ConnectionsThe Problem:You design patient-connected medical equipment for sale globally. How do youspecify power cordsets that allow connection to the world’s power mainswhile complying with local regulations?

In three country groups, special cords arerequired for use with patient-connected medical equipment. These are:• United States and Canada• Australia and New Zealand• DenmarkIn all other countries, patient-connected medical equipment is powered via cordsetsthat are standard for each country.

United States and CanadaIn the United States and Canada, patient-connected medical equipment must be powered from the power mains via a cordsetthat includes a “hospital-grade plug” describedin UL 498 and UL 817. This plug differs fromgeneral purpose NEMA plugs in that it:• Is more robust• Has more effective cord grip• Is usually larger• Carries a “green dot” signifying hospital-grade perthe National Electric Code,UL 498 and 817.

The North American hospital-grade plug maybe colored/opaque or clear and it may bemolded-on or rewirable. While not required byUL 60601, we recommend the primary insulation color code conform to inernationalpractice, i.e. line = brown, neutral = blue,ground = green/yellow striped.

The connector should conform to IEC 60320.Otherwise, there are no special regulationsrelated to hospital-grade equipment thatimpact the connector.

Australia and New ZealandAustralian and New Zealand electrical standards do NOT mandate any special characteristics for the plug that will be usedwith patient-connected electrical equipment.However, hospitals in Australia and NewZealand routinely specify that equipmentshould have a clear plug that is otherwise standard and an orange jacketed Harmonizedcable that is otherwise standard.

Again, the connector should conform to IEC60320. Otherwise, there are no special regula-tions related to hospital-grade equipment thatimpact the connector.

DenmarkElectrical standards in Denmark mandate aspecial plug for use with patient-connectedmedical equipment. This plug, along with thegeneral purpose Danish plug and a Danishdata plug intended for use only with computers, is shown below. Cable used onmedical equipment is standard Harmonizedcable and the connector should conform toIEC 60320. Otherwise, there are no specialregulations related to hospital-grade equipmentthat impact the connector.

Global RequirementsCordsets used with patient-connected medicalequipment in the rest of the world are thesame as cords used in non-medical equip-ment. Molded-on plugs used on electricalequipment in the rest of the world are illustrated on page 3. Note that the cable usedin all of these cordsets with the exception ofthe Japanese cord, is Harmonized. Also, theIEC 60320 C13 connector is standard on these cords.

North American hospital-grade plug with anIEC 60320 connector

Cordsets for Patient Connected Equipment

Issue 1 • March 2004100 Interpower Ave • Oskaloosa, IA 52577-0115 • (800) 662-2290 • www.interpower.com

connect to the global marketplace

“Green Dot”

Australian/New Zealand hospital-grade plugwith IEC 60320 connector on orange cable

Danish plugs from left: regular, data, medical

Connections is published quarterly by Panel Components Corporation and is available ineither a print or an electronic version. Each edition addresses one or more topics related toelectrical power systems component selection. Connections is designed to the equipmentdesigner who wants to design one product for sale globally. Past editions of Connections willbe available on www.interpower.com as long as they are technically up-to-date.

Connections: Helping You Design for Export Markets

TMTMinterpower 100 Interpower Ave • Oskaloosa, IA 52577-0115 • (800) 662-2290 • www.interpower.com2

UL 2601-1 Renumbered to UL 60601-1In mid April, UL (UnderwritersLaboratories Inc.) announcedthat UL standard 2601-1 forMedical Electrical Equipmentwas renumbered to UL

60601-1. The new edition is dated August 25,2003. UL’s announcement explains that therenumbering was to more closely align the ULstandard number with the IEC standard number. In addition to changing the standardnumber, UL has editorially reformatted thestandard due to internal administrative needs.The reformatting includes, but is not limited to,referring to ‘deviation’ as ‘national differences’and implementing a new numbering system forthe national differences.

What does this mean? We contacted DaleHallerberg, the primary designated engineer(PDE) for medical equipment, located at UL'sNorthbrook, Illinois office, to find out. Mr.Hallerberg confirmed that there are no technicalchanges between UL 2601-1 and UL 60601-1.Therefore, customers will not be required tomake any technical changes to their productsor undergo a dreaded UL file review.

UL 2601-1 included all the deviations at thebeginning of the standard. UL 60601-1 nowincludes the deviations throughout the standard,where they belong, making it easier to readand comply with. This is just one more exampleof UL aligning itself with IEC standards.

North American Hospital-Grade PlugsTo ensure a high level of safety and reliability,Interpower hospital-grade, North AmericanRewirable plugs are designed and manufactured to specific medical standardsand carry the “green dot.” This signifies theyhave been designed and tested for ground reliability, assembly integrity, strength and

durability. Specifically, they meet or exceedthe requirements of UL Standard 498 and 817 per the National Electric Code. The Interpowerhospital-grade North American Rewirableplugs below are made with exceptionally clear material to permit inspection of terminal connections.

NEMA 5-15 rated 15A/125VAC (88030270) NEMA 6-15 rated 15A/250VAC (88030370)

NEMA 5-20 rated 20A/125VAC (88030390) NEMA 6-20 rated 20A/250VAC (88030410)

Rewirable Danish Medicalplug and socketHospital-grade

plugs and sockets

are designed with

a slightly different

configuration. This

allows only the

hospital plug, not

the standard Danish plug, to be used

in specific medical settings.

