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.
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.
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