fixed Wire Testing Healthcare UPS / IPS

Others here will know more than me about hospital setups, but the first thing is to realise that IT Power Systems don't rely on ADS for shock protection under first fault conditions - but rather they remain safe with an earth fault and power continues to be supplied. Insulation monitors should then rase an alarm. So conventional loop testing is much less of a concern. Only on 2nd faults (from a different pole) need disconnection occur.

   - Andy.

Hi Andy, yes totally agree about the ADS AND 1st fault / 2nd fault. The real question is what tests would be carried out to allow the hospital to remain compliant with the fixed wiring tests (every 5 years), would limited tests be carried out and stated in the limitations that due to the installation being a UPS-IPS only limited tests carried out. I’m finding it extremely difficult to get any information about this.

You do need to verify the insulation monitoring is working though.  Modern units self test, so the inspection is essentially visual.

Who has mandated 5 year tests ? - they may have an opinion.

And the makers of the insulation monitors may be able to recommend a test process or service interval if it is not self testing.

Mike.

Hm Mike, I think not. The IM systems are an essential part of operating theatres IT mains supplies, and the UPS derived supplies are life critical. It is essential that these checks and I&T are carried out by competent and trained people. These systems drive equipment like heart lung bypass machines and ventilators used for total life support. The Blue sockets are used for all the patient connected equipment so that they are essentially isolated from the surrounding extraneous metalwork, to prevent any possibility of electric shock which would be extremely serious if inside a wound or the body. Paddy, you need to contact John Peckham for further advice, but it may not be what you would like to hear. As manager of this process I hope you are qualified to understand all the technicalities of Electrical systems and installations, or if not are capable of assessing external contractors who are. There are few of these about, and assessment and quality control of the actual operatives is essential. It is a very responsible position with serious consequences if failure occurs.

Agreed David.

 Paddy J To answer the original post question, first that BS 7671 doesn't really say very little about it ... well, it's there if you look [or, perhaps, know what you're looking for] in Chapters 41 and 63, and Section 710.

Guidance Note 3 Inspection and testing supports the advice of  David Stone, that specific competences are necessary for the healthcare environment in general, and medical locations in particular. There are different (and more importantly shorter) time periods for certain aspects of inspection and testing in medical locations of Group 1 and 2, which is briefly covered in Table 3.2 (the information has been updated in the 9th Edition, 2022). For further guidance on inspection and testing for medical locations, GN3 points to the IET Guide to Electrical Installations in Medical Locations and IET Guidance Note 7 Special Locations along with relevant English, Scottish and Welsh Health Technical Memoranda, which I can confirm does contain guidance that is aimed at practitioners (designers, installers, maintainers) in healthcare electrical systems.