Keeping hospitals safe 24/7

Ensuring operational continuity and human safety in hospitals without compromise

ABB LV products protect hospital environments

Hospitals are complex installations utilizing multiple applications that must work flawlessly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Electrical availability supports operational continuity and is especially crucial in emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating theaters, where interruptions can be a matter of life and death. Ensuring power continuity in hospitals is a big challenge, requiring deep knowledge of correct installation practices and devices that can ensure uninterrupted service and a healthy environment. For this reason, electrical products in hospitals are certified according to IEC60364.

A standard for life
This global standard specifically applies to electrical installations in buildings, including group 2 medical locations, “where applied parts are intended to be used in applications such as emergency intracardiac procedures, operating theaters and vital treatment where failure supply can cause danger to life.”

Electrical products installed in medical locations must be designed and manufactured for integrated operation, so choosing a reliable partner is key to reaching the objectives of safety and efficiency.

For example, the medical installations section of the IEC60364 standard sets out measures to prevent electrocution that may arise from direct contact with the live part of a circuit, or from indirect contact with a metal part, such as the metal body of a sterilizer, which is not normally live, but which has become live due to an insulation malfunction.

No contact
To guard against direct contact, active parts must be properly insulated, or properly isolated with appropriate barriers or casings. Protective measures for indirect contact include:

• systems to initiate automatic disconnection of the power supply
• installation of electrical connections between the grounding electrode and any metal conductor, such as pipes, plumbing and flues
• medical IT systems to contain contact voltages, reduce leakage currents and guarantee continuity of service in the event of a fault
• installation of medical electrical equipment equipped with Class II insulation
• installation of electrical systems using very low safety voltages, such as SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) and PELV (Protection Extra Low Voltage) systems

ABB delivers a complete range of products to provide hospitals – from operating theaters to service rooms – with completely safe and efficient environments.

H+Line solutions

Advanced ABB H+Line products including monitors, switchboards, isolating transformers and fault indicators are specifically designed to ensure the safety and service continuity of group 2 medical locations, such as intensive therapy wards, operating rooms, cardio-surgical rooms, ICU, day hospitals, clinics, rest homes, dental and veterinary clinics, etc.

They are fully compliant with IEC60364 provisions for group 2 medical environments.

SMISSLINE TP
SMISSLINE TP is the world’s first plug-in socket system with integrated busbar that simplifies the planning, setup and maintenance of electrical systems. Completely protected against direct contact, the system is fully touch proof even when plugging or unplugging devices.

The possibility to make changes and additions during ongoing operation makes this system ideal for hospitals, especially when changes are required during mission critical situations or emergencies.

SMISSLINE TP products include circuit breakers, surge arresters, switch disconnectors, motor protection switches, busbar system and accessories.

Load-free devices and components that are under voltage can be plugged in and out without the need for additional personal protective equipment to guard against electrical hazards such as switch or fault arcs. This capacity enables much more flexible installation, quick and safe maintenance and service continuity, all very important in hospital installations.

ABB i-bus^® KNX technology
ABB’s i-bus KNX intelligent control system delivers comfort, security and efficiency to electrical installations in hospitals.

The electrical installations in medical environments are required to function faultlessly to ensure customer safety. With i-bus KNX it is possible to monitor real time all functions in the buildings, receive alarm messages and take action when necessary.

Another important challenge for hospitals required by the healthcare industry is to cut costs without adversely affecting patients. ABB’s i-bus KNX offers comfort through the optimal control of heating, blinds, lighting, air conditioning, etc., with the added advantage of reducing waste, providing comfort while making energy saving of up to 50 percent.

ABB has installed safe, efficient electrical systems to hospitals and clinics in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Bahrain. It has a comprehensive portfolio of innovative, integrated electrical solutions designed for energy efficiency, patient and staff safety, flexibility and comfort.