Composition and Function of Hospital Isolated Power Systems

Introduction to Hospital Isolated Power Systems

The hospital isolated power systems, simply put, is the combination of an isolation transformer, an insulation monitoring device, and an alarm terminal. The power supply principle is quite simple; essentially, an isolation transformer is used to convert TN power supply into a non-grounded IT power supply. 

Actually, a single isolation transformer can achieve the desired functionality, but to ensure the long-term stability of the system, an insulation monitoring device is included for real-time online monitoring of the overall insulation level. Additionally, an insulation fault locating system is added to quickly pinpoint insulation faults within the system, enabling quick repairs and reducing troubleshooting time.

Components of the Hospital Isolated Power Systems

Medical Isolation Transformer

This converts a common city power system (TN-S system) into a medical IT system, protecting the conductive parts exposed on the equipment by grounding them but not grounding the power supply end, thereby achieving isolated power supply. This helps to prevent electric shocks and enhances the reliability of the system.

Medical Insulation Monitoring Device

It monitors the system's insulation resistance to ground, the transformer temperature, and load variations in real-time, ensuring safe operation. If the insulation resistance falls below a set value, the system will automatically cut off the power supply to protect personal safety.

External Alarm Unit

This unit receives signals from the insulation monitoring device and provides audible and visual alarms. When the first grounding fault occurs, it alerts but the system continues to supply power. Maintenance personnel can then eliminate the fault at the appropriate time, ensuring continuous and stable power supply to the system.

Current Transformer

The current transformer is used for monitoring the load current within the system. If the current exceeds the set value, the current transformer can trigger an alarm to remind maintenance personnel to address the issue.

Insulation Fault Location

To quickly locate fault positions, it is recommended to include insulation fault locating equipment in the hospital isolated power systems. This equipment can monitor the entire system in real-time, and when a fault occurs, it will directly display the fault's location, saving maintenance personnel's time in resolving the fault and improving the system's reliability.

Dedicated Power Supply for Instruments

The external alarm unit and the insulation fault locating device require a dedicated power supply for their operation.

The complete hospital isolated power systems comprises a medical isolation transformer, medical insulation monitoring device, external alarm unit, current transformer, insulation fault locating, and a dedicated power supply for instruments. These components work together to form a complete power guarantee system.

The Function of the Hospital Isolated Power Systems

Ensuring Continuous Power Supply to Medical Equipment

Since the medical isolated power panels do not create a loop to ground, if any leakage occurs in the medical equipment, only a very small capacitive leakage current is generated, which will not harm the human body or trigger the power supply switch, thereby ensuring the continuity of power supply in medical settings.

Ensuring Patient Safety

Since the medical isolated power panels do not create a loop to ground, leakage current from other power circuits cannot pass through the grounding wire to medical equipment in ICU, NICU, etc. Thus, it protects patient safety. Reducing Leakage Current to Ground. This also enhances the fire safety of the entire distribution system.

Ensuring Maintenance Personnel's Safety

When medical equipment is under inspection or maintenance, the maintenance personnel often have to touch components or grounding wires while the equipment is powered on. Since the medical isolated power panels do not create a loop to ground, they prevent electric shocks to maintenance personnel and increases their safety.