cell Connections .......................................................................................................4 1
Normal Cell Connections ..................................................................................................4 1
ZRA Mode Cell Connections .............................................................................................4 2
Membrane Cell Connections.............................................................................................4 3
Chapter 5 Panel Indicators and Connectors................................................................................5 1
Front Panel .......................................................................................................................5 1
Power Switch.......................................................................................................5 1
Cell Connector.....................................................................................................5 1
Monitor Connector ..............................................................................................5 1
The Power LED....................................................................................................5 1
The USB LED.......................................................................................................5 2
Cell LED ..............................................................................................................5 2
Overload LED......................................................................................................5 3
Personalization Label Area ...................................................................................5 4
Rear Panel ........................................................................................................................5 4
Power In Jack.......................................................................................................5 4
Chassis Ground....................................................................................................5 4
USB Port..............................................................................................................5 4
User I/O Connector..............................................................................................5 5
Sync Port.............................................................................................................5 5
Chapter 6 Instrument Circuitry...................................................................................................6 1
Interface 1000 Schematic/Block Diagrams .........................................................................6 1
Chapter 7 Stability in Potentiostat Mode ....................................................................................7 1
Capacitive Cells and Stability.............................................................................................7 1
Improving Potentiostat Stability .........................................................................................7 2
Chapter 8 Measurement of Small Signals....................................................................................8 1
Overview..........................................................................................................................8 1
Measurement System Model and Physical Limitations........................................................8 1
Johnson Noise in Zcell .........................................................................................8 2
Finite Input Capacitance ......................................................................................8 3
Leakage Currents and Input Impedance................................................................8 3
Voltage Noise and DC Measurements ..................................................................8 4
Shunt Resistance and Capacitance........................................................................8 4
Hints for System and Cell Design.......................................................................................8 5
Faraday Shield .....................................................................................................8 5
Avoid External Noise Sources ...............................................................................8 5
Cell Cable Length and Construction......................................................................8 5
Lead Placement ...................................................................................................8 6
Cell Construction .................................................................................................8 6
Reference Electrode .............................................................................................8 6
Instrument Settings...............................................................................................8 7
EIS Speed ............................................................................................................8 7
Ancillary Apparatus ..............................................................................................8 7
Floating Operation............................................................................................................8 7
Appendix A Interface 1000 Specifications ...................................................................................9 1
Appendix B Interface 1000 Cell Connector .................................................................................10 1
Appendix C I/O Connectors........................................................................................................11 1
User I/O Connector...........................................................................................................11 1

Sync Port..........................................................................................................................11 1
Monitor Connector ...........................................................................................................11 2
I Monitor Signal ...................................................................................................11 2
E Monitor Signal ..................................................................................................11 3
External Signal In .................................................................................................11 3
Appendix D – CE Certificate...........................................................................................................12 1
Declaration of Conformity.................................................................................................12 1
Low Voltage Certificate of Conformance............................................................................12 2
RFI Certificate of Conformance .........................................................................................12 3
Appendix E Heat in Interface 1000 MultEchem Systems..............................................................13 1
Introduction to Device Power Dissipation..........................................................................13 1
Potentiostat/Galvanostat Power Model ..............................................................................13 2
Discharging a Battery ........................................................................................................13 2
Single Interface 1000 ........................................................................................................13 3
Vertical Stacks...................................................................................................................13 3
Interface Power Hub Systems............................................................................................13 3
Comprehensive Index ....................................................................................................................14 1

