Kendall 5400 and 5500 Diagnostic Tab ECG Electrodes

Kendall™ 5400 Blue and 5500 Gold Diagnostic ECG Tab Electrodes

The Kendall 5400 and 5500 Diagnostic Tab electrodes are disposable ECG/EKG electrodes designed for resting diagnostic examinations, hospital-wide procedures, and compatible stress laboratory applications. Their extended tab design connects to standard grabber- or alligator-style ECG lead wires without requiring a snap connector.

Both series combine a flexible vinyl backing with Cardinal Health’s proprietary conductive adhesive hydrogel. The gel maintains contact between the sensing element and the patient’s skin while helping produce clear, reliable ECG tracings across various adult and pediatric diagnostic applications.

Choose the Kendall 5400 Blue for the manufacturer’s most commonly used level of adhesion or the Kendall 5500 Gold when the procedure calls for Cardinal Health’s highest-tack adhesive gel. 

Product highlights

• Disposable diagnostic ECG/EKG tab electrodes

• Designed for adult and pediatric patients

• Suitable for resting ECG and compatible stress-lab procedures

• Vinyl backing accommodates different skin types and body contours

• Proprietary conductive adhesive hydrogel

• Silver/silver chloride sensing system

• Defibrillation-recoverable sensing element

• Extended tab for compatible grabber or alligator-clip leads

• Blue 5400 standard-adhesion option

• Gold 5500 maximum-adhesion option

• No separate ECG gel normally required

• Not made with natural rubber latex, DEHP, or mercury

• Available from Balego in multiple supply quantities

The 5400 within its Value, Essential, and Sensitive Choice collections and the 5500 within its Premier Choice collection. 

Kendall 5400 vs. Kendall 5500

The two series share the same basic diagnostic tab format but differ in adhesive strength.

The higher-tack 5500 is not inherently more accurate than the 5400, but it has greater adhesive strength, which may be useful when routine adhesion is not sufficient. Its distinction is greater adhesive strength, which may be useful when routine adhesion is not sufficient. 

Choose the Kendall 5400 when:

• The procedure is a routine resting ECG.

• Standard diagnostic-electrode adhesion is sufficient.

• Easier removal is preferred over maximum tack.

• A facility wants a broadly applicable diagnostic tab.

• Adult and pediatric use are both required.

Choose the Kendall 5500 when:

• Maximum adhesion is the priority.

• A patient’s skin or movement makes routine adhesion less reliable.

• The procedure is conducted in a stress-laboratory environment.

• Electrode lift has been a recurring workflow concern.

• A high-tack diagnostic tab is specified by facility protocol.

Skin condition, patient comfort, procedure duration, and institutional policy should determine which adhesive level is appropriate.

Quick specifications

What is a diagnostic tab ECG electrode?

A diagnostic tab electrode is designed for a short ECG/EKG acquisition rather than continuous monitoring. The conductive portion adheres to the patient, while the extended non-gel tab is grasped by a compatible clip lead.

The tab format allows the lead wire to connect without placing a rigid metal snap directly over the sensing area.

Silver/silver chloride sensing explained

Both the 5400 and 5500 use a silver/silver chloride, or Ag/AgCl, sensing system. This material is widely used for ECG signal acquisition because it supports a stable electrical interface between the patient and the recording equipment.

Cardinal Health describes the sensing system as defibrillation recoverable. This means the diagnostic electrode is designed to recover signal performance following an applicable defibrillation event. It does not mean the tab electrode can deliver defibrillation energy or replace a multifunction defibrillation pad. 

Where are Kendall diagnostic tab electrodes used?

The 5400 and 5500 are for hospital-wide diagnostic use and stress laboratories and expressly identify both as safe for adult and pediatric use. 

Browse our complete monitoring EKG/ECG electrode collection for monitoring, diagnostic, stress, Holter, and specialized electrode options.

Diagnostic tab electrodes vs. monitoring electrodes

The Kendall 5400 and 5500 should not be confused with foam snap electrodes used for longer monitoring periods.

A resting ECG machine equipped with clip leads usually requires tab electrodes. A bedside monitor equipped with snap leads ordinarily requires snap-style monitoring electrodes.

Product comparison

Kendall 5400/5500 vs. Medi-Trace 200, 450, and 530

Distinguishes diagnostic electrodes from its foam monitoring families according to clinical task, backing, connector, and expected monitoring environment. 

Select the diagnostic tabs when:

• The ECG machine uses grabber or alligator-clip leads.

• The procedure is a resting or other short diagnostic ECG.

• Standard or high-tack tab adhesion is desired.

• Adult and pediatric compatibility is required.

Select Medi-Trace 200 when:

• The monitor uses snap leads.

• A compact foam electrode is needed.

• Routine lower- to mid-acuity monitoring is the primary task.

Select Medi-Trace 450 when:

• A multipurpose housewide snap electrode is preferred.

• A rectangular foam pad supports facility standardization.

Select Medi-Trace 530 when:

• The patient may perspire heavily.

• The workflow includes Holter or stress monitoring.

• Movement and higher-demand adhesion are important.

How to apply diagnostic ECG tab electrodes

Follow the ECG machine instructions, placement system, and facility protocol.

