[Tron10]

I’m doing a minor remodel to an operating room in a hospital. I have to rework the conduits from the isolation panel to the isolation xfmr (xfmr is located above the isolation panel in the ceiling above the panel). I noticed that there is no bond to the building at the xfmr, just the ground wires with the line and load conductors to the xfmr. It seems like the xfmr chassis should be bonded to the building. Anyone out there with hospital OR experience?

 

[Wirenuting]

An isolation transformer in an OR is used and the line monitored so that if you are shocking a patient due to a fault, The alarm will sound so that the staff will quickly see what’s happening.
NFPA 99 explains it a bit better.

 

[oldsparky52]

Absolutely do not bond the neutral in that OR transformer.

 

[Awg-Dawg]

Are you sure the chassis isn’t bonded, there is usually a small jumper wire. You could always add one, as long as it’s the chassis and not the secondary conductors.

 

[oldsparky52]

If you have questions about how that works, there should be an electrician on staff that tests the OR electrical monitors and he/she would be a good resource. This is an area that you should not guess or say good enough.

 

[Wirenuting]

If you have questions about how that works, there should be an electrician on staff that tests the OR electrical monitors and he/she would be a good resource. This is an area that you should not guess or say good enough.

I spent 10 years as a hospital spark. The worst part was the OR/ICU staff not know what those buzzers and lights ment.

 

[oldsparky52]

I spent 10 years as a hospital spark. The worst part was the OR/ICU staff not know what those buzzers and lights ment.

I did that gig (hospital spark) for 8 months. I just couldn't stand being indoors all year, had to get back outdoors.

I've said before that I'm not really an electrician (no training), I was OJT on everything. I learned a LOT about electrical installation by just looking up every chance had.

 

[brian john]

I spent 10 years as a hospital spark. The worst part was the OR/ICU staff not know what those buzzers and lights ment.

And you are not the average electrician, in my experience, the hospital electricians knew how to perform a basic test but not any codes behind the need for ISO transformers or what to do to troubleshoot any alarms.

 

[Wirenuting]

I did that gig (hospital spark) for 8 months. I just couldn't stand being indoors all year, had to get back outdoors.

I've said before that I'm not really an electrician (no training), I was OJT on everything. I learned a LOT about electrical installation by just looking up every chance had.

I was reassigned there to replace the old guy who had lost his hearing. At first I fought tooth and nail to get out of it. Then after rereading a book called “For Self and Country”, I can to relies that I was there for the patient ls and it myself.
The bleeding ulcers finally caused me to pack my tools and just move myself back to another shop here after 10 years.

 

[Wirenuting]

And you are not the average electrician, in my experience, the hospital electricians knew how to perform a basic test but not any codes behind the need for ISO transformers or what to do to troubleshoot any alarms.

When I first got there I asked my boss what rules and requirements did we need to follow. His reply was ah, the NEC? I knew there was a lot more to it and we built it up from there. Mike H. gave me a direction to look and that was a life saver.

 

[oldsparky52]

One of the things that effected me was when I had to repair a speaker in a patients room. I had to don a gown and facemask. I asked why and the answer was to protect the patient. I had a 2 year old at home, and I started thinking. I'm working where sick people go. How do I know what I might bring home. I also did miss the sun and fresh air.

 

[Wirenuting]

One of the things that effected me was when I had to repair a speaker in a patients room. I had to don a gown and facemask. I asked why and the answer was to protect the patient. I had a 2 year old at home, and I started thinking. I'm working where sick people go. How do I know what I might bring home. I also did miss the sun and fresh air.

The average employee gets sick 2 times per year. The average hospital employee gets sick 8 times per year.
This includes, colds, flu, stomach bugs.
It does not include hang overs or spring fever.

 

[460 Delta]

I've said before that I'm not really an electrician (no training), I was OJT on everything. I learned a LOT about electrical installation by just looking up every chance had.

Not having any “training” is irrelevant to being an electrician. If training is key, then count me out and a few others here also.

Now on a completely unrelated note, how would you go about being an electrician in a prison that keeps the electric chair in good repair?
Just exactly how do you make something designed to kill someone safe to use?

 

[Wirenuting]

Just exactly how do you make something designed to kill someone safe to use?

How did they find someone to test the first laxative?

Oh the wonders of the universe are exposed when you ask the wrong questions.

 

[Tron10]

I’m referring to 250.30(B). There is no GEC connected to the XFMR, just a 2-hole lug in the bottom of the XFMR enclosure where the primary and secondary EGC’s are landed. Delta-Delta, no XO.

 

[oldsparky52]

Now on a completely unrelated note, how would you go about being an electrician in a prison that keeps the electric chair in good repair?
Just exactly how do you make something designed to kill someone safe to use?

I wonder if he has a manikin to strap in so he can throw the switch to be sure it works?

 

[Awg-Dawg]

I’m referring to 250.30(B). There is no GEC connected to the XFMR, just a 2-hole lug in the bottom of the XFMR enclosure where the primary and secondary EGC’s are landed. Delta-Delta, no XO.

It’s not supposed to have one. Take a look at this.

https://www.benderinc.com/fileadmin/content/Products/m/e/Panels-med_manual_NAE2095011.pdf

 

[Tron10]

I’ve read that, but I don’t see where the GEC is excluded in there. Where are you referencing in that? This xfmr is remote mounted, not integral like that Bender one. I have done a lot of OR remodels, but never had to replace a panel or xfmr, so this is the first time I’ve looked into the xfmr connections. The only exemption I can find is for 1000VA and less.

 

[Awg-Dawg]

I’ve read that, but I don’t see where the GEC is excluded in there. Where are you referencing in that? This xfmr is remote mounted, not integral like that Bender one. I have done a lot of OR remodels, but never had to replace a panel or xfmr, so this is the first time I’ve looked into the xfmr connections. The only exemption I can find is for 1000VA and less.

where do you see a GEC connection? Bonding the secondary side defeats the whole purpose of an isolated system.

 

[brian john]

where do you see a GEC connection? Bonding the secondary side defeats the whole purpose of an isolated system.

CORRECT CORRECT and the OP needs to commit this to memory.