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations--Inspection
1 1
Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations
Your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA has been supplied in a safe condition. This chapter of
the Interface 1000 Operator's Manual contains some information and warnings that you must follow to
insure continued safe operation of the Interface 1000.
Inspection
When you receive your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA you should inspect it for evidence of
shipping damage. If any damage is noted, please notify Gamry Instruments Inc. and the shipping carrier
immediately. Save the shipping container for possible inspection by the carrier.
WARNING
An Interface 1000 that has been damaged in shipment can be a safety hazard. Do not
operate damaged apparatus until a qualified service technician has verified its safety.
Tag a damaged Interface 1000 to indicate that it could be a safety hazard.
Product Safety
The Interface 1000 has been designed, tested and certified to meet the requirements of EN 61010, Safety
requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use. As defined in this
standard, it is a Category II apparatus, with any "hazardous live voltages" protected by "reinforced
insulation".
Most of the Interface 1000 circuitry is a voltages low enough to be considered safe. The Interface 1000
contains a limited amount of internal circuitry that is at “hazardous live” voltages as defined in EN 61010
(the standard mentioned above). “Reinforced insulation” (again defined in EN 61010) is used to reduce
the risk of electrical shock due to this hazardous live voltage.
The majority of the Interface 1000’s circuitry does not contain voltages higher than 24 Volts DC. As a
generalization, input and output voltages in the Interface 1000 are limited to 24 volts. This voltage level is
considered safe.
The “AC Adapter” supplied with the Interface 1000 is certified under EN 60950. The AC Adapter converts
the AC mains voltage to 48 volts DC, which is used to power the Interface 1000.
You should always use the AC adapter (power brick) supplied with your Interface 1000 to supply DC power
to the instrument.
Warning
Use only Gamry Approved DC power sources with your Interface 1000. Other power
sources may alter the performance and/or safety characteristics of the Interface 1000.
AC Mains Connection to the Power Brick
The Interface 1000 does not connect directly to an AC Mains supply. Instead, the mains are connected to
desktop AC adapter (power brick), which outputs 48 volts DC, which in turn powers the Interface 1000.
NOTE
The Interface 1000’s AC Adapter is rated for operation from 100 to 240 volts AC, 47
to 63 Hz. It should therefore be useful throughout the world.

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations--Grounding in the Interface 1000
1 2
The Interface 1000 is normally provided with an AC line cord suitable for your location. This AC line cord
connects the AC mains to the AC power adapter. If your Interface 1000 has been provided without an AC
line cord, or a cord that is not compatible with your local AC mains socket, obtain a line cord certified for
use in your country. Contact your local Gamry Representative or Email to techsu[email protected] if you
are uncertain what AC line cord to use.
Grounding in the Interface 1000
The circuitry and the metal case of the Interface 1000 are not connected to an earth ground. If they were
connected to earth ground, it would compromise the Interface 1000’s ability to make measurements in
electrochemical cells that contain earth grounded metal. A few examples of such cells include autoclaves,
metallographic stress apparatus, and detectors for capillary electrophoresis.
Most electrochemical cells are isolated from earth ground, so isolation of the Interface 1000 from earth is
not required. In these cases, connection of the Interface 1000 chassis to an earth ground may lower the
noise seen in an electrochemical test. A Chassis Ground banana jack on the rear panel of the Interface
1000 makes for easy implementation of this connection. Simply run a wire from this binding post to a
suitable source of earth ground. A black 1.2 meter wire is provided with the Interface 1000 to facilitate
this connection.
NOTE
Sources of earth ground include:
• Most metal water pipes,
• the chassis of most electronic apparatus (which are generally earth grounded),
and
• the protective ground terminal of an AC Mains power plug.
We recommend that you discuss grounding with an electrical or electronics
professional prior to making this earth ground connection.
Note this connection of the Interface 1000 to an earth ground is not a “Protective Earth Ground” as defined
in EN 61010. The Interface 1000 is safe in the absence of this connection.
This binding post is not intended for any use other than connecting the Interface 1000 to an earth ground
to improve shielding against noise. Connecting this binding post to a hazardous voltage can create a
significant safety hazard.
WARNING
Do not connect the chassis ground binding post to any voltage other than earth
ground. An improper connection can create a safety hazard, which could result in
personal injury or death.
The Interface 1000 contains surge suppressors that limit the voltage difference between the Interface
1000’s chassis ground and earth ground to about 28 volts. These surge suppressors are not part of the
safety mechanisms in the Interface 1000. Instead they are present to limit the possibility of improper
instrument operation or instrument damage due to electrostatic discharge (static electricity) and other surge
events such as lightening.
Operation with Earth Grounded Cells and Auxiliary Apparatus
As described above, the Interface 1000 circuitry is isolated from earth ground, allowing it to make
measurements on cells that include an earth ground. This ground isolation is often called floating

