ER825 Multichannel C4D System
User Manual V1.2 December 2014
T. +61 2 9807 8855
F. +61 2 9807 8844
E . info@edaq.com
www.edaq.com© 2013 eDAQ Pty Ltd.
All rights reserved.

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ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Checking the Instrument.............................................................................................................................. 3
Software installation .................................................................................................................................... 3
Meet the eDAQ ER825 Multi Channel C4D Detector System ...................................................................... 5
FRONT PANEL — 8 Channel System ........................................................................................................ 5
ER825 System Indicators .......................................................................................................................... 5
REAR Panel All Configuration ................................................................................................................. 5
Installing hardware ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Special Note on Input connectors. ........................................................................................................... 6Standard System configurations .............................................................................................................. 6e‐corder Amplifier Configuration ............................................................................................................. 7
Stand Alone Configuration ....................................................................................................................... 8
APPENDIX A System Technical Description.................................................................................................. 9ER825 Mother board................................................................................................................................ 9Headstage Module (Model EA025). ....................................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX B Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 11
Specification ER825 ................................................................................................................................ 11
Specification EA025................................................................................................................................ 11
APPENDIX C ER825 Multiple Heads stage Installation ............................................................................... 12
Special Note on Input connectors. ......................................................................................................... 12System cabling Check list (refer to user manual for details) ................................................................. 12ER825 e‐corder amplifier configuration ............................................................................................ 12System Ventilation ................................................................................................................................. 12ER825 e‐corder amplifier configuration ............................................................................................ 12Multiple C4D configuration using ET125 Head Stages........................................................................... 12Page 2

ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Introduction
This manual is intended to allow the user to install, check and run the ER825 Multichannel C4D Detectorsystem. It provides detailed information on the system and its operation. Please read this manual carefullybefore beginning installation or operations.
The ER825 Multichannel C4D Detector system provides the following functions:
An interface providing all required signals for connection of up to eight eDAQ C4D Head Stages
An interface to general purpose analog signals from other sensors or detectors.
Precision data acquisition system that outputs the head stage signals in both analog and serial dataformats.

Checking the Instrument
Before you begin working with the device, you should check:
The contents of the package you received against the packing list
For any sign of physical damage that might have occurred during transit.
If you find a problem, please contact your eDAQ representative immediately.

Software installation
Prior to connecting the hardware to the computer the appropriate software should be installed.
Three software applications can be used with the system depending on the configuration chosen.
C4D Profiler V2: This stand alone application will allow the C4D Detector to be tested over its complete
range of operations and used to obtain an estimate of optimum operating parameters.
C4D Configurator: This utility allows the setting up of the operating parameters of an ER825 C4D detector
system in a standalone configuration. This application provides an alternative to the use of direct serialcommands as described below. Refer to C4D Configurator User manual.
Chart Software: This general purpose recording and analysis software can be used with the ER825 torecord data from the ER825. It is particularly appropriate to use this software in non-chromatography
applications – for example for measuring conductivity changes in a capillary.
Install Chart software according to instructions supplied.
PowerChrom System: This chromatography data system can use the ER825 as a C4D detector and acquire,display, analyse and identify the resulting peaks. Install the software according to the instructions suppliedwith the system.
Serial Data communications: You can use any terminal emulation software (for example Tera Termfrom http://logmett.com) to communicate with the ER815 C4D Detector. With a terminal program installed
and running and with C4D Detector connected via the USB port to the PC the system will respond to a finite
set of commands described in Table1, see below.

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The serial port number must first be established. Serial Ports 1 and 2 on Windows computers are reserved
for the mother board. Thus it is common to find that the ER815 C4D Detector is located on serial port 3(COM3) or greater. Use your Terminal software to configure the virtual serial port as shown above.
Once the serial port is set up, type in a ? to get a listing of the available commands listed in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Multiple Channel Serial Dialog (ER825> prompt not shown)
Prompt/CommandAction

Channel Specifier <n>: 1, 2 etc or */all
help|?
versionprompt <on|off>

Specifies action to specific channel or all channels (*/all)
Returns a list of available commands
Show firmware version
Enable or disable the command prompt ER825>

set f|frequency <kHz>
set beep <on|off>
set channel <n> hg|headgain <on|off>
set channel <n> e|excite <percent>
set channel <n> o|offset auto
set channel <n> o|offset <volts>
set channel <n> r|range <5|1|0.5|0.05>
set channel <n> filter <1|10|10k>

