EL-CELL PAT-Chamber-16, PAT-Chamber-16 C User Manual

© 2017 EL-CELL GmbH

User Manual

Release 1.0

PAT-Chamber-16 / PAT-Chamber-16 C

Temperature-controlled docking station

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The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.

EL-CELL GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to products
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL -CELL GmbH does not
assume any liability arising from the use or application of this product.

EL-CELL GmbH

Tempowerkring 8

21079 Hamburg - Germany

phone: [phone]

fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: www.el-cell.com

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Content

1 Product description ...................................................................................................................................... 4

2 Safety instructions......................................................................................................................................... 5

3 Technical data ................................................................................................................................................ 6

4 Installation....................................................................................................................................................... 8

5 Operation ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

6 EC-Link software .......................................................................................................................................... 12

7 Cleaning ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

8 Unpacking ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

10 EC declaration of conformity ................................................................................................................. 13

11 Technical support ...................................................................................................................................... 16

12 Warranty ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Included component manuals

PAT-Connect-16..…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

EC-Link software……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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1 Product description

The PAT-Chamber-16 is a temperature controlled docking station / cell chamber for up to 16
test cells of the PAT series. The temperature of the chamber can be precisely controlled by
means of a Peltier device between 5 and 80°C. The PAT-Chamber-16 is the first high
throughput docking station supporting the PAT-Cell-Press for in-situ pressure monitoring of
up to 16 test cells at the same time.

The PAT-Chamber-16 is to be connected to a multi-channel potentiostat (like the Biologic
MPG-2) or battery tester (like the Maccor 4000). Mixed connection of the 16 cell positions to
different potentiostats / battery testers is possible as well.

The PAT-Chamber-16 features a built-in data logger for recording all cell signals – cell current,
cell voltage and the two half cell voltages of each cell – along with the chamber temperature
and the individual pressure signals, if used with the PAT-Cell-Press.

The PAT-Cell, the PAT-Core, and the EC-Link data logger software are covered in detail by
other manuals (http://el-cell.com/downloads/downloads-manuals

).

PAT-Chamber-16 and PAT-Chamber-1 6 C (with integrated PAT-Connect adapter box)

Features

 Peltier temperature-controlled docking station, ready for connection to any potentiostat

or battery tester.

 Temperature range 10 – 80°C
 Holds up to 16 PAT series test cells for 2- and 3-electrode measurements.
 Charge/discharge/EIS compatible with any PAT series test cell
 Supports up to 16 PAT-Cell-Press for additional pressure monitoring
 Compatible with all of today's multi-channel potentiostats and battery testers. Mixed

operation of the 16 cell positions with different potentiostats and/or battery testers
possible.

 Integrated data logger hard- and software for recording of cell current, cell voltage, half

cell voltages, global temperature, and individual cell pressure.

 Analog outputs available of the buffered half cell voltages (16 x V2R), sensor signals

(16 x AOUT) and chamber temperature (VT). The analog outputs allow for easy
interfacing with the external inputs of the connected battery tester / potentiostat.

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2 Safety instructions

The PAT-Chamber-16 should only be operated by laboratory personnel especially trained for
this purpose and familiar with all precautionary measures required for working in a laboratory .
To avoid injuries and damage observe the safety instructions of this user manual.

NOTE: The PAT-Chamber-16 must only be used with test cells of the PAT series. Don’t place other
goods inside the chamber.

2.1 Localization / position of safety labels on the PAT-Chamber-16

The following lables are located on the unit

Electrical hazard!

After removing covers, live parts may be exposed. You may receive
an electric shock if you touch these parts. Disconnect the mains plug
before removing any covers. Only electrical technicians may work on
the electrical equipment of the appliances.

Hot surface!

The parts of the inner chamber will become hot during operation.
Danger of burning. Do not touch the inner surfaces during operation
without protective gloves.

Wear protective gloves

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3 Technical data

 Dimensions:

635 mm (width) x 378 mm (depth) x 374 mm (height)

 Dimensions with attached PAT-Connect-16 C:

635 mm (width) x 378 mm (depth) x 449 mm (height)

 Temperature: +10 to +80°C

 Weight: 24 kg (without PAT-Cells)

1

2

1

2

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3.1 Designation (nameplate)

The nameplate provides information about the appliance model, manufacturer and technical
data. It is attached to the back of the appliance.

