EmStat4S
USB powered potentiostat / galvanostat with EIS
- Two versions: Low Range and High Range
- Potential range ±3 V or ±6 V
- Max. current ±30 mA or ±200 mA
- FRA / EIS: 10 μHz up to 200 kHz

Description
The EmStat4S delivers desktop performance in the palm of your hand. The EmStat4S is a portable USB-powered Potentiostat, Galvanostat, and optional a Frequency Response Analyser (FRA) for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The EmStat4S is controlled with PSTrace for Windows, or you can write your own MethodSCRIPT and control it from any platform or operating system.
Versions
The EmStat4S comes in two different versions:
- Low Range: current range from 1 nA to 10 mA (max. 30 mA)
- High Range: current ranges from 100 nA to 100 mA (max. 200 mA)
Both versions can be configured with optional EIS/FRA with a maximum frequency of 200 kHz.
See specifications for more information.
Always a backup

Always a backup
The EmStat4S is equipped with 500 MB internal storage memory for storing your measurements as a backup. All internally stored measurements can be browsed and transferred back to the PC easily using the PSTrace software for Windows. Your data is always with your instrument wherever you take it.Standard included
A standard EmStat4S includes a rugged carrying case with:
- EmStat4S
- USB-C cable
- Sensor cable: high quality, double-shielded cable with 2 mm banana connectors for Working, Counter, Reference electrode and Ground
- 4 or 5 crocodile clips
- Dummy Cell
- PSTrace software for Windows (on USB drive)
- Manual (hardcopy)
- Quick Start document
- Calibration report
Specifications
The EmStat4S is available in two versions: the LR (Low Range) and HR (High Range) version.
Main differences between the EmStat4S Low and High Range | ||
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Potential range | ±3 V | ±6 V |
Max. compliance voltage | ±5 V | ±8 V |
Current ranges | 1 nA to 10 mA (8 ranges) | 100 nA to 100 mA (7 ranges) |
Max. current | ±30 mA | ±200 mA |
Electrode connections | WE, RE, CE and ground, 2 mm banana plugs |
WE, RE, CE, Sense, and ground, 2 mm banana plugs |
General | ||
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LR | HR | |
dc-potential range | ±3 V | ±6 V |
compliance voltage | ±5 V | ±8 V |
maximum current | ±30 mA | ±200 mA |
max. data acquisition rate | 1 000 000 samples /s |
Potentiostat | ||
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LR | HR | |
applied potential resolution | 100 µV | 183 µV |
applied potential accuracy | ≤ 0.2% ±1 mV offset | |
current ranges | 1 nA to 10 mA 8 ranges |
100 nA to 100 mA 7 ranges |
measured current resolution | 0.009% of CR (92 fA on 1 nA range) | |
measured current accuracy |
< 0.2% of current ±20 pA ±0.2% of range |
< 0.2% of current ±0.2% of range |
bandwidth settings | 320 Hz, 3.2 kHz, 30 kHz or 570 kHz |
Galvanostat | ||
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LR | HR | |
current ranges |
10 nA, 1 uA, 100 uA, 10 mA 4 ranges |
1 uA, 100 uA, 10 mA, 100 mA 4 ranges |
applied dc-current | ±3 * CR (current range) | |
applied dc-current resolution | 0.01% of CR | 0.0183% of CR |
applied dc-current accuracy |
< 0.4% of current ±20 pA ±0.2% of range |
< 0.4% of current ±0.2% of range |
potential ranges |
50 mV, 100 mV, 200 mV, 500 mV, 1 V |
|
measured dc-potential resolution |
96 µV at ±3 V (1 V range) |
193 µV at ±6 V (1 V range) |
measured dc-potential accuracy | ≤ 0.2% potential ±1 mV offset | |
bandwidth settings | 320 Hz, 3.2 kHz, 30 kHz or 570 kHz |
FRA / EIS | ||
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LR | HR | |
frequency range | 10 µHz to 200 kHz | |
ac-amplitude range |
1 mV to 900 mV rms, or 2.5 V p-p |
|
measured current accuracy | ≤ 0.2% at Full Scale Range |
GEIS | ||
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LR | HR | |
frequency range | 10 µHz to 200 kHz | |
ac-amplitude range |
0.9 * CR (Arms) |
Electrometer | ||
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LR | HR | |
electrometer amplifier input | > 1 TΩ // 10 pF | |
bandwidth |
10 kHz default or 500 kHz for EIS and fast CA/CP |
Other | ||
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LR | HR | |
electrode connections |
WE, RE, CE, |
WE, RE, CE, S |
housing |
aluminum body: |
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weight |
± 130 g |
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power + communication |
USB-C port |
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internal storage space |
500 MB, equivalent to > 15M datapoints |
EmStat4S LR EIS Accuracy Contour Plot |
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EmStat4S HR EIS Accuracy Contour Plot |
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Software
PSTrace
PSTrace for Windows provides support for all techniques and device functionalities. With a smooth simple interface, showing only the applicable controls, PSTrace is suitable for all levels of user experience. Functions include:
- Direct validation of method parameters
- Equivalent Circuit Fitting
- Automated peak search
- Scripting for running an automated sequence of measurements
- Open data in Origin and Excel with one click of a button
- Load data from EmStat4 internal storage

Software Development Kits
The PalmSens Software Development Kits (SDKs) for .NET can be used with any of our instruments or OEM potentiostat modules to develop your own software. The SDK’s come with a set of examples that shows how to use the libraries.
PalmSens SDKs with examples are available for the following .NET Frameworks:
- WinForms
- WPF
- Xamarin (for Android)

MethodSCRIPT™ communications protocol
The EmStat4 potentiostat module has an on-board parser for the MethodSCRIPT™ scripting language. This language allows developers to program a human-readable script for the EmStat4 module on any platform or operating system. The simple script language allows for running electrochemical techniques supported by EmStat4 and makes it easy to combine different measurements and other tasks.

Downloads
Name | Type | Last updated | |
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EmStat4M Communication Protocol V1.2 Describes how to communicate with the EmStat4M directly and how to send MethodSCRIPTS. | Documentation | 01-02-23 | |
MethodSCRIPT v1.4 The MethodSCRIPT scripting language is designed to improve the flexibility of the PalmSens potentiostat and galvanostat devices for OEM users. It allows users to start measurements with arguments that are similar to the arguments in PSTrace. PalmSens provides libraries and examples for handling low level communication and generating scripts for MethodSCRIPT devices such as the EmStat Pico and EmStat4. | Documentation | 01-02-23 | |
EmStat4S Brochure The EmStat4S brochure contains an overview of all the supported techniques, specifications, software, EIS accuracy contour plots, kit contents, and more. | Documentation | 09-09-22 | |
PSTrace PC software for all single channel instruments PSTrace software is shipped as standard with all single channel and multiplexed instruments. The software provides support for all techniques and device functionalities. | Software | 17-03-22 |