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Hi Aidan BS EN 60529:1992 Degrees of protection provided by enclosure/inc amd 1+2 This document provides all the information required to determine, and test for, the environmental protection rating of enclosures to dust and fluids. It is called the IP rating. Most if not all wheelchair control equipment claim conformance to IP54. The second numeral (4) relates to fluid ingress, ( water sprayed from all directions). The first numeral relates to dust protection, 5 represents protection from harmful deposits of dust. It is easy to exceed these requirements with commercially available switches from RS and the like. We constructed the IPx4 spray head from the information in the standard thus saving ourselves £400 every time we wanted to perform this test. Guidance on the appropriate IP level for various products can be found in the likes of BSEN 60601-1 ( the old 5724), and BSEN 12184, ( wheelchairs and scooters) and the ISO 7176 series of wheelchair standards. Best regards, Geoff. -----Original Message----- From: Aidan Parr [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 17 November 2003 18:28 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Special Controls for EPIOCs Hi Geoff, I'm just wondering where you got the information for rating switches for outdoor/inclement weather? Even better, where would I get that sort of information? :-) Cheers, Aidan Parr. MSC Assistive Technology Kings College London On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 13:34:39 -0000 Harbach Geoff <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi Gareth. > > I have no problem with supplying switch systems for EPIOC's as long as > suitable equipment is used. > > For example, QED "Dreadnought" range of switches are rated for use in > inclement weather, and benefit from using screened cable for EMC purposes. > > When these are installed into a suitable manifold box that provides > environmental protection for the 3.5mm stereo Jack plugs, ( i.e. they are > inside the box), then this provides a secure and reliable system for outdoor > use. > > Our own PG8 based Switch input device is fully water proof when the correct > connectors are used. There are various types of switches available that are > or can be water proofed. The rest of the electro-mechanical components must > be built to the highest standards for robustness and reliability. Commercial > components that don't have sufficient environmental protection can be > protected by installing them inside bigger boxes using foam glanding where > cables enter or exit the enclosure for instance. > > I agree with your comments regarding chin controls, but mounting the > controls from a client mounted chest plate may help with this problem, I > have found this successful in the past. There are other ways around this > problem by using supplementary switches for instance. > > As you suggest, the client's condition may impair their ability to stop, > look, and listen etc, but this is so in any EPIOC provision. If someone is > clearly a proficient driver using Special Controls on an EPIC, then this > should not be a problem. The EPIOC practical test should be the final say in > in this regard. > > EMC issues with modified chairs can also be addressed by suitable testing. > > In addition to all the above, adherence to the requirements of the Medical > Devices Directive, and possibly the introduction of a quality control > procedure such as ISO9001 all go towards having robust systems in place to > reliably manufacture modifications in a controlled and repeatable manner. > > Not all risks can be reduced or eliminated, but many of them can be > engineered out by good design and robust construction. > > Hope this helps. > > Best regards, > > Geoff > > G.J.Harbach I.Eng MIED IIPEM > Clinical Technologist > Special Controls Service Manager > Posture & Mobility Services > West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre > 91 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak > Birmingham, B29 6JA > Tel 0121 627 8941 > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Gareth Adkins [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: 17 November 2003 10:59 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Special Controls for EPIOCs > > > Dear All, > > I wanted to get a range of opinions on the following issue: > > Should special controls, particularly switch controls of various > configurations be used for indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs, bearing in > mind the following. > > General physical ability to stop, look listen etc for crossing road may be > impaired due to condition. > Switch controls particularly chin switches could be dangerous to use in > conjunction with a kerbclimber. > Switches such as buddy buttons are not rated for use in inclement weather. > > What do other people think, particularly on the last point > > (I can hear the phrase 'risk assessment' already!) > > Regards > > Gareth > > Gareth Adkins > Clinical Bioengineer > Westmarc > Southern General Hospital > 1345 Govan Road > Glasgow > G51 4TF > Tel: 0141 201 1463 > Fax: 0141 201 2648 > > > > > **************************************************************************** > ************************* > SGUH NHS Trust Disclaimer > > This correspondence may be confidential and is solely for the intended > recipient(s). If > you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, alter, disclose, copy, > distribute or > retain this message or any part of it. If you are not the intended > recipient and have > received this message in error please delete this correspondence from your > system and > notify the sender immediately. > > This message has been checked for computer viruses using Mimesweeper, > however > no warranty is given that this correspondence is free from any virus. In > keeping with > good computer practice, you should ensure that it is actually virus free. > E-mail > messages may be subject to delays, non-delivery and unauthorised > alterations. > > > **************************************************************************** > ************************ ---------------------- Aidan Parr [log in to unmask]