Hey all,

My boss asked me about checking for electrical leakage on our pulse ox's. I said that I didn't know a way to check for leakage on a DC powered device since there is no ground. Any thoughts?

Chuck

I'm a biomed in a hospital as well as taking care of hemo and we don't know of any way to check them for electrical safety.

There likely is not a way to do this. Really, though, I can not imagine a battery powered peice of equipment injuring someone due to the low voltage likely from the battery. I dont know what kind of battery is being used in your pulse oximeters but it is probably low enough voltage that there is not a threat of patient harm...again I am assuming you are using a small non-rechargeable battery. Also, most pulse oximeters have plastic cases so really there is no metal contact to the patient. In the clip there is just a red or infared light and a photodetector, no electrodes or anything. Thus, electrical safety probably is not necissary on small devices like this. Hope that helps.

No need to check any DC device. Although you may check the pulse ox with the battery charger attached when performing the ES check.

Our hospital policies generally allow any device 24 volts and under, so patients can use most cell phone chargers without a safety check.

When we have to safety check a device that is powered with a low voltage adapter, we note that fact, that it is a 2-prong device (no ground), and that we did perform a visual inspection of the cords as a minimum.

Due diligence, you know.

Even if yours is powered by alkaline batteries, it's better to have a record that you are checking it than to have no record at all.

at the low dc voltage there should be no need to do this. especially if there is just a double prong and no ground. BTW
i am looking for an basic safety analyzer anybody got a good vendor. I am looking at the fluke 175 analyzer. but am open to opinions.

I use the LT544D Plus by Dale Technology. It is a pretty good device. It will let you know the line voltage, instrument current, chassis resistance, leakage current, chassis current, ground wire leakage current, and also has an outlet tester. Been using them for over five years. Just need to send in once a year for cal testing done by Fluke.

I have also used the Dale for many years without any problems.

quote:

Originally posted by bludtech:
at the low dc voltage there should be no need to do this. especially if there is just a double prong and no ground. BTW
i am looking for an basic safety analyzer anybody got a good vendor. I am looking at the fluke 175 analyzer. but am open to opinions.

I was referring to (or thinking about) devices that have 2 prong 100 VAC cords that lead to and adapter block, and then to the device. Clearly, you cannot measure leakage, but to document a visual inspection of the cord integrity is just good CYA, and can prevent user injury.

Dales are cool, but I dig the Dynatech Nevada (now Fluke).

120 VAC-that's what I meant and cannot edit if I'm not logged in right.