Medical Electrical

Installation
Guidance Notes

‘MEIGaN’
Version 1.0

June 2005
 Table of contents

1 Editorial board .................................................................................................... 4

2 Document status ................................................................................................ 5

3 Introduction......................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Background ......................................................................................................5
3.2 Document scope...............................................................................................5
3.3 Use of the document ........................................................................................6

4 Mains supply....................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Source of supply...............................................................................................6
4.2 Mains cables.....................................................................................................6
4.3 Mains supply quality .........................................................................................7
4.4 Mains supply impedance ..................................................................................7
4.5 Crimped connections........................................................................................8
4.6 Mains supply isolator and contactor .................................................................8
4.7 Contactor control circuit....................................................................................8
4.8 Over-current protection.....................................................................................9
4.9 Mains supply monitoring...................................................................................9

5 Earthing and equipotential bonding ............................................................... 10

5.1 General...........................................................................................................10
5.2 Equipotential bonding system.........................................................................10
5.3 Supplementary equipotential bonding ............................................................10
5.4 Earth reference bar (ERB)..............................................................................10
5.5 Construction of the ERB .................................................................................11
5.6 Connections to the ERB .................................................................................13
5.7 Socket-outlet equipotential bonding ...............................................................13
5.8 Magnetic resonance requirements .................................................................13
5.9 Radiotherapy ..................................................................................................13
5.10 Ancillary electrical equipment .........................................................................14
5.11 Medical gases.................................................................................................14

6 Socket-outlets................................................................................................... 14
6.1 Numbers and positions of socket-outlets........................................................14
6.2 Accessory boxes ............................................................................................15
6.3 Socket-outlet cable(s).....................................................................................15
6.4 MR diagnostic rooms......................................................................................15
6.5 Device mounted socket-outlets ......................................................................15

7 Equipment wiring installation ......................................................................... 16

7.1 Flexible power cables .....................................................................................16
7.2 Emergency off and emergency stop controls .................................................16

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 7.3 Illuminated warning signs ...............................................................................16

8 Transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms............................................... 17

8.1 General requirements.....................................................................................17
8.2 External electrical supply................................................................................17
8.3 Mains supply lead...........................................................................................17
8.4 Generator supply ............................................................................................18
8.5 Generator and external supply switching .......................................................18
8.6 External mains supply: protective devices......................................................18
8.7 Earthing of transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms................................18

9 Application of standards ................................................................................. 19

9.1 Interconnected medical devices .....................................................................19

10 Data network connections............................................................................... 19

10.1 Background ....................................................................................................19
10.2 Data connections to medical devices .............................................................19

11 Testing and verification ................................................................................... 20

11.1 General...........................................................................................................20
11.2 Cable terminations (crimps)............................................................................20
11.3 Phase rotation ................................................................................................20
11.4 Mains supply voltage ......................................................................................21
11.5 Mains phase impedance.................................................................................21
11.6 Single-phase supplies within the diagnostic or treatment area ......................21
11.7 Earthing and supplementary equipotential bonding .......................................21
11.8 MR diagnostic rooms......................................................................................22
11.9 Authorised and Competent Persons...............................................................22

12 Associated standards, regulations and guidance......................................... 24

13 Glossary ............................................................................................................ 25

MEIGaN June 2005 3/28

 1 Editorial board

Lead Editor Ian Chell, Senior Medical Device Specialist, MHRA

Team members
Charles Apps, Medical Device Specialist, MHRA
Fred Clarke, Consultant Radiology Engineer
Alan Denham, DHSS and PS (NI)
John Dunne, Consultant X-ray Engineer to NHSBSP
Mike Fitzgerald, St George’s Radiation Protection Centre
David Grainger, Senior Medical Device Specialist, MHRA
John Harper, Scottish Healthcare Supplies
Terry Hartshorn, Siemens Medical Solutions
Chris Holme, Principal Engineer (Electrical), NHS Estates
Mel King, Senior Medical Device Specialist, MHRA
Chris Lawinski, Consultant Physicist, KCARE
Jim Lefever, Senior Medical Device Specialist, MHRA
Brian Mansfield, Consultant Radiology Engineer
Dr Richard Mellish, Standards Manager, MHRA
Gavin McNally, Clinical Engineering Manager, DHSS and PS (NI)
Ian Pattenden, Southern Service Manager, GE Medical Systems
John Povey, Philips Medical Systems
Peter Robinson, Genesis Medical Pre-Installation Ltd
Nigel Tomlinson, Principal Scientific Advisor, NHS Estates
Andrew Ward, Welsh Health Estates

We would also like to thank the following:

Steve Lake, Clinical Engineering, Royal Liverpool University Hospital

MEIGaN June 2005 4/28

 2 Document status

Current version: 1.0

Publication date: June 2005

Review date: December 2005

Boxed text represents background information

Other text sets out requirements that can be invoked in a contract.

Document hyperlinks are included.

3 Introduction

3.1 Background

This guidance document supplements the following, all relevant requirements of

which apply:

• BS 7671:2001 Requirements for electrical installations. IEE Wiring Regulations.

Sixteenth edition, as amended March 2004
• NHS Estates HTM 2007 Electrical Services, supply and distribution
• BS EN 60601-1-1:2001 Medical electrical equipment. General requirements for
safety. Collateral standard. Safety requirements for medical electrical systems.

