Medical-Grade Plugs, Cables, and Cord Sets Q&A
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Requirements for hospital-grade plugs are described in a very general manner. It is not clear that UL 60601-1 applies only to Class I equipment with provisions for protective earthing. We sometimes have discussions with hospital staff demanding a hospital-grade plug for Class II equipment (protective insulation without a provision for protective earthing). My question: Is there a hospital-grade plug requirement for Class II equipment?Answered June 16th, 2009 by Expert:The appendix in the back of UL 498 that details hospital-grade plugs does not list NEMA 1-15 as being approvable as a hospital-grade component. I believe part of the reason stems from the fact that part of the criteria for achieving hospital-grade status involves protecting the ground connection, which automatically disqualifies the NEMA 1-15 styles. UL 60601 does in fact have provisions for Class II equipment, but these requirements are substantially different from Class I requirements. The same can be said regarding the construction of Class I and Class II plugs in general, which also does not lend itself to adapting the 1-15 plugs to Class I hospital-grade requirements. At this time, I cannot say how plugs for Class II devices are handled by the agencies and equipment manufacturers. It is almost certain that they are using either standard NEMA 1-15 plugs or that somebody is making a more durable version that is being allowed for use on such equipment. For an answer to this question, we would recommend you speak to a UL engineer whose area of product expertise is medical equipment approval.
I am quite sure a NEMA 1-15 could be developed to meet the requirements of a Class II plug and the requirements of UL 60601, but it could not be designated hospital grade or marked with a Green Dot without a standard change. I would think that the construction of such a plug would need to follow the double insulation criteria for Class II items, as well as have a beefier, more durable construction than most NEMA 1-15 styles on the market (similar to Class I hospital-grade plugs).



Duncan Seaton joined Interpower Components Ltd in 1999 when the company moved from Bognor Regis to Milton Keynes, where he now lives. In his 10 years with Interpower, Seaton has risen from a position of Materials Controller to General Manager, holding a number of responsibilities and job titles along the way. Born in Brackley, Northamptonshire, and raised in nearby Buckingham, Seaton attended the Royal Latin Grammar School and the Anglia University in Chelmsford, Essex, where he gained a Higher National Diploma in Business and Finance.
Interpower supplies an array of power system components including international and North American medical-grade power cords and cord sets, plugs, sockets, connectors, power entry modules, IEC-60320-compliant products, accessory power strips, socket strips and power distribution units. Interpower also provides customers with design assistance and related resources, and honours a one-week lead-time on products it manufactures but does not have in stock.