Antec Decade Electrochemical Detector: Installation

Installing and Controlling Third-Party Devices
Antec Decade Electrochemical Detector: Installation

Device Type:

Electrochemical Detector

Device Driver:

Antec: Decade ECD

Supported Hardware Options:

No special options available.

What is required?

License:	Timebase Class 3
Connection:	RS-232 cable (For more information, refer to Antec Decade Cable in the Appendix of the Hardware Installation section.)
Hardware Prerequisites:	An A/D converter is required for data acquisition. A UCI Universal Chromatography Interface including the appropriate signal cables may be used. A free RS-232 port is required for control.
Control Panel:	ANTEC.pan

Hardware Installation

Device Connection:

Connect the Antec Decade detector, using an RS-232 cable. (For more information, refer to Antec Decade Cable in the Appendix of the Hardware Installation section.)

In contrast to the parameters, the measuring data is not communicated via the RS-232 interface. For data communication, the Rec. and/or Int. outputs of the detector must be connected to the UCI Universal Chromatography Interface (also see the Application section below).

Device Settings:

Correct serial communication is possible only if the detector is correctly installed and configured in the Server Configuration program and if the instrument is switched to remote operation. Follow the steps below:

Turn on the detector and wait until the main screen is displayed. Only detectors with the RS-232 option can be controlled by Chromeleon. In the instrument's display, RS-232 appears on the lower right.
Press the RS-232 (F5) key on the instrument.

The detector is now in remote operation and can be controlled by Chromeleon.

Software Installation

Install the Device Driver in the Chromeleon Server Configuration. (For more information about the program, refer to Software Installation and Communication The Server Configuration Program.)

Start the Chromeleon server.
Start the Server Configuration program.
Add the detector to the timebase. Select Add Device on the Edit or context menu, and then select Antec from the Manufacturers list box and Decade ECD System from the Devices list box.
The following settings are required:

On the General tab page, select a free COM port.

Open the Signal Configuration dialog box by double-clicking the corresponding channel on the Signals tab page. Assign a channel to the signal and name the signal in the Signal Name field according to the selected detector type.

On the Relays tab page, deselect all relays that are not used.

The Error Levels tab page classifies the severity of any errors that occur. It is generally not necessary to change the default settings.

To control the Antec Decade Electrochemical Detector, connect the ANTEC.pan Control Panel in the Chromeleon client to the corresponding timebase.

Application

All detector functions that are otherwise performed on the instrument or via Dialogue software are available in Chromeleon. A distinction is made between DC Mode, Pulse Mode, and SCAN Mode.

Open the ANTEC.pan control panel to operate the detector.
Enable the Connect switch to start the detector.
As soon as remote operation is ensured, continue setting parameters as usual.
Press the F1 key on the control panel to directly access detailed information about the individual parameters. However, this requires basic knowledge about detector operation. For more information, refer to the detector manual.

The integrator output (Int.) supplies an analog signal that is not manipulated and that accurately indicates the state of the working electrode. In contrast, the recorder output (Rec.) supplies a smoothed, electronically processed signal.

Please note that both outputs can be used in DC mode, but only the recorder output in PULSE mode and SCAN mode.

Further Information

Tip:

For more installation details, refer to the manual for the instrument.

For an overview of manufacturers whose instruments can be controlled by Chromeleon, refer to Installing and Controlling Third-Party Devices.