NEC 517.18(B) / NEC 517.18(A) / NEC 517.21
What it means on the job
This fails the current code. Since the 2014 NEC, NEC 517.18(B) requires a minimum of EIGHT receptacles at each general-care (Category 2) patient bed location (critical-care locations require 14). 'Four' is an obsolete pre-2014 figure. The scenario installs only four receptacles, which is below the minimum of eight, so the install is non-compliant. Note also that the count requirement lives in 517.18(B); 517.18(A) covers the two-branch-circuit supply rule requiring at least one receptacle on the normal branch and one on the critical branch of the essential electrical system, with the essential-system receptacle identified by distinctive color or marking. The remaining details are correct: NEC 517.21 exempts general-care patient bed locations from GFCI requirements (nuisance GFCI trips could de-energize life support equipment), hospital-grade receptacles (green dot) are required, and the GFCI-protected bathroom receptacle satisfies NEC 210.8. But the four-receptacle count is the controlling failure.
Tested in 1 CraftIQ puzzle
- code-checkPatient Care Area Receptacle Requirements
Related NEC sections
NEC 517.13 / NFPA 99 Section 6.3.3.2
NEC 517.13 and NFPA 99 Section 6.3.3.2 require the impedance of the grounding path in patient care areas to not exceed 0.1 ohms. At 0.5 ohms, the grounding path has five times the allowable resistance, which means fault currents will clear more slowly and voltage on equipment enclosures could reach levels dangerous to patients.
NEC 517.13(B)
NEC 517.13(B) requires an equipment grounding conductor to connect the grounding terminal of all receptacles and fixed electrical equipment in patient care areas to the patient equipment grounding point. An unbonded bed frame can develop a voltage potential difference relative to other grounded equipment — if a patient simultaneously touches the bed and a grounded IV pole, even a small voltage difference can cause microshock.
NEC 517.160(A)(5)
NEC 517.160(A)(5) requires the line isolation monitor indicator to be visible to personnel in the anesthetizing location. If the surgical team cannot see the LIM display, they will not know when hazard current has reached dangerous levels, and they cannot take corrective action by removing suspect equipment before a second fault causes a ground fault current through a patient.
NEC 517.19 / NFPA 99
Patient bed locations in critical care areas require receptacles connected to the critical branch of the essential electrical system, not normal power. Loss of power to life-support equipment during an outage is life-threatening.
NEC 517.20
Wet procedure locations in healthcare facilities require either an isolated power system with line isolation monitor (LIM), or GFCI protection. Standard grounding alone is insufficient for areas where patients may be connected to equipment.
NEC 517.21
NEC 517.21 specifically exempts patient bed locations from GFCI requirements because nuisance tripping of a GFCI could de-energize life support equipment. In patient care areas, the redundant grounding system and low-impedance grounding path provide the required protection. GFCIs are permitted in patient bathrooms per NEC 210.8, but not at patient bed locations.
CraftIQ explanations are original educational commentary written in trade language and verified against the cited standards. Always confirm requirements against the code edition adopted by your jurisdiction — this is training material, not a substitute for the code book or your AHJ.