X-ray equipment installed in a hospital may be served by a hard-service cord with a suitable plug provided the branch circuit rating does not exceed ___ amps.

• A. 20 amps
• B. 50 amps
• C. 30 amps
• D. 15 amps

Answer: (C)

X-ray equipment in hospitals can use a hard-service cord with a plug when the supply is provided from a branch circuit that is limited to a 30-amp rating. The idea is to allow a plug-in connection for this heavy-load medical device, but only up to a cord and receptacle size that can be safely protected by typical overcurrent devices. A 30-amp limit ensures the cord, plug, and receptacle are appropriately matched to the circuit protection, preventing overfusing or overheating while still accommodating the equipment’s inrush and operating current. If the branch circuit were rated higher, a plug-in arrangement would not be appropriate, and a fixed hard-wired or higher-capacity setup would be required.