Esd Safety - imec NEUROPIXELS 1.0 User Manual

To avoid ESD damage when handling the electronic hardware (probe, HS, PXIe), the operator must be
grounded via ESD protective equipment, such as a wrist wrap. General ESD guidelines can be found at:
http://www.esda.org/about-esd/esd-fundamentals/part-3-basic-esd-control-procedures-and-
materials/.
When the probe is implanted in an animal, special precautions are required; In order to protect the
probe from ESD damage, potential static charge build-up on the animal must be discharged via a low-
current path. ESD-compliant material must be used, because the cables and connectors have an
integrated 1M-10M resistor, which limits the current and thus induces a slow discharge rather than a
spike.
Preventing static charge build-up on an animal can be challenging, especially when the animal is
transported between locations (e.g., vivarium cage, transport cage, lab cage, operation table). Static
charge build-up can be prevented by continuously keeping the animal on an ESD-compliant mat which
is connected to earth ground via an ESD-compliant cable.
If continuous grounding of the animal is not feasible, the following guidelines should be followed:
Grounding of the operator via ESD-compliant protective equipment when touching the animal.
•
Grounding of the animal via ESD-compliant protective equipment prior to connecting the probe
•
flex to the HS. This can be done, for example, by placing the animal on an ESD-compliant mat.
Alternatively, if the external reference wire of the probe flex is connected to the animal's skull,
the grounding can be done through this connection. This connection should be maintained
throughout the experiment.
Grounding of the probe flex ground pin or wire via ESD-compliant protective equipment prior
•
to connecting the probe flex to the HS. This connection can be removed when the probe flex is
plugged into the HS.
Grounding of the PXIe module to earth ground prior to connecting the probe flex to the HS.
•
This is normally already achieved if the PXIe chassis is plugged into the mains supply.
NOTE: A connection from the probe to the PXIe acquisition module ground does not provide an ESD-
safe discharge path, because it does not contain a current-limiting resistor.
NEUROPIXELS 1.0 USER MANUAL V1.0.5

ESD Safety

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