Safety
Read this before putting electrodes on anyone.
⚠️
ardEEG is not a medical device and has not been certified by any regulator for use with the human body. It is an engineering development and evaluation board for research and education. You use it at your own risk.
Rules
- Battery only. While electrodes are on a person, the Arduino and the ardEEG run from a small 5 V power bank (up to 1 A, up to 1,000 mAh).
- Upload off the person. Connect the Arduino to a computer only to upload the sketch, with no electrodes on anyone. Unplug it before recording.
- No mains connection of any kind. No wall charger, no desk power supply, no USB cable to a computer while recording.
- No diagnosis. Don't use ardEEG to diagnose, monitor or treat any medical condition.
- Implanted devices. Don't use it on a person with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device without a physician's approval.
- Skin. Use clean, intact skin. Stop if the skin becomes irritated, and clean off gel after each session.
- Exposed electronics. The board has no case. Handle it by the edges, use anti-static precautions and keep liquids away.
Power while recording
| Setup | While electrodes are on | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arduino + ardEEG on a small 5 V power bank | ✅ Safe | No path to the mains. |
| Computer receiving the data over Wi-Fi | ✅ Safe | No cable to the board or the person. |
| Arduino plugged into a computer's USB | ❌ Never | Links the person to the mains through the computer. |
| Arduino on a wall charger | ❌ Never | Connects the person to the mains through the electrodes. |
🚫
ardEEG has no patient isolation circuitry. Full galvanic isolation from the mains depends entirely on running from a battery.
Good practice
- Charge the power bank before the session, never during it.
- Check every cable before each session. An adult or supervisor checks the setup when students use it.
- Clean electrodes with water after use and let them dry. Don't soak them in disinfectant or hot water.
See also the general PiEEG safety and liabilities pages.