Adaptation of IEEE Std 602 for the implementation of general electrical power supply and emergency systems in hospitals in El Salvador

Abstract

The safe and continuous operation of hospitals depends largely on the reliability of their electrical systems, especially in critical areas such as operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency rooms, and life-support areas. IEEE Std 602-2007, known as the White Book, constitutes a specialized technical reference for the design and evaluation of electrical installations in hospitals; however, its direct application in El Salvador presents limitations due to regulatory, technical, and contextual differences. In the country, hospital design is mainly governed by the National Electrical Code (NEC), particularly Article 517, as well as by regulatory criteria and real conditions of infrastructure, maintenance, and resource availability. Therefore, this research proposes a technical adaptation of IEEE Std 602-2007 to the Salvadoran reality through a comparative analysis with NEC Article 517 and the applicable guidelines of the national context. The study addresses criteria related to service continuity, essential systems, critical care areas, grounding, equipotential bonding, electrical isolation, and patient safety, in order to generate a useful guide for the design, evaluation, and improvement of hospital electrical installations in El Salvador.