What Does MOOP Mean for Medical Power Supplies?

In the design and use of medical equipment, ensuring safety is critical. One important aspect of electrical safety in medical devices is MOOP or Means of Operator Protection. This standard plays a key role in protecting healthcare professionals from electrical hazards while operating medical devices.

What is MOOP?

MOOP refers to the measures and design features in medical power supplies that protect the operator—often healthcare staff—from electrical shock or harm. This concept is part of the IEC 60601-1 standard, which outlines the safety and essential performance requirements for medical electrical equipment.

The IEC 60601-1 standard divides protection into two categories:

– MOOP (Means of Operator Protection), focusing on the safety of the operator.

– MOPP (Means of Patient Protection), ensuring the protection of the patient, who may be more vulnerable during use.

While MOPP involves stricter safety requirements because patients are often in contact with the device during sensitive medical procedures, MOOP is still essential to safeguard operators who handle the equipment regularly.

 When Does MOOP Apply?

MOOP applies in any medical device where the operator is in contact or near the electrical components during use. The level of MOOP required depends on the environment and how much exposure the operator has to potential hazards.

For instance, a patient monitor in a general ward may only need 1x MOOP because the risk of electrical shock is minimal, and the operator isn’t directly interacting with high-voltage components. On the other hand, in more intensive settings like an operating room, a device like a defibrillator needs 2x MOOP to ensure maximum protection, as the operator is handling equipment with much higher electrical risks.

Understanding 1x MOOP vs. 2x MOOP

MOOP can be classified into 1x MOOP or 2x MOOP, depending on the level of insulation and safety measures built into the power supply. The higher the MOOP rating, the better the protection against electrical hazards. ETA-USA medical grade power supplies are available in both 1x and 2x MOOP.

 1x MOOP

– Single layer of insulation: 1x MOOP provides a basic level of protection using one layer of insulation between the operator and any potentially harmful electrical currents.

– Lower clearance and creepage: These terms refer to the physical distance between conductive parts and along the surface of insulation, respectively. In 1x MOOP systems, these distances are smaller, making them sufficient for environments with lower risk.

– Examples of Equipment: Devices like patient monitoring systems or blood pressure monitors often require 1x MOOP. These are used in controlled, non-invasive environments like outpatient clinics or hospital wards, where the risk of electrical shock is relatively low.

In these scenarios, the equipment is not frequently exposed to harsh conditions, and the operator typically has minimal contact with live electrical parts, so 1x MOOP offers adequate protection.

 2x MOOP

– Double layer of insulation: 2x MOOP provides a more robust level of protection, using two independent layers of insulation to ensure safety, even if one layer fails.

– Higher clearance and creepage: The greater distances between conductive parts make the equipment more resistant to electrical faults.

– Examples of Equipment: Devices that need 2x MOOP include surgical lasers, defibrillators, and X-ray machines. These are often used in environments where electrical hazards are more significant, such as operating rooms or emergency departments.

With equipment like surgical lasers, operators are exposed to a greater risk of electrical shock due to the high voltages involved, and the presence of moisture or fluids can increase the danger. For this reason, 2x MOOP is critical to ensure operator safety.

ETA-USA Medical Grade Power Supplies & MOOP

MOOP is a critical component of medical power supply design, providing essential protection for healthcare professionals who operate these devices. Understanding the distinction between 1x MOOP and 2x MOOP helps both manufacturers and users ensure that the equipment is suited to the specific safety needs of the environment.

ETA-USA offers the highest Means of Operator Protection (2x MOOP) on all its medical grade power supplies.

AC/DC External adapters:  65W, 140W, 175W, 250W, 300 W, and 400W models available to order.

AC/DC PCB Mount: 20W OAM series.

AC/DC Chassis Mount: New conduction cooled models, PFT150 (150W) and PFT 300 (300W). Or if you need more power the ZMP400 offers 400W and ZMP500 offers 500W of output power  in a small footprint with a top cooled fan installed

DC/DC PCB Mount: ODM series with 10W and 20W options

All of our power supplies can be purchased through our distributors via our Distributors Page .