Electrical Interference Issues?

Electrical Interference Issues?

About 50/60 Hz interference

Electrophysiological activity has very low voltages, expressed in microvolts. Electrical interference can arise from electrical devices, lighting, etc. Electrical devices and cables transport electrical power at a level of 110-230 Volts AC. This power is alternating 50 or 60 times per second and therefore called “alternating current” or AC. These 50 or 60 Hertz activities can show up in the EEG, especially where the electrode does not make good contact, or where there are simply too many cables and electrical devices around. This is a very common artifact.  The North American power grid runs at 60hz while Europe and South American countries run at 50hz.


To determine if you have 50/60 Hertz interference in your equipment click on the "Spectral" option in your software the increase the "Frequency" option to 70hz on both channel 1 and channel 2.  If you see any elevation in the bin lines at 50/60hz you have electrical interference. Below we will list things to try to resolve the issue. 



Things to try when you are experiencing 50/60hz interference.

1. Make sure the power cable for your computer has a 3-prong grounded plug. If your computer has only 2-prongs look for aftermarket replacement that has the 3rd prong.        PWR+ sells aftermarket chargers on Amazon to fit most laptop computers. If your power cable has a 3-prong plug, try unplugging it from the wall socket.
2. If the room, you are in has florescent lights turn them off.
3. If you are using a second monitor or TV that is connected to the computer with an HDMI cable unplug it from the computer.
4. Turn off all cell phones and smart watches.
5. Do not use a backup battery supply.
6. Unplug any power strip from the wall sockets and plug your equipment directly into the wall socket.
7. Do not setup your neurofeedback equipment withing 30 feet of high-power medical equipment such as PEMF and high-power lasers.
8. If you are in a room that has on outside wall in it.  Check to see if there is air conditioning equipment outside.
9. Try moving the equipment to another room.
10. Static electricity from low humidity can also show up like 60hz interference.  To resolve the issue, get a humidity meter and a cool mist humidifier.  Get the humidity in       the room to approx. 40% humidity and then retry. 
11. If it is a home trainer that is experiencing these issues make sure they are not setup near their kitchen.  It is best for home trainers to set up the equipment in a bedroom.
12. If you are using a desktop and not a laptop you can get a Greenwave filter from Amazon which will filter out the excessive electrical noise.


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