ARTICLE 517 �HEALTH CARE FACILITIES517.17posed surfaces that might become energized, in addition to reducing the potential difference that can appear between exposed conductive surfaces in the patient care vicinity, or by combinations of these methods. A special problem is presented by the patient with an externalized direct conductive path to the heart muscle. The patient may be electrocuted at current levels so low that additional protection in the design of appliances, insulation of the catheter, and control of medical practice is required.517.12 Wiring Methods. Except as modid in this article, wiring methods shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapters 1 through 4 of this Code. 517.13 Grounding of Receptacles and Fixed Electrical Equipment in Patient Care Areas. Wiring in patient care areas shall comply with 517.13(A) and (B). (A) Wiring Methods. All branch circuits serving patient care areas shall be provided with an effective ground-fault current path by installation in a metal raceway system, or a cable having a metallic armor or sheath assembly. The metal raceway system, or metallic cable armor, or sheath assembly shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118. (B) Insulated Equipment Grounding Conductor. (1) General. The following shall be directly connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor that is installed with the branch circuit conductors in the wiring methods as provided in 517.13(A). (1) The grounding terminals of all receptacles. (2) Metal boxes and enclosures containing receptacles. (3) All nonurrent-carrying conductive surfaces of ed electrical equipment likely to become energized that are subject to personal contact, operating at over 100 volts. Exception: An insulated equipment bonding jumper that directly connects to the equipment grounding conductor is permitted to connect the box and receptacle(s) to the equipment grounding conductor. Exception No. 1 to (3): Metal faceplates shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor by means of a metal mounting screw(s) securing the faceplate to a grounded outlet box or grounded wiring device. Exception No. 2 to (3): Luminaires more than 2.3 m (71� ft) above the or and switches located outside of the patient care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment grounding return path complying with 517.13(A). (2) Sizing. Equipment grounding conductors and equipment bonding jumpers shall be sized in accordance with 250.122.517.14 Panelboard Bonding. The equipment grounding terminal buses of the normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity shall be connected together with an insulated continuous copper conductor not smaller than 10 AWG. Where two or more panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity are served from separate transfer switches on the emergency system, the equipment grounding terminal buses of those panelboards shall be connected together with an insulated continuous copper conductor not smaller than 10 AWG. This conductor shall be permitted to be broken in order to terminate on the equipment grounding terminal bus in each panelboard. 517.16 Receptacles with Insulated Grounding Terminals. Receptacles with insulated grounding terminals, as described in 250.146(D), shall not be permitted. 517.17 Ground-Fault Protection. (A) Applicability. The requirements of 517.17 shall apply to hospitals and other buildings (including multiple-occupancy buildings) with critical care areas or utilizing electrical lifesupport equipment, and buildings that provide the required essential utilities or services for the operation of critical care areas or electrical life-support equipment. (B) Feeders. Where ground-fault protection is provided for operation of the service disconnecting means or feeder disconnecting means as specid by 230.95 or 215.10, an additional step of ground-fault protection shall be provided in all next level feeder disconnecting means downstream toward the load. Such protection shall consist of overcurrent devices and current transformers or other equivalent protective equipment that shall cause the feeder disconnecting means to open. The additional levels of ground-fault protection shall not be installed on the load side of an essential electrical system transfer switch. (C) Selectivity. Ground-fault protection for operation of the service and feeder disconnecting means shall be fully selective such that the feeder device, but not the service device, shall open on ground faults on the load side of the feeder device. Separation of ground-fault protection time-current characteristics shall conform to manufacturer recommendations and shall consider all required tolerances and disconnect operating time to achieve 100 percent selectivity.Informational Note: See 230.95, e print note, for transfer of alternate source where ground-fault protection is applied.(D) Testing. When equipment ground-fault protection is st installed, each level shall be performance tested to ensure compliance with 517.17(C).2011 EditionNATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE70�43
