The epsilon system requires a 3-prong grounded power supply, providing either 120 or 240 V at 50/60 Hz. Before connecting the power cord, check that the indicator next to the power connection shows the correct voltage.
If the indicator does not show the correct voltage, change it as follows: Pry open the cover to the right of the connector and pull out the voltage selector card:
Orient the card so that the label for either 120 V or 240 V (do NOT use 100 V or 230 V) gets inserted first, with the writing facing towards your left. Slide the plastic indicator around so it nestles in the correct slot opposite the indicated voltage, then reinsert the circuit board. Install the cover and make sure that the correct voltage is indicated.
The epsilon system requires at least a 166 MHz Pentium computer with 32 MB RAM. Connect a standard 9-pin, RS-232 serial cable BASi Communications, P/N ER-9534) between any COMM port on the computer and the COMPUTER port on the epsilon detector:
WARNING: NEVER CONNECT THE CELL LEADS WHEN THE EPSILON SYSTEM IS TURNED ON, AND NEVER TOUCH THE EXPOSED PINS OF THE CELL LEADS WHEN THE INSTRUMENT IS ON. DOING SO COULD DAMAGE THE SENSITIVE AMPLIFIERS AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
Connect the specialty LEMO connectors of the cell leads here. Note that the W1 cell lead has the smaller connector. If your instrument is multi-channel there also will be a lead for the larger W2-W4 connector. The connectors must be oriented so their half-moon inserts mate with those in the sockets. Connection of the other ends of these leads to the electrodes is described in the Flowcell section.
Connect the analog outputs for any external detectors to the ANALOG IN connector:
This allows the output of these detectors to be digitized, saved, and analyzed. The output from the external detectors must be either 0.1, 1, or 10 V full scale, and this voltage must be specified in the Detector Channel Options section of the ChromGraph Control Method.
The epsilon system can control current model BASi pumps through the PUMP section of ChromGraph Control. However, many users prefer to control the pump independently. If integrated control of the pump is desired, connect a 9-pin (male-male) cable BASi epsilon/Pump, P/N ER-9548) between any COMM.NET or COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK port on the pump and the PUMP port on the epsilon detector:
A BASi autosampler can be connected to this 37-pin port. The cable carries both triggering information and vial position, so no other connections are needed. Use cable number EW-4454 for the BASi Sample Sentinel Autosampler. See the section on AUTOSAMPLERS for additional information.
W1-W4. Analog outputs are provided for connection to chart recorders, integrators, or other data-acquisition devices. There are connections for up to four channels of data, corresponding to the active channels configured in the Detector Channel Options section of the Control Method. Only three grounds are provided, so if all four analog outputs (W1-W4) are being used, one of the grounds must be used for two of the outputs.
The analog outputs are all 1 Volt full scale. Thus, when connecting to a chart recorder or other device where the input voltage is selectable, specify a 1 V input. For an integrator where attenuation must be set, use a value of 10 (corresponds to 1.024 V). Connect the W1-4 terminals to the 'high' or '+' input of the peripheral device, and the GND terminals to the 'low' or '-' input. Do not use any additional grounding that may be present on the peripheral device.
Eout Egnd. (Not for routine use). An output is provided to monitor the potential applied to detector 1 (W1).
Ein. Not used.
An external rezero is provided on the TTL-INPUTS connector, for users who wish to collect data with a non-BAS system. A momentary switch closure between IN-4 and GND, or a TTL-low, will rezero the epsilon.
The majority of users will not use this function: if you are using BASi software you should program an internal rezero using the EC SCHEDULE
The remote start and stop connections provide several alternatives for sending and receiving signals to and from other instruments. These functions are fixed in time and unmodifiable, as detailed below. For programmable triggers to remote instruments, see TIMED EVENTS below.
START IN allows an external device such as a non-BAS autosampler to start data collection. A switch closure or TTL-low across the START IN terminal and its ground will trigger the epsilon system when the appropriate trigger has been selected in Data Acquisition Options.
START OUT is used to trigger other instruments, such as an external detector or a non-BAS autosampler, when a chromatographic run begins. It provides a TTL-low when the run starts.
STOP IN allows a remote instrument to stop the chromatographic run. A switch closure or TTL-low across the STOP IN terminal and its ground will end the chromatographic run and save the data collected up to that point.
STOP OUT is used to trigger other instruments, such as an external detector or a non-BAS autosampler, when a chromatographic run ends. It provides a TTL-low at the end of the run.
TIMED EVENTS are programmable switch closures that provide exceptional flexibility for controlling peripheral instruments. Four switches are provided, and each can be connected in a normally-open or normally-closed configuration. In most cases use the ground and normally-open terminals for each switch. The switches are programmed in the Switch Schedule section of the ChromGraph Control Method.