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RRDE-3A Troubleshooting

Trouble No. Cause Solution Note
1. Noisy signal 1-1


 Bad ground connection


 · Connect the RRDE-3A Ver.2.0 and the potentiostat to the same earth ground.
1-2



 The volume of the solutions is too much or too little


 · When you use "Sample vial (100 mL, Cat. No. 012632)", 65 mL ± 5 mL is suggested to use for the measurement to avoid noise.
 · For minimizing the noise caused by turbulence, the electrode tup should be placed in around 5 mm depth from the solution surface.
1-3

 Electrode is attached to the shaft in askew direction · Remove the electrode from the shaft, and connect it to the shaft again.
1-4





 Air bubble adsorbs on the electrode surface




 · Take out the electrode from the solution, rotate the electrode over 1000 rpm, and then dip the rotating electrode into the solution for eliminating air bubble with whirling flow.
 · Air bubble on electrode surface occurs easily after the gas purge.

· Air bubble is occurred during the electrochemical measurement sometimes.
1-5


 Air bubble on the reference electrode tip

 · Flip the reference electrode and move off the air bubble.

 · The alteration of the liquid temperature may cause the generation of air bubble.
1-6




 Dirty or uneven electrode surface



 · Polish the electrode.

· If some catalyst is loaded on the disk electrode, please reload the catalyst so that the catalyst layer is thin and flat.
1-7

 A poor reference electrode

 · Exchange the reference electrode for a new one.
1-8












 After long time use, the contact resistance between silver carbon brush and shaft is changed









 · Remove the silver carbon brushes from the shaft, clean the carbon powder on the shaft, then setup the silver carbon brush back.

· Place emery paper UF800, on the surface of the seriously dirty shaft. And then, turn on the rotator switch to rotate for a fez seconds at 100 rpm.

· In the case that silver carbon brush are consumed greatly by friction after long time use, please replace them.		 · The silver carbon brushes damaged may possible occurred by the big shock during the transportation.

[Accessories]
012611 Emery paper UF800 (20 pcs)



013229 Silver carbon brush for RRDE-3A
1-9


 Silver carbon brush shave powder is collected on the bearing part after long time use
 · Open the motor cover and remove the shave powder with such as a cotton swab etc.
 · The carbon powder stored on the bearing may possibly cause the ring current noise in most cases.
1-10







 The big vibration of the shaft tip after long time use






 · Distorted contact probe on the shaft often cause the vibration. Please replace the shaft contact probe.

· If the shaft contact probe is straight, please adjust and fix the screw of shaft to motor. If no change, please replace the shaft.		 013342 RRDE-3A Shaft contact probe repair kit


013643 RRDE-3A Shaft assembly Ver.2
2. Lower current than usual 2-1

 Different concentration of redox agents · Prepare the test solution again.
2-2







 High resistance between silver carbon brushes and shaft






 · Remove the silver carbon brushes, and attach it again, or exchange the silver carbon brush for the new one.

· Place Emery paper UF800, on the surface of the dirty shaft. And then, turn on the rotator switch to rotate for a few seconds at 100 rpm.		 013229 Silver carbon brush for RRDE-3A


012611 Emery paper UF800 (20 pcs)
2-3










 High resistance contact probe on the shaft and disk electrode








 · Exchange the shaft for a new one or replace the contact probe.









 · If the serial number of RRDE is after M1131 (purchased after March 2012), you can replace contact probe with 013342 RRDE-3A Shaft contact probe repair kit.

· If you purchase the RRDE before March 2012, due to the structure, you have to exchange the whole shaft assembly with 013643 RRDE-3A Shaft assembly Ver.2
2-4

 Deterioration of the electrode catalysis
 · Polish the electrode surface or the replacement of the electrode.
3. Over-flow current 3-1




 The reference electrode is not immersed in the solution



 · Dip the tip into the electrolyse.

· If the volume of the solution is not enough, please increase until the electrode tip is soaked.		 The recommended solution volume is 65 mL ± 5 mL.
3-2




 Unsuitable sensitivity setting for potentiostat, or the potentiostat is in bad condition&br
;		 · Fix the potentiostat or update the application software of the potentiostat.

· Adjust the sensitivity setting.
3-3














 Over-potential of the potentiostat compliance voltage due to unexpected high resistance between rotating electrode and counter electrode









 · Measure the resistance with a multimeter from tip of shaft through disk pin, or from shaft near the electrode stopper through ring pin.
When the resistance is more than 1000 ohms, inspect the cause of the high resistance and fix it.

· Replace the rotating electrode.

· Confirm whether your electrolyte, counter electrode etc. have low resistance. if there is something with high resistance, fix or replace it as long as you can do.
4. No current flow 4-1




 The rotating electrode or counter electrode is not immersed in the solution


 · Dip the tip into the electrolyte.

· If the volume of the solution is not enough, please increase until the electrode tip is soaked.		 The recommended solution volume is 65 mL ± 5 mL.
4-2


 Disconnection of electrodes with electrode leads of potentiostat · Connect the electrode leads to electrodes firmly.
4-3










 Disconnection between contact probe and disk electrode








 · Exchange the shaft for a new one or replace the contact probe.









 · If the serial number of RRDE is after M1131 (purchased after March 2012), you can replace contact probe with 013342 RRDE-3A Shaft contact probe repair kit.

· If you purchase the RRDE before March 2012, due to the structure, you have to exchange the whole shaft assembly with 013643 RRDE-3A Shaft assembly Ver.2
4-4







 Weak electrode catalysis







 · Polish the electrode surface or replace it.

· If some catalyst is loaded on the disk electrode, please check the catalyst activity at first, then active catalyst should reload on the electrode surface.
5. No ring current (Disk current is available) 5-1


 Loosen screw of rotating electrode

 · Unscrew the rotating electrode, and screw it to the end again.
5-2

 Broken rotating electrode

 · Replace the rotating ring-disk electrode.
last modified 2016/11/21
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