Regular Electrical Safety Tests on CPAP Machines???

[jonpspencer2]

Some 10 years ago there was a law passed that ALL electrical products within the 'Workplace' Hire Industry etc were to have stringent electrical Safety Checks on a 'regular basis' The term 'Regular Basis' was to mean that this was depending on the type and frequency of use, the inspection could be daily, weekly, monthly, annually or bi-annually. Being from the Power Tool Industry and having knowledge of the Hire Industry and having a limited knowledge of this law, I am positive that our CPAP machines are the responsibility of the issuing Hospital or Health Authority to ensure that these checks are carried out in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations. I know that the Health Authority does have certain dispensations, but I dont think they apply in this case.

Essentially, these machines must be given an individual number and have a record(History) of all safety checks must be made. In my opinion, these machines should be Tested and Inspected annually for a minimum of Electrical Safety. Ideally, they should also be inspected and tested to ensure that they are working to the required manufacturers specification.
With regular use, the electrical cables can and do become worn, and thus dangerous. During testing, the machine and its components are both visually and electrically tested. For the electrical test, they are generally 'Pat' tested or 'Flash' tested to ensure that the electrical insulation is as it should be, thus ensuring that you dont get an electric shock if something were to go wrong.

I would suggest that we should all either write or speak to our respective consultants, GP's and Clinics to ask what systems are in place to this effect. Remembering that this is 'THE LAW'
I could not understand all the 'postings' on this and other Websites where users were saying that their machines(issued by Hospitals or Clinics) were 3, 4, 5+ years old and they were having problems in obtaining parts themselves. People in this situation are clearly being put 'at risk' this is both dangerous and completely unacceptable. Its also against THE LAW and there are severe and substantial fines and/or imprisonment for those who break the law!

The liability does not take a lot to work out especially as treatment has been agreed and accepted via N.I.C.E. All these machines require a 230v supply, a damaged cable or damaged or degraded insulation could result in a severe injury or DEATH! Please dont say that I am exagerating the possibilities, as I have seen the litigation claims and Mortuary Reports from my time within the Power Tool Industry. These incidents do happen, they are incidents when the cause is by neglegence rather than by an accident.

I would be interested to hear your reply's and the responses from the organisations that do not have a regular inspection system in place.
Many Thanks, Jon.........

[James @ Intus]

Interesting topic of debate Jon, thanks for raising it.

Can you quote any actual laws, perhaps with links so people can do some more background reading?

Luckily, CPAP machines are made to a very high standard, most of them certified as a Class II medical device up to the highest specs. Unlike power tools, most aren't mass made in the far East which probably means you can't compare the two exactly but you are still raising a valid point.

We've supplied machines to people who had their previous machine unattended for 8 or 9 years (yet still worked, be it with a lot of noise).

Manuals instructs people how to maintain the devices and how to spot potential problems. But indeed, like your boiler etc. a professional eye casting over the appliance regularly could help.

[puffin]

My machine, when issued had been tested, with dated sticker on the top for all to see. Good old Walsal Manor Hospital. How ever when I had my last check the machine was not looked at. I've just noticed the annual test date has expired, so I'll have to follow this up.

[leswaller]

Jon
You are correct it is the responsibility of the issuing organisation to PAT test equipment. My CPAP machine was issued by an Oxfordshire hospital and even though it was brand new it had been PAT tested by the hospital and has a sticker on it to that effect. When I go back to the hospital for my annual review the machine will be serviced and re PAT tested with a new sticker

[James @ Intus]

For the non-electrical engineers among us:

http://www.pat-testing.info/index.htm

[jonpspencer2]

