Isolated power needed?

Status
Not open for further replies.
jjhoward

jjhoward

Senior Member
Location
Northern NJ
Occupation
Owner TJ Electric
Hi all;
I am quoting an upgrade to an existing dentist office. This dated practice is being purchased by another dentist and he is upgrading the space.
Looking at 517.61(A)(1) it looks like any power that I bring into the exam rooms will need to be from an isolated power system..??

Yes, there will be nitrous oxide, so this is an area with flammable anesthetics per definitions in 517.2

Is it true that I need an isolated power system for new circuits into these exam rooms? We are installing power for a computer, monitor and a wall mounted TV in all 3 exam rooms.
Thanks.
 
Sorry for the confusion re: nitrous oxide:

The definition of flammable anesthetics (517.2) : The various gases are listed then the text says “which may form flammable or explosive mixtures with air, oxygen, or reducing gases such as nitrous oxide.”

The mere presence of oxygen or nitrous oxide do not qualify a hazardous location, the flammable anesthetics AND O2 or NO2 == hazardous location.
So a dentist's office with nitrous oxide is not a hazardous classified location.
One of the other gases listed as a flammable anesthetic in 517.2 need to be present.
This explains why PG Lifelink (they make isolated power sources) said they don't make any sales to dentist offices..:)
 
Nitrous oxide is non-flammable so an Isolated Power System is not required. I'm pretty sure there is no flammable anesthesia used in the present day U.S.. The reason it is still in article 517 is that other countries that do use flammable anesthesia use the NEC and NFPA 99.

Unless your state or local code require it an isolated power system is optional as far as the NEC is concerned.

Roger
 
iwire said:
I am going to go out on a limb here and say those are countries I would choose not to get operated in.
Click to expand...
I had medical treatment in Libya - an oilfield in the Sahara. I had a little accident resulting in requiring15 stitches on my head. No anesthetic, flammable or otherwise. That was not the most comfortable experience in my life.
 
iwire said:
I am going to go out on a limb here and say those are countries I would choose not to get operated in.
Click to expand...

This is a little off topic, but since the original question has been answered - I think its interesting that one of the more famous cases of "spontaneous human combustion" was someone undergoing surgery, and I would bet they were using flammable anesthetics.

Most of the other cases seem to have involved smokers who were on oxygen for medical reasons.
 
GeorgeB said:
Pediatric very much so. General ... I've never seen one.
Click to expand...

My oral surgeon has the cart with cylinders of nitrous and oxygen in the treatment room. I figure it's to knock out the patients who can't handle having a tooth pulled... or the bill when he's done.

And don't forget nitrous injection in race cars.

-Hal
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top