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations--Temperature and Ventilation
1 3
operation. Cells with earth ground include many autoclaves, pipelines and storage tanks, and many fuel
cell systems.
Connection of the Interface 1000 to auxiliary apparatus will often earth ground the Interface 1000
destroying its ability to float and make measurements on earth grounded cells. Connection of the Monitor
Connector to an oscilloscope is an example where the instrument is earthed.
The User I/O connector can be connected to earth grounded apparatus without earth grounding the
Interface 1000, if the cabling is done carefully. The Metal Shell on the Interface 1000 User I/O Connector
is connected to the instrument's chassis which is a Floating ground. In a system that needs isolation from
earth ground, the shield of a User I/O cable must not connect the D connector's metal shell to earth
ground. All User I/O signals should be referenced to pin 6 of the D connector, which is an earth ground
on the Interface 1000.
Caution
Floating operation of Interface 1000 can be compromised by improper cabling to the
User I/O Connector. We do not recommend use of standard 15-pin shielded cables
with this connector. Custom cables with the shield connected to pin 6 of the D-
connector are preferred.
Temperature and Ventilation
Your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA was designed for indoor use at ambient temperatures
between 0°C and 45°C.
The Interface 1000 uses forced air cooling to keep the Interface 1000 components within their operating
temperature range. Most of the air needed to cool the Interface 1000 enters the chassis through holes in its
bottom plate. Some air also enters the chassis from small slots on the right side of the chassis (as viewed
from the front of the instrument).
The fan within the Interface 1000 has two operating speeds with different audible noise levels. The
Interface 1000 normally operates with the lower speed, quieter fan setting. The fan switches to a higher
speed when the Interface 1000's internal heat sink gets hotter than 50 °C.
The cooling air flows through a heat sink mounted inside the chassis. The air exits through a large array of
slots on the left side of the instrument.
Caution
Do not block the airflow into or out of the Interface 1000 chassis. The circuitry is
thermally protected so over temperature will cause the instrument to enter a shut
down state. If shut down occurs during data acquisition experimental data could be
lost. Running the Interface 1000 without adequate cooling could also shorten the
time to failure of some of the circuitry.
Be careful when operating the Interface 1000 in an enclosed space (such as an enclosed relay rack or
NEMA enclosure). The temperature within the enclosure must not exceed 45°C. You may need to provide
ventilation holes or even forced air cooling for the enclosed space if excessive temperature rise occurs.

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations-- efects and Abnormal Stresses
1 4
Defects and Abnormal Stresses
You should treat your Interface 1000 as potentially hazardous if any of the following is true of the unit:
• it shows visible damage,
• it does not operate properly,
• it has been stored for a long period of time under unfavorable conditions,
• it has been dropped or subjected to severe transport stress,
• it has been subjected to environmental stress (corrosive atmosphere, fire, etc.).
Do not use your Interface 1000 or any other apparatus if you think it could be hazardous. Have it checked
by qualified service personnel.
Environmental imits
Note that there are environmental limit conditions on the storage, shipping and operation of this
equipment. The Interface 1000 has not been designed for outdoor use.
Storage
Ambient Temperature 40 °C to 75 °C
Relative Humidity Maximum 90% non condensing
Shipping Same as storage plus
Acceleration Maximum 30 G
Operation
Ambient Temperature 0 °C to 45 °C
Relative Humidity Maximum 90% non condensing
Warning
The Interface 1000 is not designed for operation in conditions where liquid water
may enter the chassis, or water vapor may condense within the chassis. Operation of
an Interface 1000 that has water within the chassis can create a safety hazard, which
could result in personal injury or death.
Cleaning
Disconnect the Interface 1000 from all power sources prior to cleaning.
Use a cloth lightly dampened with either clean water or water containing a mild detergent to clean the
outside of the Interface 1000 enclosure. Alternatively, you can use isopropyl alcohol. Do not use a wet rag
or allow fluid to enter the Interface 1000 enclosure. Do not immerse the Interface 1000 in any type of
cleaning fluid (including water). Do not use any abrasive cleaners.