Annex 1 of this document is based on IEC 60364-7-710 and IEE Guidance Note 7. It
will be incorporated in a subsequent revision of HTM 2007.

This document, in conjunction with the above, replaces the electrical requirements of
TRS 89, which are no longer valid. Most of TRS 89 has been superseded by CE
marking. The remaining aspects of TRS 89 related to mechanical provisions will be
covered in a future publication.

The text within this document has been produced by the MHRA and representatives
from NHS Estates, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations, NHS
electrical experts, medical device suppliers and pre-installation companies.

3.2 Document scope

This document is intended to be used by healthcare organisations and medical

device suppliers responsible for permanent electrical installation of medical devices
and associated equipment in diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy rooms/suites. Its
requirements are intended for application by staff with electrical knowledge.
Healthcare organisations can include as a condition of contract that ‘the electrical
installation shall meet the requirements of BS7671 IEE Wiring Regulations, MEIGaN,
HTM 2007 and BS EN 60601-1-1:2001.’

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 This document may also be of use to persons installing permanently installed
medical devices in other clinical areas, but has not yet been agreed by interested
parties concerned with installations other than for imaging and radiotherapy.

This guidance covers the electrical wiring and installation up to the terminals of
permanently installed medical devices and to the supply outlets for other medical
devices.

3.3 Use of the document

This guidance is for new buildings, refurbished rooms and transportable

diagnostic or treatment rooms and is not retrospective.

Purchasers and suppliers shall not change the original text. Any changes shall be
listed in an addendum.

Document support
Feedback and enquiries about this document are welcome at all times:
[email protected]

The electronic copy of this document in PDF format can be found on the MHRA
website: www.mhra.gov.uk

4 Mains supply

4.1 Source of supply

If both three-phase and single-phase supplies are needed in the same location, they
shall be derived from the same substation transformer.

All single-phase supplies within a medical location shall be from the same phase.

4.2 Mains cables

Mains cables shall be armoured or double insulated except where they are installed
in containment that provides an adequate degree of mechanical and electrical
protection.

Cable trays and baskets are not classed as containment.

The steel wire armour (SWA) shall not be used as the mains supply earth conductor.
Connection to earth shall be achieved by means of a separate copper conductor, of
the same cross sectional area as the phase conductors, unless the medical device
supplier specifies a greater cross sectional area. The copper earth conductor shall be
connected directly to the source of the supply unless it can be proved that a more
local distribution panel can provide a sufficiently sized copper earth conductor.

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 Cable protected by SWA shall be terminated with a zoned earthing and neutral (ZEN)
gland if the medical device manufacturer stipulates an electromagnetic interference
(EMI) screen for the mains supply cables. The SWA shall be earthed only at the
distribution board unless that would conflict with the equipment manufacturer’s
instructions for earthing arrangements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

The conductors of three-phase cables shall be permanently identified as: L1, L2 and
L3 neutral as N and the earth by green/yellow insulation, as specified in BS 7671
Table 7A, Appendix 7. The phase conductor of the single-phase supply shall also be
identified as either L1, L2, or L3.

Room lighting or power cables shall not be contained in the medical device cable
containment.

4.3 Mains supply quality

Any of the following mains supply quality parameters that are specified by the
medical device manufacturer shall be checked for consistency with the
manufacturer’s specification:

• Supply frequency
• RMS phase voltage range
• RMS voltage sags
• RMS voltage surges
• Voltage unbalance
• Harmonic voltage distortion
• Voltage waveform profile

The reliability and proper functioning of electrical equipment will be compromised if

the electrical supply delivered to it does not fall within the power quality parameters
for which it is designed. Power quality should be monitored over an extended period
(>24Hrs) using an appropriate power quality monitor. It is important that the quality of
electrical supplies be compatible with the installed medical devices. The specification
will be provided by the medical device manufacturer; the installer shall be responsible
for meeting this specification.

4.4 Mains supply impedance

The mains impedance shall be measured (up to the room mains isolator) at the
earliest opportunity, so that the figure is available when reviewing the specification of
any imaging equipment on offer.

For imaging equipment that draws high currents, the mains supply impedance is
critical to the performance of the device. In the case of new buildings the mains
impedance can be calculated from the design parameters.

The method of specifying and measuring mains supply impedance is under

discussion at present. Additional guidance will be made available as soon as
possible.

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 4.5 Crimped connections

In order to ensure consistent values of resistance, crimp terminals shall be used on

all terminations in the mains supply and earth systems. The crimping tool and
mandrel shall be compatible with the crimp terminals. The crimp terminal shall be the
correct size for the conductor cross sectional area. The crimp terminal mounting hole
shall be the correct size for the securing bolt.

4.6 Mains supply isolator and contactor

A means of isolating and switching electrical supplies to the medical device(s) shall
be provided at the medical location, in accordance with IEE regulations, sited in a
position readily accessible to the operator. The isolator shall include a means to lock
it in an off position.

A remotely operated contactor shall be fitted in the mains supply of three-phase

medical devices, sited in a position readily accessible to the operator. This contactor
shall isolate all three-phase contacts and be capable of interrupting maximum load
currents. The contactor control circuit shall be the same phase as the room socket-
outlets.

Some medical devices may remain powered up, even when the OFF button on the
equipment is pressed. In some equipment, parts of the equipment may remain
powered up for a short period, even when the mains isolator is operated. This is
because the unit incorporates a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

Where the mains supply isolator is intended as the routine means for switching on
and switching off, it shall be of a grade suitable for frequent use. However, if a
contactor is the usual means for switching on and switching off, only the contactor
needs to be rated for frequent use.