Set excitation frequency to kHz on all channels
Enable or disable the error beeper
Headstage gain on Channel n to on/off
Set excitation level on Channel n in % of full scale
Automatically offset output signal on channel n to 0
Set offset on Channel n to specific voltage
Set Channel n input range in volts
Select Channel n output filter in Hz

get info
get frequency
get channel <n> headgain
get channel <n> excite
get channel <n> offset
get channel <n> range
get channel <n> filter

Show system Information
Get excitation frequency (common to all channels)
Get headgain setting on Channel n
Get excitation level on Channel n
Get offset amount on Channel n
Get input range on Channel n
Get filter setting on Channel nrs|sample [hz] [count]interval [seconds] [count]

Take a single set of readings from all channels
Sample at given rate, default 1 Hz, from all channels
Take samples at the specified interval from all channels

InfoSave
LoadLists System settings information
Save current operating parameters
Load previously saved operating parameters

Note 1. The following error messages may be returned due to incorrect spelling or value entered:
ERROR Unrecognised parameter (Attempt to set/get with illegal parameter)
ERROR Invalid value (Illegal parameter encountered)
ERROR Unrecognised command (Illegal command encountered)
Note 2. If you are including these command strings in your own software code, then they should beterminated with a carriage return character, <CR>, ASCII 13. Contact eDAQ for support.

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ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Meet the eDAQ ER825 Multi Channel C4D Detector System
FRONT PANEL — 8 Channel System

ChannelStatusWARNING:
Head Stage connectors
are precision
PUSH/PULL connectors.
Do not twist toremove connector –simply pull gently

System Status LED

System can be configured with 2 to 8 head stage or input channels

ER825 System Indicators
System indicator LEDs, as shown above, reflect the state of the internal hardware and assist in monitoring
system operation and diagnosing problems.
Power LED (blue LED)
LED Off = No power
LED ON = Internal power OK.
When power is switched on there will be a small delay while the system performs a self check and then turns
on the Blue LED to indicate that all power supplies are in order.
System Status LED: Bicolor LED
GREEN indicates system readyAmber indicates system is recordingChannel Status LED:Orange LED
OFF: no valid channel installed or faulty input channel
BLINKING: indicates that unit is being setup and configured.
ON: indicates that an operating channel has been identified and configured.

REAR Panel All Configuration
8 Analog Outputs .Only Channel 1
is active in this configuration

2

I C Bus

System Ground
Connector

12V DC power adapter
inlet. Note: innerconnector is +Positive

USB Input port

Page 5

Power On/Off Push button

ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Installing hardware
Before installing the hardware ensure that all required software has been installed. The installation ofmultiple head stages requires some care and is described in APPENDIX C.

Special Note on Input connectors.
The system uses precision multi pin connectors which need to be handled with some care. Incorrect usage
may damage the pins and require non – warranty replacement.

Note 1: The “red dot” on the connector should be facing to “3 o’clock” as shown above.
Note 2: Never force a connector to make a connection. A gentle push is sufficient to insert theconnector if it is properly oriented with the red dot at 3 O’clock.
Note 3: Never twist a connector in order to insert or remove it. To disconnect the connector grasp
the body of the connector and pull back gently as shown above, this releases the locking
mechanism and allows the connector to be pulled out.

Standard System configurations
The ER825 can be used as:
e-corder amplifier configuration provides analog signals to an e-corder (1 – 8 channels) orPowerChrom (1 – 2 channels) data acquisition system. The unit functions as a front –end and iscontrolled by Chart or PowerChrom software. The full capability of Chart or PowerChrom software isavailable.
Stand-alone detector for connection to a third party data acquisition system/software. The ER825
system provides both analog and serial data output suitable for integration with third party datasystems and software. The third party system is responsible for the display and analysis of the data.
A Terminal emulation program can be used to set up paramaters and to display the raw data
generated by the ER825 C4D Detector as columns of text. The C4D Configurator utility provides aneasier way to setup the system parameters.
Hardware installation instructions for the above configurations are described below.

