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What are Medical Power Supplies? IEC 60601-1
Ben Winstanley • Apr 22, 2020
What are Medical Power Supplies?
IEC 60601-1
At Haredata we often get asked about the differences between the power supplies we offer, and the most frequently asked question is are Medical Power Supplies really that different from Industrial Power supplies?
Simple answer: Yes!
Well we say simple answer but there’s a lot more to a Power Supply than meets the eye. To break it down the differences fall into 3 key categories: Safety, Application and Standards.
Each of these categories have different reasons for Medical Power Supplies being in a league of their own but they all come together to highlight the most important factor of a Medical Power Supply and that is the safety of the persons using it. We want people to understand why Medical Power Supplies are so extraordinary and get a real feeling for why they are so important to modern Medical practice.
So let’s break this down…
A prime factor of a Medical Power Supply is the sheer safety of the Supply. Medical Power Supplies have a massive range of uses from blood pressure monitors to ventilators, and as you can guess are often in direct contact with a patient.
So, these Supplies must be fundamentally safe for use and the build of Medical Supplies highlights how safe they are. The Supplies must be made in line with standards set across the world but more about that later.
In the Power Supply world, we have basic requirements set for the safety standards of these Power Supplies and this is called the ‘IEC60601-1’, (Remember this!) Within these standards are guidance for Medical Power Supplies, and importantly the way we can keep people safe.
The most important factor in safety is the current flowing out of a Power Supply and what it encounters. Medical Power Supplies have a lower leakage current avoiding internal problems within the Power Supply keeping the performance consistent and to minimise any interference with other electronic devices. These safety requirements all marry up to the application of the Supply.
The purpose of a Medical Power Supply is why it is so special. Medical Power Supplies are often attached to applications that are made to be next to or on a patient who could be in the most vulnerable circumstance. Therefore, the safety as mentioned above runs parallel to the application of the device.
Each Power Supply has lower leakage current, now leakage currents happens in a wide range of Power Supplies and that is why you might get a little shock every so often from other ‘low-cost’ Power Supplies. In Medical Power Supplies the leakage current is extremely low so that the user / vulnerable patient is not at risk of a shock. This lower current leakage is the same per application of the Power Supply.
The general application of a Medical Power Supply falls into 3 categories:
Class B:
equipment, which is not near a patient, For example laser treatments.
Class BF:
equipment, which touches the patient For example an ultrasound machine.
Class CF:
(Also known as MOPP) equipment, this directly connects to a patient. Such as a Electrocardiograph (ECG) Machine
This range of classes determines the application of the product and therefore the differing needs of insulation on the devices. Anything that touches the body must have thick plastic-based insulation which you might have experiences on an ultrasound wand. The application of the Medical Power Supply is what makes it unique.
You can’t use a laptop charger to power a machine the restarts the heart!
The standards are used globally, as I am sure you will remember the handy name ‘IEC60601-1’. These standards set a precedent for Medical Power Supplies being consistent and safe for their application. The standards fall into two categories of priority: collateral and particular standards. Collateral standards must be met across all Medical Power Supply applications whereas particular standards are particular to the device they are used on.
Some Examples below:
General Standard
- 60601-1
Collateral standards
- EMC 60601-1-2
- Radiation Protection 60601-1-3
- Usability 60601-1-6
- Alarms 60601-1-8
Particular standards
- Medical Electron Accelerator 60601-2-1
- High Frequency Surgery Equipment 60601-2-2
- Electrically Operated Hospital Beds 60601-2-38
- Infant Phototherapy Equipment 60601-2-50
This simple list shows the basics of the different safety standards, but we recommend that if you want to know more specific details for your application just search ‘IEC60601-1’ for the full set of standards.
In order to keep our Medical Supplies up to all standards we have exclusively partnered with FRIWO, who have a Medically Approved factory as judged by TUV Nord to the strict ISO13485 Regulation.
This means that each component that goes into our Medical Power Supplies is scrutinized through each stage. By working with FRIWO, who are ISO certified, we can assure that the Medical Power Supplies are to the best standards and quality they can be.
We also follow the regulations set by the 4th edition Medical equipment standards which were released in January 2019, this introduced new standards for wireless technology and Medical Power Supplies being used within the home not a care setting. There is a huge range of standards to achieve and meeting all of them makes us great Power Supply provider!
If you would like any more information or help get in touch!
Email us: hello@haredata.co.uk
Or give us a ring on +44 (0) 1423 796240
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