Medical IT Socket-Outlets

[Ian C C]

Hi,

This post is about my concerns with medical IT socket outlets and want to alert you all if you are fitting them in a hospital. The current guidance needs updating to clarify this but in the mean time, you should be aware that IT sockets with switches should not be fitted even though they are sold. Having them switched cannot be a derogation because the switches defeat the whole purpose of the IT system, which is to reduce the risk of disconnection (ie an RCD tripping). Life critical medical equipment obviously needs the power as much as possible so medical IT reduces this risk. FYI the control panel is called an IPS because in order to function, the system needs an isolating transformer.

Also, I have seen sockets being sold that do not have the correct "clean" earth link. Basically, the link should be removed if there is a metal back box and kept in if there is a plastic back box. Simple. Why? In a group 2 medical location where IT are fitted, the socket earth pin has a radial connection direct to the location EBB. This should not connect to extraneous (which is connected to the socket screws and back box). If it is a plastic back box, the link is left in and means the screws use the radial equipotential conductor. The problem is - some sockets are sold with a link that doesn't split the screws from the pin - the link terminal is not a link but just one terminal and doesn't help. If the link is out, one of the connections should only go to the socket earth pins.

Hope this helps.

 

[James]

There is no reason a socket powered by an IT supply can’t be switched.
it will not reduce the safety of the socket or the system as a whole.

if there is a particular reason why a switched socket is not wanted or increases the risk of unintended disconnection then of course an unswitched one can be fitted.

 

[Ian C C]

There is no reason a socket powered by an IT supply can’t be switched.
it will not reduce the safety of the socket or the system as a whole.

if there is a particular reason why a switched socket is not wanted or increases the risk of unintended disconnection then of course an unswitched one can be fitted.

HI James, BS 7671 710.553.1 clearly states that Medical IT should be unswitched. The foreseeable risk comes from unintended disconnection by somebody operating the switch when a life-critical medical device is in use.

 

[littlespark]

They prefer outboard switches on double sockets in medical, to reduce the chance of a fat finger turning off both at once.

 

[Ian C C]

They prefer outboard switches on double sockets in medical, to reduce the chance of a fat finger turning off both at once.

Sorry but apart from the foreseeable risks, BS 7671 710.553.1 clearly states "socket-outlets intended to supply ME equipment shall be unswitched".

 

[Skys]

Surly an electrical competent person would only fit what was required?

 

[Ian C C]

Surly an electrical competent person would only fit what was required?

Here lies a big political problem. There are no regulations for hospitals as with Part P for homes plus other internal politics which is not for here. There are some good sparkies who do good work but quite often, I see work undertaken by guys with no medical location knowledge especially in private places.

 

[nicebutdim]

Here lies a big political problem. There are no regulations for hospitals as with Part P for homes plus other internal politics which is not for here. There are some good sparkies who do good work but quite often, I see work undertaken by guys with no medical location knowledge especially in private places.

Other than section 710 of BS7671?

 

[Ian C C]

Other than section 710 of BS7671?

710 is only guidance which needs the supporting health guidance updating (HTM). The point of this thread is to alert all sparkles to the issues I raised with the medical IT sockets especially the clean earth link issue.

 

[nicebutdim]

The IET Wiring Regulations are most definitely regulations. Whether or not they're as comprehensive as they could be, or as one might like them to be, is another issue.

Given the nature of your opening post, perhaps it is a lack of clarity where standards are concerned, rather than regulations?