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations--Service
1 5
Service
Your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA has no user serviceable parts inside. You should refer all
service to a qualified service technician.
Warning
The Interface 1000 must not be operated with any cover or panel on the chassis open.
Dangerous voltages may be present at several points within the Interface 1000
chassis, including PC board traces. Always remove the power connection before
opening the Interface 1000 case.
RF Warning
The Interface 1000 has been tested for both radiated and conducted RF interference and for immunity to
RF fields and has been found to be in compliance with FCC Part 18 and EN 61326:1998—Electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use— EMC Requirements.
However, your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA does still generate some radio frequency
energy. The radiated levels are low enough that the Interface 1000 should not create an interference
problem in most industrial laboratory environments.
Your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA can also respond to environmental radio frequency
energy. We recommend you avoid using cell phone and other radio frequency equipment in the same
room as an Interface 1000. The Interface 1000 circuitry has been tested for operation in high intensity RF
fields and has demonstrated little response to those fields. However, there is no guarantee that the
electrochemical cell and its connections will not respond to RF fields. This response will most often appear
as DC shifts in a cell's response due to rectification of the RF signal.
A Faraday cage surrounding your cell can be used to minimize the effect of environmental RF fields. If your
cell is isolated from earth ground, Gamry recommends connecting your Interface 1000 to earth ground and
then connecting the Faraday cage to the Interface 1000's floating ground (the black lead on the cell cable).
Electrical Transient Sensitivity
Your Interface 1000 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA 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 61326:1998—Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use— EMC Requirements describing acceptable limits for Electrical Transient susceptibility in
Laboratory Test equipment. It should continue to operate when subject to the standard ESD and power
line events defined in EN61326.
In severe cases involving transients beyond the limits tested in EN61326, the Interface 1000 could still
malfunction as a result of electrical transients. 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 Interface 1000 or it’s cables):
• Placing your Interface 1000 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 Interface 1000):

Chapter 1 -- Safety Considerations--CE Compliance
1 6
• Try plugging your Interface 1000 into a different AC power branch circuit.
• Plug your Reference 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. Gamry Instruments, Inc. has designed and tested the Interface 1000 to
comply with these standards.
The relevant CE regulations include EN 61010 and EN 61326.
RoHS Compliance
The Reference 3000 has been built using lead free components and lead free solder. It is in compliance
with the European RoHS initiative.

Chapter 2 -- Introduction--About this Manual
2 1
Chapter 2 -- Introduction
About this Manual
This manual covers the installation, safety, and use of the Gamry Instruments Interface 1000
Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA.
This manual describes use of an Interface 1000 with Revision 6.0 (and later revisions) of the Gamry
Framework software. It is equally useful when setting up a newly purchased potentiostat or modifying the
setup of an older potentiostat for use with new software.
Chapter 1 was an in depth discussion of safety issues. This chapter describes this manual and gives a brief
overview of the Interface 1000 features. Chapter 3 contains Interface 1000 installation instructions.
Chapter 4 describes cell cable connections and Chapter 5 describes the Interface 1000’s Front and Rear
Panels. Chapter 6 is a description of the electronics circuitry in the Interface 1000. Chapter 7 covers the
difficult issues of potentiostat stability and approaches to prevent oscillation. Chapter 8 discusses the
realities of low current, high impedance measurements.
You will find dry technical material such as specifications and connector pin outs in the Appendices.
Appendix E discusses heat generation in multiple potentiostat systems based on the Interface 1000 and
makes recommendations for heat management.
This manual discusses software installation or software operation in some detail. The installation is written
assuming installation using Revision 6.0 of Gamry's Framework software. Installation is also described in
the Gamry's Quick Start Installation Guide for USB Potentiostats.
Software support for the Interface 1000 is described in the Gamry Help system.
All Gamry Instruments applications running under the Gamry Framework control the Interface 1000 via a
PSTAT object. See the Framework’s Help for information concerning PSTAT objects and their functions.
About the Interface 1000
The Interface 1000 is a value oriented, research grade electrochemical instrument packaged in a small, easy
to handle case. It works particularly well in systems with multiple instruments connected to one computer.
It offers measurement capabilities similar or superior to those of instruments that are more than ten times
its size and weight and more than three times its price.
The Interface 1000 can operate as a potentiostat, a galvanostat, or a ZRA (zero resistance ammeter).
Interface 1000 features include:
• 9 decade current auto ranging,
• electrical isolation from earth ground,
• current interrupt iR compensation, and
• both analog and digital filtering.
A sine wave generator on the Interface 1000 allows its use for accurate impedance measurements at
frequencies up to 1 MHz. EIS performance is excellent for both high impedance systems (such as painted
metals) and low impedance systems (such as low ESR electrical double layer capacitors.)
Data can be acquired at frequencies up to 100000 points per second.
A unique DSP (Digital Signal Processing) data acquisition mode allows the Interface 1000 to reject noise,
from the instrument itself, from the electrochemical cell, and from the lab environment. In many cases
where other instruments require a cell in a Faraday shield to make quiet measurements, the Interface 1000
can be used with the cell exposed on a bench top.

