Low Voltage in patient care ceilings

[TMP2]

517.80 of the NEC states:

Equivalent insulation and isolation to that required for the electrical distribution systems in patient care areas shall be provided for communications, signaling systems, data system circuits, fire alarm systems, and systems less than 120 volts, nominal.

FPN: An acceptable alternate means of providing isolation for patient/nurse call systems is by the use of nonelectrified signaling, communications, or control.

Would this mean all low voltage in a accessible drop ceiling located over a patient care area would need to be in EMT or FMC? And by insulation do they mean a literal interpretation ie; THHN THWN?

Any input would be appreciated, thanks

 

[ryan_618]

I don't think anybody knows what this means. I have read the ROP's and what I have came up with is that it requires nothing more special than following the applicable code Article for the type of circuit you are installing.

I made about 4 proposals to this section for the 2008 to try to clarify it...I am curious as to what they say.

 

[roger]

Basically the installation would have offer equivalent protection from any touch potential hazard that may be present from any power source in the room or vicinity.

Personally I think some of these requirements are hold overs from the days of Flammable Anesthesia's.

We need to remember that in Patient Care Areas people are at weakend states, low voltages can affect these people more than healthy people as is the case with bacterias or molds such as Aspergillus

With all that said, for a point of interest read 517.30(C)(3)(5) and forget the rest of my post :? :lol:

Roger