China changes approval markfrom Great Wall to CCC. The

CNCA (Certification

and Accreditation

Administration of

the People’s

Republic of China)

has announced all

power cords and

cordsets exported

to China must now bear the

CCC (China Compulsory

Certification) mark.

Australia and New Zealand will require insulated

line and neutral pins

effective April 2005.

Interpower cords

switched to the

insulated pins for

10 amp cords late

2003 and the 16 amp will comply in

the near future.

Chinese CCC Mark

Danish medicalplug and socket

New insulatedpins

Industry notes:

TMTMinterpower100 Interpower Ave • Oskaloosa, IA 52577-0115 • (800) 662-2290 • www.interpower.com 3

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86396000 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 SEV

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86394000 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 IMQ

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86390010 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 IRAM (plug only)

IsraelSI-32 plug for use in Israel at 50Hz.

United Kingdom/IrelandBS1363 plug for use in the United Kingdom & Irelandat 50Hz.

ItalyCEI 23-16/VII plug for use in Italy at 50Hz. Alsoused in parts of North Africa.

ChinaThe Chinese cordset at 50Hz, resembles the Australiancordset, but the pins are 1mm longer than the Australian.

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86517040 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 CCC

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86397010 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 ASTA (plug only)

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86393000 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 SII (plug only)

SwitzerlandSEV 1011 plug for use in Switzerland at 50Hz.

India/South AfricaOld style British BS546 plug for use inIndia/South Africa at 50Hz.

JapanJIS 8303 plug for use at 50 and 60Hz. Wiring utilizesblack/white/green color coding.

DenmarkAfsnit 107-2-D1 plug for use in Denmark at50Hz. To ensure grounding, use a Danish plugon products shipped to Denmark.

Note: diameter of contact pins is 4.8 mm

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86230110 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70˚C 3x1.00mm2 OVE, CEBEC, VDE, LCIE

KEMA, SEMKO, FIMKO,NEMKO, DEMKO, IMQ, Gost

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86391000 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 DEMKO

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86589010 15A/125VAC 2.4m 60°C 3x2.00mm2 PSE

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86392000 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 BIS SABS (plug only)

Continental Europe (Schuko)CEE 7/7 plug for use in Germany, Austria,Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden,Russia, Belgium, and France at 50Hz.

Interpower International Cordsets

ArgentinaThe Argentine cordset at 50Hz, resembles theAustralian cordset, but the pins are 1mm longer thanthe Australian and line/neutral are wired in reverse.

100% cords are tested before they leave our Iowa, USA factories. Most of these cords are available in special lengths, and with any angle IEC60320 C13 connector. No minimum order. Most cords made in our Iowa, USA factories.

See www.interpower.com/medcords for specification drawings for the cords listed below. Also available at www.interpower.com are approvaldocument numbers and specification drawings for all active parts. These are obtained by searching by the part number.

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86210150 10A/250VAC 2.5m 70°C 3x1.00mm2 DFT

Part Number Current Rating Length Max. Temp. Conductor Size Approvals86610610 10A/125VAC 3.05m 60˚C 3x18 AWG UL, CSA

North AmericaNEMA 5-15 for use in United States, Canada,and Mexico at 60Hz.

Australia/New ZealandAS 3112 plug for use in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji,and Papua New Guinea at 50Hz.

For more information...

If you are interested in exporting equipment, order a free copy of our ExportDesigner’s Reference & Catalog #9. Each product section is preceded with anoverview of the international safety requirements covering that component type.

Contact our Customer Service Department. They can assist you with price and deliv-ery quotations, stock checks, samples, technical assistance on agency approvals and requirements,and order entry. Panel Components Corporation is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time. Rushorders placed for stock items by 6 p.m. Central Time can be shipped out the same day. Call or faxtoll-free from the U.S., Canada, P.R., and the V.I.:

Orders can be placed either with our Customer Service Department (by telephone, fax, e-mail, or mail), or with one of our sales representatives. Panel Components Corporation’s sales representatives are located in more than 35 offices throughout the United States and Canada;call our headquarters office in Oskaloosa, Iowa, or visit www.interpower.com/rep for the name of your local sales representative.

Note: Product specifications and availability subject to change without notice. Please contactour Customer Service Department at (800) 662-2290 or access our web site for the most current information: www.interpower.com.

Toll-free telephone: (800) 662-2290 Fax: (800) 645-5360E-mail: info@interpower.com Web site: www.interpower.com

In a hurry for your order?We are prepared for same day shipmentsif parts are in stock and your order isplaced by 6 p.m. Central Time.

United Parcel Service and FederalExpress shipments are available.

For your convenience, we acceptMasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

RABANSI

QMS

AC

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ITED

© 2004 Panel Components Corporation

Panel Components Corporation is ISO 9001 Certified

• No minimum order requirement

• Same day shipment available forstock item orders received by 6:00 p.m. Central Time

• Most items available from stock

•100% of Interpower cords are tested

• Free evaluation samples

• Assembly services available

• Free technical support available

• Most of our cords are made in the USA!