Recommended Configuration for
1. Potentiostats/Galvanostats
2. Computer System Requirements (Macintosh and PC)

1. Potentiostats/Galvanostats

HEKA offers four series of Potentiostats/Galvanostats. The PG 300 USB series is completely controlled by software. The instruments of the PG 400 and PG 500 series are manually controlled Potentiostats/Galvanostats with the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface. EVA 8 is a stand-alone voltammetric amplifier for microelectrode technology for two-electrode measurements.
A data acquisition system for electrochemical experiment consists of a Potentiostat/Galvanostat, an interface with A/D D/A acquisition interface, computer and software. Below you will find our recommendations for complete data acquisition systems to be connected to a computer. See our brochures for details.

PG 310 USB Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

PG 410 Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

The PG 310 USB is completely controlled by software. This allows simple operation and automatic control of routine adjustment as parameter settings, filter settings or IR-compensation. The integration of the A/D D/A converter into the Potentiostat housing reduces noise, grounding problems and the need of additional cables.

The PG 410 is a stand-alone Potentiostat/Galvanostat with manual controls and one built-in 4 1/2 digit display switchable for current and voltage. The following functions can also be controlled by software: current range, mode, bandwidths setting, POT/GAL mode, and switch for external input. As stand-alone amplifier, it can be combined with any data acquisition system. In order to use the software-controlled functions, it must be driven by our software POTMASTER in combination with the LIH 8+8. Alternatively, an user can write his own software to control the amplifier and connect the PG 410 to a computer board with 16-bit parallel port.

  • PG 310 USB Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±20V/2A
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: External Pre-Amplifier for low current ranges of 100pA, 1nA, 10nA and 100nA
  • optional: additional software for analysis
  • PG 410 Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±20V/2A
  • LIH 8+8 acquisition interface (USB 2.0)
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis

PG 340 USB Ring/Disk Bipotentiostat/Galvanostat Set

PG 490 Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

Fully computer-controlled Bipotentiostat/Galvanostat with built-in A/D D/A acquisition interface for ring-disk, SECM, and other applications.

The PG 490 is a manually controlled stand-alone Potentiostat/Galvanostat for high compliance voltage and one built-in 4 1/2 digit display switchable for current and voltage. It supplies identical remote possibilities as the PG 410.

  • PG 340 USB Ring/Disk Bipotentiostat/Galvanostat ±20V/2A
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: External Pre-Amplifier for low current ranges of 100pA, 1nA, 10nA, 100nA
  • optional: additional software for analysis
  • PG 490 Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±90V/1A
  • LIH 8+8 acquisition interface
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis

PG 390 USB Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

PG 510 Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

Fully computer-controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat for high compliance voltage with built-in A/D D/A acquisition interface.

The PG 510 is a stand-alone Potentiostat/Galvanostat with manual and remote controls, one built-in analog Scan Generator and two built-in 4 1/2 digit displays for current and voltage independently. The following functions can also be controlled by software: Initial potentials, current range, current filter, mode, bandwidths, POT/GAL mode, and external input gain. As a stand-alone amplifier, it can be combined with any data acquisition system. One possible use for the unit, in remote mode, is to use our software POTMASTER in combination with a LIH 8+8. Alternatively, an user can write his own software to control the amplifier and connect the PG 510 to a computer with the built-in RS 232 interface.

  • PG 390 USB Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±90V/±1A
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis
  • PG 510 Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±20V/2A
  • RS 232 remote control interface
  • LIH 8+8 acquisition interface (USB 2.0)
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis

Voltammetric Amplifier EVA 8

PG 590 Potentiostat/Galvanostat Set

The EVA 8 is a stand-alone voltammetric amplifier for microelectrode technology with manual control. The following functions can also be controlled by software: gain, mode, filter setting. As stand-alone amplifier, it can be combined with any data acquisition system. In order to use the software-controlled functions, it must be driven by our software POTMASTER or PATCHMASTER in combination with the LIH 8+8.

