Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Conductive gel (also called electrode gel) is a conductive cream or gel placed between an external electrode and the skin so that electrical signals pass more easily. It is used by clinic staff, biomedical and neurodiagnostic technicians, and buyers who stock ECG, EEG, EMG and similar consumables. This page separates electrode gel, conductive paste and ultrasound gel, which are often confused, and shows how the FDA defines the gel types.
What conductive gel is
The FDA definition at 21 CFR 882.1275 reads: “Electroconductive media are the conductive creams or gels used with external electrodes to reduce the impedance (resistance to alternating current) of the contact between the electrode surface and the skin.” The same section classifies them as Class II (performance standards). In the FDA product classification database the product code is GYB, device name “Media, Electroconductive”, listed under the Neurology specialty (checked 2026-10-30).
Who uses it: staff running electromedical procedures with surface electrodes. One manufacturer’s instructions for use (Parker Laboratories Signagel) list ECG, defibrillation, biofeedback and EMG.
What is electrode gel, and how does it differ from conductive paste?
The regulation defines electroconductive media as “creams or gels” used with external electrodes and does not define a separate category for paste; the FDA product code GYB is named “Media, Electroconductive”. For a named paste product, see the CASRAI guide to Ten20 conductive paste. Product names such as gel, paste or cream mostly describe texture; check each product’s own labelling for how it is described.
Electrode gel vs conductive paste vs ultrasound gel
| Product | What the FDA text or record says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Electrode gel / conductive gel | “Conductive creams or gels used with external electrodes” to reduce skin-electrode impedance; Class II | 21 CFR 882.1275 |
| Product code GYB | Device name “Media, Electroconductive”, Class II, regulation 882.1275, Neurology specialty | openFDA classification, GYB |
| Ultrasound (coupling) gel | Product code MUI, “Media, Coupling, Ultrasound”, Class II, regulation 892.1570, Radiology specialty. The regulation says the device type may include “transmission media for acoustically coupling the transducer to the body surface, such as acoustic gel, paste, or a flexible fluid container” | openFDA classification, MUI; 21 CFR 892.1570 |
Electrode gel vs ultrasound gel
They have different FDA product codes, different regulations and different specialties. Electrode gel reduces electrical impedance for electrodes; ultrasound gel couples a transducer acoustically to the body. Because the FDA lists them as separate product types, use the product the device manufacturer’s instructions for use call for, and do not treat the two as interchangeable. Related CASRAI guides: what an ultrasound machine is and ultrasound probe covers.
How to choose
The one selection rule in the FDA and manufacturer documents cited here is: follow the instructions for use of the electromedical device. The Parker Signagel instructions say: “Refer to the Instructions For Use provided by the manufacturer of the electromedical device being used for information on how Signagel should be used with their product.” The same instructions state the gel is recommended for “ECG, defibrillation, biofeedback and EMG”, so check a gel’s own indications for use against the procedure. For the electrodes themselves, see ECG electrodes: types, leads and FDA class and TENS pads.
Safe use and handling basics
The points below come from one manufacturer’s instructions for use (Parker Laboratories Signagel Electrode Gel, document PM-015-0001D, 2022, checked 2026-10-30) and apply to that product; other products carry their own labelling.
- Described as a non-sterile, water-soluble, non-staining electrode gel that is bacteriostatic.
- For external use only, on intact, unbroken skin.
- Warning: do not use on patients with a known history of skin allergies to parabens.
- Discard the product if the package is damaged or contamination is evident.
- Do not let the tube tip touch the patient, staff or instruments.
- Water soluble; can be removed with a moistened soft cloth. Non-flammable and non-corrosive.
- Storage: protect from direct sunlight.
- Disposal: follow federal, state and local regulations for non-hazardous waste.
Common mistakes
- Treating electrode gel and ultrasound gel as the same product. They carry different FDA product codes and regulations.
- Applying gel to broken skin when the labelling says intact skin only.
- Touching the tube tip to the patient or instruments, which the Signagel instructions caution against.
- Skipping the device manufacturer’s instructions for use for the electromedical device in use.
FAQ
What is electrode gel?
Electrode gel is a conductive gel or cream used with external electrodes to reduce the impedance of the contact between electrode and skin (21 CFR 882.1275). It is Class II.
What is the difference between electrode gel and ultrasound gel?
They have different FDA product codes (GYB for electrode media, MUI for ultrasound coupling media) and different regulations (882.1275 and 892.1570). One serves electrical contact, the other acoustic coupling.
What is conductive paste?
Conductive paste is a thicker conductive preparation used with external electrodes; 21 CFR 882.1275 speaks of “creams or gels” and does not use the word paste. See the Ten20 guide for one example.
Where are monitoring consumables listed?
Supply categories for patient monitoring consumables include diagnostic,”>https://lac.us/product-category/diagnostic-monitoring-imaging/’>diagnostic, monitoring and imaging supplies.
Sources
- U.S. FDA, 21 CFR 882.1275 Electroconductive media, eCFR (checked 2026-10-30): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-882/subpart-B/section-882.1275
- U.S. FDA, 21 CFR 892.1570 Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer (checked 2026-10-30): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/892.1570
- openFDA device classification, product codes GYB and MUI (checked 2026-10-30): https://api.fda.gov/device/classification.json?search=product_code:GYB and https://api.fda.gov/device/classification.json?search=product_code:MUI
- Parker Laboratories, Signagel Electrode Gel instructions for use PM-015-0001D (2022; checked 2026-10-30): https://www.parkerlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PM-015-0001D-Signagel_IFU-For-Web-5-25-22.pdf
