Bender UK will spotlight what it describes as ‘the unique advantages’ of its ATICS automatic changeover device – which has been independently accredited to SIL Level 2 – as well as its capabilities as a leading provider of isolated power supplies, theatre control panels, UPS systems, Steris surgical lighting products, and as a turnkey partner for complete operating theatre installations, at Healthcare Estates 2014.
The company says ATICS ‘improves patient safety, while reducing the commercial impact of asset downtime – by setting a new level for enhanced resilience in hospital isolated power systems’.
Bender explains: “ATICS combines an insulation monitor, a transformer monitor, and a signal generator for advance earth fault location, with a rotary cam changeover device. Together they create an integrated compact solution that removes the single point of failure to IPS systems by allowing two power supplies to be brought in from different sources.It is the only integrated automatic power changeover solution incorporating permanent self-testing.”
Independently certified by TÜV SÜD to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Level 2 (BS EN61508), ATICS is purpose-designed for medical applications, with patient safety ‘at the core of its conception and development’.
Central to its design is the incorporation of permanent self-testing across all critical components – a feature which identifies a component that may be susceptible to failure without prior warning, ensuring that the system is always available, and gives early warning of issues before it is required. Bender says: “Impressive figures for Mean Time Between Failure on even simple components such as switches are sometimes used as an indicator of reliability – but if that failure occurs when the system is required to save lives or maintain critical services, then it means nothing. ATICS gives end-users fully detailed, real-time information on the status of their critical power system – providing the reassurance that the changeover system will operate as a failsafe when it is needed.”
The company says ‘understanding the basic structure of Safety Integrity Level 2 is an important tool to help those specifying electrical safety equipment’. It explains: There are eight parts to SIL Level 2, an integral element within the BSEN 61508 standard. Each part has a different purpose, but the most crucial elements are parts 1, 2, and 3, which relate to the process through which a product has been developed. These three parts are based on an empirical approach to calculating probability of failure to define the product’s reliability. Parts 4-8 primarily relate to information and guidance on how SIL Level 2 can be achieved. However, if a product does not comply with sections 1, 2, and 3, it cannot be described as complying with SIL Level 2.”
To learn more about ATICS, and the full range of critical care equipment, services, and flexible maintenance arrangements, offered by Bender to safeguard patients and staff, visit stand F35.
