eDAQ Picostat, User Manual

Page: 31 / 122

Chapter 3 — The Picostat 27
Electrode Cable
The Picostat is supplied with a three lead electrode cable, with each
lead terminated by an alligator clip. The Reference and Working
electrode leads are shielded to protect the signals from external
interference. The alligator clips allow connection to a wide variety of
electrodes. The leads are color-coded to indicate the type of electrode
to which they should be attached (
Table 3–1 ).
For normal three-electrode use, the reference electrode must never be
connected to either the auxiliary or working leads, otherwise the current
that would be passed through the reference electrode could effectively
destroy it as a reference potential source.
If two-electrode operation is required the auxiliary and reference
electrode leads (red and yellow) can be attached to the single ‘counter
electrode’. The green electrode lead is attached to the working
electrode.
When attaching the cable to the Picostat make sure that the red dot on
the cable connector is aligned with the red dot on the Picostat Electrode
Connector,
Figure 3–2 . Insert the cable connector and push gently until
it locks into position. To remove the cable pull the cable connector
gently until it disengages. Do NOT twist the connector.
The Online Indicator
Located at the bottom right of the front panel is the Online indicator,
Figure 3–1 . When lit, it indicates that the software (such as EChem,
Chart or Scope) has located and initialised the Picostat. If the light does
not go on when the software is run, check that the Picostat is properly
connected. If there is still a problem, please refer to Appendix B
Troubleshooting, page 95 .
Color Electrode
Yellow Reference
Green Working
Red Auxiliary
Table 3–1
Color-coding on the
leads of the electrode
cable.