Which protective systems may be used instead of GFCI in specific health care facility locations?

Isolated power systems are often used in specific health care facility locations instead of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) due to their unique ability to enhance safety in environments where patients may be at risk from electrical shock. These systems are designed to provide a safer electrical environment by minimizing the potential for ground faults and allowing for continuous operation even in the presence of a fault condition.

In particular, isolated power systems utilize transformers to create an isolated electrical supply, which helps to prevent shock hazards while also maintaining essential power to medical equipment. This is particularly critical in areas like operating rooms or intensive care units, where uninterrupted power and patient safety are paramount.

By using these isolated power systems, health care facilities can address specific safety requirements while ensuring a reliable power supply for sensitive medical devices, which is not the case with standard GFCIs, circuit breakers, or fuse-based systems that do not provide the same level of isolation and safety in such medical contexts.