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Topic: Receptacles in OR's

User: wmeek, Location: Texas

Asked on: Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 11:06 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:12 am EDT

Question: I have an operating room that currently has Hubbellock type receptacles installed. Currently they have a Male hubbellock male cord cap on a SO cord with a Hospital grade 20A female straight blade cord cap on the other end. I was wanting to know if it is allowed to replace the hubbellock type receptacle to a hospital grade type duplex.

Yes, it is allowed to replace a Hubbell lock receptacle with a hospital-grade type duplex receptacle.

This replacement is allowed according to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and is commonly done in healthcare facilities. Here are the relevant requirements: NEC 517.13(B) permits installing standard receptacles in hospitals if they are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). NEC 517.13(D) allows receptacles with non-locking configurations in specific patient care areas, such as emergency or critical care areas, where staff may need to quickly disconnect equipment.

Steps to Replace the Receptacle

1.

De-energize the circuit
at the electrical panel.2. Verify the circuit is de-energized using a non-contact voltage tester.3. Disconnect the wires from the Hubbell lock receptacle and cap them off.4. Install the new hospital-grade duplex receptacle and secure it in the electrical box.5. Connect the wires to the terminals of the new receptacle according to the wiring diagram on the receptacle.6. Tighten the terminal screws securely.7. Install a faceplate over the receptacle.8. Energize the circuit at the electrical panel.

Notes: The replacement receptacle must be a hospital-grade type duplex receptacle, which is specifically designed for healthcare applications and meets the requirements of NEC 517. The existing SO cord with the Hubbell lock male cord cap will need to be replaced with a new cord that has a hospital-grade plug that matches the new receptacle. If the receptacle is located in a patient care area, it must be GFCI-protected. It is recommended to consult with a qualified electrician to perform this work to ensure it is done safely and meets all applicable codes and standards. Flag for review

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