1 2 5

3

6

Type designation

Operating voltage,
Connection / power ratings

Protection class

1 3 2

Address of manufacturer

Serial number

CE conformity

4

6

5

4

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4 Installation

Place the PAT-Chamber-16 on a flat, horizontal surface. Do not place the instrument on a
flammable surface. A 230 V or 115 V power connection must be available. The distance
between the wall and the rear of the instrument must be at least 15 cm. The top clearance
must not be less than 25 cm. Sufficient air circulation in the vicinity of the instrument must be
guaranteed at all times.

4.1 Connection to the external battery tester or potentiostat

Two versions of the PAT-Chamber-16 are available which differ in the way the connection to
the external battery tester or potentiostat is being established.

1. PAT-Chamber-16:

Direct connection with fixed
assignment of WE, CE and RE for a
given channel.

2. PAT-Chamber-16 C:

Indirect connection via
PAT-Connect-16 C with variable
assignment of WE, CE and RE for a
given channel.

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4.2 Connection to the power supply

Caution:

Observe the country-specific regulations when making connections. Observe the connection
and power ratings (see nameplate.). Make sure to establish a safe PE conductor connection.

Plug the provided power cable into the rear of the instrument. Lay the power cable so that it
is always accessible and within reach so it can be disconnected quickly in the event of failure
or emergencies.

Connect the other end of the power cable to the power supply (wall outlet). The instrument
will immediately power up once connected. Note that the cells docked into the PAT-Chamber­16 will experience self-discharge (across a resistance of approx. 10 kOhm between WE and CE)
in case the instrument is powered down.

4.3 USB connection to the host PC

Plug one end of the provided USB cable into the USB socket at the rear of the PAT-Chamber­16, the other end into the USB socket of the Windows PC. From the provided CD, install the
EC-Link software on the Windows PC and launch the EC -Link software.

For details of the software installation and operation, refer to the EC-Link software manual.
Note that the USB data logger hardware of the PAT-Chamber-16 is powered from the host PC,
and is galvanically isolated from the power supply of the PAT-Chamber.

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5 Operation

5.1 Control display, push buttons, and LED matrix

By default, the LC display at the front of the PAT-Chamber-16 shows the actual and the
setpoint temperature. The 4x4 LED matrix on the right informs about whether the
corresponding cell socket is free (LED off) or occupied (LED lit).

In order to change the setpoint temperature, press the select button, then adjust the
displayed setpoint with the arrow buttons, and confirm with the select button.

In order to change the device number or the display contrast, hold the select button for at
least one second. A settings list shows up. From this list, select the device or contrast entry
with the arrow buttons and change as required.

Control display

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5.2 Dry Mode

Under certain operating conditions, especially when heating up the chamber from a setpoint
below ambient temperature, water may start to condense inside the chamber. When detecting
such an operating condition, the chamber automatically enters the so -called Dry Mode: The user
is prompted to open the lid of the PAT-Chamber.

Once the lid has been opened, the user is prompted to wait (to lea ve the chamber open) for a
given time period.

Once the countdown is finished, the user is prompted to close the lid.

5.2 Workflow

This section gives a quick overview on how to run a test with a PAT -Cell docked into the PAT­Chamber, and connected to an external battery tester. More details on the EC-Link software
are given in a separate manual.

─ Open the cover of the PAT-Chamber
─ Insert a new PAT-Cell into a free socket, and close the cover.
─ In EC-Link, a menu pops up, notifying that a new test cell has been inserted.
─ Follow the instructions of the ‘New cell detected’ dialog. Data recording for the given

cell will be started.

─ In the software application of the battery tester, start the test procedure of the

corresponding channel.

─ Once the test is completed, remove the PAT-Cell from the PAT-Chamber.
─ In EC-Link, a menu pops up, notifying that recording has been stopped.

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6 EC-Link software

How to install and operate with the EC-Link software is described in a separate manual.

Please note that the EC-Link software is only required for the standard configuration of the
PAT-Chamber-16, which contains a data logger. A passive version of the PAT-Chamber-16
without a data logger is available on request.

7 Cleaning

Wipe the PAT-Chamber-16 with a moist tissue. Do not use aggressive chemicals for cleaning.
Protect the PAT-Chamber-16 from dust and splash water.

8 Unpacking

Check the contents of the packages against the list given below to verify that you have
received all of the required components. Contact EL-CELL, if anything is missing or damaged.
NOTE: Damaged shipments must remain within the original packaging for freight company
inspection.

List of c

omponents

 PAT-Chamber-16 ECC1-03-0300-A
 optionally with PAT-Connect-16 C ECC1-03-0130-A
 Power cord ELT9412
 USB cable (Type A/B; 2,0m) ELT9167
 EC-Link installation CD ECE1-00-0052-A

NOTE: The cables for connection between PAT-Chamber-16 and the external battery tester
must be ordered separately.