BA-01X User Manual
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version 1.9
page 16
4. Headstage
The BA-01X comes with the standard headstage (range:
±
12 nA, voltage range x1 or
±
120 nA, voltage range x10) for connecting glass electrodes with high resistances or suction
electrodes for whole cell patch clamp recordings with lower resistances via an electrode
holder (see Figure 6).
A low noise / low bias current headstage (range:
±
1.2 nA, voltage range x1 or
±
12 nA,
voltage range x10, see also Optional accessories in chapter 2) for very small currents is also
available. For details contact npi.
Figure 6: electrode holder (optional) and headstage of the BA-01X
4.1.
Headstage Elements
1
BNC connector for the electrode holder (optional)
2
REF: connector for the reference electrode (differential headstage only
3
GND: Ground connector
4
headstage cable/holding bar
The electrode filled with electrolyte is inserted into an electrode holder (optional, see Figure
6) that fits into the BNC connector of the headstage or into an electrode holder adapter
(optional, see also Optional accessories in chapter 2). The electrical connection between the
electrolyte and the headstage is established using a carefully chlorinated silver wire.
Chlorinating of the silver wire is very important since contact of silver to the electrolyte leads
to electrochemical potentials causing varying offset potentials at the electrode, deterioration
of the voltage measurement etc. (for details see Kettenmann and Grantyn (1992)). For optimal
chlorinating of sliver wires an automated chlorinating apparatus (ACl-01) is available (please
contact npi for details).
Ground provides system ground and is linked to the bath via an agar-bridge or a Ag-AgCl
pellet. The headstage is attached to the amplifier with the headstage cable (see #4, Figure 6)
and a 8-pole connector. The headstage is mounted to a holding bar that fits to most
micromanipulators or optionally to a mounting plate or a dovetail adapter.
Note: The shield of the BNC connector is linked to the driven shield output and must not be
connected to ground.
Caution: Please always adhere to the appropriate safety precautions (see chapter 1). Please
turn power off when connecting or disconnecting the headstage from the HEADSTAGE
connector!
