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Sinkplate – Electroplating
(sinkplate1, sinkplate2)
1.0 T it le
Sinkplate - Electroplating

2.0 Pu rp ose
The sinkplate is a dedicated sink utilized for electrochemical processes such as electroplating (Ni, Au,
etc) and electrochemical etching (Si). The sink is located in the old lab in 432D. Processes are typically
user-specific with the user responsible for his/her plating or electrochemical etching solutions. These
solutions may be mixed on site in the Microlab or purchased from outside vendors. Those interested in
mixing their own solutions may talk to current sinkplate users. In addition a list of solution recipes can
be found in Chapter 1.7 of the lab manual.
The sink consists of an aspirator hose with plenum flush, DI deck hose, city water gooseneck, and N2
gun. Two hotplate/mixers with temperature probes are located at the sink as well.
Location assignment: sinkplate1 – left side of sink low current supply
sinkplate2 – right side of sink high current supply
Underneath the sink is a storage area. Personal plating solutions can be stored here. HF and solutions
containing HF should be stored in the large white storage locker located next to the disco. All other
items such as personal glassware, tweezers, or plating setup items should be stored in your personal
storage areas.

3.0 Sc ope

4 .0 Ap p lic ab le Do cu me nts
Revision History
Distributor's on-line pdf manual at:
http://www.elgar.com/products/DCS/downloads/DCS-E_3kW-Series_Operation_Manual_M362295-01.pdf

5 .0 De f in it ions & Proc es s T er mino log y

6.0 Saf ety

Calcium gluconate ointment is located on the right hand side of the sink. An eyewash and shower
station is located in the next room next to 432c.
Please, be mindful of the other users of the sink. Do not leave beakers full of HF or other acids
unlabeled in the sink.

7.0 S t a t i st ic a l/ P r oce ss D a t a

8.0 A v a i lab l e P r oc ess , G ase s , P ro ce ss N o t e s

9.0 E q u ip me nt O pe rat i on
9.1 Reservations
Make reservations for either of the plating setups: sinkplate1 for low current, on the left side, or
sinkplate2, for high current on the right.
sinkplate1/sinkplate2 Chapter 2.12

Plating can be accomplished with the use of small or large beakers that can be obtained in the
glass storage are in 432ºC or checked out from the Microlab office. Otherwise the plating sink
contains everything necessary to carry out electroplating.
Appropriate safety attire should be worn when using the sink (including chemical safety gloves,
face shield, and apron).
A light switch is located on the lower left of the sink and controls the lights within the sink. Please
turn off the light when you are finished.

9.2 Hotplate
Some electroplating setups may require the use of a hotplate or magnetic stirrer. The hotplate
located at the sink is a combination hotplate with magnetic stirrer. To turn on first flip the switch
located on the right-hand side of the unit. Before applying heat, set the temperature set point to
the desired value by pressing the heat dial once and turning the heat dial. A temperature probe to
monitor the solution temperature is provided. When the temperature probe is unplugged the hot
plate monitors its surface temperature. To apply heat and temperature control press and hold the
heat dial for 3 seconds. The actual temperature will be digitally displayed once temperature
control begins. Agitation is tuned by adjusting the stir dial to the desired rate. The stir rate is also
digitally displayed in revolutions per minute (rpm).

9.3 Power Supplies and Multimeters

There are currently two power supplies available at the station. One supply (Small HP unit) is for
lower current requirements (up to 120 mA), while the second supply (Soresnson model) can be
used for processes that require high currents (up to 12 amps). Please refer to the Appendix of
this manual for instructions on how to set up and use the Sorenson 55-55 Model Power Supply.
Multimeters to monitor the current flow or voltage in electroplating setups are also available in this
cabinet.
Two breakout boxes are available for use to connect the power supplies to the electroplating
setup. The first is located on the outside wall of the plating sink between the sink and the cabinet
with the power supplies. One may connect the power supply to the banana inputs on this break
out box. The second break out box to be used with sinkplate2, is located on the right hand wall of
the sink and may be used to connect to the electroplating setup. These two panels of banana
connectors are matched so that the banana connectors of each are connected. One should use
these panels to electrically connect the power supply to any apparatus in the sink. Do not directly
connect the power supply to your electroplating setup as this can result in a dangerous condition
should liquid drip onto the floor or the power supply.

9.4 Cables
Cables with banana connectors and alligator clips can be found on the wall to the right of the sink.
Please replace cables when you are through using them. Do not leave them dangling in the sink.

9.5 Water and Aspirator

9.5.1 The deck hose supplies DI water.
9.5.2 The aspirator is located at the back of the sink. It can be turned on by the valve located
on the outside of the sink, just below the top deck of the sink, on the left. It can be turned
on by the red handle. The plenum flush is done automatically once the knob has been
turned and the aspirator is on.
9.5.3 N2 gas is located under the aspirator valve.

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9.6 Storage
Please store your solutions in a safe manner. HF should be stored in the large white cabinet nest
to sink 432C. Other plating solutions may be stored underneath the sink provided there is room.
Please store any solutions in safe closed containers.

9.7 Miscellaneous
There is an electrical receptacle located next to the light switch on the lower left side of the sink.
A power strip is usually plugged into the receptacle and supplies power to the power supplies and
multimeters. Should the receptacle trip, reset it by pushing the reset button.
The sash should be lowered to the level marked on the side of the sink window to allow for
sufficient exhaust velocity. Note that this enhanced exhaust velocity causes plating solutions to
evaporate faster.