Where equipment is installed in a separate equipment room, but the mains isolator is
located in the diagnostic or treatment area, the medical device supplier shall install
any equipment necessary to meet their own lock-out procedures

4.7 Contactor control circuit

Three-phase equipment shall be supplied via a contactor that is switched on by a

green momentary push button using a self-holding circuit. This self-holding circuit
shall be disconnected by means of a red push button.

At least one red emergency off button shall be provided in the contactor control
circuit. Additional emergency off buttons may be added to the circuit as necessary.
These buttons may incorporate protective shrouds to prevent accidental activation
and a twist-to-release mechanism.

One contact of the red emergency off button shall be normally closed and part of the
self-holding circuit. Other contacts may be needed, as specified by the medical
device supplier.
The emergency off button shall terminate radiation and remove the mains supply to
the room or location.

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 Some manufacturers require additional contacts in order to initiate a graceful switch-
off to maintain data integrity. This involves maintaining the supply to parts of the
equipment for long enough to store data in a non-volatile memory. It is the
responsibility of the supplier to make whatever provision is needed.

Label the contactor on/off switches as ‘MAIN EQUIPMENT ON/OFF’

Label the red emergency switches ‘EMERGENCY OFF’

When more than one medical device control console is located in the same
room/area/location, each ‘MAIN EQUIPMENT ON/OFF’ control shall be suitably
located to clearly discriminate between each medical device control console.

Some manufacturers will also provide an ‘Emergency Stop’ function as part of the
medical device, in which radiation is terminated, together with some functions, while
maintaining the mains supply to parts of the equipment. ‘Emergency Stop’ can be
activated by means of buttons that are part of the equipment, or by means of red
push buttons either in the control area or in a location close to the patient position.

The push buttons shall be labelled ‘EMERGENCY STOP’.

4.8 Over-current protection

Over-current protective devices or fuses shall be rated to protect conductors on the

load side of the protective device. They shall also have a time/current characteristic
specified by the medical device manufacturer. The supplier shall quote the medical
device manufacturer’s time/current characteristic.

4.9 Mains supply monitoring

Three-phase supplies feeding medical devices shall have a phase rotation and
voltage monitoring device installed. This device shall prevent the contactor from
energising with:

• under- or over-voltage condition on any phase

• incorrect phase sequence
• phase loss
• neutral loss
• phase-neutral faults

This monitoring device is to prevent damage caused by incorrect connection of the

phase or neutral conductors. The latest version of BS 7671, 16th edition wiring
regulations, as amended 2004, specifies new identifying colours for each live
conductor. It allows wiring with the new colours to be connected to wiring with the old
colours. This change introduces a risk of error.

MEIGaN June 2005 9/28

 5 Earthing and equipotential bonding

5.1 General

Earthing and equipotential bonding conductors shall not intentionally carry load or
control currents.

The earth loop impedance of the supply shall be equal to or less than the phase
impedance.

5.2 Equipotential bonding system

Equipotential bonding conductor continuity between equipment and the associated

mains supply isolator(s) shall not depend solely upon the continuity of conduits, cable
braiding, ducts or trunking and shall be achieved with a dedicated copper earth cable
connected with brass or copper fittings.

5.3 Supplementary equipotential bonding

Supplementary equipotential bonding conductors shall be installed as specified in

section 2.13 of Annex 1 (see separate document).

Equipotential bonding is necessary to prevent significant touch voltages within the

patient environment.

5.4 Earth reference bar (ERB)

An earth reference bar (ERB) shall be provided. The ERB installation shall comply
with the following requirements:

1. The mains supply protective conductor entering the location shall be

terminated at the ERB.

2. The ERB shall be close to the mains supply isolator except with MR units.
See 5.8 Magnetic resonance requirements.

3. The ERB shall be installed in an accessible position, to facilitate easy visual

inspection and testing, not higher than 1.8 m and not lower than
1 m measured from the floor. The ERB shall not be fitted where other
equipment, such as medical device cabinets or furniture, restricts visual
inspection.

4. The ERB shall be installed in a dedicated enclosure, with a cover that

requires a tool to open it and is marked ‘Earth Reference Bar’ or ‘ERB’.

5. The ERB shall contain one or more (see Figure 1) connection bar(s) insulated
from the building earth, having a cross sectional area capable of carrying the
maximum rated current of the mains supply fuses. The links between the bars
shall be of equivalent cross sectional area. The additional smaller bar (see

MEIGaN June 2005 10/28

 Figure 1) to accommodate equipotential bonding conductors shall be rated to
carrying the maximum rated current of the socket-outlet supply.

6. Each equipotential bonding conductor shall be separately terminated and

connected to the relevant connection bar.

7. Crimped connections of circuit protection and potential equalisation

conductors shall comply with section 4.5 Crimped connections of this
document.

8. All circuit protective conductors shall be identified, and a list of connections

made, a copy of which shall be available in the ERB cabinet. Equipotential
conductors from the socket-outlets shall be identified as either ‘Medical
Location of Group 1’ or ‘Medical Location of Group 2’, as appropriate.

