ECM8 Electrochemical Multiplexer

ECM8 Electrochemical Multiplexer
Click here for detailed photos of the ECM8

Click here for the ECM8 brochure.

The ECM8^™ Electrochemical Multiplexer partners with a Gamry Potentiostat to conduct experiments on up to 8 electrochemical cells. This converts a single Potentiostat into a powerful instrument suitable for sequential multichannel monitoring or automating repetitious electrochemical experiments.

Note: The ECM8 runs experiments sequentially. If you need a multiple-potentiostat system for running several experiments simultaneously, take a look at the MultEchem Electrochemistry System.

Applications for the ECM8 include corrosion inhibitor testing, EIS evaluation of paints/coatings, monitoring of field probes for corrosion tests, chemical sensor development, battery testing, and many more. The ECM8 has proven its reliability and flexibility in hundreds of labs since its introduction.

The ECM8 works well with Gamry's Reference 600 or Series G family of Potentiostats and is integrated into Gamry Instruments' application software for easy operation.

Reflecting its electrochemical parentage, each of the eight Multiplexer channels incorporates a "local" potentiostat to polarize the sample when not participating in the electrochemical experiment.

For an in-depth technical description of the ECM8's switching circuitry, refer to the simplified schematic diagram. Note that the function of the ECM8 Multiplexer can be customized with Explain to perform surprisingly complex experimental protocols. As always, contact us if you have a specific application you would like to discuss.

The ECM8 Multiplexer can also be used with other commercial potentiostats. Any standard laboratory computer can control the ECM8 via a simple RS-232 cable. All ECM8 commands are simple ASCII codes. To make interfacing easier, a C language library for MS-DOS computers is available upon request. This library, complete with source code, allows you to quickly write a program for multiplexing cells with your existing potentiostat. The ECM8 may be used with potentiostats with up to 1 Ampere current capability.

System Information

The ECM8 Multiplexer includes one 1.5 m cell cable (Part No. 985-38), one Potentiostat Interface Cable (Reference 600, Part No. 985-80 or Series G, Part No. 985-13), and one RS232 Cable.

Cell Cables for additional channels should be ordered separately.

Specifications
Channel Characteristics
Modes		Active, Open, Shorted, Local
Channel Switching Time		< 4 msec (excluding communication time)
Cell Current		1 Amp max (Switched)
Input Voltage (operating)		± 12 V vs. chassis (except counter)
Input Voltage (no damage)		± 24 V vs. chassis
Counter Electrode Voltage		± 120 V vs. chassis
Channel Isolation
Current Leakage		< 2 nA max (to any electrode in active channel from any source)
Impedance		> 500 MW To ECM8 ground, < 20 pF
Power Input
Input Voltage Ranges		100, 120, 220, 240, V rms
Allowed Voltage Variation		± 10% (On each range)
Power		> 50 VA
Local Potentiostats
Compliance Current		± 20 mA - 500W load
Compliance Voltage		± 11 V - 1 kW load
Applied E Range		± 5.12 V (Working vs. Reference)
Resolution		2.5 mV/bit
Zero Offset Error		< 4 mV typical - 0 V output < 10 mV max - 10 kW load load
Gain Error		< 0.2%
Reference Input Current		< 50 pA
Note		Applied voltage error is the sum of zero offset and gain errors.
RS-232 Communications
Baud Rates		300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 (set via internal DIP switches)
Default		9600 (factory setting)
Handshake		Hardware via RTS and CTS
Environmental
Operating Temperature		0 to 45º C
Humidity		0 to 90%

Warranty Information

The ECM8 is protected by a 2-year factory service warranty.

Batteries | Fuel Cells | Corrosion | Paints & Coatings | Physical Electrochemistry

Last revised on Monday, February 25, 2008