Page 6ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MADe-corder Amplifier Configuration
USB cable connection to PC

Connect to 240/120V AC

Join system grounds together
I2C Cable

Connect
12V DC
AdapterConnect To e-corderfront panel Inputs

The above figure shows a system configured with two C4D channels. All connections should be made,otherwise the system will not operate correctly.
Each operating ER825 channel should be connected to an e-corder Input. Otherwise the presence ofthe corresponding C4D channel will not be detected by Chart software.
I2C cable connects the ER825 to the e-corder and provides all necessary control lines to allow theER824 to be controlled by the e-corder and Chart application.
Only the e-corder is connected to the USB port on the PC. Control of the ER825 is performed by thee-corder via the I2C bus.
Both units need to be powered – the e-corder with a 240/120 V AC supply and the ER825 with asupplied 12 V DC power pack.
System grounds should be connected together.
Head stages should be connected to the appropriate connectors on the front panel.
Once all the connections have been made as described above, power can be applied, and once the system
has powered up the appropriate software can be launched and system operations begun.

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ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Stand Alone Configuration
USB cable connection to PC

Join system grounds together

Connect
12V DC
AdapterConnect C4D analog output
signals to Data system

In this configuration the ER825 is used as a C4D detector to an existing data system. The ER825 generates
both analog data and serial data representing the changes in conductivity within each Head stage.
The external data system must be capable of accepting either analog signals or serial data.
The unit is controlled and set up by the firmware in the ER825 unit. Up to eight C4D channels can bedisplayed and recorded in this configuration. Note that:
Each operating C4D Detector channel should be connected to the external data system.
The I2C cable is not used in this configuration.
The ER825 C4D detector should be connected to the PC via the supplied USB cable.
The ER825 C4D detector needs to be connected to its 12 V DC power adapter.
The system grounds should be connected together.
Head stages should be connected to the appropriate connectors on the front panel.
Once all the connections have been made as described above, power can be applied, and theappropriate software can be launched.

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APPENDIX A System Technical Description
Capacitively–Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection (C4D) systems couples an AC voltage via atransmitter electrode to a capillary or channel containing a conductive buffer (electrolyte solution). The ACsignal is coupled capacitively to the sample, which conducts the signal, proportional to the sample
conductivity to a receiver electrode. The received AC current signal is amplified and demodulated to provide
a DC signal proportional to the conductivity between the electrodes. See http://www.edaq.com for a moredetailed description.
This process occurs inside a headstage, which outputs the DC signal to the C4D Detector.
The Multichannel C4D Detector (Model ER825) consists of a motherboard which supports from one to eightheadstage module (EA025) described below.

ER825 Mother board
The ER825 Mother board provides the headstage power and control, excitation signal (in the range of10 kHz to 2 MHz) and the means to convert the headstage analog data to low noise precision digital dataavailable on the USB serial port. In addition the headstage analog data is available on the system rear panel
for connection to a suitable data system as shown in the block diagram below.

ER825 Mother Board

HEAD
STAGE

HEAD STAGE
MODULE #1

Amplitude
set DAC

AnalogOutput1-8

OctalDAC

Micro24Bit
ADC

USB

Offset
DAC

HEAD
STAGE

HEAD STAGE
MODULE #8Master
Oscillator

Page 9I2CBusSet Masterfrequency

POWER
Supply12VDC

ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Headstage Module (Model EA025).
This module provides the interface between C4D head stages and an ER825 system. It can also be used tomonitor external analog signals e.g. other Chromatography detectors.

The EA025 Headstage module provides all necessary means to control the associated C4D head stages orinput signal. All headstages operate at the same user specified MASTER excitation frequency. Gain, offset
and excitation levels can be set independently on each headstage (see diagram below).
TO HEAD
STAGE+Excitation

ET025 Head Stage Module+1
X10-Excitation

Level control
Circuit-1TO
MOTHER
BOARDMaster
Frequency
Amplitude
set
POWER

10Hz

HeadSignal
PGA

1Hz

Conditioned
Head signal

100HzControl
BusControl
Bus
Offset

The excitation output can be configured as a single ended or differential output.
The resulting signal can be offset and amplified in the programmable gain amplifier (PGS) before it isprocessed by the user selectable filters.
Headstage modules can also be used with other types of analog inputs for example: pH, Temperature orother detector signals in the range ±50mV to ±5 V. A special cable is required for this function –contact
EDAQ for details.
Note: Expanding an ER825 system by the addition of EA025 Head Stage module requires return to factory.
The following head stages are available and supported by EA025 Headstage module
ET120 CE Headstage for Capillary electrophoresis (150 μm and 380 μm)
ET125 General purpose Headstage for tubing size from (380 μm to 1600 μm)
ET225 Micronit Microchip platform

