Electrical Safety and Symbols

Electrical Safety Definitions, Practice Symbols and Hazard Symbols

Class I

Earthed equipment. Fuses are also present so that if there is a short-circuit current will pass to earth causing the fuse to blow.

Class II

Double-insulated equipment

Class III

Power supplied by a safety/separated extra low voltage (SELV) source.

Class I Electrical Equipment (Appliance Class)
& Protective Earth/Ground

Class II Electrical Equipment (Appliance Class)

Class III Electrical Equipment (Appliance Class)

Danger (Generic Caution)

Biological Hazard (Hazardous Organisms)

Flammable (Chemical)
It can also indicate a chemical may be pyrophoric, self-heating, self-reactive, or emit flammable gas

Electrical Hazard / Electrocution Risk / Exposed Wires

High Voltage / Electrocution Risk

Poison

Radioactive

Laser Hazard / Laser Operating

High-Level Ionising Radiation

Carcinogen

Non-Ionising Electromagnetic Radiation

Explosive (GHS01)

Flammable (GHS02)

Oxidising (GHS03)

Compressed Gas (GHS04)

Corrosive (GHS05)

Toxic (GHS06)

Harmful (GHS07)

Health Hazard (GHS08)
Inhalational, Ingestion, Topical

Environmental Hazard (GHS09)

Eye Irritant

Cardiac-Protected Electrical Area
Body-Protected Electrical Area

Type BF (Body Floating)

Type BF (Body Floating) Defibrillator Safe

Type CF (Cardiac Floating)

Type CF (Cardiac Floating) Defibrillator Safe

Place of Manufacture

Date of Manufacture

Do not use if packaging damaged

Sterilised via Ethylene Oxide

Sterilised via Asepsis

Expiry Date

Sterilised via Irradiation

Country of Manufacture

The Conformitè Europëenne
European Conformity
Manufacturer deems product safe by EU safety, health and environment protection standards

Equipotential Earth Point

Sterilisation via Dry Heat

Alternating Current

Temperature Limit Range

Direct Current

MRI Safe

MRI Conditional

Not MRI Safe

Contains PHT and BBP

Water Resistance Rating

Contains Latex

Serial Number

Single Use

Batch Code

Catalogue Number

Expiry Date

Sterile Fluid Path

Drops per ml

Prescription Only

Certified to British Standards (Kitemark)

Not for Autoclave

Waterproof

Consult Instructions for Use

Type B

Class I, II or III. Low leakage current 0.5 mA Class I and 0.1 mA class II

Type BF

Type Body Floating: Similar to type B (Class I, II or III. Low leakage current 0.5 mA Class I and 0.1 mA class II) but safer because patient is isolated

Type CF

Type Cardiac Floating: Lower current leakage, 0.05 mA for class I and 0.01 mA for class II, protects against microshock

Body Protected Area

Type BF allowance for a 0.5mA current leakage.
A body protected patient area includes all full height walls and doors bounding an area where patients are stationed. Dividers such as bed curtains, desks, or partial walls do not separate a body protected area from a common area. Certain types of medical equipment cannot be used within these areas.

Residual Current Device (RCD)

A type of fuse or circuit breaker which cuts power in the case of a short-circuit or current overload

What is this for?

Uninterrupted Power Supply

What is this for?

Normal Power Supply

What is this for?

Essential Power Supply

What is this for?

Cleaning Purposes Only

Earthed Equipment

Equipment with a direct connection to ground/earth reducing risk of electrocution

Double Insulated Equipment

Electrical equipment that does not require earth/ground. Two separate layers of insulation reduces risk of electrocution.

Uninterrupted Power Supply

Power supply that will continue in case of power grid failure via battery as local generators activate. For anaesthetic machine, diathermy, essential anaesthetic volumetric/syringe pumps.

Diathermy Pad Placement

Must be placed on intact skin, over fatty/muscle body parts (thigh, abdomen), same side as operative area, placed flat.
Must not be used if creased, placed on bony protuberances, on hair, or on metal implants - burn risks.
Skin must be checked on removal for signs of burn/irritation.

Monopolar vs Bipolar Diathermy

Monopolar: Alternating current travels from surgical electrode to diathermy pad (dispersion plate).
Bipolar: Alternating current enters and exits the electrodes of the handheld device.

Importance of Electrical Safety

Electrical safety standards, safe practice and regular biomedical servicing reduces risks of:
Electrocution (patient and staff)
Equipment failure
Electrical fire - particularly in an environment containing flammable materials and rich oxygenation

Cardiac Protected Area

Type CF allowance for a 0.05mA current leakage.
These areas include strict controls to allow for cardiac applied equipment to be used. Cardiac applied equipment directly involves contact with the heart and is associated with a significantly higher risk of electrical complications (i.e., microshock electrocution).