Z32 Testing is typically performed on receptacles and circuits serving all Patient Care Areas (PCA) within any medical facility, including but not limited to; dental clinics, physician’s offices, surgical rooms, hospital patient rooms, examination rooms, and chiropractic clinics.
CSA standard “Z32-21 Electrical Safety and Essential Electrical Systems in Health Care Facilities” provides requirements for electrical performance and safety in Patient Care Areas that supplement the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code. It provides specifications for design and testing to ensure safety and effectiveness of the electrical installation in Patient Care Areas - in accordance with Section 24 of the CEC. The Z32 standard is also referenced in the CSA Z318.5 standard “Commissioning of Electrical Equipment and Systems in Health Care Facilities”.
SEL Z32 Canada provides PCA testing to CSA Z32
SEL Z32 Canada has the specialized equipment, experience, and knowledge to provide the assurance that your PCA meet the performance and safety requirements of Z32-21. SEL has been performing these tests for more than 40 years, and now SEL Z32 Canada performs and reports on the following tests:
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5.4.2 - Circuit Voltage Drop Test
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5.6.5 - Receptacle Identification
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5.6.6.2 - Receptacle Retentive Force, Hospital Grade Receptacle Verification
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5.6.6.3 - Receptacle Polarity
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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Operation
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5.9 - Voltage Difference Between Ground Points in the Patient Care Area
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5.10 - Ground Return Path Voltage Rise for Grounded Systems
We also test for inadvertent Neutral to Ground faults using a patented process. Our stamped engineering reports include a review of the test results, and our engineer's professional opinion on compliance with the standard. All the measured data of the Z32 tests are also provided.
Other special Z32 tests that are not required in a typical PCA:
Test of Impedance to Ground and Hazard Index for Isolated Power Systems
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Note: We normally do not perform test 5.3 - Conductor Insulation Integrity, and test 5.5 - Circuit Breakers - Mechanical Operation, as they are usually performed by the installer at the time of making connections to the breaker panel (we provide instruction for the installer).