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// Reference line

Reference 3020

Potentiostat / Galvanostat / ZRA
Energy storage & conversion

The Reference 3020TM is a high-current, high-compliance potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA: ±3 A at ±11 V, or ±36 V at ±1.5 A, with eleven current ranges reaching down to 300 pA. Built for battery, electrolyzer, and fuel cell development.

What it does
  • Two switchable compliance settings: ±36 V at ±1.5 A, or ±17.5 V at ±3.0 A
  • Eleven current ranges from 300 pA to over 3 A, thirteen with internal gain
  • High-voltage electrometer for stack voltages up to ±36 V
  • Built-in EIS to 3 MHz — 500 kHz on high compliance
  • Separated voltage and current cables for accurate EIS
  • Up to eight instruments on one computer; optional 30k Booster to ±30 A
For applications including
Battery TestingFuel CellsElectrolysisElectrocatalysisSupercapacitors
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±3 A
Maximum current
At ±17.5 V compliance
±36 V
Max applied potential
High compliance, at ±1.5 A
3 MHz
EIS upper limit
From 10 µHz, included
20 bit
A/D conversion
1.9 ppm/bit current resolution
6 kg
Weight
20 × 23 × 30 cm
// System highlights

Published EIS accuracy, not claimed accuracy

Overview

The Reference 3020TM is a high-current, high-performance USB potentiostat with 11 current ranges from over 3 amps to 300 picoamps and compliance voltage up to 36 volts. With on-board electronics for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the Reference 3020 can make measurements over a frequency range from 10 μHz to 3 MHz. The Reference 3020 also has an optional unique feature enabling the measurement of 8 additional voltages. It was developed to be especially useful in applications for Energy Storage and Conversion (ESC) devices.

Applications

  • Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Electrolyzers
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Synthetic Chemistry
  • Electroplating Research
  • Sensor Development
  • Kinetic and Thermodynamic Measurements
  • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
  • Corrosion Measurement
  • Analytical Electrochemistry

Standard Features

  • 2, 3, and 4 Electrode Measurements
  • High Voltage Electrometer Mode for Measuring and Applying Potentials Up to 36V
  • 3 Control Modes
    • Potentiostatic, Galvanostatic and Zero Resistance Ammeter.
  • Electrical Isolation
    • Floating instrument: use with operating fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries and autoclaves.
  • Separated Voltage and Current Cables
    • Always accurate EIS measurements.
  • Portable
    • Size of two chemistry textbooks, weighing about 5 kgs (11 lbs). Easy USB 2.0 connection to a Windows computer.
  • Built-In EIS
    • On-board DDS to perform EIS from 10 µHz to 3 MHz (500 kHz maximum on high-compliance)
  • DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Mode
    • Oversamples for improved signal-to-noise and to ensure accurate capacitance measurements.
  • Current Interrupt and Positive Feedback iR Compensation
    • Gamry potentiostats and their controlling software use control loop algorithms to accurately measure and correct for uncompensated resistance.
  • Auxiliary I/O
    • Control additional equipment via additional I/O interfaces: external signal input, analog voltage output, analog current output, auxiliary A/D input, and miscellaneous I/O connector.
  • Multichannel Capability
    • Up to eight Reference 3020 Potentiostats can be attached and installed on one computer (requires USB hub).
  • High Voltage Electrometer
    • A special high voltage electrometer allows measurement and potentiostatic control of voltages up to ± 36 volts.
  • Fast Setup
    • Load the Gamry software, connect the USB cable, and start your experiments.
  • Warranty
    • Protected by 2-year factory service warranty.

Options

Auxiliary Electrometer
The auxiliary electrometer is a factory installed option that adds an array of eight differential voltage inputs. Each of the eight channels can measure a ± 5 volt signal anywhere over the Reference 3020’s entire compliance voltage range. Impedance measurements up to 100 kHz can also be performed using the auxiliary electrometer.

Extended Cable Lengths
Extended length cell cables (1.5 and 3 meter) are also available for your convenience.
Auxiliary Electrometer Cables: The standard Auxiliary Electrometer cables are 90 cm. Extended length cables (1.5 and 3 meter) are available.