9. All installed equipment shall be earthed to the ERB if there are any
conductive surfaces that are accessible to either patients or staff. This
includes warning lights, injectors, water baths, contrast media warming
equipment, viewing boxes, powered drug cabinets etc. All such items shall be
returned to the ERB by means of a cable having a cross sectional area
sufficient to ensure that the bonding resistance between any conductive
surface is less than 0.2 Ω or as specified by the equipment manufacturer.

10. All non-powered equipment with metal surfaces shall be similarly bonded to
the ERB. This includes protective screens (including wings), metal sinks and
work surfaces, heating pipes and radiators, water pipes, drug cupboards,
ceiling mounted hardware, conduits, trunking and cable trays, steelwork
above the ceiling line (cross-bonded), Unistrut or Marstrut (cross-bonded),
steel or wire basket cable trays, steel floor ducts (lids to be fly-lead tagged),
steel floor plates (in or below floor line), metal support plates, metal cable
outlet plates, metal suspended ceiling tiles (cross-bonded), ‘computer’ flooring
(cross-bonded). All such items shall be returned to the ERB by means of a
cable. Earthing by means of trunking, conduits, or screening is not sufficient.

5.5 Construction of the ERB

Where more than one circuit protective conductor is required for a medical device, or
complete medical device system, the following connection bars are required:

1st earth connection bar:

Equipotential conductors from all permanently installed medical device(s) or
modules of a system.

2nd earth connection bar:

All equipotential bonding other than the medical device. A smaller additional
connection bar can be connected to this bar to accommodate equipotential
bonding conductors from socket-outlets.

3rd short earth connection bar or isolated earth stud:

Mains supply protective conductor.

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 The links shall be configured to allow the earth leakage currents to be measured
either by breaking the connection between either earth connection bar and the
incoming earth conductor or by using a clamp ammeter.

Figure 1 ERB recommended layout

MEIGaN June 2005 12/28

 5.6 Connections to the ERB

Each equipotential conductor shall be individually labelled and permanently

identified. A record sheet shall be prepared, which may be used to identify each
connection to the connection bars.

The connection bars shall have tapped holes. Crimp terminals shall be made of
tinned copper.

Crimped connections shall comply with section 4.5 Crimped connections. The
crimped terminals shall be attached to the connection bars with brass or copper bolts
and flat brass washers, they shall all be of matching size.

The mains supply circuit protection conductor shall be connected directly to the
mains supply distribution board at the source of supply at one end, and the ERB at
the other.

The earth impedance between any socket-outlet earth and the ERB shall not exceed
0.1 Ω. Please refer to chapter 11 Testing and verification.

5.7 Socket-outlet equipotential bonding

The installation of socket-outlets shall ensure that the circuit protective conductors
together with the equipotential bonding conductor achieve an earth resistance value
of less than 0.1 Ω between any socket-outlet and the ERB.

5.8 Magnetic resonance requirements

The ERB shall be located on the diagnostic room side of the Faraday cage at the
earth connection point specified by the manufacturer. The brass stud used to connect
each side of the Faraday cage is deemed as the incoming earth to the diagnostic
room. This stud shall be securely connected to the Faraday cage. The ERB case
shall not be metal due to potential interference with the high magnetic field. The
supply-side conductor shall be one cable directly connected to the incoming supply
equipotential conductor.

A distributor connection bar can be installed to facilitate equipotential bonding in the

equipment room.

5.9 Radiotherapy

In radiotherapy installations, any ‘earth wands’ shall be connected to the earth point
on the treatment table provided by the medical device supplier.

An earth wand is an insulated solid metal rod connected to earth with a flexible
equipotential conductor. Used by authorised personnel to ensure that residual
voltages are discharged before working on equipment.

MEIGaN June 2005 13/28

 Some manufacturers also provide earthing points on other parts of their equipment.
Where necessary these should also be earthed to the ERB.

5.10 Ancillary electrical equipment

All circuit protective conductors of installed electrical ancillary equipment with

exposed metal parts, shall have an earth conductor connected to the ERB.

5.11 Medical gases

Where a medical gas pendant is installed within the patient environment (as defined
in HTM 2007 Associated Information, Part 3, diagram C) then an equipotential
bonding conductor shall be connected to the ERB.

6 Socket-outlets

6.1 Numbers and positions of socket-outlets

An assessment shall be made of the number of socket-outlets needed for the

medical procedures which may take place in the area of the fixed medical equipment.
This assessment shall be undertaken in consultation with clinical and engineering
staff.

The number and location of socket-outlets, including those in the control area and
any other equipment rooms, shall be sufficient to avoid the need for extension leads
and trailing wires, taking account of possible extra equipment such as computers that
act as part of the hospital information technology system and image display
equipment.

The assessment shall also establish how many of the socket-outlets need to be on
isolated power supply (IPS) circuit(s) and how many can be on circuits protected by
residual current devices (RCDs).

Either un-switched or double-pole socket outlets shall be used in conjunction with

IPS circuits. See Annex 1 section 2.22.1 (see separate document).

IPS circuits are intended to provide resilience against unnecessary disconnection of

the final sub-circuit such as when transient faults occur. The aim is to reduce the risk
of mains supply disconnection where life-critical medical devices are used. IPS
circuits do not provide protection against microshock but they do offer a higher level
of protection against electric shock similar to that offered by bathroom shaver socket-
outlets; this is merely a benefit, not a reason to fit IPS.

For circuits protected by RCDs, consideration shall be given to the risk that
aggregation of leakage currents from many items of equipment connected to the
same circuit may cause unwanted tripping of the RCD.

