If you're setting up a multi-channel electrochemical experiment, one of the most common questions is: where do the potentiostat banana plugs connect on the test jig? In this guide, we'll walk through the wiring arrangement for the Zimmer & Peacock Medium Throughput Test Jig, showing how to connect your potentiostat channels to sensor positions SP1 through SP6.
🎥 Watch the Video
🔬 Why This Test Jig Exists
The ZP Medium Throughput Test Jig was developed to simplify electrochemical testing when working with multiple sensors. Like much of the equipment available from Zimmer & Peacock, it's a tool that originated from our own laboratory work and is used extensively in practical sensor development and testing.
Recently, a customer asked where the banana plug connections from their potentiostat should be connected. To answer the question, we reviewed an existing laboratory setup and documented the wiring configuration.
Although the video shows a Gen 1 unit, the connection layout is the same as the Gen 2 test jig currently supplied.
📍 Understanding Sensor Positions (SP1–SP6)
The test jig provides six sensor positions:
- SP1
- SP2
- SP3
- SP4
- SP5
- SP6
Each position can be connected to a corresponding channel on your potentiostat.
For example:
| Potentiostat Channel | Test Jig Connection |
|---|---|
| Channel 1 | SP1 |
| Channel 2 | SP2 |
| Channel 3 | SP3 |
| Channel 4 | SP4 |
| Channel 5 | SP5 |
| Channel 6 | SP6 |
The wiring arrangement is identical for each channel.
🎨 Electrode Colour Coding
To make setup intuitive and reduce connection errors, the jig follows a consistent colour-coding scheme:
| Colour | Electrode |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Red | Working Electrode (WE) |
| 🔵 Blue | Reference Electrode (RE) |
| ⚫ Grey/Black | Counter Electrode (CE) |
When connecting a potentiostat channel:
- Connect the Working Electrode (WE) lead to the red connector.
- Connect the Reference Electrode (RE) lead to the blue connector.
- Connect the Counter Electrode (CE) lead to the grey/black connector.
⚙️ Example: Connecting Channel 1
To connect Channel 1 of your potentiostat to SP1:
- 🔴 Channel 1 Working Electrode → Red connector on SP1
- 🔵 Channel 1 Reference Electrode → Blue connector on SP1
- ⚫ Channel 1 Counter Electrode → Grey/Black connector on SP1
Once SP1 is connected, repeat the same wiring pattern for SP2 through SP6.
✅ Quick Setup Checklist
Before starting your experiment, verify that:
- ✅ Each potentiostat channel is connected to the correct sensor position.
- ✅ Working electrodes are connected to red terminals.
- ✅ Reference electrodes are connected to blue terminals.
- ✅ Counter electrodes are connected to grey/black terminals.
- ✅ Channel numbering has been kept consistent across all sensor positions.
- ✅ All banana plugs are firmly seated.
📝 Summary
Connecting a potentiostat to the Zimmer & Peacock Medium Throughput Test Jig is straightforward once you understand the channel mapping and colour coding.
Remember:
- 🔴 Red = Working Electrode (WE)
- 🔵 Blue = Reference Electrode (RE)
- ⚫ Grey/Black = Counter Electrode (CE)
Simply connect each potentiostat channel to its corresponding sensor position (SP1–SP6) and repeat the same wiring arrangement throughout the jig.
If you have any questions about setting up the Medium Throughput Test Jig or any other electrochemical testing equipment, we'd be delighted to help.
📞 Contact us:
https://www.zimmerpeacock.com/contact
🌍 Learn more about Zimmer & Peacock:
https://www.zimmerpeacock.com/