EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management colour coding, electrical.

It's a good job the EEC are constantly striving to safeguard it's citizens and periodically introduce such innovations as the "detatchable IEC mains lead" - then make it mandatory - even on critical medical equipment.

Result ; -

It removes confusion about different coloured mains plugs to identify critical items - because the leads can get swapped between pieces of equipment making the exercise futile.
It makes it possible for nurses to connect patients directly to the mains supply by plugging ECG electrode leads into the end of the IEC lead.
It allows people to pinch the 3 metre long mains leads required for the safe connection of pressure relief mattresses on the end of the beds and replace them with the standard 1.5 metre ones.
People can leave the lead plugged in and switched on with the IEC connector lying loose on the floor for anyone to spill theit tea over.

I heard that there is a move to get all medical equipment fitted with hard-wired mains leads.

It'll never catch on !