Model 1470E Eight Channel Potentiostat/Galvanostat

The mode 1470E is an eight channel potentiostat/galvanostat.  Each independent channel within the 1470E is controlled by its own dedicated high performance digital signal processor, which provides accurate and instantaneous test control, data averaging and safety limit functions. A wide range of potentiostatic (voltage controlled) and galvanostatic (current controlled) techniques may be performed, including:

• open circuit
• cyclic voltammetry
• constant level and scanned voltage / current controlled techniques
• fast voltage / current pulse techniques (e.g. for mobile phone cell tests)
• voltage / current step techniques
• linear polarization resistance techniques
• ohmic-drop measurements (for accurate equivalent series resistance ESR analysis)

High-speed data acquisition
The 1470E is able to acquire DC data at 10,000 samples per second, which allows the unit to make very accurate measurements of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors using DC ohmic drop techniques. If required, the 10,000 samples per second data acquisition rate can be used in extremely short bursts of 1 millisecond, for example immediately after the cell current is reversed or interrupted in order to measure the ESR. The 1470E can operate at different measurement sample rates at each step in the experiment so high-speed data is only acquired precisely where it is needed and the PC disk is not filled with repetitive data.

The 1470E also provides data reduction and averaging techniques to minimize noise on the data and to reduce PC data storage requirements.

Safety / step termination limit checking
The high-speed digital signal processor on each channel of the 1470E reacts immediately when safety or step termination limits are reached on the cell (the PC is not involved in this process) with the obvious benefit of protecting test cells from being over-tested or damaged.

The user is informed of safety limit trips, allowing appropriate action to be taken where necessary.

Anode / cathode investigations
The 1470E has optional auxiliary voltage inputs that allow monitoring of individual anode / cathode electrodes in a cell, or of individual cells in a battery or fuel cell stack. The auxiliary voltage DC measurements are synchronized with those from the main channels, allowing detailed analysis of fast pulse or cyclic voltammetry tests at multiple points within a stack.

High power DC tests
The 1470E provides 10V, ±4A stimulus to cells, but for tests on higher power devices (larger batteries or fuel cell stacks) it may be necessary to increase this range of operation. Higher current tests can be performed by connecting a number of 1470E channels together in parallel (since each channel has independently floating electrodes), providing 8A, 12A, and even up to 32A stimulus to the cell. If increased voltage range is also required, Solartron offer a range of power boosters that are able to boost the voltage and current level that is applied to the cell.

Sequential Impedance Measurements
The 1470E includes the ability to be connected to a single model 1255B or 1252A FRA, allowing AC impedance measurements to be made sequentially on each active channel. DC conditions on each cell are maintained while the FRA is switched between cells. This multiplexed measurement method offers a cost effective solution when studying phenomena that are changing slowing with respect to the time needed to make the measurement.

Parallel Impedance Measurements
The 1470E can be used with one or more model 1455A/1451A Frequency Response Analyzers to allow AC impedance measurements to be made. These FRAs offer a full range of measurement methods, including single sine, multi-sine and FFT. Because the  FRAs are so closely integrated into the system it is possible to switch instantaneously from DC tests such as cyclic voltammetry to impedance analysis. There are no delays waiting for FRAs to become available, as occurs in multichannel systems using a single FRA connected via a a multiplexer, since each channel can have its own FRA.

Model 14703A Temperature Measurement Option
When fitted with a 14703A temperature measurement option, the 1470E can measure 8 temperature inputs, one per channels, by directly connecting to thermocouples of types E, J, K or T. The option provides:

• Temperature safety limits
• Temperature measurement with plots vs. time
• Temperature step termination limits

and includes a thermocouple interface unit for cold junction compensation, with a 1 meter connection cable to the 1470E. Thermocouples must be chosen to suit temperature range requirements and are therefore not included with this option.

Model 14702A Auxiliary Voltage Channels (similar to RE1, RE2) Option
This option provides eight additional auxiliary voltage measurement channels

Specifications