9.8 Cleanup
Please, leave the sink as you would like to find it (dry and clean).
Remove glassware and other plating setup items once you are done.

1 0 .0 T ro ub l es ho ot i ng G u id e l in es

1 1 .0 F i gu re s and S che m at i c s

1 2 .0 Ap pe ndix

Sorensen 55-55 Power Supply Operational Manual

*Adapted from Sorensen DCS-E Series 3kW Power Supply Manual
Chi Nguyen – 11/23/04

This short manual is written to highlight main operation needs of this unit in the UC Berkeley ERL-
Microfabrication Lab. For full-length manual, see:
http://www.elgar.com/products/DCS/downloads/DCS-E_3kW_Operation_Manual_M36229501_RevB.pdf

Notes regarding work area:

The Sorensen 55-55 power supply unit is set up next to a hooded work area. The unit’s output terminals
are mounted, for convenience, on a panel on the left side of the work area, and are clearly labeled
Positive Sorensen for the positive terminal, and Negative Sorensen for the negative terminal. There
are also two extension panels on either side of the work area for extension of load lines.

Functional Tests: Use these quick tests to verify that the power supply is working properly.
Voltage Mode Operation Check: Use this test to check that the unit’s internal voltmeter is functioning
accurately.
► Turn both VOLTAGE and CURRENT control knobs all the way to zero (counterclockwise).
► Connect a digital voltmeter (DVM) to the unit’s output terminals, w/ the correct polarity. Select
voltage reading on the attached DVM.
► Press and hold V&I CHECK switch for remainder of the procedure.
► Turn CURRENT control knob ½-turn clockwise to increase current. Now turn VOLTAGE control
knob clockwise to increase voltage. The readings on the attached DVM and the voltmeter display
on the right side of the control panel should change.
► Compare the attached DVM readings to the unit’s voltmeter readings to verify that the internal
voltmeter is functioning correctly.

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► Release V&I CHECK switch, disconnect DVM.

Current Mode Operation Check: Use this test to check that the unit is reading current accurately.
► Turn both VOLTAGE and CURRENT control knobs all the way to zero (counterclockwise).
► Connect a digital voltmeter (DVM) to the unit’s output terminals, w/ the correct polarity. Select AC
current reading on the attached DVM.
► Press and hold V&I CHECK switch for remainder of the procedure.
► Turn VOLTAGE control knob 1 or 2 turns clockwise to increase voltage. Now turn CURRENT
control knob clockwise slowly to increase current. The readings on the attached DVM and the
ammeter display on the right side of the control panel should change.
► Compare the attached DVM readings to the unit’s ammeter readings to verify that the internal
ammeter is functioning correctly.
► Release V&I CHECK switch, disconnect DVM.

Basic Operation
Max Voltage and Current Settings
Before applying power to the load, you need to set two values: maximum voltage and maximum
current (Vset and Iset). The power supply will then operate only within the range of V < Vset and I<
Iset for your application, alternating between constant voltage mode and constant current mode.

To Set Vset and Iset

► Turn both VOLTAGE and CURRENT control knobs all the way to zero (counterclockwise).
► Turn power supply on.
► Press STANDBY switch to activate standby mode.
► Press and hold V&I CHECK button. The voltage and current settings should show on the
voltmeter and ammeter displays on the right side of the control panel.
► While still holding down the V&I CHECK button, turn the VOLTAGE control knob clockwise until
your desired voltage limit is reached. Turn the CURRENT control knob clockwise to obtain your
desired current limit setting.
► Release V&I CHECK button
► Press STANDBY switch to get out of standby mode.
► The unit will now apply power to the load, w/ the constraint of your limit settings.

Over-Voltage Protection Setting

The Over Voltage Protection circuit is an extra safety measure that protects the load in the event of a
programming error, an incorrect voltage control adjustment, or a power supply failure. The protection
circuit monitors the output voltage and will reduce the output current and voltage to zero whenever a
preset voltage limit is exceeded. The preset voltage limit is also called the set point or trip level.

To Set the OVP Set Point

► Turn the VOLTAGE control knob all the way to zero (counterclockwise).
► Press and hold the OVP CHECK switch. The current OVP setting should be displayed on the
voltmeter displays on the right side of the control panel.
► Using a small flathead screwdriver, turn the OVP SET potentiometer above the OVP switch until
the desired OVP set point is reached.

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sinkplate1/sinkplate2 Chapter 2.12

► Release the OVP CHECK switch.

To reset the OVP circuit after it has been activated:
► Reduce unit’s output voltage setting to below OVP set point using Vset setting procedure
mentioned above.
► Press STANDBY switch in, then press it again, OR turn unit power off, then on again to resume
normal operation

Applying Power To Load

► Press STANDBY switch.
► Connect the load to the unit using load lines of appropriate gauge and length.
o Connect the unit’s positive output terminal to the positive load terminal, and the unit’s
negative output terminal to the negative load terminal. Use the extension panels on the left
and right side of the hooded work area if necessary.
► Press and hold V&I CHECK to make sure Vset and Iset are appropriate for your application. If
they are not, change them to the correct settings.
► Press STANDBY switch again to apply power to the load.

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