MEIGaN June 2005 14/28

 From the design assessment, design guidance shall be followed in accordance with
Annex 1 (see separate document) and the other documents referred to in section 3.1
for the installation of socket-outlets.

Tower-mounted socket-outlets shall be mounted at least 100 mm from the floor to the
bottom edge of the lowest socket-outlet.

Tower-mounted socket-outlets may be the best way of providing sufficient socket-

outlets close to the patient position, for example, in cardiac catheter labs, where a
device such as a c-arm may be obstructed by ceiling-mounted socket-outlets.
It is recommended that the IPS socket-outlets are colour-coded blue, engraved in
white lettering ‘medical equipment only’. This avoids the use of these socket- outlets
to connect equipment not complying with IEC 60601-1 (BS EN 60601-1) in the
patient environment. The non-compliant equipment can possess high earth leakage
currents resulting in a higher risk to patients.

6.2 Accessory boxes

Plastic accessory boxes shall be used in diagnostic or treatment rooms for 13 A

socket-outlets.

This is to prevent the introduction of potential or current from the building earth.

6.3 Socket-outlet cable(s)

Socket-outlet cables shall be of sufficient size to ensure earth impedance is less than
0.1 Ω from socket-outlet to ERB. The cable run shall be as short as possible.

6.4 MR diagnostic rooms

If IPS supplies are to be used, compatibility with mains filtering of the MR equipment
shall be ensured.

The filter capacitors in an MR installation can prevent correct operation of the

insulation monitoring device of the IPS supply.

6.5 Device mounted socket-outlets

Where device mounted socket-outlets are provided as part of the medical device, the
socket-outlets shall be on the same phase as the room socket-outlets. The supply to
these socket outlets shall be via the device on which they are mounted, so that they
do not remain live when the device is turned off.

Devices such as contrast injectors controlled by other medical devices should be

powered by a dedicated supply from the controlling medical device.

MEIGaN June 2005 15/28

 7 Equipment wiring installation

7.1 Flexible power cables

Unenclosed flexible power cables shall be double insulated, and shall be provided
with effective strain relief. The unenclosed cables shall be of adequate length to
prevent strain arising with articulated systems or equipment movements.

7.2 Emergency off and emergency stop controls

The emergency off shall remove all power to equipment in the room.

The emergency off switch may be the mains isolator.

The emergency stop is a safety feature of the medical device. Some parts of the
device may remain powered after the emergency stop has been activated. In some
instances, operating the emergency stop button will initiate a graceful shutdown, in
which data is saved before the equipment is shut down completely.

The number and location of emergence stop/emergency off buttons shall be agreed
between the equipment supplier and the purchaser.

An emergency stop/off switch shall be provided near to the control console and within
any partitioned area. In radiotherapy installations, the emergency stop switch shall
also be activated when the treatment room door switch (or the maze interlock) is
activated.

A system may have a number of emergency off/stop buttons placed in different

locations on the actual unit, in addition to the contactor on/off control

7.3 Illuminated warning signs

Illuminated warning signs (Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999) shall all be

connected to the same phase as other single-phase devices within the medical
location. Each door warning light box shall have a separate earth connected to the
ERB. The resistance between the light box and the ERB shall be less than 0.1 Ω

The controlled area warning light may be connected so that it is illuminated when the
X-ray, CT or radiotherapy unit is switched on. The switching arrangements, location,
height, and number of illuminated warning signs shall be agreed with the local
radiation protection advisor (RPA).

MEIGaN June 2005 16/28

 8 Transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms

8.1 General requirements

This is intended for static vehicle use and does not apply to ambulances.

If a medical device is permanently wired and installed in a vehicle, or built into a

container that can be transported between sites, the environment is classed as a
diagnostic or treatment room and is subject to the same requirements as a static
room plus the additional points in this section

Electrical services associated with the vehicle or container shall be installed, tested
and commissioned in accordance with all current legislation, standards, codes of
practice and guidelines.

Transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms will be supplied by either an external

generator, an internal generator, or a fixed supply.

8.2 External electrical supply

The external mains supply source supplying the transportable room shall be TN-S,
terminated in a BS EN 60309 compliant switched socket-outlet, which shall be
housed in a suitable weather protective lockable enclosure (minimum IP44). The
mains impedance to the socket-outlet shall be measured, and the value recorded. A
label shall be fixed to the enclosure giving the mains impedance and current rating of
the supply. Any power consumption meters shall also be housed in an appropriate
enclosure.

External electrical supply shall be in accordance with IEE Special Locations

Guidance Note 7 chapter 17.

The equipment supplier shall confirm that imaging equipment can operate correctly
on the impedance measured.

8.3 Mains supply lead

The transportable room supplier shall provide a double-insulated mains lead that is of
sufficient length, terminated with an impact resistant connector (minimum IP44). It is
permitted to fit a mains lead with connectors at each end to facilitate rapid mains lead
replacement as well as deployment and stowage. Alternatively, a cable storage drum
may be provided to facilitate cable withdrawal and retrieval into the storage
enclosure.

Three-phase systems require a five-wire system; single-phase requires a three-wire

system.

The supply lead and connector rating shall be of sufficient size to prevent significant
voltage-drop with instantaneous loads (e.g. X-ray exposure) along with other

MEIGaN June 2005 17/28

 constant loads. The mains supply impedance shall meet the values specified by the
medical device manufacturer.

