Hospital Receptacle Testing

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ElectricMatt

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Waco, tx
We are getting into work in hospitals. We need to perform tests on the receptacles in patient care areas. I want to make sure we are doing it correctly, as there is not a lot of information that I can find on it.

We test Mv N-G
Ohms N-G
Polarity
Voltage
Tension.

Is this correct and also does anyone have a meter they recommend for this.


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ElectricMatt said:
We are getting into work in hospitals. We need to perform tests on the receptacles in patient care areas. I want to make sure we are doing it correctly, as there is not a lot of information that I can find on it.

We test Mv N-G
Ohms N-G
Polarity
Voltage
Tension.

Is this correct and also does anyone have a meter they recommend for this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I would start out ordering NFPA99. For Health Care Facilities!
 
We used a Fluke Bio Tek analyzer, (don't remember the model #). You will need to verify equipotential to less than 0.1 ohm. The tension test is for HG receptacles and not necessary in all locations.

As Jim mentions, Isolated Power Systems is a whole different ball game game.

It might be a good idea to contract a company that is versed in this testing and spend time with them during a test.

If I can find an old test report I will post it.
 
So I have been reading through the NFPA 99 chapter 6. Maybe I am missing something, that’s the testing I am seeing.

I am just looking for someone with more experience to validate how I am testing or let me know if I am interpreting the NFPA99 incorrectly.


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No isolated power systems at the moment. I also tried to contract a company, but there lead time was to far out.

If you can post a copy of your form that would be greatly appreciated.

I was looking at the Fluke ESA609 it looked like what we need


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There are a number of tests described in NFPA 99 chapter 6. As far as simply testing the receptacles themselves you have it pretty much covered. As far testing the circuitry, grounding, and equipotential in order to commision the rooms it will take an apparatus as described in the NFPA 99 annex to chapter 6. I wish I could point you to the exact information but I do not have access to the books and forms I had when I was working.
 
I will try to find an old form but it will probably be tomorrow.
 
roger said:
There are a number of tests described in NFPA 99 chapter 6. As far as simply testing the receptacles themselves you have it pretty much covered. As far testing the circuitry, grounding, and equipotential in order to commision the rooms it will take an apparatus as described in the NFPA 99 annex to chapter 6. I wish I could point you to the exact information but I do not have access to the books and forms I had when I was working.
Click to expand...

Thanks Roger. Pointing me in the right direction will be a great help. Thank you.


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Matt, here is an old article from Gaylen Rodgers about patient room grounding and values, see the third illustration for the numbers.

iaeimagazine.org

1+1 = Independent Grounding for Patient Areas of Health Care Facilities - IAEI Magazine

The purpose of the grounding portions of Article 517 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is to reduce low voltage potential differences between electrically conductive surfaces that may be reached by a patient or care provider in the patient vicinity. Two independent means of grounding are...
iaeimagazine.org iaeimagazine.org
 
HEYDOG said:
I would start out ordering NFPA99. For Health Care Facilities!
Click to expand...
I retired from a large hospital and they had a special meter/recorder that heard cost over $5,000 years ago. It had a 2" special male plug that measured tension of ground pin. You had to punch in panel# &circuit breaker # for each receptacle that you tested. Sorry I do not remember the who made it. Seemed like every year it stopped working and how to be sent out for repairs. It did check that receptacle was properly connected and voltage. Luckily I usually worked with a young sparky who was extra quick entering #'s so it took less then halve a hour to test the twenty plus normal & emergency power duplex receptacles. They started doing room a day where 5 to 7 days a week they would close down 2 patient rooms down for 12 hours where we had to go in and test every receptacle while zone mechanic would relamp entire room and painter painted entire room & bathroom.
 
Joethemechanic said:

That should be done everywhere. Especially anywhere a space heater gets plugged in
Click to expand...
What is amazing is how little 4 ounces of tension is, most seem to fail more for lack of proper tension for grounding then on the line & neutral. Paperwork is the biggest PITA, but if the paperwork is not done, you did not do the job.
 
I retired from a large hospital where they purchased best in class Hubbell Hospital grade receptacles and very seldom failed tension ground pin test on expensive tester that cost over $5,000 15 years ago. Did use the yellow tester shown in your clip in the over 25 OR'S. OR'S have power supplied by LIMS where the voltage to ground from either receptacle slot is between 55 & 64 volts and fancy tester could not be used there. Every month the zone mechanic was supposed to test receptacles in every one of the over 50 receptacles in each OR.
 
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