Guidebook On Hospital Grade Power Cords

Products in hospitals or other healthcare facilities often undergo extensive testing before getting approved for use. Unlike office and home applications, electronic devices and gadgets used in hospitals should meet stringent requirements to prevent injury to staff members or patients. As a result, healthcare laboratories and facilities utilize electronic appliances like analyzers, microscopes, refrigerators, centrifuges, and other devices to examine samples constantly.

Consequently, electrical arcs resulting from improperly grounded equipment can be severe because of volatile gases and chemicals like oxygen and solvents. Besides, improper grounding occurs when the ground pin of a power plug does not make sufficient contact with the wall outlet’s ground pin. Power cords exposed to strains on tight bend radii can also lead to electrical shorts, provided the power conductor gets exposed to the open ground source or inlet.

To prevent such grounding issues, one must utilize special hospital-grade power cords with electronic devices and gadgets in healthcare facilities. Hospital-grade power cords are designed and manufactured to withstand tight radii bend and provide optimal grounding qualities without incurring damage.

There are specific tests that power cords undergo before getting installed in any healthcare facility. Some of them include:

• Insulation Resistance
• Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Test
• Flexing Test
• Temperature Test
• Forces Necessary to Withdraw and to Insert Connector
• Strain Relief Test
• Accelerated Ageing Test
• Impact Resistance Test

Since several countries have specific standards concerning medical equipment, a few of them require various components like cords and plugs. Those who have a medical application or hospital-grade components must understand the requirements to comply with that region or country’s regulations.

In Japan and North America, facilities require unique power cords for use. However, countries like Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand use almost the same recommendations but do not require them by law.

In Technical Terms

Here are some of the hospital-grade power cord standards under the safety and regulatory committees in Canada and the US.

• Medical equipment standard - UL 60601-1 and CAN/CSA C22.2 no. 21
• Power supply cord standard - UL 817 and CAN/CSA 22.2 no. 21
• Attachment receptacle and plug standard - UL 498 and CAN/CSA 22.2 no. 42

More importantly, these standards must conform to UL 817 and NEMA WD-6 by meeting specific requirements like:

• Blade plugs made of solid brass and not folded brass
• Nickel-plated blade plugs
• The blade plugs should include a strain relief to alleviate stress on various components.
• Green dot marked on the plug to symbolize its hospital-grade

Such power cord standards can apply to all the cords that utilize the NEMA 5-20, 5-15, 6-20, 6-15 plug.

In Simple Terms

Let’s start with a simple explanation. A hospital-grade power cord has a much bigger plug on each end. These big plugs keep and facilitate the smaller wires amid the cable and away from the cable’s outer area, preventing people from experiencing electric shocks when caught in contact.

Moreover, each end of the wire that has blades should be solid for a straightforward reason - hospitals or similar facilities are hard on cables. More often, people move heavy equipment like beds and medical machinery without unplugging the cable. Such activity puts a significant amount of strain on power cords. Blades made of robust metal tend to reduce the probability of losing or breaking within the wall outlets.

One may also wonder about the use of four different forms of connectors. Every connector has a specific combination of voltage and amperage ratings:

• 6-20: 20 amps/250 volts
• 6-15: 15 amps/250 volts
• 5-20: 20 amps/125 volts
• 5-15: 15 amps/125 volts

Some of the offshoots with different amperage do exist. However, these four options are standard ones. For any hospital or healthcare facility, picking up the right cord is essential, but one has to check electrical devices and equipment before purchasing. As fast as the machinery goes, such power cords usually function in primary areas like ICUs, OTs, or near a patient’s bed. Furthermore, many people use hospital-grade cords with lab equipment like centrifuges and microscopes.

Yet another essential factor to consider is the ground. These power cables are often in contact with medical personnel or patients within touching distance. Keeping their safety in mind, manufacturers and producers color-code these power cords if the ground gets damaged.

International Conductor Color Coding

Remember, several cords come in solid colors like black. Experts recommend using cables with international blue, brown, and yellow/green conductor color coding, replacing the traditional North American white, black, and green conductor color coding. Wiring several country-specific cords to equipment before any shipment or export to the United States gets simplified while standardizing the international color coding. Both Canadian and US national electrical codes and CSA and UL standards allow IEC blue, brown, and yellow/green conductor color coding.

Different Types of Hospital Grade Power Cords

1. 25ft 12/3 SJTW Hospital Power Cord - (NEMA 5-15PH to ROJ 8IN Strip)

Hospital-grade power cords must adhere to specific standards for assembly integrity, grounding reliability, durability, strength, and regulatory standards like IEC and NEMA specifications. Such measures ensure that power cords used in healthcare facilities are reliable and safe to use in demanding environments.

However, this extension power cord is made explicitly for the North American market. The cord comes with a black PVC thermoplastic cable in 3 conductors of 12 gauge. This wire’s male end has a quality mold with a 5-15 plug. The wire has a green dot mark, making it easily recognizable for hospital use. The female end is relatively open, with an outer jacket removed. You can also refer to it as ROJ 8 inches with ½ inch stripped ends.

