Medical Group 2 Locations in Hospitals

In critical hospital environments, electrical safety is a fundamental requirement — not an option. In Medical Group 2 locations, medical electrical equipment directly supports life-sustaining functions. Any electrical fault, interruption or grounding failure may immediately endanger patients, staff and critical procedures. That is why continuous insulation and protective earth monitoring are a cornerstone of electrical safety in modern hospitals.

MEV-7 — HUS Helsinki Meilahti Tower Hospital

IPS MEV-8 — HUS Helsinki Meilahti Tower Hospital

What Are Medical Group 2 Locations?

Medical Group 2 locations are areas where life-supporting medical equipment is used and where even a short power interruption or electrical fault can have serious consequences. These locations typically include:

Operating theatres
Intensive care units (ICU)
Emergency rooms
Anaesthesia and recovery rooms
Dialysis and cardiac care units

In these environments, the electrical system must be designed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and to detect insulation or grounding faults early.

Why Insulation Monitoring Is Essential

Unlike standard electrical installations, Medical Group 2 areas are supplied via a medical IT system with galvanic isolation (an isolation transformer). This system prevents immediate disconnection at the first insulation fault and ensures continuous power to life-critical equipment.

However, this also means that the first fault is invisible without continuous monitoring.

Continuous insulation monitoring makes hidden risks visible before they become dangerous. It enables early detection of:

Insulation deterioration in medical devices
Ageing of cables and connectors
Moisture and contamination-related leakage currents
Grounding and PE-conductor failures

Without continuous monitoring, these faults may remain undetected until they escalate into electric shock hazards, fire risks or sudden equipment failure.

Uninterrupted Operation and Maximum Safety

One of the key advantages of the medical IT system combined with insulation monitoring is that:

Power is not disconnected at the first fault
The system generates a clear alarm
Staff can locate and repair the fault in a controlled manner
Critical medical procedures can continue safely

This principle is essential for patient safety, especially during surgery, intensive care and emergency treatment.

Comprehensive Safety with the MEV® Insulation Monitoring System

The MEV® system is explicitly designed for demanding hospital environments and continuous 24/7 operation. It provides:

Constant monitoring of insulation resistance in medical IT networks
Permanent supervision of PE-conductor continuity
Monitoring of isolation transformer load and temperature
Clear local and remote alarms when fault thresholds are exceeded
Possibility for fast fault localisation with an optional locator unit

By combining insulation monitoring, grounding supervision, and transformer condition monitoring into a single integrated solution, MEV® significantly improves overall electrical safety and operational reliability.

Benefits for Patients, Staff and Hospital Management

Reliable insulation monitoring contributes to hospital safety and efficiency on multiple levels:

Patient safety: reduced risk of electric shock and power interruptions
Staff safety: safer working environment in electrically demanding conditions
Operational reliability: fewer unexpected breakdowns and treatment delays
Fire safety: early detection of insulation faults that could lead to overheating
Life-cycle cost savings: proactive maintenance instead of emergency repairs
Regulatory compliance: supports fulfilment of national and international installation standards

Electrical safety is not just a technical requirement — it is a core element of patient safety strategy.

Extended Life Cycle and Proven Reliability

MEV® insulation monitoring systems are known for their exceptional durability. Systems installed decades ago are still in active use today. The current MEV® generation marks the fifth in a line of continuous development, combining modern monitoring technology with long-term reliability.

This ensures:

Low total cost of ownership
Stable long-term operation
Availability of service and spare parts
Strong protection of investment

Electrical Safety You Can Rely On

In critical hospital environments, there is no margin for uncertainty. Continuous insulation and grounding monitoring provide silent, constant protection in the background — and immediate, clear warnings when intervention is needed.

Maximising the electrical safety in an operating room is the sum of many factors

Electricity is a serious workplace hazard that can lead to injuries and even fatalities if employees are not adequately trained. The operating room is a special area with special electrical requirements. The operating room has a large number of electronic devices, so the staff needs to know how to use all the equipment correctly and what to do if any device breaks down.

As early as the 1970s, international studies highlighted the poor level of electrical safety in the operating room. Although technology, practices, and safety measures have advanced, there is still a long way to go to achieve an adequate level of electrical safety in operating rooms worldwide.

Want to improve electrical safety in your hospital?

Discuss your installation
Request a technical consultation
Receive a detailed product brochure of the MEV® system

+358 9 566 0920 / ppo@ppo-elektroniikka.fi / Whatsapp: +358 400 420393 / Contact form

Interested in representing MEV® in your country?

We are continuously seeking reliable local partners and representatives in various countries who are active in hospital engineering, medical power systems, electrical safety, and healthcare infrastructure. As a MEV® representative, you will work with: