Common "modern" network switches suitable for use as a separation device?

[Koots201]

Hello,

When combining medical equipment (IEC 60601-1) to other equipment (not IEC 60601-1, e.g. the hospital network) to form a medical system, usually there is a need to implement a separation device between that medical equipment and the rest of the equipment outside the medically used room.

However, according to IEC 60601-1, art. 16.5: "the separation device shall have the dielectric strength, creepage distances and air clearances required for one MOOP". There is no mention here of any MOPP requirement. The dielectric strength for one MOOP (230V) is 1.5 kV rms, which is exactly the same as equipment built to IEC 60950-1.

Does this mean that a common "modern" network switch (built to IEC 60950-1) in itself is suitable to be used as a separation device accoring to IEC 60601-1?

I cannot find any detailed information anywhere. Some say it is indeed suitable in itself (not taking into account that the cables from the switch to the network outlet could be damaged for example), others say that the requirements for 2 MOPPs also need to be considered. There are manufacturers who build network switches complying with IEC 60601-1.

I would be happy to hear your thoughts on this!

 

[Peter Selvey]

ME systems were originally covered by a collateral standard IEC 60601-1-1, last published over 20 years ago.

In that standard a "separation device" had to meet "basic insulation" which is equivalent to 1MOPP in the new standard (1.5kV/4mm @ 250V working voltage). At that time, there were no distinction between operator/patient (no MOP, MOOP or MOPP).

A big change in the new standard (601-1 Ed 3) was to incorporate 601-1-1 into the standard. But a less known change was to make the separation device 1 MOOP (not MOPP), thus using IEC 60950-1 which is significant reduction in test values (1kV/2.5mm).

However there are likely to be many legacy devices around that were designed when the old standard.

As for a common network switch, I don't know 950 well enough to know if "950 approved" devices have 1 MOOP (1kV/2.5mm) or not, maybe someone familiar with the standard might know.

 

[Tagin]

How about using a switch with a fiber optic port?

 

[Koots201]

That is the main solution in our hospital up to this point. Said switch is being 'fed' through a fibre optic wire, and then distributes to the wall-outlets via a normal (copper) patch-cable. Only setback is that the switch needs to be installed in such a way that it complies with the same specifications as the medically used room it is assigned for (i.e. isolated from ground/mains through transformers etc.). When a network switch has enough galvanic isolation that too is not necessary anymore.

 

[Robert_D]

Thanks for your input here @Koots201. You mentioned that "the switch needs to be installed in such a way that it complies with the same specifications as the medically used room it is assigned for (i.e. isolated from ground/mains through transformers etc.)". Where could I find more information about these specifications? Would they be common practices, or hospital-specific?

I'm trying to understand the requirements/specifications regarding the installation of electrical devices in a medically used room.
The context is that we are developing a MEE which is intended to be inside the PATIENT ENVIRONMENT, which also connects to a display outside the PATIENT ENVIRONMENT via HDMI port. We are trying to determine whether we can rely on the installation of these external devices (i.e. displays) through isolation transformers for example, or whether we need to provide additional electrical isolation in our MEE.

Thanks!