2. 2ft 18 AWG Hospital Grade Cord - Gray with Clear Connectors (TAA) - (NEMA 5-15P to IEC320C13)

The 18 AWG hospital-grade power cord is an ideal replacement power cord for monitors, PCs, lab equipment, and printers, primarily made for a demanding hospital environment. If you are looking to replace a misplaced or overused power cord or optimize lab or office layout with a power cable with a perfect length, consider buying this 2ft-18-AWG power cord. The cable from the universal C13 collection comes with the industry-standard C14 3-pin connector inlet.

A standard power cord might look similar to a hospital-grade power cord to a layperson, but it is not the same. This specific cord comes with a female C13 connector that plugs straight into the device you are using. However, the 5-15P male hospital-grade connector goes into the supply outlet of the hospital. Moreover, these clear connectors can operate in any hospital standard environment or facility.

3. 50ft Yellow Hospital Extension Cord - 14/3 SJTW NA - (NEMA 5-15PH TO QWIK LOK 5-15R)

Since power cables play an essential role in hospitals, quality can undoubtedly make a significant mark in the long run. To plug heavy equipment into the hospital outlets, you need sturdy cables to withstand force, damage, and age. Furthermore, personnel working with equipment transfer often forget to unplug the equipment before moving, which results in cable pulls. Considering these factors, Americord’s yellow hospital-grade extension cord features a high-quality molded plug on the 14/3 SJTW yellow wire.

The cord comes with a Qwik Lok receptacle, which can withstand a sudden wire pull. Besides, such receptacles are robust, durable, and guaranteed not to disconnect at any given point.

4. 12ft Hospital Computer Power Cord - 18/3 SJT NA - NEMA 5-15PH TO IEC-320 C-13

Various hospital equipment like monitors and computers make a significant difference. Not only do they guide doctors and nurses to monitor a patient’s health, but they also provide a patient’s current state. Since these equipment and devices play a considerable role in such spaces, keeping them operational is one of the essential factors. Therefore, plugging robust cables can keep them working the entire time.

This industry-standard 12ft hospital power cord comes from the North American market, a white PVC thermoplastic cable with 18 gauge three conductors. While the male end of the cable has a quality-molded Nema 5-15 green dot plug, the female end comes with the IEC 320 C-13, making it ideal for computers, electronics, and other medical-grade use.

5. 1ft 12/3 SJTOW Hospital Power Cord - (NEMA 5-15PH to ROJ 8IN Strip)

Hospital power cords used in healthcare facilities are pretty effective yet convenient. Even though it is ideal for personal computers, printers, monitors, and other lab equipment, you can put it for other uses as well. A hospital room goes through a layout change at times, leading to requirements of extended and short cables. A device that earlier required 10ft of wire may only need 1-2ft of cables now. During such situations, cables often get wasted.

This hospital-grade power cord can replace a misplaced and overused cable and can optimize lab or office layouts. So, whenever you do not require extended cables, consider this 1ft power cord, made specifically for medical use. Remember, the connectors of this cable match every hospital or environment standard. With performance guaranteed with a lifetime warranty, it delivers maximum efficiency and will save a lot of money in the long run.

Furthermore, the power cord by Americord is manufactured primarily for North American healthcare facilities. Not only is the yellow cord thermoplastic SJTOW cable, but it also has 3 conductors with 12 gauge. The female end of the cord is open with ROJ or outer jacket removed 8 inches. In contrast, the male end of this yellow hospital power cord has a NEMA 5-15 molded plug that comes with a visible green dot, signifying its applicability for medical use only. Ordering this wire in bulk can enable you to avail several exciting discounts.

How Are They Different from Standard Plugs?

Hospitals or any healthcare facility puts a significant amount of pressure and strain on plugs. With devices continually getting plugged and unplugged, standard plugs will not be able to function or withstand the situation’s ramifications at times in a hurry. That is why governments came up with strict electrical standards to safeguard hospital staff, equipment, and patients.

Hospital-grade power cords are made to absorb the harsh use of appliances and cables at a healthcare facility. As discussed earlier, the most significant difference is the plug size. A large plug helps prevent uninvited accidental chocks and protect wire connections. Moreover, it can resist a large amount of wear and tear and bend on the plug. Yet another factor is the degradation of specific wire connections that can be pretty dangerous in healthcare or hospital settings where considerable amounts of chemicals are present.

When it comes to hospital-grade power cords, ensure that their blades are solid. While the most typical plugs on the market are made of folded brass, hospital-grade power cords are nickel-plated and solid. Such extra protection adds to the cable's durability and helps prevent breakage within the cable plug.

The Bottom Line

The entire healthcare facility operates on sturdy cables and equipment. A piece of damage or a broken electrical cord, and everything can come to a halt. However, when it comes to the in-house equipment and devices like monitors, operating beds, and specific equipment, having solid and robust power cables is a must. If you often get confused with various power cords on the market, know that hospital-grade cables are different and more potent than standard ones. The government has placed strict regulations on hospital-grade cables, considering everyone’s safety.

Since hospital cables often go through rigorous testing and use, such cables can maintain the utmost service standards and performance to prevent any shock or hazard. This guide not only provides you with all tests a cable goes through and types of cables used, but it also enlists some of the trusted hospital-grade power cords you can install and utilize in medical offices and spaces.