The supply lead and connector will be supplying the domestic load, which will be
mainly air conditioning, heating, lighting and ancillary equipment, and the medical
device load.

Mains leads shall be routed to prevent entrapment from moving trailer parts such as
the fold-away trailer sides.

The mains lead and its connectors form part of the overall electrical system.
Changing the length and/or cross sectional area without the supplier’s agreement
could increase the impedance and thus prevent the medical devices from functioning
correctly.

If necessary, portable protective ramps, catenary system or other means shall be

provided to protect the lead where it traverses pathways in accordance with BS 7671.

A label shall be provided on the vehicle, adjacent to the cable socket, indicating the
maximum mains impedance that the vehicle can operate on, this value shall be
specified by the equipment supplier.

8.4 Generator supply

Where an electrical generator is provided it shall have a power rating that is sufficient
to serve all electrical loads, including peak demands, at the rated voltage and
frequency and within acceptable voltage waveform requirements.

8.5 Generator and external supply switching

Where both landline and onboard generator supplies are provided, the isolator shall
be interlocked to prevent both supplies being simultaneously connected. The isolator
shall also be able to isolate both supplies simultaneously.

8.6 External mains supply: protective devices

The power supply to the transportable diagnostic or treatment room shall have an
RCD. The RCD shall have a blue label attached with large white font bearing the
inscription ‘Press the RCD TEST button every time the unit is connected’.

8.7 Earthing of transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms

A low impedance earth from the mains supply or from the generator shall be
provided. Earth rods, i.e. metal rods inserted into the ground to connect a cable to
ground potential, shall not be used.

The continuity and quality of earth shall be tested at least whenever the transportable
room is moved to a new location.

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 Both the continuity and quality of the earth should be tested as part of the
maintenance of the transportable room. An earth neutral loop test may be carried out
to test the earth provision. A supplementary earth wire connected between the
vehicle and the mains socket outlet before the mains is switched on should be
considered as a means of providing a sufficient earth.

9 Application of standards

9.1 Interconnected medical devices

This section applies if the main medical device:

• supplies power (at mains voltage or any other voltage) to any separate items of
medical or non-medical electrical equipment; or
• has signal connections (direct or via a network) to any separate items of medical
or non-medical electrical equipment.

If all such items are supplied by the manufacturer of the main medical device and are
intended by the manufacturer to be assembled into a system, the power and/or signal
connections shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

In this case, the manufacturer is responsible for the safety of the assembled system.
Manufacturers can generally be expected to apply EN 60601-1-1 but are entitled to
achieve safety in other ways if they choose.

In all other cases the installer shall make the power and signal connections in
accordance with the requirements of BS EN 60601-1-1.

10 Data network connections

10.1 Background

This section refers to a data communication system that exchanges patient data and
images to and from the medical device. The manufacturer is responsible for any
issues inside supplied equipment that is CE marked to the Medical Device Directives.
Currently, IT equipment that is not a medical device, such as the Patient Record or
Radiology Information System (RIS), is not covered by any single regulatory body.

10.2 Data connections to medical devices

If the medical device is to be connected to a data network, the device installer shall
ensure that the network data connection point is in accordance with relevant
information provided by the device manufacturer, that the network data connection
point itself satisfies any requirements specified by the device manufacturer and

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 ensure that the requirements of BS EN 60601-1-1 are satisfied. In particular see
guidance in Annexe BBB of the standard.

Under CE marking medical device manufacturers will provide sufficient information

for preventing any adverse effects on the safety, functions or performance of the
medical device resulting from connection to a data network. Such information may
include the characteristics of the network necessary for the medical device to perform
as intended, and information on potential hazards if the network fails to provide these
specified characteristics.

11 Testing and verification

11.1 General

Testing and verification shall be carried out by a Competent Person in accordance

with BS 7671 part 7 (Form 1 in this document may be of value).

Results of the testing shall be available to the healthcare organisation responsible for
the equipment before the first use of the equipment/installation.

11.2 Cable terminations (crimps)

Every crimped termination that is part of the medical device electrical installation
(covered by this document) shall be inspected to ensure that it is terminated in a
manner that will ensure that the minimum resistance will be added to the circuit.

All cable ends should be crimp tagged using a compatible crimp tool. Where barrel
terminations are provided, bootlace terminations should be fitted.

Cable ends should not be folded back. Crimp tags should be of the correct size to
enable all conductors to be included in the crimp. The tags should be firmly tightened
on the appropriate terminating bolts, which shall be of brass or copper, and fixed via
tapped holes to the connecting bar with brass or copper nuts and washers. Bolts,
studs and tags should be of matching size. See sections 4.5 and 5.6.

11.3 Phase rotation

Medical devices and associated circuits may be phase sensitive and confirmation of
the direction of phase rotation shall be ascertained as early as is possible.

The three-phase supply shall be tested for phase rotation, using a phase rotation
meter, at the mains supply terminals of the medical device on completion of the pre-
installation phase. The medical device Installer shall also complete this test.

If phase rotation is incorrect, the pre-installer shall take action to ensure the phase
rotation is correct by altering the cable connections at the load side of the Isolator.
Phase rotation should then be re-checked and the results recorded.

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 This will ensure the phase relationship is correct at the medical device mains supply
terminals.

11.4 Mains supply voltage

The mains supply voltage shall be checked. Any deficiencies of the mains supply
voltage shall be brought to the attention of the installer.

