Wired ECG amplifier (BIOPAC ECG100D)

A wired ECG amplifier from the BIOPAC Smart Amplifier series — measurement electronics at the electrode reduce EMI and motion artifacts, and acquisition parameters configure automatically in AcqKnowledge. Requires the AMI100D interface and an MP160 or MP200 unit (not MP150), plus AcqKnowledge 5.0.4 or newer.

BIOPAC Smart Amplifier · Wired ECG Measurement

ECG100D is an amplifier from the Smart Amplifier series — measurement electronics placed directly at the electrode, instead of in a module at the acquisition unit.

Thanks to the close proximity of the transducer, the ECG signal is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and motion artifacts, and acquisition parameters configure automatically in AcqKnowledge once connected.

Part of a larger system

BIOPAC Smart Amplifier 100D module family — illustrative photo of the entire line (ECG100D is one of the modules in this family)

Illustrative photo of the entire Smart Amplifier 100D family — the ECG100D module has an identical housing.

ECG100D is an expansion module, not a standalone system

The ECG100D module alone does not record or store data by itself. It requires connection through the AMI100D interface to an MP160 or MP200 data acquisition unit (Smart Amplifier modules do NOT work with the MP150), together with AcqKnowledge software version 5.0.4 or later.

Additionally, ECG100D requires a separately ordered electrode lead BN-EL*-LEAD2 with EL500 series electrodes — see details in the section below. The module connects via a 3 m RJ12 cable to the AMI100D interface, and the recorded signal is placed on a shared, synchronized timeline together with other system modules.

Required electrode lead

ECG100D is just the amplifier — measurement requires a separately ordered electrode lead and electrodes.

BN-EL electrode lead with Smart Amplifier 100D module and RJ12 connector

Manufacturer photo (BIOPAC) — BN-EL-LEAD2 biopotential lead (connector + clips). BN-EL*-LEAD2

ECG electrode lead

General-purpose biopotential lead connecting the ECG100D module to the electrodes — available in 15, 30, and 45 cm lengths. Used with EL500 series electrodes.

BN-EL*-LEAD2 — 15 / 30 / 45 cm versions
Electrodes: EL500 series (Ag/AgCl)
If a separate ground lead is needed, the BN-EL*-LEAD3 variant is available

Key features

Electronics close to the electrode

The Smart Amplifier architecture places the amplifier right at the electrode — significantly reducing EMI interference and motion artifacts compared with a traditional module at the acquisition unit.

Automatic configuration

Once connected, the module automatically configures acquisition parameters in AcqKnowledge — no manual switch settings required.

Derived signals in AcqKnowledge

The software automatically calculates heart rate (HR), the RR interval, and R-wave amplitude from the recorded ECG.

Ag/AgCl electrodes only

Do not use electrodes with gold-plated contacts — their high input impedance causes charge buildup and distorts the ECG signal.

×2000gain

0.1 µV rmsinput noise (0.05–35 Hz)

0.05–150 Hzbandwidth (wideband)

MP160/200compatibility (via AMI100D)

Full technical specification

Signal: Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Gain: ×2000
Input noise: 0.1 µV rms (measured in the 0.05–35 Hz band)
Filters (HP/LP): HP 1 Hz, LP 35 Hz — software-configurable
Bandwidth (wideband): 0.05 – 150 Hz
Derived signals: Heart rate (HR), RR interval, R-wave amplitude — calculated automatically in AcqKnowledge
Output range: ±10 V
CMRR: Min. 120 dB
Required lead: BN-EL*-LEAD2 (15/30/45 cm) + EL500 series electrodes; BN-EL*-LEAD3 variant for a separate ground lead
Module dimensions / weight: Approx. 1.8×4.6×1.1 cm, approx. 48 g (amplifier alone approx. 9 g)
Cable: 3 m, RJ12, to the AMI100D interface
Electrodes: Ag/AgCl only — gold-plated electrodes cause charge buildup and distort the signal
Compatibility: MP160 or MP200 (via the AMI100D interface) + AcqKnowledge 5.0.4 or later

Where to place the electrodes

Click the points on the silhouette to see the typical electrode placement for limb leads I and II, along with the ground electrode.

Standard ECG layout (Einthoven's triangle): 3 active electrodes — RA (shared by both leads), LA and LL — plus a ground electrode (GND). Illustrative diagram, based on the commonly accepted electrocardiography convention; exact placement depends on the study protocol.

General body silhouette — front view, ECG electrode placement points (RA, LA, LL) and ground

Einthoven's triangle

Electrodes RA, LA and LL form three limb leads: I (LA−RA), II (LL−RA) and III (LL−LA).

Lead III is derived mathematically from I and II (Einthoven's law: III = II − I), without an additional electrode. GND is the reference electrode, reducing interference — it is not part of the triangle.

How it works

Electrodes on the participant

EL500 electrodes connected via the BN-EL*-LEAD2 lead (optionally with BN-EL*-LEAD3 for grounding) to the ECG100D module.

ECG100D + AMI100D + MP160/200

The module amplifies the signal right at the electrode and sends it via an RJ12 cable to the AMI100D interface, and from there to the acquisition unit.

Analysis in AcqKnowledge

Automatic channel configuration, ECG recording, and calculation of HR, RR interval, and R-wave amplitude.

Experimental applications

ECG measurement supports research into heart rate variability and cardiovascular activity.

Heart rate variability (HRV)

Analysis of RR intervals as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity.

Cardiovascular research

Recording and screening-level assessment of basic cardiac parameters under research conditions.

Teaching and training

Used in physiology courses and student laboratories to demonstrate the ECG signal.

Multi-signal research

ECG as one signal in psychophysiological protocols combining it with other parameters, e.g. EDA or respiration.

Frequently asked questions

How does ECG100D differ from the classic ECG100C module?

Which electrodes and leads should be used with ECG100D?

Which acquisition systems does ECG100D work with?

Download materials click to expand

Interested in this product?

Wired ECG amplifier (BIOPAC ECG100D)

Part of a larger system

ECG100D is an expansion module, not a standalone system