Uninterruptible Power Supplies | Powering Health | Energy

Uninterruptible power supplies provide backup power, protecting equipment from damage in the event of grid power failure.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ZHONGKANG.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) serves as a reliable shield for equipment, activating almost instantly during a grid power failure to prevent damage. The diversity in design and functionality of UPS systems dictates how long they can support equipment, their power quality improvement capabilities, and their overall cost.

UPS systems are prevalent in various applications such as data servers, computer systems, industrial settings, and laboratories. These systems are crucial in any context where electrical loads are vulnerable to power outages or quality issues. Specifically, in computerized environments like servers, UPS units safeguard against data loss and hardware damage caused by sudden power drops.

Similarly, medical and laboratory equipment often requires uninterrupted power supply due to their sensitivity to power fluctuations and disruptions. In developing countries, where grid power can be inconsistent and erratic, health facilities endure frequent scheduled and unscheduled outages or voltage instability, which can degrade equipment performance. The ability to maintain continuous power in hospitals and labs is critical as downtime can compromise the delivery of essential services. Therefore, these facilities rely heavily on backup power systems to manage the electrical load during grid failures.

UPS systems fulfill two primary objectives: providing immediate backup power during outages and offering protection against power quality issues that could potentially damage equipment. The extent to which a UPS can meet these objectives depends on its specific design and features, which in turn influence its cost.

Types of Uninterruptible Power Supplies

UPS systems offer a modular and comprehensive solution to safeguard sensitive equipment from power reliability issues. Based on the specific power quality problems to address, three main types of UPS systems are utilized:

• Double conversion or online UPS
• Standby or off-line UPS
• Line-interactive UPS

Power Quality Issues

Power quality entails the consistency of a power supply regarding voltage, frequency, and waveform characteristics. Electrical devices are designed to operate on a power supply with specific characteristics, like 12 or 24 volts for direct current or 50 or 60 hertz (Hz) for alternating current (AC). Similarly, power from the grid or other sources like generators or battery banks must conform to particular voltage or frequency standards. Common power quality issues include:

• Power interruption
• Voltage sag/undervoltage
• Voltage swell/overvoltage
• Voltage transient/spike/surge
• Noise
• Harmonic distortion

UPS Terms

Choosing the right UPS system for healthcare facilities necessitates an understanding of common terms and features. Here are some crucial terms you might encounter:

• Run time
• Automatic data network shutdown
• Battery extensions
• Data port
• Bypass switch
• Delta conversion
• EMI/RFI noise filtering
• Transfer time
• Cold start operation
• Hot swappable batteries
• Battery recharge rate
• Voltage transfer set points
• Efficiency
• Redundancy
• Number of outlets

Sizing and Selection

Selecting the best backup power and power quality equipment for a health facility requires a thorough examination of the facility's loads, power supply conditions, and energy management resources. Key considerations include:

• What proportion of the total facility load is attributed to sensitive equipment?
• Does the facility grapple with power quality, availability issues, or both?
• What resources are on hand for managing and maintaining energy equipment?

Maintenance

UPS maintenance is generally straightforward, with battery health being the primary focus. Ensuring the effectiveness of a UPS system hinges on proper battery maintenance, which involves regular cleaning, testing, and timely replacement at the end of the battery's lifespan.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for a 12V Mini UPS. Our knowledgeable sales team can assist in identifying the most suitable options for your needs.

Additional Resources

• USAID

  Analyze Energy Demand and Supply

  Before investing in any energy technologies, a health facility must first understand its current day-to-day energy requirements. An initial energy audit is critical to ensuring proper system design and operation. Learn more

• Energy Audit

  An energy audit helps develop an inventory and pattern of operation of energy equipment within a health facility, which enables the cost-effective planning and management of energy supply systems. Learn more

• USAID

  Batteries and Battery Management

  Batteries provide backup power during gaps in electricity generation. They are critical for some energy systems but are expensive and may require maintenance or replacement. Learn more

• Timothy Quill (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  Uninterruptible Power Supply Standards

  Many organizations have established standards that address uninterruptible power supply safety, performance, testing, and maintenance. View the standards

Contact Us

Connect with us for help choosing the right product or with troubleshooting and installation. Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm EST

Want more information on Online UPS for Home Audio? Feel free to contact us.