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APPENDIX B Specifications
Specification ER825Number of input channels
Excitation frequency
Excitation output
ADC
ADC output rate
ADC range FS
ADC offset
ADC Gain error
Analog Outputs
Communication
I2C
Serial Port
Displays

BuzzerPower requirements
Dimensions
WeightOperating temperature range

1 Minimum, 8 Maximum
Sinusoidal 10 kHz to 2000 kHz (10 Hz resolution)
2 V peak to peak – amplitude controlled
8 differential channels 24 bit resolution (18 bits effective)
Max 100 samples per second per channel±5 V< 100 μV
0.1%
8 channels (one per headstage module) ±10 V available on rear panel BNCUSB 2 with virtual serial channel implemented.
Standard I2C DB 9 connector for connection to e-corders.
Optional internal RS232C implemented (for OEM use)
Power LED. Blue = Power ON.
Status LED. Green = On-line . Amber = sampling.
Individual Headstage modules LED: Connected. Blinking = OverRange
Over-range buzzer sounds when head signal exceeds 3 V
12 V nominal DC @ 10 W max 8 channels (Mains module supplied)
65 x 200 x 250mm (2.6 x 7.9 x 9.8 inches)
1.8 kg (4.3 lbs)
0 – 35˚CSpecification EA025
Output Driver Single Ended
Output Driver Differential
Output Frequency
Input connector

PGA Amplifier
Input range
Offset range
Drift RTI
NoiseFrequency response
FiltersPage 11

20 V Peak to peak sine wave (100% range) 30 mA max (Head stage setting)
40 V Peak to peak effective (100% range) 30 mA max (Head stage setting)
10 kHz to 2000 kHz
10 Pin Lemo equivalent with following pin out
Pin 1 EXC OUT Negative or SGND if single–ended output
Pin 2 +5 V
Pin 3 HGain
Pin 4 KSIG Conductivity Signal from headstage
Pin 5 HEAD_SCL
Pin 6 SIG GND
Pin 7 HEAD_SDA
Pin 8 EXC OUT Positive to headstage
Pin 9 –5V
Pin10 HDAUX auxiliary I/OProgrammable Gain amplifier. x1, x10, x100 user selectable±10 V±5 V
2 μV + (6/Gain) μV/°C<5 μV RMS measured with 50 Ohm input at Gain = 100 and 100 Hz filter
0 to 1000 Hz
Selectable: No filter (1000 Hz) , 10 Hz and 1 Hz Low pass 3 pole Bessel

ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

APPENDIX C ER825 Multiple Heads stage Installation
Special Note on Input connectors.
The system uses precision multi pin connectors which need to be handled with some care to prevent
damage. Incorrect usage may damage the pins and require non – warranty replacement.

Note 1: The “red dot” on the connector should be facing to “3 o’clock” as shown above.
Note 2: Never force a connector to make a connection. A gentle push is sufficient to insert theconnector if it is properly oriented with the red dot at 3 o’clock.
Note 3: Never twist a connector in order to insert or remove it. To disconnect the connector grasp
the body of the connector and pull back gently as shown above, this releases the locking
mechanism and allow the connector to be pulled out.

System cabling Check list (refer to user manual for details)
ER825 e-corder amplifier configuration
Analog cables connected between ER825 and E-corder input channels
I2C cable between e-corder and ER825
12V Power adapter cable
System ground connection between ER825 and e-corder (may not be necessary)
USB cable connected from e-corder to PC or USB hub. NO USB connection to ER825.
C4D head stages connected to front panel input connectors

System Ventilation
ER825 e-corder amplifier configuration
When fitted with the maximum number of input channels and working head stages the unit must be wellventilated. The front panel of the unit has ventilation slots on the bottom edge of the front panel. Theseprovide the necessary ventilation for the unit and must not be blocked off inadvertently. Ensure there is atleast 10mm of clearance between the bottom of the front panel and the surface the unit is resting on.

Multiple C4D configuration using ET125 Head Stages
Excitation electrodeSensor Electrode

Page 12is at a high voltage
is at 0 volts

ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD

Sensor Electrode side

Excitation electrode side

Head stages should be installed to the pattern shown below.
Correct electrode placement – minimizes interaction between head stages

ZeroCurrent

Zero Current
if excitation isthe sameWrong electrode placement – maximizes interaction between head stages

Max Current

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ER825 User Manual EDID-00785-MAD