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Section 517.14 of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) introduces an essential requirement for panelboard bonding in patient care vicinities. This provision addresses the critical need to eliminate differences in potential between exposed conductive surfaces of equipment, ensuring safety and compliance in healthcare environments. Inspectors and building officials must prioritize enforcing this requirement to uphold the integrity of essential electrical systems (EES) in patient care settings.
Key Requirements of 517.14
The equipment grounding terminal buses of normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity must be bonded together using an insulated continuous copper conductor no smaller than 10 AWG. This bonding ensures that differences in potential are minimized, reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
In cases where two or more panelboards serving the same patient care vicinity are supplied from separate transfer switches on the EES, the grounding terminal buses of those panelboards must also be bonded together with a continuous copper conductor of the same size. To facilitate this, the bonding conductor is permitted to be broken where necessary to terminate on the grounding terminal bus of each panelboard.
Exception
The requirement allows for an exception where the insulated continuous copper conductor can terminate on listed connections to aluminum or copper busbars. These busbars must meet the following specifications.
Purpose and Enforcement
The bonding requirements in 517.14 apply to panelboards supplied by the same system or different systems serving the same patient care vicinity. By bonding the equipment grounding terminal buses, potential differences between exposed conductive surfaces of equipment are eliminated, protecting both patients and medical staff from electrical hazards.
Building officials and inspectors must rigorously enforce this requirement. Special attention should be given to verifying.
Given the critical nature of these bonding connections, inspectors must ensure that all installations meet the requirements of Section 517.14. Accurate documentation of compliance is essential for maintaining healthcare facility safety and adherence to the NEC.
The 2023 NEC’s updates to panelboard bonding underscore the importance of reducing electrical hazards in patient care vicinities. Inspectors and building officials play a vital role in enforcing these provisions, ensuring the safety and reliability of healthcare facility electrical systems.
Key Requirements of 517.14
The equipment grounding terminal buses of normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity must be bonded together using an insulated continuous copper conductor no smaller than 10 AWG. This bonding ensures that differences in potential are minimized, reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
In cases where two or more panelboards serving the same patient care vicinity are supplied from separate transfer switches on the EES, the grounding terminal buses of those panelboards must also be bonded together with a continuous copper conductor of the same size. To facilitate this, the bonding conductor is permitted to be broken where necessary to terminate on the grounding terminal bus of each panelboard.
Exception
The requirement allows for an exception where the insulated continuous copper conductor can terminate on listed connections to aluminum or copper busbars. These busbars must meet the following specifications.
- Minimum thickness of 6 mm (1/4 inch).
- Minimum width of 50 mm (2 inches).
- Sufficient length to accommodate all necessary terminations for panelboard bonding.
Purpose and Enforcement
The bonding requirements in 517.14 apply to panelboards supplied by the same system or different systems serving the same patient care vicinity. By bonding the equipment grounding terminal buses, potential differences between exposed conductive surfaces of equipment are eliminated, protecting both patients and medical staff from electrical hazards.
Building officials and inspectors must rigorously enforce this requirement. Special attention should be given to verifying.
- The use of continuous copper conductors not smaller than 10 AWG for bonding.
- Compliance with the exception’s specifications for busbars where applicable.
- Proper installation of busbars in accessible locations to facilitate inspection.
Given the critical nature of these bonding connections, inspectors must ensure that all installations meet the requirements of Section 517.14. Accurate documentation of compliance is essential for maintaining healthcare facility safety and adherence to the NEC.
The 2023 NEC’s updates to panelboard bonding underscore the importance of reducing electrical hazards in patient care vicinities. Inspectors and building officials play a vital role in enforcing these provisions, ensuring the safety and reliability of healthcare facility electrical systems.