The most common reasons for results looking wrong are:

• Noise pick up in the cell
• Poor connections between the instrument and cell
• Wrong connections being used
• Wrong test parameters being set in the sequencer

If none of these appear to cover the problem you are experiencing, then contact ACM Instruments for advice.

Noise pickup in the cell:

Typically when using a remote reference electrode.  To test for this, try replacing remote reference for a piece of stainless steel (you could borrow a spoon from the canteen or use same material as the working electrode) and place it in the bulk solution.  Try the experiment again.  If the results look promising, then what you need is a noise reduction probe (see the products and applications sections on our web site).

Poor connections:

Pretty obvious, check the connections are making a good contact.  If they look corroded then clean them with a suitable product.  Test all connections with a continuity or ohm meter.

Wrong connections being used:

Most common is the misuse of WE2.  On each setup page in the sequencer is a diagram showing which connections are used.
 

Another common occurrence is when the crocodile clip of WE2 has been held out of the way, by clipping it back to the wire of either of the three other leads.  In this instance, the crocodile clip will cut through the insulation on the wire and short out WE2 with the other electrode lead.

Wrong test parameters being set in the sequencer:

Common mistakes made here are fixing the counter resistor on range which is not suitable for the test (best using the Auto settings for counter resistors) or current limits being set from a previous experiment. On each techniques setup page in the sequencer, there is a default button.  Select the default button and then make the changes you require.