'Flash Testing' Or 'Pat Testing

The legislation from memory is accordance with the IEE Wiring Regulations 8th edition, probably 9th or 10th by now? Also the Electricity at Work Regulations.
The correct termnology is to 'Flash Test' Pat is just the name of a type of testing machine. Pat testers are simplified versions that run a series of tests that pass a current of approx 4,000v to test the insulation does not break down(Fail)
The term 'Medical type 2' just means that the CPAP machine is Double Insulated, there should also be a small box within another box on the data plate. This symbol again shows that the machine has double insulation. The series 2 machines are tested to exactly the same methods as Power Tools!
The regulations are very heavy reading! I know from experience as I had to be able to give evidence in court whenever needed.
Any person, company or institution who gives out electrical equipment Must ensure that the relevent regulations are followed. This test is done annually because the insulating material of all electrical equipment can and does break down. This could possibly result in electricity then tracking out of the machine causing an electric shock. This would also indicate the 1st stage of the double insulation has failed, it only would take dust, dirt or bad luck for the machine to cause an electric shock to anyone touching it.
This is also why a lot of the manufacturers are resorting to transformers to use a Low Voltage supply, normally 12v but equally it could be 6v,9v or 12v
However, a damaged or faulty transformer or 230v power cable can also result in us getting an electric shock. The chances of recieving a shock after the transformer are somewhat reduced as normally such a low voltage would not be felt by us humans! Although, if there were to be a major breakdown in the transformer, its possible that 230v could get through, although this is extreamly unlikely.
The method of Flash testing electrical items has been around for as long as I can remember(30+ years) There are strict regulations that the varying voltages put through the unit or, its components and for how many seconds at a given voltage, normally whole units @ 4,000v and components at 2,000v with no leakage.
Pat testers can be purchased second hand for under £1000 and a lot of people jumped on the band wagon when the later Electrical Equipment Safety Testing or Factories Act became Law in the late 1980's
A proper Flash Tester would cost about £5000- £10,000 depending on the model, these are much more accurate. Pat Testers and Flash Testers have to be calibrated annually by a suitably accredited company. It is essential that the Mains cable is visually inspected and felt for any signs of damage or degredation. If a none moulded plug is fitted, the plug has to be cut off, I think that was something to do with everything should have a moulded plug.
I always wondered who tests the machines that test the machines that test them?????????????
I have seen all sorts of lethally wired plugs with Nails for fuses or silver paper(Foil) wrapped around a blown fuse. The photo's of peoples 3rd degree burns(To the bone) still haunt me today. People seem to think that this is a case for 'well it wont affect me' Tell that to the widows or to the parents who have lost a child. Sorry, I will get off my band waggon.
To cut a long story short, whatever form of CPAP ViPAP etc you use, get it checked out, not only for the electrical safety side of things, but also because you are breathing that air over a 6 or 7yr old filter and tubing containing dust and debris that holds goodness knows what bacteria.
Just think about it and get it tested and cleaned, for your own sake and for those loved ones who could be hurt.
Jon..

[Tigers Fan]

Biting my tongue

Hi Jon

I think you're doing a good job with this thread - but in a scare mongering way, in my opinion.

Manufacturers haven't "resorted" to using low voltages - this is both a design safety feature -keeping the transformer and 240 V ac away from the machine itself - and a necessity - the control electronics work at low voltages.

240 V in the power tool industry is pretty much for domestic and private use. Even power tools are reduced to 110 V with yellow cables and different plugs when supplied to, say, the construction industry. Lower voltages equate to greater safety. As you say, we wouldn't even feel a 12 V dc "shock".

240 V cannot get across to the 12 V side of a transformer without blowing a fuse and thus can't get anywhere near your CPAP. Safety is designed in.

I don't know about other machines, but mine has a washable course filter and a disposable micro-filter fitted at the air inlet. The air is dry and thus bacteria un-friendly until it reaches the humidifier. I wash the humidifier, inlet, outlet, hose and mask regularly. Where are the bugs congregating in my machine?

I don't drag my machine or its transformer and cables around so they don't get worn and chaffed - and my sight is as good as any inspectors so I would be able to see any mechanical damage.

So I know my machine is safe and well maintained.

Beyond this, routine safety and maintenance services are recommended.

There is no need at all to shout at me.

Tigers Fan

[jonpspencer2]

Scare Mongering............

