A power supply is a device that supplies electrical power to a battery or something plugged into an AC outlet. Most consumer devices need AC-DC power supplies to continue their operations. However, power supplies used for medical devices are more improved and are slightly different from standard ones. So, how do medical-grade power supplies differ from regular devices? Keep reading to learn about their differences before buying the best one.
What is a medical-grade power supply device?
Power supplies used in the medical sector are designed to meet regulatory and safety rules. You can use these devices in clinics and hospitals to ensure reliability and patient safety. Most healthcare facilities buy power supplies for machines like-
- Ventilators
- MRI machines
- Defibrillators
- Infusion pumps
Electronically operated home healthcare devices also need power supplies for proper functioning.
Medical-grade power supply products are available with a range of features.
- These power supply devices have comparatively high isolation and insulation requirements. So, there is a minimal risk of electrical faults when your medical staff and patients use the electronic equipment.
- Low leakage current is another feature of medical-standard power supplies. Leakage current refers to the unintended electrical current flow, which is unsafe for patients. In high-quality medical power supplies, there are leakage current limits to reduce the issues from electrical shocks.
- Medical power supply devices are more reliable, as they need to work in critical environments. The medical sector always chooses devices that guarantee high uptime and minimal failure risks.
- The best power supplies have a fail-safe design that prevents unexpected malfunctions and shutdowns.
- They also have an electromagnetic interference control to prevent disruptions in your medical devices. As healthcare facilities need to operate multiple electronic devices, there is a risk of interfering with each other. That is why EMI regulations are important for medical power supplies.
- A medical power supply should also comply with patient safety standards, such as IEC 60601-1.
So, you need to check these features before buying power supplies for medical equipment.
What is a standard power supply product?
A standard power supply is best for your consumer electronics and commercial devices. But, when compared to medical power supply, it is not the same in terms of performance and safety standards. So, you cannot use a regular power supply device for medical purposes.
Normal power supplies comply with only IEC 62368-1 or 60950-1 standards. You can use them for consumer electronics. However, if used for medical devices, there is a risk.
Standard power supply products have basic insulation and may not meet reinforced isolation needs. You can choose them for general purposes but avoid using them in life-critical situations.
These devices ensure basic electromagnetic compatibility, so they are not the right choice if you need stricter EMC regulations.
Why should you not use standard power supplies for your medical equipment?
If you have chosen standard power supplies for healthcare devices, it may cause safety hazards. Your device may also start malfunctioning when it interferes with another gadget. A low-quality power supply device will not meet EMI standards in the medical field. So, heart monitors and other similar devices will not function properly.
The lack of safety features makes standard power supplies incompatible with medical devices. Your power supply devices of medical solutions should not violate regulatory rules. They will save you from financial and legal consequences.
Contact SMX Power to buy power supplies
At SMX Power, we have a collection of AC/DC power supply products. Our high-quality power supplies are compatible with your medical devices and consumer electronics. We will deliver these products to your destination at an affordable rate.