Medical M/C

[Stratdog35]

Ok so I’m doing a medical suite in Colorado and the exam rooms need to be ran in medical grade m/c I understand that but are light switch and lights need to be as well because there is no way to isolate a ground wire please help

 

[roger]

What do you mean by "isolate a ground wire"? 517.13 requires both the sheathing and the wire type EGC to be connected together. With that said 517.13 (B) allows eliminating the wire type EGC if you can meet the requirements as spelled out in the exceptions.

 

[hbiss]

Yes. You need to read Art. 517 particularly 517.13(B)(1) exception 3.

Exception No. 3: Luminaires more than 2.3 m (71∕2 ft) above the floor
and switches located outside of the patient care vicinity shall be permitted
to be connected to an equipment grounding return path complying
with 517.13(A) or (B).

So, luminaires 7-1/2' above the floor and switches located outside of the patient care area (like next to the door) can be wired with regular MC cable.

-Hal

 

[roger]

Yes. You need to read Art. 517 particularly 517.13(B)(1) exception 3.


So, luminaires 7-1/2' above the floor and switches located outside of the patient care area (like next to the door) can be wired with regular MC cable.

-Hal

Be careful, "patient care area" and "patient care vicinity" are not the same things

Roger

 

[d0nut]

Also be aware that the critical and life safety branches require mechanical protection per 517.31(C)(3). If you have lights or switches on those branches, you must use a non-flexible metal raceway or other similar wiring method.