Accuracy contour plot · voltage ≤ 10 mV rms · 60 cm cell cable
// Overview

The Reference 3020TM is a high-performance Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA with a maximum current of ±3.0 A (at ±11 V applied and ±17.5 V compliance) and a maximum applied voltage of ± 36 V (at ±1.5 A). The Reference 3020 is recommended for battery, electrolyzer, or fuel cell development, as well as general electrochemical measurements.

Accuracy Contour Plot

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Gamry provides Accuracy Contour Plots for every one of our potentisotats that is EIS-capable.  The accuracy contour plot provides a detailed look at the performance you can expect from your instrument in real-world situations. The results include the cell cable.  Accuracy contour plots are important because they let you compare the performance of different manufacturers to ensure you are getting the best possible measurement. 

Reference 3020 Accuracy Contour Plot

// Specifications

The complete technical detail

System
PotentiostatYes
GalvanostatYes
Zero Resistance AmmeterYes
Floating (Isolated from Earth Ground)Yes
Cell Connections2, 3, or 4
Maximum CurrentNormal Compliance: ±3 AHigh Compliance: ±1.5 A
Current Ranges11
Current Ranges (including internal gain)13
Minimum Voltage Resolution1 μV
Minimum Current Resolution1.9 ppm/bit
Maximum Applied Potential±11 V Normal Compliance: ±36 V High Compliance
Rise Time<250 ns
Noise and Ripple<2 μV rms
Minimum Time Base3.333 μs
Maximum Time Base715 s
Minimum Potential Step12.5 μV
Analog/Digital Converter20 bit
Weight6 kg
Dimensions20 (W) x 23 (H) x 30 (D) cm
EIS Measurement
EIS10 μHz - 3 MHz (500 kHz maximum on high compliance)
EIS AccuracySee AccuracyContour Plot
Maximum AC Amplitude2110 mV rms
Minimum AC Amplitude4.03 μV rms
Control Amplifier
Compliance VoltageNormal Compliance: ±17.5 VHigh Compliance: ±36 V
Output Current>±3 A
Speed Settings5
Unity Gain Bandwidth2150, 1070, 325, 50, 5.2, 0.5 kHz
Electrometer
Input Impedance>1014 Ω
Input Current (typical)<10 pA
Bandwidth>15 MHz at - 3 dB
CMRR>90 dB (DC-100kHz)>70 dB (100kHz-1MHz)
Applied Potential
Applied Accuracy±0.5 mV ±0.04% of setting
Applied Resolution-
Drift<20 μV/°C
Potential Scan Range±0.4 V, ±1.6 V, ±6.4 V
Measured Potential
Measured Accuracy±0.5 mV ±0.04% of reading
Measured Resolution25 μV, 6.25 μV, 0.625, 0.0625 μV/bit
Offset Range±10 V
A/D Full-Scale Ranges12 V, 3 V, 300 mV, 30 mV
Applied Current
Applied Accuracy3 A, 300 mA range - 0.05% of reading (0.015% typ.) 30 mA-3 nA range - 0.04% of reading (0.01% typ.) 300 pA range - 0.1% of reading (0.05% typ.)
Applied Resolution-
Measured Current
Measured Accuracy3 A, 300 mA range - 0.05% of reading (0.015% typ.) 30 mA-3 nA range - 0.04% of reading (0.01% typ.) 300 pA range - 0.1% of reading (0.05% typ.)
Measured Resolution1.9 ppm/bit
Bandwidth (-3 dB) NOTE: Bandwidth is current range dependent>10 MHz (3 A-300 μA), >1.5 MHz (30 μA),>0.15 MHz (3 μA)
Post Offset Gain1, 10, 100
Offset Range±1X full-scale
iR Compensation
ModeCurrent Interrupt and Positive Feedback
Minimum Interrupt Time33 μs
Maximum Interrupt Time715 s
Auxiliary A/D Input
Range±3 V
Resolution0.1 mV
Input Impedance>100 kΩ or >10 GΩ
Auxiliary D/A Output
Range0-4 V
Resolution1 mV

Product video

Unboxing Reference 3020
// Resources

Documentation

Documentation
USB Potentiostat Installation Quick Start GuidePDF Reference 3020/3020AE Operator's ManualPDF Reference 3020/3020AE Quick Start GuidePDF Reference 3020/3020AE BrochurePDF
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