cleaning paste from cup electrodes after use
Hi everyone. I was wondering what is the best way to clean electrodes after using them with paste? Some places recommend to run them under warm water and others don't. What are some of the best practices?
Comments
---
If you have purchased cup electrodes, dunk them in hot–not quite boiling–water three or four quick dunks, and the paste melts away and leaves them clean. Don’t leave them soaking. Soaking is bad for the wire connection to the head. [Solder junction between cup and wire. Wire can also cause capillary action, pulling salty water into wire strands.]
I’ve always understood that electrode manufacturers suggest that you clean the paste off immediately after training, as it tends to damage them. Leaving paste on the electrodes for a long time before the training literally ensures that it will be drier and less likely to “stick”.
... I prefer to unplug all the electrodes after each session, clean and hang them to dry and keep the wires from getting kinked. I plug in (starting always with channel 1) only those electrodes I’ll use in that training session.
---
If your hot water heater is only producing warm vs. "not quite boiling" hot water, or if you're not near a hot water tap -- I've known some EEG techs to use one of these:
https://www.google.com/search?q=tea+cup+immersion+heater
William
Hello, I'm about to use some of the new gold cup electrodes and I want to make sure I fully understand the steps on how to clean them. I understand that one way to clean them is by getting how, not quite boiling, water and dipping the electrodes in the water about 3 to 4 times. Can I alternatively rinse it using warm tap water from a running faucet and with Q-tip or a light brush if near boling water isn't conveniently available?
Hi @Bruce276,
I merged your new thread into this existing thread on the same subject. No, I don't think the tap hot water is going to help much. The idea with the near boiling water, is that the paste just 'melts' right off with no rubbing. Any rubbing action with gold plated cups has the potential to cause eventual wear. Because the plate layer is so thin.
Regards, William