Journeyman Electrician Practice Exam

In general care spaces of a hospital, how many 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere "hospital grade" receptacles must each patient bed location have minimum?

1. 4

2. 6

3. 8

4. 10

The correct answer is: 8

In hospital environments, particularly in patient care areas, there are specific requirements for electrical receptacles to ensure safety and functionality for medical equipment and patient needs. Each patient bed location is required to have a minimum of eight 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere "hospital grade" receptacles. The reasoning behind this requirement is to accommodate the varied and often numerous medical devices that may be used in direct patient care, which include monitoring devices, infusion pumps, and other vital care equipment. Additionally, the "hospital grade" designation indicates that these receptacles are designed with more robust materials and construction than standard receptacles, providing increased safety and reliability in a healthcare setting. This higher standard is critical in environments where patients' lives may depend on the continuous operation of medical devices. Having multiple receptacles available helps to prevent overloading circuits and reduces the need for extension cords, which can pose additional hazards. Thus, the correct minimum number of 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere hospital-grade receptacles required at each patient bed location is eight, ensuring that sufficient power is available for all necessary equipment.