AAEM minimonograph #36: basic concepts of electricity and electronics in clinical electromyography
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2026

The Evoked Potential Operant Conditioning System (EPOCS): A Research Tool and an Emerging Therapy for Chronic Neuromuscular Disorders
Published on: August 25, 2022
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
Abstract:
Fundamental principles of electricity provide a basis for understanding the design and operation of electromyography equipment. An intuitive and quantitative explanation of charge, voltage, current, and impedance provides an introduction to the concepts of resistance, capacitance, and input impedance. These concepts form the basis for discussion of filters, amplifiers, electrodes, digital electronics, stimulators, and patient safety. The monograph assumes no specialized training in engineering or mathematics. The topics are discussed at an introductory level to provide understanding for readers with no electronics background and intuitive insight for more experienced readers.
Related Concept Videos
Voltmeter
An ideal voltmeter would have infinite resistance, so connecting it between two points in a circuit would not alter any of the currents. Real voltmeters always have finite...
Back EMF
Instrumentation Amplifier
To overcome this challenge, an ECG machine utilizes an instrumentation amplifier. This specialized amplifier is...
Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin to...
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

