I have been researching the requirements for hospital grade receptacles and medical MC cable.
Section 517 requires two separate ground paths for all electrical equipment in patient care areas. The definition of a patient care area is largely up to the local jurisdiction. Many hospitals and some inspectors want all equipment within the facility to have the dual grounding paths. The code reads that a conduit path should be one ground path and an insulated copper conductor shall be the other.
It appears that medical MC cable, two grounding conductors, has been approved for use in medical facilities, but I do not see that it meets the letter of the law. Would you please explain to me how it meets the requirements of 517.13.A?
The results of the rest of my research are summarized. Please let me know if and where you disagree. Thanks.
The code also says that receptacles with insulated grounding terminals shall be identified. The use of 'insulated' is unfortunate, since an insulated conductor and an insulted grounding terminal are vastly different things. The insulated grounding terminal in a receptacle is an isolated ground, which is clarified by the fine print note. 517.16 is merely stating that isolated ground receptacle should be so identified. However, some electrical inspectors are taking this to mean that the receptacles should be dual ground ready and that this means hospital grade. Actually, hospital grade has nothing to do with grounding when it comes to receptacles. Hospital grade receptacles have to withstand a number of 'crooked' tests. Plugs have to be jammed into these receptacles at an angle repeatedly without degradation of the receptacles or sparking. That is what constitutes a hospital grade receptacle.
There are various types of metal clad cable:
MC cable, which has a green grounding conductor. Even though it is metal clad, the casing is not rated as a ground path.
AC cable, which has a casing which is rated as a ground path, but has no green grounding conductor. I have been told it is no longer made.
Medical MC, which has an aluminum grounding conductor and a green grounding conductor.
Medical AC cable, which would better meet the letter of the law as it has casing rated as a ground path and a green grounding conductor - but I have been told that it isn't made anymore.
Hospital grade receptacles are only required in patient bed areas - however, some hospitals and electrical inspectors want them everywhere, in all medical facilities.
Section 517 requires two separate ground paths for all electrical equipment in patient care areas. The definition of a patient care area is largely up to the local jurisdiction. Many hospitals and some inspectors want all equipment within the facility to have the dual grounding paths. The code reads that a conduit path should be one ground path and an insulated copper conductor shall be the other.
It appears that medical MC cable, two grounding conductors, has been approved for use in medical facilities, but I do not see that it meets the letter of the law. Would you please explain to me how it meets the requirements of 517.13.A?
The results of the rest of my research are summarized. Please let me know if and where you disagree. Thanks.
The code also says that receptacles with insulated grounding terminals shall be identified. The use of 'insulated' is unfortunate, since an insulated conductor and an insulted grounding terminal are vastly different things. The insulated grounding terminal in a receptacle is an isolated ground, which is clarified by the fine print note. 517.16 is merely stating that isolated ground receptacle should be so identified. However, some electrical inspectors are taking this to mean that the receptacles should be dual ground ready and that this means hospital grade. Actually, hospital grade has nothing to do with grounding when it comes to receptacles. Hospital grade receptacles have to withstand a number of 'crooked' tests. Plugs have to be jammed into these receptacles at an angle repeatedly without degradation of the receptacles or sparking. That is what constitutes a hospital grade receptacle.
There are various types of metal clad cable:
MC cable, which has a green grounding conductor. Even though it is metal clad, the casing is not rated as a ground path.
AC cable, which has a casing which is rated as a ground path, but has no green grounding conductor. I have been told it is no longer made.
Medical MC, which has an aluminum grounding conductor and a green grounding conductor.
Medical AC cable, which would better meet the letter of the law as it has casing rated as a ground path and a green grounding conductor - but I have been told that it isn't made anymore.
Hospital grade receptacles are only required in patient bed areas - however, some hospitals and electrical inspectors want them everywhere, in all medical facilities.