The PG 590 is a stand-alone Potentiostat/Galvanostat with manual and remote controls, one built-in analog Scan Generator and two built-in 4 1/2 digit displays for current and voltage independently. The following functions can also be controlled by software: initial potentials, current range, current filter, mode, bandwidths, POT/GAL mode, and external input gain. As a stand-alone amplifier, it can be combined with any data acquisition system. One possible use for the unit, in remote control, is to use our software POTMASTER in combination with a LIH 8+8. Alternatively, a user can write his own software to control the amplifier and connect the PG 590 to a computer with the built-in RS 232 interface.

  • EVA 8 amplifier including headstage and pipette holder, cable to LIH 8+8 digital port
  • LIH 8+8 acquisition interface
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis

  • PG 590 Potentiostat/Galvanostat ±90V/1A
  • RS 232 Control Interface
  • LIH 8+8 acquisition interface (USB)
  • Software POTMASTER
  • optional: additional software for analysis


Hardware

Software

PG 310 USB
This computer-controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat allows to perform virtually every electrochemical experiment.

PG 340 USB
Fully computer-controlled Bipotentiostat for ring-disk experiments, SECM applications, surface investigations and generator/collector electrode techniques.

PG 390 USB
Fully computer-controlled Potentiostat designed for experiments in high resistant electrolytes.

External Pre-Amplifier
for current ranges 100pA, 1nA, 10nA and 100nA, available for the PG 310 USB and PG 340 USB.

PG 410
Manually controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat with a compliance voltage of ±20V. PG 410 offers the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface.

PG 490
Manually controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat with a compliance voltage of ±90V. The PG 490 offers the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface.

PG 510
Manually controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat with a compliance voltage of ±20V. The PG 510 is equipped with a built-in Scan Generator and two built-in 4 1/2 digit displays for current and voltage independently. The PG 510 offers the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface.

PG 590
Manually controlled Potentiostat/Galvanostat with a compliance voltage of ±90V. The PG 590 is equipped with a built-in Scan Generator and two built-in 4 1/2 digit displays for current and voltage independently. The PG 590 offers the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface.

EVA 8
The EVA 8 is a stand-alone Voltammetric Amplifier for microelectrode technology with manual control. The EVA 8 offers the possibility of digital remote control via a digital interface.

LIH 8+8
Acquisition interface with A/D D/A converter, for sampling of 8 analog signals, output of 4 analog signals, 16 TTL outputs and inputs, two 200 kHz 16 bit A/D converters. Optical isolation. USB port for connection to a PC or Macintosh computer with USB 2.0 port.

POTMASTER
Scan generator, data acquisition, and Online Analysis. Control and data acquisition of PG 300 USB series potentiostats. For MacOS and Windows 2000/XP/Vista. Supports the PG 400 and PG 500 by use of the LIH 8+8.

DataAccess
Software for import of POTMASTER data to SigmaPlot, Microsoft Excel, Visual Basic, Origin and IGOR Pro.
For MacOS and Windows 2000/XP.

IGOR Pro
Software for graphing and data analysis
for MacOS and Windows 2000/XP.

Origin
Software for graphing and data analysis
for Windows 2000/XP.

SigmaPlot
Software for graphing and data analysis
for Windows 2000/XP.

Additional Equipment
























2. Computer System Requirements (Macintosh and PC)

The computer configuration depends on the actual needs of the experiments, e.g. sampling rate and duration of continuous data acquisition. While the recommended computer configuration is sufficient for most patch clamp experiments, the configuration may have to be extended for more demanding experiments. For fast continuous data acquisition it may be necessary to temporarily write data to RAM rather than directly to disk. This option requires a RAM size large enough to accommodate the data in memory.
Furthermore, a well equipped computer reduces the time required for data storage, and also makes data analysis more convenient. If you intend to run other programs simultaneously with our data acquisition software, e.g. for photometric measurements, a fast computer can help to avoid timing problems. For external data storage, CD/DVD writer, ZIP disks or optical disks are recommended.

Recommended computer configuration