Grounding Guide
Content
Background
Common sources of noise and interference
How to ground your electrophysiology setup
How to handle electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Reducing noise: trial and error
Quick tips for success
Grounding and electrostatics guide for electrophysiology setups
What is grounding and why is it important?
Grounding is the process of creating a stable reference point for electrical systems, called “ground” or “earth.” In electrophysiology, where we measure extremely small voltages and currents, grounding is critical. A stable ground ensures accurate measurements and reduces noise or interference in your data.
Why do electrophysiology measurements need stable grounds?
Electrical measurements rely on comparing voltages between two points. The lowest potential, or ground, is set to 0 volts. If the ground is unstable, all voltage measurements will shift, even if the actual signals remain unchanged. Proper grounding keeps the reference point stable and measurements reliable.
Common sources of noise and interference
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
Problem: EMFs come from any device using electricity, such as lights, refrigerators, or computers. These fields can interfere with sensitive electrophysiology equipment, creating noise in your recordings.
Solution: Use a Faraday cage to shield your setup. The cage blocks external electromagnetic waves by creating opposing currents in its conductive material.
Ground loops
Problem: Ground loops happen when two points that are supposed to share the same ground actually have slightly different potentials. This can cause humming or other interference.
Solution: Ground your setup in a star pattern, where all equipment connects to a single grounding point. Avoid daisy-chaining connections.
How to ground your electrophysiology setup
Key points about grounding
Most electrophysiology amplifiers offer two ground points:
- Headstage ground: For grounding the recording chamber or preparation.
- Amplifier ground: For shielding the table, Faraday cage, or other equipment.
Only ground the recording chamber through the headstage. Extra grounding can cause noise.
Star-pattern grounding to avoid ground loops:
- Connect all equipment (table, Faraday cage, manipulators) directly to one grounding box.
- Do not chain connections (e.g., from the table to the manipulator to the cage). This creates loops and introduces noise.
Choosing a grounding source:
- Do not ground your system to the building’s protective earth, as it can carry interference from nearby devices.
- Instead, use the amplifier’s analog ground or signal ground as the grounding point.
How to handle electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive components like the headstage. Follow these tips:
Handling the headstage
- Always turn off the power supply before connecting or disconnecting the headstage.
- Before touching the headstage, touch a conductive surface (e.g., the table or the amplifier’s outer connectors) to equalize your potential.
- Avoid wearing gloves, as they can hold a static charge.
Transport and storage
- Store headstages in the provided pink antistatic bags or black conductive foam boxes.
Use a grounding strap
- Wear a grounding wrist strap to keep yourself at the same potential as the equipment. Connect the strap to the amplifier’s ground.
Reducing noise: trial and error
When grounding your setup, try this step-by-step approach:
- Disconnect all grounding wires.
- Reconnect one wire at a time, checking for noise after each connection.
- Keep connections that reduce noise; remove those that do not.
Quick tips for success
- Use a Faraday cage to block electromagnetic interference.
- Ground all shielding equipment in a star pattern.
- Test different configurations of amplifier ground and chassis ground to find the least noisy setup.
- Always be cautious about electrostatic discharge when handling sensitive equipment.
By following these steps, you can ensure accurate, reliable measurements in your electrophysiology experiments.
About the author:
Dr. Jens Looser
- Studied Biology at the University of Würzburg
- Did his PhD thesis in Georg Nagel’s lab, characterizing light activated proteins (Channelrhodopsin and PAC) using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique in Xenopus oocytes
- Joined npi in 2010. Working in sales & support, doing installations and trade shows.
