eDAQ e-corder, Manual

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Appendix B — Troubleshooting 89
the clips are still in good electrical contact with the correct pins in
the input connector of the electrode cable, see
Figure 2–2 on
page 4 , Figure 3–3 on page 25 , and Figure 4–2 on page 42 . Also
check that the shield pins have not shorted to any of the alligator
clips.
• Ensure that the reaction vessel (and electrodes) are positioned as
far as possible from power leads, computers, monitors and other
mains–powered equipment. Ideally the reaction vessel (and even the
Potentiostat or Picostat) should be enclosed by a Faraday cage. A
Faraday cage (or other electrical shielding) is almost always
required when measure small currents (which is usual with the
Picostat).
• Random spikes occurring during your experiment are more likely
to be due to nearby electrical equipment switching on and off.
Equipment with high current drain such as electric motors in vacuum
pumps, refrigerators, or air–conditioner compressors should be
particularly suspect. Try turning such equipment off during your
experiment to identify the source of the problem. You may have to
change your location (try a power socket on another circuit in the
same room, or even move rooms completely).