Medical Facility - "Patient Care Areas" - Wiring

[jamism]

If normal MC cable has been installed from the local distribution panel through corridor ceilings, can I install a splice box in the hallway just outside each exam room and run approved "AC" cable (that has the bond wire in contact with the armor in addition to the separate insulated grounding conductor) from this splice box into the receptacles in the "Patient Care Areas". NOTE: There are no "emergency circuits" and these areas are not critical care type areas - just normal exam rooms in an outpatient facility. Can anyone help here???

 

[roger]

No, the MC sheath would not provide the required "Fault Clearing Path".

517.13 Grounding of Receptacles and Fixed Electric Equipment in Patient Care Areas

Wiring in patient care areas shall comply with 517.13(A) and 517.13(B).

(A) Wiring Methods All branch circuits serving patient care areas shall be provided with a ground path for fault current by installation in a metal raceway system, or a cable having a metallic armor or sheath assembly. The metal raceway system, or metallic cable armor, or sheath assembly shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding return path in accordance with 250.118.

Although the HCFC (or AC for fixtures above 7.5') meets the requirement, the path would not be complete back to the source.

Roger