Using the Multiplexer Setup Script

In addition to controlling up to eight electrochemical cells in sequence, the ECM8 also has local potentiostats on each channel.  These are utilized in the standard Multiplexer experiments of Potentiostatic and Galvanic Corrosion to appropriately control the potential of the inactive cells.  These channel settings can be individually modified by using the Multiplexer Setup script in Experiment / Utilities…

The Setup screen is split into 3 sections:  Local Potentiostat Control, Active Cell, and Active Mode.  The local potentiostat for each channel can be set individually with a maximum potential of +/- 5V.  Set this to OFF for an open inactive cell, and set it to ON with a voltage of 0 V for a short circuited working and counter electrode.

The Active cell section turns on one channel of the Multiplexer.  This is necessary if you want to run a standard, individual cell experiment and do not want to disconnect the Multiplexer.  The amber channel light on the front of the Multiplexer will light up for the channel you select, and this channel will stay active until you change the setting or run one of the Multiplexed DC Corrosion experiments.  The Multiplexed DC Corrosion experiments handle all switching of the active cell automatically.

Active mode specifies the operation mode for the active cell.  In NORMAL mode the potential is controlled between the working sense and reference leads.  In ZRA mode the potential is controlled between the working sense and counter sense leads.

Scripts from Multiplexed DC Corrosion will automatically control these 3 sets of parameters so that the desired experimental conditions are applied (e.g. multiplexed galvanic corrosion will set each inactive channel to short circuit, change the active cell to take measurements, and utilize ZRA mode on the active cell).