11.5 Mains phase impedance

The mains supply impedance between each phase combination (L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-
L1) shall be measured and recorded. In the case of single-phase supplies, the
impedance from phase to neutral shall be measured. If the measured value is outside
of the range specified by the medical device manufacturer, action shall be taken to
bring the supply impedance into the specified range.

11.6 Single-phase supplies within the diagnostic or treatment area

Test that all TN-S single-phase supplies in the diagnostic or treatment room or area
are connected to the same phase; this includes socket-outlets mounted on any
equipment. One socket-outlet in the room shall be deemed as a reference socket-
outlet for the purpose of this test.

11.7 Earthing and supplementary equipotential bonding

Earthing and equipotential bonding connections shall be inspected and tested to

verify that the requirements set out in this document have been satisfied.

The measurement of resistance alone does not prove compliance, because paths
additional to that deliberately provided through the network could exist and could
obscure the fact of inadequate conductivity in the qualifying path. Inspection of
design and construction is an essential step in the verification process.

The resistance shall be measured with an earth continuity tester, between each
protective earth terminal, socket-outlet or every accessible metal part and the ERB.
The maximum acceptable resistance in this test shall be 0.1 Ω. A minimum current of
1 A shall be used.

Testing of the socket-outlets can be achieved by using a meter lead connected to the
earth pin of a 13A plug to check the total resistance (including insertion resistance) of
the socket-outlet (the other meter lead shall be connected to the ERB). The
resistance value obtained using a standard earth pin may be different to that
obtained by inserting a test probe into the socket.

Touch voltages
The voltage between the ERB and every accessible conductive surface (referred to
as the touch voltage) at the patient location shall be measured using a high
impedance digital voltmeter:

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 1. with the medical device switched off
2. with the medical device switched on
3. with radiation exposure with X-ray equipment (high load)

Note: A person competent to operate an X-ray unit must be present in order to carry
out this part of the test.

The measured values shall not exceed 100 mV DC/AC 50 Hz. However, any voltage
greater than 10 mV DC/AC 50 Hz shall be investigated.

These values include the accessible metal parts of any socket-outlets such as the
mounting screws (not the socket-outlet contacts).

The aim of this test is to check whether any significant voltages exist between metal
parts in the patient environment and the ERB. The MHRA has evidence of insufficient
supplementary equipotential bonding for medical devices. In one example, the high
touch voltage was due to the room mains supply and the medical device supply
coming from two different sub-stations.

One common cause of excessive touch voltages is an inadvertent TN-C-S

connection in some part of the mains supply system.

A TN-C-S system is one in which earth and neutral are common over part of the
system. In many cases this arises due to a fault in some other location. The effect of
this is to inject part of the load current into the earth system, which will result in
potential differences occurring between various earth points, this will vary depending
on the amount of current flowing at the time. This will give rise to a high touch
voltage.

11.8 MR diagnostic rooms

The measurement of touch voltage and bonding resistance, together with visual
inspection of the electrical installation, shall take place before the magnetic field is
energised.

There is likely to be a small window of opportunity between the MR device being

installed and the magnetic field being energised when these tests may be carried out
by the installer. The tests are not feasible after the magnet is switched on.

11.9 Authorised and Competent Persons

The inspection and testing of the installation shall be carried out by a suitably
appointed ‘Competent Person’.

This person shall be assessed and appointed in writing by the ‘Authorised Person
(LV)’ who shall verify that the proposed Competent Person possesses the necessary
technical knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the nature of the installation to
be tested.

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 Form 1 Example test sheet form
Details of all measurements are to be recorded and stored on site on the following
form

Site name Room

Final pass
Pass Fail Failure description (use if all pass
first time)
BS7671 2001(2004)

Additional requirements of
IPS circuits if installed

Touch voltages

Phase rotation

Equipotential bonding

Cable crimps

Specific tests
Door warning lights on same
phase (e.g. X-ray/laser)

Socket-outlets and lighting on

same phase

Testing electrician details

Name:

Job title:

Employer’s details:

BS7671 2001(2004):

Competency passed and up to date? YES NO (circle one)

Signature Date

Final pass (or no fails during first test)

Signature Date

MEIGaN June 2005 23/28

 12 Associated standards, regulations and guidance

BS EN 60309 series Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes.

BS EN 60601 series Medical electrical equipment, including BS EN 60601-1-1:2001

Safety requirements for medical electrical systems.

BS 7671:2001 Requirements for electrical installations. IEE Wiring Regulations.

Sixteenth edition. Includes amendment 1 and 2 (2004). Brown cover for hard copy
version.

Great Britain. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. London: HMSO; 1974.

Guidance notes for NHS trusts on requirements for mobile trailers for breast
screening - 03043. MHRA; June 2003.

Guidance notes on electrical safety in rooms used for colposcopy and the safe use of
electrosurgery for LLETZ procedures. NHSCSP Equipment Report 0401 Dec 2004.

HTM 2007 Electrical services supply and distribution. NHS Estates; 1993.

IEC 60364-7-710:2002 Electrical installations of buildings - Part 7-710: Requirements

for special installations or locations - medical locations.
Note MHRA and NHS Estates recommend that MEIGaN is used.

Medical and Dental Guidance Notes. Institute of Physics and Engineering in

Medicine; 2002.

Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 3232 The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999. HMSO
1999.

Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 618 The Medical Devices Regulations 2002.
HMSO; 2002.
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20020618.htm

Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2665 The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity
Regulations 2002. HMSO; 2002.

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 13 Glossary

Authorised Person
An individual possessing adequate technical knowledge and having received
appropriate training, appointed in writing by the authorising engineer to be
responsible for the practical implementation and operation of management’s safety
policy and procedures on defined electrical systems. (See HTM 2007).

Competent Person
An individual who in the opinion of an Authorised Person has sufficient technical
knowledge and experience to prevent danger while carrying out work on a defined
electrical system (see HTM 2007).

Contactor
A remotely operated single or three-phase electro-mechanical switch. See Figure 2.

Figure 2 Mains supply isolator and contactor.

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 Diagnostic or treatment area
The room or area, where a medical device is permanently located and permanently
connected to the mains supply.

Earth reference bar (ERB)

One or more copper connection bars installed in an enclosure, and forming part of
the protective earth system in a room and designated as a reference or datum for the
purpose of defining and measuring resistance values. Earth connection bars connect
to the incoming earth supply with a solid copper link. The term busbar is not used
because this implies that a voltage is present and is often relative to earth.

Electrical equipment room

A separate room from the diagnostic or treatment room that contains the electrical
control equipment supplied as part the medical device.

Emergency off
The emergency off button will remove all power to the medical device. In some
circumstances removing power from a device may be hazardous.

Emergency stop
The emergency stop button is used to arrest the system to a safe condition as
defined by the manufacturer. The manufacturer is responsible for which functions of
the device are terminated.

ERB
See earth reference bar.

Installer
The person who installs, erects, or assembles, a permanently installed medical
device(s).

IP number (IP44)
The IP number indicates the degree of environmental protection of the device, and is
made up of two numbers. The first number (4) indicates that the device is protected
against solid objects with a diameter of down to 1 mm. If this number were 6, it would
indicate that the device was totally dust-proof.
The second number indicates the degree of protection against liquids. The number 4
indicates that it would be protected against a water spray from any direction. A
limited ingress of water is permitted. If this number were 8 it would be protected
against immersion in water for long periods.

Mains impedance
It is convenient to consider the mains voltage to have been supplied by a constant-
voltage source, and all the resistances and impedances to be lumped together. It will
include all of the wiring, connections, switch-gear, and transformers, back to, and
including the alternator. In practical terms this value will usually come to between 0.1
and 0.5 Ω total.

Mains supply
A single-phase 230 V AC or three-phase 400 V AC supply.

Mains supply isolator

A single or three-phase isolating switch, or fused switch. The three-phase isolator
shall be capable of being locked in the off position. See Figure 2.

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 Manufacturer
Means the natural or legal person with responsibility for the design, manufacture,
packaging and labelling of a medical device before it is placed on the market under
his own name, regardless of whether these operations are carried out by that person
himself or on his behalf by a third party.

Medical device
Means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or any other article, whether
used alone or in combination including the software necessary for its proper
application intended by the manufacturer to be used for human beings for the
purpose of diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease. This
text is quoted verbatim from the Medical Device Directives.

Micro-shock
Micro-shock is the passage of a low level of electricity through the body, which
causes no perceptible sensation. The threshold of sensation is at about the 1 mA
level. The subject cannot detect currents below this level. These low-level events are
of no consequence unless the current passes through the cardiac conductive tissue,
in which case ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation may be triggered.
Currents of the order of 10 µA can be enough to initiate ventricular fibrillation.

A patient undergoing any procedure that involves the placing of an electrical

conductor in the central circulatory system is particularly at risk. In this context, an
electrical conductor includes insulated wires such as cardiac pacing electrodes or
intracardiac ECG electrodes, or an insulated tube (catheter) filled with conducting
fluid inserted into the central circulatory system.

Permanently installed equipment

Equipment electrically connected to the mains supply by means of a permanent
connection that can be only disconnected by the use of a tool.

Phase rotation
This document refers to the phase denotations of L1, L2 and L3 (L1 leads L2 and L2
leads L3).

Pre-installer
The person responsible for carrying out whatever mechanical or electrical work is
needed to prepare the location so that the installation of the defined medical
device(s) can take place.

The pre-installer is to be provided with a specification which defines the work to be

carried out, and is responsible for ensuring that the conditions of the specification are
met before handing over the site.

Radiation protection advisor (RPA)

A radiation protection advisor must, either hold a Radiation Protection level 4
National or Scottish Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) issued not more than five years
previously, or hold a valid certificate of core competence from an organisation
recognised as an assessing body by the Health and Safety Executive for this
purpose.

Residual current device (RCD)

A residual current device is a switching device that is activated by current flowing
through the protective conductor. They operate by comparing the current flowing in
the phase and the neutral line. The RCD should be selected to ensure that the

MEIGaN June 2005 27/28

 expected earth leakage current does not activate it. In the United States they are
known as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

Transportable diagnostic or treatment rooms

Enclosed mobile structure mounted on, or transported by a vehicle, and includes a
portable building intended for transportation by crane and HGV. The term includes
the structure, accommodation, associated engineering and building services.

This is the first version of the MEIGaN document.

We would value additional input from users of the document.

It will be reviewed in six months’ time, and updated where necessary.
In the meantime your comments would be appreciated. Comments for
consideration for the next version should be submitted before 01/11/05

Please email your comments to: [email protected]

MEIGaN June 2005 28/28