Chapter 2 -- Introduction--Software and Applications
2 2
The Interface 1000, like all Gamry potentiostats, requires a computer for its use. Unlike our older
potentiostats, the Interface 1000 interfaces to the computer through a USB connection. The USB
connection has become truly universal, with USB ports found on all modern computers. Gamry Windows
based software currently supports up to 16 Gamry Potentiostats connected to one computer. A system
can include a mixture of Gamry Reference and Interface Family instruments.
The Interface 1000 is isolated from earth ground. It can therefore be used to make measurements on cells
that contain an earth grounded metal. A few of the many examples of such systems are autoclaves, large
metal storage tanks, stress apparatus, and capillary electrophoresis detectors.
Software and Applications
The Interface 1000 supports all Gamry electrochemical applications software, including Gamry PWR800
Electrochemical Energy Software. The PWR800 was not supported on several older, low cost instruments.
The Interface 1000 should be particularly useful in laboratories where high test throughput is required.
Multiple Interface 1000’s can be used to configure flexible MultEchem systems, where the number of
potentiostats in each system can vary as needed.
For example, a dozen Interface 1000s in a lab can be used as one eight potentiostat MultEchem system
and four stand alone systems one week then used as two six potentiostat MultEChem systems the next
week.
Typical applications for the Interface 1000 include:
• Corrosion testing,
• Evaluation of protective coatings and paints,
• Research in electrochemical storage and conversion,
• Battery and electrochemical capacitor evaluation,
• Bio electrochemical testing,
• Electrochemical sensor development.
MultEChem Systems
The Interface 1000 can form several different types of MultEchem multiple potentiostat systems.
In one type of system, multiple Interface 1000 units are simply stacked on top of each other. The Interface
1000 chassis was designed for easy and secure stacking. The rubber feet on the bottom of one instrument
mate with indentations in the top of the instrument below.
In this type of system, each Interface 1000 is powered by an individual AC Adapter, which in turn can be
powered by a multiple output AC power strip. The multiple USB connections for the system can be
obtained from an inexpensive commercial USB hub.
In a more formal, less cluttered system, multiple Interface 1000 units can be added to a special Gamry
supplied rack called the Interface Power Hub. This smart rack arranges the units side by side and takes
care of power and USB connections. Individual units can still be easily added and removed as required.
In some multiple potentiostat systems, users want synchronized operation of several potentiostats. This is
often desirable when multiple units are connected to one electrochemical cell. Examples of this include
ring disk systems, series connected laminar flow generation detection systems, localized EIS and
electrochemical microscopy.
A special synchronization port (Sync port) on the rear of each Interface 1000 allows one Master instrument
to control the clocks and data acquisition timing of multiple Serf instruments. The Master can even
generate sine waves used for EIS experiments and the Serfs can acquire very accurate EIS data derived from
the Master’s excitation waveform. Additional information concerning synchronization cables can be
found in Appendix C.

Chapter 2 -- Introduction--Front Panel Personalization
2 3
Heat can be an issue in a MultEchem System. This subject is discussed in detail in Appendix E of this
manual.
Front Panel Personalization
The Interface 1000 supports a flexible labeling scheme for identifying potentiostats in a multiple
potentiostat (MultEChem) system. A clear window in the plastic overlay on the Interface 1000’s front panel
allows user defined identification of each potentiostat in a system.
Every Interface 1000 is shipped with its serial number in this label location. More user friendly labels can
also be displayed, such as Pstat1, Pstat2, Pstat3. Whimsical names such as "Rusty Dog" can also be
displayed in this area. See Chapter 4 for more details.
Notational Conventions
In order to make this manual more readable we have adopted some notational conventions. These are
used throughout this manual and all other Gamry Instruments manuals:
• Numbered lists. A numbered list is reserved for step by step procedures, with the steps always
performed sequentially.
• Bulleted list. The items in a bulleted list, such as this one, are grouped together because they
represent similar items. The order of items in the list is not critical.
• File names and folders. Inside paragraphs, references to computer files and Windows folders will
be capitalized and placed within quotes, for example: “C:\MYGAMRYDATA\CV.DTA" and
“GAMRY5.INI".
The term Interface 1000 is generally written in place of the more correct but awkward term Interface 1000
Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA.