ECE3041 - Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements

Digital Assignment-1

Name: Befeta Remane

Reg No: 18BML0128

Course code: ECE3041

Slot: L51+L52
Name of faculty: VIDHYA S

PART-A

Q1.
Why is ECG used?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart's rhythm
and electrical activity.

Sensors attached to the skin are used to detect the electrical signals produced by your heart
each time it beats.

These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor to see if they're
unusual.

An ECG may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you
might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.

The test can be carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional at a hospital, a clinic
or at your GP surgery.

Despite having a similar name, an ECG isn't the same as an echocardiogram, which is a scan
of the heart. An ECG is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor
conditions affecting the heart.

It can be used to investigate symptoms of a possible heart problem, such as chest

pain, palpitations (suddenly noticeable heartbeats), dizziness and shortness of breath.

An ECG can help detect:

• arrhythmias – where the heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly
• coronary heart disease – where the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a
build-up of fatty substances
 • heart attacks – where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked
• cardiomyopathy – where the heart walls become thickened or enlarged
A series of ECGs can also be taken over time to monitor a person already diagnosed with a
heart condition or taking medication known to potentially affect the heart.

Q2.

How is the equipment connected to the patient?

In medical equipment for patient connected applications, the ‘applied parts’ are
those which come into direct contact with the patient, in order to perform its
function.

Applied parts are classified according to the type of patient contact and the type or
nature of the medical device in the 60601-1 suite of standards. This standard has
been adopted in the major countries and regions of the world. Each classification
requires different levels of protection against electric shock.

(Body): Is the least stringent classification, given to applied parts with are
generally not conductive and may be connected to Earth.

Type BF (Body Floating): Classifies applied parts which are electrically connected
to the patient and must be floating and separated from Earth. It does not include
applied parts which are in direct contact with the heart.

Type CF (Cardiac Floating): This is the most stringent classification, given to

applied parts suitable for direct cardiac and intravenous connection.

he part of the equipment that comes into contact with the patient is known as the
‘applied part’. The applied part is defined as the part of a medical device which, to
enable the overall device to perform its function, deliberately comes into direct
contact with a patient. This also applies to parts likely to come into contact with
the patient.

Applied parts are classified in the 60601-1 suite of standards, according to the type
of patient contact and the type or nature of the medical device. The latest version
of 60601-1 is the third edition, first published in December 2005. The standard has
been adopted in the major countries and regions of the world and published as the
following latest versions:

IEC 60601-1:2005 (Third Edition) + CORR. 1:2006 + CORR. 2:2007 + A1:2012

Europe: EN 60601-1:2006/A1:2013/A12:2014

USA: ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1: A1:2012, C1:2009/(R)2012 and A2:2010/(R)2012

Canada: CSA CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60601-1:14

Each classification has differing requirements for protection against electric shock.
The classifications are outlined below, from the least to the most stringent:
Type B (Body). Type-B classification is given to applied parts that are generally not
conductive and may be connected to Earth.
Type BF (Body Floating). Type-BF classification is given to applied parts that are
electrically connected to the patient and must be floating and separated from Earth.
This classification does not include applied parts that are in direct contact with the
heart.
Type CF (Cardiac Floating). Type-CF classification is given to applied parts
suitable for direct cardiac connection (connection to the heart of the patient,
including intravenous). These parts must be floating and separated from Earth.
Power systems for type-BF and type-CF medical devices are designed to provide
additional isolation from the secondary output to Earth, normally rated at 1 x
means of patient protection (MOPP) at the AC line voltage.
Q3.
What are the different types of ECG equipment?
7 ECG devices
• EMAY Portable ECG Monitor.
• 1byone Portable Wireless ECG/EKG Monitor.
• Omron Complete Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor + EKG.
• Eko DUO ECG + Digital Stethoscope.
• Biocare 12-Lead ECG Machine.
• Omron KardiaMobile EKG.
• DuoEK Wearable EKG Monitor.

EMAY Portable ECG Monitor:

Price: $$

Features:
 • This monitor is compatible with all smartphones.

• The compact size is small enough to fit in your pocket.

• It’s easy to use, with no leads.
• It records 30 seconds of your heart rate and rhythm.
• With this device, you can store, review, and share heart health data on your
smartphone.

1byone Portable Wireless ECG/EKG Monitor:

Price: $

Features:

• This monitor is portable and small enough to carry in your pocket.

• Record your heart rate and waveform easily, anywhere.
• Record your heart rate and ECG for up to 30 seconds at a time.
 • Email records to yourself or synchronize to a smartphone app.
• This monitor is rechargeable.

Omron Complete Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor +

EKG:

Price: $$

Features:

• This device is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared at-home

blood pressure and ECG monitor.
• It’s easy to use.
• It synchronizes to the free OMRON Connect smartphone app.
• With the monitor, you can store, track, and share your heart health data.
 Eko DUO ECG + Digital Stethoscope:

Price: $$$

Features:

• This is a medical-grade device that can be used at home.

• It amplifies heart and lung sounds by 60 times.
• The monitor shows heart sound waves and ECG tracings.
• You can use it without connecting to a smartphone or computer app.
• ECG recordings can be saved and shared by email.
• It has one lead and is easy to use.
• The rechargeable battery stays charged for 9 hours.
 Biocare 12-Lead ECG Machine.

Price: $$$

Features:

• This is a medical-grade device that can be used at home by a home-care

nurse or another healthcare professional.
• It’s both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE approved
• You can use without connecting to a smartphone or computer app.
• It’s compact, portable, and light enough to carry by hand.
• You can view your ECG on the monitor or via a printout.
• The monitor is highly sensitive in order to help find abnormal heart rhythms
(arrhythmias) easily.
• The rechargeable battery has a 3-hour life.
 Omron KardiaMobile EKG:

Price: $$

Features:

• This is a small and discreet single-lead personal ECG.

• It measures heart rhythms in only 30 seconds
• It connects to any smartphone.
• It’s medical grade and portable.

•
 DuoEK Wearable EKG Monitor:

Price: $

Features:

• This is a handheld monitor that can also be worn with a chest strap.
• It can measure your ECG from 30 seconds up to 15 minutes.
• Use it with or without a smartphone.
• It has a free smartphone app.
• Synchronize it to a smartphone app with Bluetooth to view your data.
• With this monitor, you can store, record, and share heart health data.
Q4.
Design a preamplifier for an ECG circuit. (Circuit diagram with
components and its role in the circuit has to be clearly explained)
Note: This is not a medical device. This is for educational purposes only
using simulated signals. If using this circuit for real ECG measurements,
please ensure the circuit and the circuit-to-instrument connections are
utilizing proper isolation techniques.

We are two students in Biomedical Engineering and after taking our first
circuits class, we were quite excited and decided to use the basics we
learned to do something useful: display an ECG and read heart rate. This
would be the most complex circuit we've built yet!

Some background on an ECG:

Many electrical devices are used to measure and record biological activity
in the human body. One such device is the electrocardiogram, which
measures the electrical signals produced by the heart. These signals give
objective information about the structure and function of the heart. The
ECG was first developed in 1887 and gave physicians a new way to
diagnose heart complications. ECGs can detect heart rhythm, heart rate,
heart attacks, inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart, and
structural abnormalities. Using simple circuit design, an ECG can be made
that could monitor all of these things.

Step 1: Materials
Building the circuit

Basic materials needed to build the circuit are shown in pictures. They
include:

• Breadboard
• Operational amplifiers
• All op amps used in this circuit are LM741.
• For more info, see the datasheet:

• Resistors
• Capacitors
• Wires
• Stick-on electrodes
• These are only needed if you decide to try the circuit on a real
person.

Software used includes:

• LabVIEW 2016
• CircuitLab or PSpice for simulations to check values
• Excel
 • This is highly recommended in case you need to change any
characteristics of your circuit. You may also need to play with
the numbers until you find resistor and capacitor values that
are readily available. Pen-and-paper calculations discouraged
for this one! We have attached our spreadsheet calculations to
give an idea.

Testing the circuit

You will also need some larger electronic equipment:

• DC Power supply
• DAQ board to interface the circuit to LabVIEW
• Function generator to test circuit
• Oscilloscope to test circuit

Step 2: Instrumentation Amplifier

Why we need it:

We will build an instrumentation amplifier in order to amplify the small

amplitude measured from the body. Using two amplifiers in our first stage
will allow us to cancel out the noise created by the body (which will be the
same at both electrodes). We will use two stages of about equal gain -- this
protects the user if the system is connected to a person by preventing all
the gain from happening in one place. Since the normal amplitude of an
ECG signal is between 0.1 and 5 mV, we want the gain of the
instrumentation amplifier to be about 100. An acceptable tolerance on the
gain is 10%.

How to build it:

Using these specifications and the equations seen in the table (attached
pictures), we found our resistor values to be R1= 1.8 kiloOhms, R2=8.2
kiloOhms, R3 = 1.5 kiloOhms, and R4 = 15 kiloOhms. K1 is the gain of
the first stage (OA1 and OA2), and K2 is the gain of the second stage
(OA3). Equal capacitance bypass capacitors are used on the power
supplies of the operational amplifiers to remove noise.

How to test it:

Any signal that is fed into the instrumentation amplifier should be

amplified by 100. Using dB=20log(Vout/Vin) this means a ratio of 40 dB.
You can simulate this in PSpice or CircuitLab, or test the physical device,
or both!

The oscilloscope image attached shows a gain of 1000. For a real ECG,
this is too high!
 Step 3: Notch Filter

Why we need it:

We will use a notch filter to remove the 60 Hz noise present in all power
supplies in the United States.

How to build it:

We will set the quality factor Q to be 8, which will provide an acceptable

filtering output while keeping component values in a feasible range. We
also set the capacitor value to be 0.1 μF so that calculations affect the
resistors only . The resistor values calculated and used can be seen in the
table (in pictures) or below

• Q = w/B
• set Q to 8 (or choose your own based on your own need)
• w = 2*pi*f
• use f = 60 Hz
• C
 • set to 0.1 uF (or choose your own value from available
capacitors)
• R1 = 1/(2*Q*w*C)
• Calculate. Our value is 1.66 kohm
• R2 = 2*Q/(w*C)
• Calculate. Our value is 424.4 kohm
• R3 = R1*R2/(R1+R2)
• Calculate. Our value is 1.65 kohm

How to test it:

The notch filter should pass all frequencies unchanged except for those
around 60 Hz. This can be checked with an AC sweep. A filter with a gain
of -20 dB at 60 Hz is considered good. You can simulate this in PSpice or
CircuitLab, or test the physical device, or both!

This kind of notch filter may generate a good notch in the simulated AC
sweep, but a physical test showed that our original values generated a
notch at a lower frequency than intended. To fix this, we bumped up R2 by
about 25 kohm.

The oscilloscope image shows the filter greatly reduces the input signal
magnitude at 60 Hz. The graph shows an AC sweep for a high quality
notch filter.
 Step 4: Low-pass Filter
Why we need it:

The last stage of the device is an active low-pass filter. The ECG signal is
made of many different waveforms, which each have their own frequency.
We want to capture all these, without any high-frequency noise. The
standard cutoff frequency for ECG monitors of 150 Hz is selected. (Higher
cutoffs are sometimes chosen to monitor for specific heart problems, but
for our project, we will use a normal cutoff.)

If you would like to make a simpler circuit, you could also use a passive
low-pass filter. This will not include an op amp, and will consist of just a
resistor in series with a capacitor. The output voltage will be measured
across the capacitor.

How to build it:

We will design it as a Second order Butterworth filter, which has

coefficients a and b equal to 1.414214 and 1, respectively. Setting the gain
to 1 makes the operational amplifier into a voltage follower. The equations
and values chosen are shown in the table (in pictures) and below.

• w=2*pi*f
• set f = 150 Hz
• C2 = 10/f
• Calculate. Our value is 0.067 uF
• C1 <= C2*(a^2)/(4b)
• Calculate. Our value is 0.033 uF
• R1 = 2/(w*(aC2+sqrt(a^2*C2^2-4b*C1*C2)))
• Calculate. Our value is 18.836 kohm
• R2 = 1/(b*C1*C2*R1*w^2)
• Calculate. Our value is 26.634 kohm

How to test it:

The filter should pass frequencies below the cutoff unchanged. This can be
tested using an AC sweep. You can simulate this in PSpice or CircuitLab,
or test the physical device, or both!

The oscilloscope image shows the filter's response at 100 Hz, 150 Hz, and
155 Hz. Our physical circuit had a cutoff closer to 155 Hz, shown by the -
3 dB ratio.

Step 5: High-pass Filter

Why we need it:

The high-pass filter is used so that frequencies below a certain cut-off

value are not recorded, allowing a clean signal to be passed through. The
cut-off frequency is chosen to be 0.5 Hz (a standard value for ECG
monitors).

How to build it:

The resistor and capacitor values needed to achieve this are seen below.
Our actual resistance used was 318.2 kohm.

• R = 1/(2*pi*f*C)
• set f = 0.5 Hz, and C = 1 uF
• Calculate R. Our value is 318.310 kohm

How to test it:

The filter should pass frequencies above the cutoff unchanged. This can be
tested using an AC sweep. You can simulate this in PSpice or CircuitLab,
or test the physical device, or both!

Step 6: Setting Up LabVIEW

The flowchart lays out the design concept of the LabVIEW portion of the
project which records the signal at a high sampling rate and displays the
heart rate (BPM) and ECG. Our LabView circuit contains the following
components: DAQ assistant, index array, arithmetic operators, peak
detection, numerical indicators, waveform graph, change in time, max/min
identifier, and number constants. The DAQ assistant is set to take
continuous samples at a rate of 1 kHz, with the number of samples
changed between 3,000 and 5,000 samples for peak detection and signal
clarity purposes.

Mouse over the different components in the circuit diagram to read where
in LabVIEW to find them!

Step 7: Collecting Data

Now that the circuit has been assembled, data can be collected to see if it
works! Send a simulated ECG through the circuit at 1 Hz. The result
should be a clean ECG signal where the QRS complex, P wave, and T
wave can be clearly seen. The heart rate should also be displaying 60 beats
per minute (bpm). To further test the circuit and the LabVIEW setup,
change the frequency to 1.5 Hz and 0.5 Hz. The heart rate should change
to be 90 bpm and 30 bpm respectively.
For slower heart rates to accurately be displayed you may need to adjust
the DAQ settings to show more waves per graph. This can be done by
increasing the number of samples.

If you choose to test the device on a human be sure the power supply you
are using for the op amps limits the current at 0.015 mA! There are several
acceptable lead configurations but we chose to place the positive electrode
on the left ankle, the negative electrode on the right wrist, and the ground
electrode on the right ankle as seen in the attached picture.

Using some basic circuitry concepts and our knowledge of the human
heart we have shown you how to create a fun and useful device. We hope
you've enjoyed our tutorial!

Q5.

Given an ECG waveform, how will you interpret the condition?

Step 1: Heart Rate

The heart rate can be determined via paper speed and the distance between 2 R
waves. There are 2 paper speeds: 25 and 50 mm/s.

With the paper speed of 50 mm/s, one minute equals a strip length of 3,000 mm or
600 large squares (1 large square equals 5 mm):

Heart rate (beats/min) = 600/number of large squares between 2 R waves.

It is easier to determine the heart rate with the aid of an ECG ruler.

Step 2: Heart Rhythm

When interpreting the heart rhythm, you should look for P waves, which is a sign
of atrial excitation. When every P wave is followed by a QRS complex, the ECG
shows sinus rhythm.

If the P waves are irregular, sinus arrhythmia is likely present. If the P waves are
missing altogether, the following differential diagnoses should be considered:
 • Atrial fibrillation: The fibrillation is characterized by low-amplitude, high-
frequency atrial fibrillatory waves.
• Atrial flutter: The flutter waves are configured in a saw-tooth pattern.
• Sinus arrest with escape rhythm: The retrograde atrial stimulation is
caused by centers other than the sinus node. In this instance, bradycardia
occurs with small QRS complexes but without P waves (i.e.,
synchronization of the QRS complexes and P waves).
Step 3: Electrical Heart Axis
The electrical heart axis is determined using the Cabrera circle, which is complex,
or by examining the waves of the QRS complex (in limb leads I, II and III).

Since the 2nd method is easier, memorize the following ‘rules of thumb’:

• Right heart axis deviation: Leads I and II show negative deflection,

whereas lead III has a positive deflection.
• Right heart axis: Lead I has negative deflection and leads II and III show
positive deflection.
• Vertical cardiac axis: All leads show positive deflection, R in III > R in I.
• Normal cardiac axis: All leads show positive deflection, R in I > R in III.
• Left heart axis: Lead III has negative deflection, while leads I and II have
positive deflection.
• Left heart axis deviation: Leads II and III show negative deflection,
whereas lead I has positive deflection.
Step 4: The PR Interval
The normal PR interval ranges between 120 and 200 ms (0.12–0.2s). A PR
interval > 200 ms suggests a first-degree AV block.

• First-degree AV block: When PR interval > 200 ms, each P wave is

followed by a QRS complex.
• Second-degree AV block (Mobitz I or Wenckelbach): The PR interval
steadily increases until the impulse transmission fails (skipped heartbeat,
and missing QRS complex).
• Second-degree AV block (Mobitz II): A constant PR interval with sudden
failure of conduction to the chambers (missing QRS complex), frequent 2:1
conduction (2 P waves followed by a single QRS complex), or 3:1
conduction (3 P waves followed by a QRS complex).
 • Third-degree AV block: The atria and ventricles act independent of each
other (AV dissociation).
Step 5: The QRS Complex
The normal QRS complex consists of a small negative Q wave (amplitude < ¼ of
an R wave) as well as small R and S waves. The physiological QRS duration is 60–
100 ms (0.06–0.1 s).

Broad and deformed QRS complexes can occur in the case of:

• Ventricular extrasystoles (VES; no preceding P wave)

• Conduction system disorders
Step 6: Repolarization
Repolarization includes the ST segment and the T wave (repolarization of
chambers). The standard ST segment is an isoelectric line. Elevations and
depressions of the ST segment are, therefore, pathological abnormalities
(specifically > 1 mm in the limb leads and > 2 mm in the chest leads).

The most important causes for such type of ST elevation are acute myocardial
infarction (AMI) and acute pericarditis. In cases of AMI with ST-segment
elevation (STEMI), the ST-segment takes off from the descending limb of the R
wave, whereas in cases of pericarditis, it takes off from the ascending limb of the S
wave.

Note: An indication for STEMI is ST-segment elevation with poor R wave

progression in at least 2 limb leads (amplitude > 0.1 mm) or 2 adjacent breast leads
(amplitude > 0.2 mm). Horizontal or descending ST-segment depressions with a
downward slope > 1 mm are considered pathological, and point to acute
myocardial ischemia. Downsloping depressions also occur in digitalis therapy.

Repolarization abnormalities manifest as changes in T wave configuration.

Possible pathological causes of repolarization abnormalities include:

• Tent-shaped T waves as signs of hyperkalemia, but the sensitivity of an

ECG for hyperkalemia is poor.
• Inverted T waves: The causes for inverted T waves vary, including acute
myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. Therefore, these findings
should always be analyzed in conjunction with the remainder of the ECG as
well as the patient’s other clinical signs.
N.B. Inverted T waves are not considered pathological per se. They are obligatory
in lead aVR and are also found in leads III, V1 and V2, without manifesting any
sign of disease.

Step 7: The R/S Ratio

Usually, the height of the R wave in the breast leads increases, while the S wave
decreases and the S wave is completely missing in V6. The R/S ratio is considered
as the area where R is taller than S (usually between V2 and V3, or V3 and V4). If
this is not the case, the situation is referred to as poor R wave progression, which
may be an indication of myocardial infarction or left ventricular hypertrophy.

Q6.

Are there any risks associated with ECG measurement?

What are the risks and potential complications of EKG

(electrocardiogram)?

• Abnormal heartbeats, also called cardiac arrhythmia.

• Breathing problems such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Chest pain, also called angina.
• Heart attack (rare)
• Low blood pressure and fainting.
Risks associated with ECG are minimal and rare. You will not feel
anything during the ECG, but it may be uncomfortable when the sticky
electrodes are taken off. If the electrode patches are left on too long they
may cause tissue breakdown or skin irritation.
PART-B

Q1.
What are electrical hazards?

Dangers of electricity
Regulation 2 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 refers to the dangers
associated with electricity as being ‘the risk of injury’. Electrical hazards may
cause death or personal injury from:
 • electric shock
• electric burn
• electrical explosion or arcing,
• fire or explosion initiated by electrical energy (where any such death or
injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission,
transformation, rectification, conversion, conduction, distribution, control,
storage, measurement or use of electrical energy’).

Incidents do happen and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 applies to all
work activity in such proximity to electrical systems where danger might be
present. Therefore, the extent of the law is not restricted to electricians and
electrical engineers, but applies equally to mechanical engineers, construction
workers, production staff and office employees alike, where their work activity
might expose them to the dangers of electricity.

Examples of electrical hazard risks include:

• Electric shock and burns from live wire contact

• Fires from faulty wiring
• Overloading circuits
• Leaving electrical parts exposed
• Electrocution or burns from lack of PPE
• Explosions and fires from explosive and flammable substances.
• Contact with overhead power lines
• Electrical exposure to water

Q2.

How is the electrical safety maintained at home?

Electricity Safety at Home

• Check electric cords often for damage. Have damaged cords repaired
right away. Worn cords can cause shock, short circuit or fire.
• Pull the plastic housing of the electric plug to take it out of the wall
socket; never pull on the cord.
• Do not overload electric outlets with too many items plugged in at once.
• Water and electricity do not mix. Do not operate electric appliances such
as radios or hair dryers near a bathtub or sink full of water.
• Never stick your fingers, toys or anything except electric plugs into
electric outlets.
• Unplug any appliance that emits sparks or that does not work properly.
• Always unplug an appliance before cleaning or repairing it.
 • Always unplug the toaster or other appliance when removing a piece of
stuck food.
• Remember that a turned-off appliance is still connected to electricity until
it is unplugged.
• Limit use of extension cords. Make sure the cord is the appropriate size
for use. Some appliances or equipment require heavy-duty cords.

Electricity Safety Outdoors

• Never fly kites near overhead power lines. If your kite becomes caught in
the lines, let it go. You could get a bad shock or be electrocuted.
• Go inside during thunderstorms. It is very dangerous to stay outside when
there is lightning. If you get caught outside, squat low to the ground
allowing only your shoes, which act like insulators, to touch the ground.
• Always wear closed-toe shoes when operating an electric lawnmower or
hedge clippers.
• Never use electric appliances outside in the rain or on wet surfaces.
• Stay away from electrical equipment, such as substations, transformer
boxes and electric poles.
• Be aware of the location of power lines when using an extension ladder
and long-handled tools such as swimming pool nets and tree-trimmers.

Other Electrical Safety Tips

• Stay Safe Around Electricity - Look Up! Look Down! Look Out!
• Safety Tips During Outages
• When Electrical Injury Occurs - Symptoms & First Aid
• Storm Safety - When Lightning Strikes
• Severe Storm Safety

Q3.

How is the electrical set-up designed for a hospital?

Healthcare electrical systems usually consist of two parts:

1. Non-essential (or normal) electrical system.

2. Essential electrical system.
All electrical power in a healthcare facility is important, though some loads are not
critical to the safe operation of the facility.

The electrical system requirements for the essential electrical system (EES) vary
according to the associated risk to the patients, visitors and staff that might occupy
that space. NFPA 99 assigns a risk category to each space within the healthcare
 facility based on the risk associated with a failure of the power distribution system
serving that space.

Type 1 essential electrical systems (EES) have the most stringent requirements for
providing continuity of electrical service and will, therefore, be the focus of this
section.

Type 1 EES requirements meet or exceed the requirements for Type 2 facilities.

Type 1 systems are required to have a minimum of two independent sources of

electrical power – a normal source that generally supplies the entire facility and one
or more alternate sources that supply power when the normal source is interrupted.

The alternate source(s) must be an on-site generator driven by a prime

mover unless a generator(s) exists as the normal power source. In the case where a
generator(s) is used as the normal source, it is permissible for the alternate source to
be a utility feed.

Alternate source generators must be classified as Type 10, Class X, Level 1

gensets per NFPA 110 Tables 4.1(a) and 4.2(b) that are capable of providing power
to the load in a maximum of 10 seconds.

Typically, the alternate sources of power are supplied to the loads through a series
of automatic and/or manual transfer switches. The transfer switches can be non-
delayed automatic, delayed automatic or manual transfer depending on the
requirements of the specific branch of the EES that they are feeding.

Q4.

How can electrical hazards be avoided in hospital set-up?

The hospitalized patient is in jeopardy from the electrical devices that surround or are
attached to him. He is at a special risk because he is frequently grounded by monitoring
devices and his protective skin barrier breached. Poorly designed electrical devices and
inadequate or improper grounding of the hospital electrical system or of the equipment add
to his danger. The adoption of the following steps will reduce this hazard:

(1) Never ground the patient; ground everything else.

(2) The building wiring and electrical supply, especially its grounding system should be
brought up to modern standards.

(3) All new electrical equipment should be evaluated for safety and tested before use.

(4) An ongoing electrical preventive maintenance program should be established. Isolation

power supplies ("safe power centers") have been proposed to reduce or eliminate these
hazards but are not recommended.
 Inspect wiring of equipment before each use. Replace damaged or frayed electrical cords
immediately. Use safe work practices every time electrical equipment is used. Know the
location and how to operate shut-off switches and/or circuit breaker panels.

Q5.

