Electrical mains disturbances introduced by emergency generators and their possible effects on medical equipment

It is clear that many hospital generators are not performing satisfactorily. Testing is now very thorough and performance is being monitored. Some of this work was carried out to remedy faults in the generators. Nevertheless, some of the most severe disturbances recorded during monitoring have been caused by generators and because of the routine testing, clinical equipment is exposed to these generators routinely. Many manufacturers do not know the capability of their equipment to withstand electrical disturbances. Certainly, matters are improving with the implementation of IEC 801 but some of the disturbances described fall outside the standards. It is important for manufacturers to take account that the equipment may be subjected to the switchover to the back-up generators