Metrological traceability of a system for measuring electrodermal activity

• We propose a procedure for evaluation of skin conductance measuring devices.
• We propose acceptance criteria for evaluation of skin conductance measuring devices.
• We tested the proposed procedure by evaluating a built wireless device.
• Static calibration using reference ohmmeter and reference R should be performed.
• Dynamic error and uncertainty by means of a comparison to a reference SC meter.

The paper presents a procedure for evaluation of system for measuring electrodermal activity of the skin. The proposed procedure was tested within a metrological evaluation of a low-cost wireless system. The procedure consists of static calibration by comparison, dynamic evaluation by means of generated sine signals and testing for functionality using of a simple psychophysiological experiment. Additionally, the quality and reliability of measured data transmission is evaluated. A low cost, low weight, ergonomically shaped and battery powered wireless (ZigBee protocol) portable wrist-type measuring system was designed and built and the proposed procedure used to evaluate it. Based on the results of the evaluation acceptance criteria for a reliable skin conductance meter used for skin conductance levels studies could be proposed. Devices conforming to these criteria would be reliable and sufficiently accurate for skin conductance level measurements, with an established metrological traceability and readings linked to the basic units of the international system of units SI.