Report at least 5 case studies on electrical hazards reported world-wide?

Electrical Safety Case Study One:

A manufacturer kept its plant running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with two 12-hour shifts.
Shortly after a shift change one day a grinder dropped off-line and would not function.

The electrician assigned to repair the grinder arrived shortly thereafter where he entered the
motor control room and opened a 2300-volt motor circuit breaker. When he opened the
circuit breaker he caused an electrical fault by accidentally contacting energized parts inside
the circuit breaker cubicle. The ensuing electric arc burned the employee and ignited his
clothing.

Even though he sustained third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body, he was able to
depart the motor control room and walk approximately 43 yards to the first aid room. A
nearby employee doused the remaining flames with water. Co-workers attended him and two
emergency technicians arrived and administered first aid. Emergency medical services
arrived within a short time to treat and transport him to a hospital where he was admitted. The
electrician died the next day due to the severity of his injuries.

Electrical Safety Case Study Two:

A contracting firm was performing maintenance and repair work for a processing company.
The contractors were working on the motor of a Nu Vac 480 volt pneumatic roof-mounted
conveyor system. As they were examining the motor, which they found to be running roughly,
the motor tripped the electric starter. One of the contractors went to open the Square D 60-
ampere standard-duty disconnect switch, which was located in the electrical room on the third
floor. When he opened the switch, an explosion and electrical fault occurred involving not
only the switch but also a portion of the surrounding electric equipment.

The ensuing electric arc burned the contractor. He was hospitalized with first and second-
degree burns to his hand, arm and face. Because of inadequate equipment and housekeeping,
combustible cork dust was present throughout the electrical room. Since the combustible dust
placed this location in a Class II rating according to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the
open-type electric equipment that the contractor operated was unsuitable.

Electrical Safety Case Study Three:

A 30-year-old male electrical technician was assisting a company service representative test
the voltage-regulating unit on a new rolling mill. While the electrical technician left the area
to get the service manual, the service representative opened the panel cover of the voltage
regulator’s control cabinet to prepare for tracing down the low-voltage wiring in question.
The wiring was not color-coded and the service representative was not using personal
protective equipment (PPE).

The service representative climbed onto a nearby cabinet in order to view the wires. The
technician soon returned and began working inside the control cabinet near exposed and
energized electrical conductors. The technician began tugging on the low-voltage wires so
that the service representative could attempt to identify them from above.

The company service representative heard the electrical technician making gurgling sounds.
As he looked down to see the victim, he noticed the victim was shaking as though he were
being shocked. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered to the victim;
however, he was pronounced dead almost 2 hours later. It was determined that he had made
contact with an energized electrical conductor.

Electrical Safety Case Study FOUR

A contracting firm was performing maintenance and repair work for a processing company.
The contractors were working on the motor of a Nu Vac 480 volt pneumatic roof-mounted
conveyor system. As they were examining the motor, which they found to be running roughly,
the motor tripped the electric starter. One of the contractors went to open the Square D 60-
ampere standard-duty disconnect switch, which was located in the electrical room on the third
floor. When he opened the switch, an explosion and electrical fault occurred involving not
only the switch but also a portion of the surrounding electric equipment.

Electrical Safety Case Study FIVE

The service representative climbed onto a nearby cabinet in order to view the wires. The
technician soon returned and began working inside the control cabinet near exposed and
energized electrical conductors. The technician began tugging on the low-voltage wires so
that the service representative could attempt to identify them from above.

The company service representative heard the electrical technician making gurgling sounds.
As he looked down to see the victim, he noticed the victim was shaking as though he were
being shocked. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered to the victim;
however, he was pronounced dead almost 2 hours later. It was determined that he had made
contact with an energized electrical conductor

The following hazard examples can often be attributed to electrical accidents:

• Not using correct lockout tagout procedures

• Not using PPE or incorrect use of PPE
 • Equipment not used in proper manner
• Incorrect equipment used
• Using faulty equipment
• Path to ground discontinuous or missing
• Lack of ground fault protection
• Improper use of extension cords
• Accidental live electrical contact (e.g. power lines)

How are such incidents to be prevented? According to OSHA and NFPA 70E workers need
the following:

1. Workers need to be able to demonstrate they have the knowledge to do the work they
are to do.
2. Workers need to be able to demonstrate they have the skills to do the work they are to
do.
3. Workers must receive and understand safety training to recognize and avoid the
hazards involved with the work they are to do.