What could potentially cause hazardous leakage currents in biomedical equipment?

Hazardous leakage currents in biomedical equipment can arise from various sources, making the choice that encompasses all these factors the most comprehensive.

A loss of the instrument ground connection can lead to dangerous voltages on the equipment chassis, increasing the risk of electric shock to patients or healthcare providers. The ground connection is critical for safety, as it helps prevent unintentional contact with these voltages.

Currents originating from within the instrument can also contribute to leakage. If electrical faults such as insulation breakdown occur, it can allow current to escape from the intended circuit paths and potentially present a risk to users.

Moreover, the introduction of high-energy electromagnetic sources can create electromagnetic interference that may induce unwanted currents in biomedical devices. This results in leakage that is harmful to both the device and its users, as it can compromise the safety features built into medical equipment.

Therefore, since all these elements contribute to the potential for hazardous leakage currents, recognizing the cumulative risks is essential for ensuring the safety and efficacy of biomedical equipment.