Hi, just to clarify a few points in the previous reply.

Firstly, I am not scare mongering, just stating fact and the law. The IEE wiring regulatations are there for a reason, your safety and mine, ignore them at your risk. Sure, some of it can be OTT, but with electricity you dont get a warning.

The voltage in the UK is 230 volts ac, it was some 20 years ago 240v but was changed to 230v to be in line with Europe. Europe increased their voltage from 220v to 230v thus standardising the voltage throughout the E.U.

There are two types of transformer, an internal one and external type, both require 230v this is then reduced via the transformer to the 'Low Voltage' generally 12v DC but it can be 9v, 6v or less. The point I raised in my original posting was that it is the 230v side that is the dangerous side, any damaged insulation, poorly wired plugs extensions etc can be very dangerous even fatal if you were to get a shock from this side of the transformer. You cannot just rely on the fuse as sometimes the power bypass the fuse due to fault of manufacture, faulty wiring etc. There have been occasions when the 230v has tracked right accrss the transformer to the 'Low Voltage' side due to either faulty wiring or an ingress or dust or debris. If this were to happen, it is possible that the electricity could track outside of the double insulation, the user could then get an electric shock!

These are possibilities that I have previously seen in a variety of electrical appliances, not just power tools. It is complacency as in the previous reply that is the greatest risk. Having worked as a Service Manager for several large multi-national companies, you can either accept my advice and experiences or ignore them, the choice is yours. I dont mean to cause any offence, but I have seen some really bad injuries caused by a lack of care and maintenence even with 'Low Voltage' appliances. Some were as a result of faulty manufacturer, some were as a result of modification by a well meaning 'husband' or D.I.Y. expert.

The 110v voltage mentioned is designed and intended for 'Site' use, not for us home users. How the 110v is made and delivered always ensures if you were to get a shock, you would generally only recieve a 55v shock and not the full 110v.

I hope that clarifys a few points raised. I dont want to 'Scare Monger' yet I would hate to see anyone be complacent where electricity is concerned. The IEE wiring regulations are there for a reason, all manufacturers abide by these rules as they are the Law. Only a fool would deliberatly ignore these regulations as that puts anyone who comes into contact with the appliance at risk! A grandchild could be visiting and decide to investigate Grandad's sleeping machine, spill some water from the Humidifier onto the machine or cables and ........... (Or anything else to get a shock. This is just an example) Double insulation should ensure that you dont recieve a shock, but if its faulty, that might not work/protect as it should. You can argue or state that your machine is 70yrs old etc etc, and you have never had a problem but you can either accept the risks or not.

Good luck to you all and 'BE SAFE' dont take a risk, its not worth it.
Jon....

[mintra]

It is all a matter or risk and what risk you want to take

I service computer systems, and the term "pat test" sends a shiver down our spines.

We do not actively discourage pat testing but would never suggest it to our customers some things (so far we have seen a switch, hard drive and PSU) don't work after a pat test, though it could be that when you turn off a lot of equipment, it is possible that some will not just start up again and that it is nothing to do with the test.

I and sure cpap machine are not going to be damaged, but I would not worry if they are not tested every year.

This could be regarded as another unenforcible law like CE testing and the WEEE directive.

[Tigers Fan]

Aha! Big Brother is ahead of us!

I was in my GP's Waiting Room this morning and noticed a bright yellow pamphlet in his rack. It asked, "Faulty Medical Equipment?" and went on to intriduce me to the MHRA.

And what, you may well ask, is the MHRA? It is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (I cannot imagine the answer to your question about the MHPRA, but then, I'm not a bureaucrat.) The MHRA is the Government agency responsible for ensuring equipment safety; they regulate equipment and take necessary action to keep us all safe. Mind, they list condoms as equipment which they keep safe and my non-bureaucratic mind boggles at the thought of how they might set about doing that!!!

Learn more at: www.mhra.gov.uk and report faulty equipment on 020 7084 3080.

As they conclude: Don't delay. report it today.

Tigers Fan