1. Confirm equipment compatibility

Verify that the ECG cable uses a grabber, crocodile, or alligator-style clip designed for disposable diagnostic tabs. These electrodes do not have a snap connector.

2. Select the appropriate series

Use:

• 5400 Blue for routine diagnostic adhesion.

• 5500 gold is awarded when a higher tack is selected for the patient or procedure.

3. Prepare the skin

The placement site should be clean, dry, intact, and free of:

• Lotion

• Body oil

• Excess perspiration

• Loose debris

• Topical medication that interferes with adhesion

Clip excessive hair when permitted by facility protocol. Avoid unnecessary abrasion, particularly in pediatric patients or people with fragile skin.

4. Remove the electrode carefully

Handle the vinyl or extended tab rather than touching the conductive hydrogel. Finger oils or glove residue can reduce gel performance.

5. Apply the gel surface completely

Press the conductive area onto the selected ECG site so it lies flat. The gel should contact the skin without wrinkles, folded edges, or trapped air.

6. Connect the clip

Attach the ECG grabber lead to the extended tab. Keep the clip away from the patient’s skin and confirm that it does not pull the adhesive area away from the body.

7. Check the tracing

When the tracing is noisy or unstable, inspect:

• Skin preparation

• Gel-to-skin contact

• Clip position

• Lead-wire condition

• Patient movement

• Electrode dryness

• Incorrect anatomical placement

8. Remove and discard

After the procedure, disconnect the clip and peel the electrode from the skin slowly. Do not reuse or transfer the electrode to another patient.

Troubleshooting guide

Material and safety information

The 5400 and 5500 diagnostic tabs are:

• Not made with natural rubber latex

• Not made with DEHP

• Not made with mercury

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Kendall 5400 and 5500 electrodes?

The 5400 Blue has the most commonly used diagnostic adhesion level from Cardinal Health. The 5500 Gold uses the manufacturer’s highest-tack adhesive gel for maximum adhesion. Their tab format, vinyl backing, hydrogel, and Ag/AgCl sensing technology are otherwise similar. 

Are these resting ECG electrodes?

Yes. The 5400 is a market-leading resting diagnostic electrode, and both series are used for diagnostic ECG procedures, hospital-wide applications, and compatible stress laboratory workflows. 

Are they monitoring electrodes?

They are diagnostic tab electrodes rather than foam snap electrodes intended for ongoing monitoring. For bedside or telemetry use, compare the Medi-Trace 200 Series or Medi-Trace 450 Series.

What connector do they use?

They connect to compatible grabber, crocodile, or alligator-style ECG lead clips. They do not have the metal snap found on most monitoring electrodes.

Can they be used on children?

Cardinal Health states that both the 5400 and 5500 are safe for adult and pediatric use. Electrode selection and placement should still follow the patient’s size, ECG-equipment instructions, and facility protocol. 

What does “high tack” mean?

"High tack" refers to stronger adhesive hold. The Kendall 5500 uses Cardinal Health’s highest-tack gel and may be useful when standard adhesion is insufficient.

Is the 5500 always better than the 5400?

No. Stronger adhesion is not necessary for every patient. The 5400 is designed for most diagnostic applications, while the 5500 is intended when maximum adhesion is beneficial.

Do they contain conductive gel?

Yes. A conductive adhesive hydrogel is integrated into the electrode. Separate ECG gel is normally unnecessary. 

Are they reusable?

No. They are disposable diagnostic electrodes intended for one patient and one procedure.

Are they snap electrodes?

No. They are tab electrodes for clip-style ECG leads.

Are they defibrillation pads?

No. The Ag/AgCl sensing system is defibrillation recoverable, but the electrode cannot deliver defibrillation, cardioversion, or pacing energy. 

Can they be used for TENS or NMES?

No. These electrodes receive cardiac signals for diagnostic recording. They are not designed to deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation.

For stimulation products, visit Balego’s electrotherapy electrode collection.

Are they made without natural rubber latex?

The 5400 and 5500 are not made with natural rubber latex. They are also not made with DEHP or mercury. 

Are they hypoallergenic?

The current page does not describe them as hypoallergenic. Use the documented material statement rather than making a broader allergy claim.

Can they be used in a stress laboratory?

Hospital-wide use and stress labs are among the applications for these electrodes. The 5500 may be preferred when the procedure calls for greater adhesion. 

How should an opened pouch be stored?

Keep unused electrodes in their original package, seal the pouch promptly, and follow the storage and open-pouch instructions printed on the current packaging. Discard dry, dirty, expired, or damaged electrodes.

Why purchase Kendall diagnostic electrodes from Balego?

We offer the Kendall 5400 and 5500 Diagnostic Tab Electrodes in several supply quantities for physician offices, ECG departments, hospitals, and diagnostic facilities.

Customers can also:

• Browse the Monitoring EKG/ECG Electrode collection

• Compare Kendall Medi-Trace 200 monitoring electrodes

• Compare Kendall Medi-Trace 450 monitoring electrodes

• Review Kendall Medi-Trace 530 stress and Holter electrodes

• Explore Balego’s EEG and ECG Diagnostic Supply Guides

• Review Balego’s Best Price Guarantee

• Contact Balego for ordering and product-selection assistance