Hospitals, clinics and other medical offices must adhere to safety regulations defined by the National Fire Progtection Association’s Life Safety Code to ensure safe, reliable power and help protect patients and staff from shocks and other hazards.
The code includes requirements regarding the use of power cords. To be rated as hospital-grade for use in healthcare environments, power cords undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet stringent UL standards, specifically UL 817 and CAN/CSA C22.2 no. 21 for use outside of the patient-care vicinity.
At the heart of UL’s standards for hospital-grade power cord sets are requirements for the plug. The blades must be solid, instead of folded brass. The plug must include an internal cable retention device or flexible strain relief to prevent stress to the plug’s internal connections. The plug will be marked “Hospital Grade” and have a visible green dot.
Hospital-Grade Power Cord
A green dot on an input plug indicates the cord is hospital‑grade
Hospital-grade power cables are designed to provide consistent optimal grounding and to withstand extreme bending without incurring damage. Electrical arcs from improperly grounded equipment are especially hazardous in healthcare environments because of the presence of volatile chemicals and gases, such as oxygen and solvents.
If you are using off-the-shelf equipment in a healthcare setting, replace the standard power cord provided by the manufacturer with an equivalent “green dot” hospital-grade cord. Not only will you meet code requirements, you also have the opportunity to get a longer or shorter cord to optimize equipment placement and minimize the risk of tripping.
Tripp Lite offers a large selection of power cords for hospitals, as well as extension cords, that meet UL standards for use in healthcare facilities:
Power Cords
- Available in a variety of lengths from 3 ft. to 25 ft.
- Amperage ratings of 10A, 13A and 15A
- Select models have clear plugs for users who need or want to be able to inspect the integrity of the connectors
- All models are tested to ANSI/UL 62 and 817 and CAN/CSA C22.2 no. 21 and 49
Extension Cords
- Available in lengths from 2 ft. to 15 ft.
- Amperage ratings of 13A and 15A
- All models are tested to ANSI/UL 62 and 817 and CAN/CSA C22.2 no. 21 and 42
P022-002-GY-HG
