Ortea confirms its ability to provide electrical solutions for critical applications with a new supply project for a long-standing partner located in West Africa.
The order concerns two ISME medical electrical panels, acronym for Isolated Supply for Medical Equipment, designed for the safe and continuous power supply of medical locations. The solution integrates an IT-M system with a medical isolation transformer, monitoring devices and signalling systems, with the aim of ensuring electrical safety, service continuity and regulatory compliance.
In environments such as operating theatres, anaesthesia rooms, intensive care units, rooms for angiographic examinations or post-operative recovery areas, the quality and safety of the electrical power supply are essential elements for protecting patients, healthcare staff and electromedical equipment.
In Group 2 medical locations, as classified by IEC 64-8 Part 7 Section 710, service continuity plays a central role: a sudden power interruption could compromise the operation of devices used for monitoring, diagnosis, therapy or support during surgical procedures.
IT-M SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF THE FIRST EARTH FAULT
The Ortea ISME panel has been developed to implement an IT-M system, i.e. a medical system isolated from earth. This configuration allows the power supply to be maintained even in the event of a first earth fault, promptly signalling the anomaly without causing automatic service interruption.
In medical IT systems, electrical isolation is a fundamental requirement to ensure operational continuity and safety in medical locations. The system continuously monitors the network conditions and allows timely intervention in the event of low insulation, electrical overload or thermal overload.
The solution supplied by Ortea integrates an isolation transformer for the medical sector, combined with devices for monitoring insulation and winding temperature. The panel is also designed for the installation of multiple remote signalling panels, equipped with visual and acoustic indicators dedicated to alarm management in IT-M systems.
TECHNICAL FEATURES OF THE IT-M MEDICAL ELECTRICAL PANELS SUPPLIED
The two panels covered by the supply are manufactured according to the characteristics of the Ortea ISME range and are designed for use in electrical installations for medical locations.
The main technical features are:
- Rated power: 10kVA
- Rated frequency: 50Hz
- Operating voltage: 230V / 230V
- Rated current:5A
- Degree of protection: IP41
- Enclosure colour: RAL 7035
- Dimensions: 600x600x2000mm
- Weight: 220kg
The configuration includes:
- forced ventilation;
- insulation monitoring devices for 230 V and 24 V lines;
- devices upstream of the transformer;
- miniature circuit breakers on the output lines;
- connection terminal block;
- supplementary equipotential bonding bar;
- 230 V / 24 V auxiliary transformer;
- medical isolation transformer.
This architecture makes it possible to provide a complete, compact panel, already prepared to simplify installation activities, facilitate commissioning and ensure effective monitoring of the electrical network in medical environments.
MEDICAL ISOLATION TRANSFORMER: THE CORE OF THE ISME PANEL
The medical isolation transformer is one of the core components of the ISME panel. In IT-M systems, its use allows the power supply circuit to be electrically separated, reducing the risk of dangerous faults and contributing to the operational continuity of the connected equipment.
In a Group 2 medical location, the isolation transformer makes it possible to power critical loads while keeping the service active even in the presence of a first earth fault. The anomaly is detected by monitoring devices, which signal the fault condition without automatically interrupting the power supply.
The transformer installed in the Ortea ISME panels has the following features:
- rated power: 10kVA;
- frequency: 50-60Hz;
- primary voltage: 230V;
- secondary voltage: 230V;
- configuration: 115-0-115;
- windings: copper;
- insulation class: H;
- efficiency: above 96%;
- winding leakage current to earth: below 0.5 mA;
- integrated PT100 probes for thermal control.
These features make the transformer suitable for use in medical applications where reliability, electrical safety and power supply continuity are essential requirements.
WHAT IS A MEDICAL ISOLATION TRANSFORMER USED FOR?
A medical isolation transformer is used to electrically separate the power supply circuit in medical locations, helping to protect patients, healthcare staff and electromedical equipment.
In IT-M systems, the isolation transformer allows the power supply to be maintained even in the event of a first earth fault. In this way, the system does not automatically interrupt the service, but promptly signals the anomaly through monitoring devices and alarm panels.
This function is particularly important in operating theatres, intensive care units, anaesthesia rooms, angiography and haemodynamics rooms, and in all medical areas where electrical power supply continuity is essential.
STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL PANELS WITH IT-M SYSTEM
The medical sector requires compliance with specific and stringent standards. Ortea ISME medical electrical panels are designed with reference to the main standards applicable to medical electrical installations, monitoring systems, electrical panels and isolation transformers.
The reference standards include:
- IEC 64-8 Part 7 Chapter 710, relating to electrical installations in medical locations;
- HD 60364-7-710, for requirements concerning medical environments;
- EN 61557-8 and EN 61557-9, for insulation monitoring systems and fault location systems;
- EN 61000-6-2 and EN 61000-6-4, relating to electromagnetic compatibility;
- HD 60947-6-1 and HD 60364-5-53, for switching and protection devices;
- EN 61439-1 and EN 61439-2, for low-voltage electrical switchgear and controlgear assemblies;
- EN / IEC 61558-2-15, relating to isolation transformers for the supply of medical locations;
- IEC 60364-7-710, for local alarm panels in medical environments.
Compliance with these technical references is a decisive aspect in ensuring the suitability of ISME panels for use in healthcare facilities and critical medical environments.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ORTEA ISME PANELS FOR MEDICAL LOCATIONS
The Ortea ISME solution offers several advantages for designers, installers and healthcare facilities.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
The presence of the isolation transformer and monitoring system allows the first earth fault to be managed without immediate service interruption.
OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY
The IT-M system is designed to ensure stable and controlled power supply in medical locations where continuity is a priority.
COMPLETE MONITORING
The panel integrates functions for monitoring insulation, temperature and operating conditions of the electrical network.
SIMPLIFIED INSTALLATION
The supply of a complete panel reduces on-site integration activities and facilitates commissioning.
COMPACTNESS AND RELIABILITY
The panel structure makes it possible to bring together protection, control, isolation and signalling devices in a single solution.
ORTEA SOLUTIONS FOR POWER QUALITY IN EVERY APPLICATION SECTOR
The supply of the two ISME panels with IT-M system in West Africa confirms the trust placed in Ortea by international partners operating in markets where reliability, regulatory compliance and build quality are decisive factors.
Thanks to the experience gained in the design and manufacture of power quality solutions, Ortea is able to support complex applications in numerous sectors: medical, industrial, infrastructure, energy, transport, service sector, data center, food & beverage and many other areas where continuity and quality of the electrical power supply are strategic requirements.
From voltage stabilisers to transformers, from power factor correction systems to active filters, through to devices for energy efficiency and compensators for voltage dips and micro-interruptions, Ortea offers a complete range of solutions to improve safety, operational continuity and efficiency in electrical installations.
FAQ
WHAT IS AN ISME PANEL?
An ISME panel, acronym for Isolated Supply for Medical Equipment, is an electrical panel designed to supply medical locations through an IT-M system isolated from earth. It integrates an isolation transformer, monitoring systems and devices for signalling the first earth fault.
WHERE ARE ISME PANELS USED?
ISME panels are intended for Group 2 medical locations, such as operating theatres, anaesthesia rooms, intensive care units, rooms for angiographic and haemodynamic examinations, preparation areas and post-operative recovery areas.
WHY IS THE IT-M SYSTEM IMPORTANT IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR?
The IT-M system allows power supply continuity to be maintained even in the presence of a first earth fault. This is essential in environments where a sudden power interruption could compromise the operation of electromedical equipment.
WHAT IS A MEDICAL ISOLATION TRANSFORMER USED FOR?
A medical isolation transformer is used to electrically separate the power supply circuit in medical locations. In IT-M systems, it contributes to electrical safety and allows the power supply to be maintained even in the presence of a first earth fault.
WHICH LOCATIONS REQUIRE AN IT-M SYSTEM?
The IT-M system is used in Group 2 medical locations where electrical power supply continuity is essential. These include operating theatres, anaesthesia rooms, intensive care units, angiography rooms, haemodynamics rooms and post-operative recovery areas.
WHICH STANDARDS REGULATE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN MEDICAL LOCATIONS?
Electrical installations in medical locations refer to standards such as IEC 64-8 Part 7 Section 710, IEC 60364-7-710, EN 61557-8, EN 61557-9, EN 61439-1, EN 61439-2 and EN/IEC 61558-2-15 for medical isolation transformers.
