mc in a MRI room

[Lanny D]

Wiring a MRI room and I'm on a time crunch don't have time to order aluminum conduit can aluminum hospital grade mc be used instead of aluminum conduit

 

[Smart $]

For the most part, yes. Is anything mentioned in th spec's about using aluminum conduit or not? ...MC cable or not?

 

[iwire]

Other than emergency circuits I think you are good to go code wise.

The specifications though, they might limit you.

 

[roger]

Wiring a MRI room and I'm on a time crunch don't have time to order aluminum conduit can aluminum hospital grade mc be used instead of aluminum conduit

Do you have the manufacturers plans? You shouldn't do anything until you have them, each manufacturer has their own design and requirements.

Roger

 

[charlie b]

Do you have the manufacturers plans? You shouldn't do anything until you have them. . . .

I'll take this one step further. Since a very large magnet is the key component of an MRI system, any nearby object that is magnetically permeable can interfere with its operation. I know that aluminum, the pure metal, is not magnetically permeable. But I don't know what goes into the manufacturing process of aluminum MC cable. That is why you need to know what the manufacturer has to say on this subject.

 

[MasterTheNEC]

But I don't know what goes into the manufacturing process of aluminum MC cable. That is why you need to know what the manufacturer has to say on this subject.

What specifically do you want to know?

 

[MasterTheNEC]

Wiring a MRI room and I'm on a time crunch don't have time to order aluminum conduit can aluminum hospital grade mc be used instead of aluminum conduit

For what it is worth...

Here was a Question from a 2005 IAEI meeting " How can you maintain a redundant ground to receptacles and switches in an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) room? "


"The switches for luminaries and general use receptacles would achieve the correct
grounding by having the circuit(s) installed in a listed metallic raceway as identified in Section
517.13, with the addition of an insulated green or green with one or more yellow stripes wire type
equipment grounding conductor. If the question is relating to any switches or receptacles on the
actual MRI unit, this depends on if the entire MRI assembly is classified or not. If the unit is
classified, then the assembly has been evaluated under UL Standard 60601-1 and part of that
evaluation is the suitability and reliability of the integral equipment grounding conductors and
Section 90.7 indicates that further inspection of the internal wiring is not required. Where there is not
an overall classification, then the assembly would be subject to Section 517.13 for the circuit wiring
to the MRI unit and be installed accordingly."

That was a quote from a 2005 IAEI Meeting where the subject was asked. I agree with the intent of the statement and just say that HCF - HealthCare Facility (not actually Hospital Grade) Type MC Cable meets all the requirements of 517.13(A) and (B) so it would not be prohibited (except in aspects of 517.31(C)(3)(3), where applicable) but again the installation and relevant manuals for the MRI Machine may express something otherwise. Always validate the machines installation guidelines first and then move forward. Wiring to the room itself can gain normal 517.13(A) and (B) compliance, but wiring to the actual machine may elevate it to demands in the installation guidelines and safety procedure.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[MasterTheNEC]

But I don't know what goes into the manufacturing process of aluminum MC cable. That is why you need to know what the manufacturer has to say on this subject.

Better Yet...come on down (door is always open) and I will give you a tour.