VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid) batteries are the most common type of battery used in medical facilities. They offer high standby power and many safety benefits. Particularly in HTM, these batteries can be easily installed in racks in the room and are easy to maintain because they are virtually gas-free.
VRLA batteries used in UPS systems have different lifetimes, which must be taken into account during design. These VRLA batteries have an estimated life of three to five years and are ideal for typical backup applications where UPSs are not used to support life safety systems such as evacuation lighting or fire alarms, such as in risk class E and D computer and server cabinets and hospital communication rooms. They can also be used in Class IV and III commercial applications where there is no life safety system.
General purpose use
Batteries with a life span of 6 to 9 years are generally intended for “general purpose” use. These batteries are typically small, do not have a fireproof case, and have flat terminals. This makes them unsuitable for HTM applications where a fireproof case and screw terminals are required in accordance with BS EN 60896 parts 21 and 22.
Batteries with these features are high-performance batteries with a typical life of 10 to 12 years and are suitable for both business continuity and patient safety risk classes. Although the initial capital cost is higher than a typical battery with a 5-year life, the safe operation and lower life cycle costs Long-term benefits are significant, including
Some batteries have an estimated life of 12 years or more, but they are expensive and rare.
Although not mentioned in HTM 06-01, battery technology continues to evolve. In recent years, one of the most promising developments in the UPS industry has been the lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries, in combination with inverters, not only provide an efficient and reliable tertiary power source but also bring many benefits to the healthcare sector.
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The advantages of lithium-ion batteries over VRLA batteries are
- Greater depth of discharge – the amount of total capacity that can be used before the battery is recharged. Lithium-ion batteries can withstand a depth of discharge of 80% – 20% more than VRLA batteries.
- Increased battery cycling – the number of times a battery is repeatedly charged and discharged before it loses power. Lithium-ion batteries can withstand an average of 10 times more cycles than VRLA batteries.
- Charging Time – VRLA batteries typically take 6-12 hours to charge, while lithium-ion batteries can be charged in 30 minutes to an hour.
- Temperature Tolerance – Due to their molecular structure, lithium-ion batteries can operate reliably over a wider temperature range than other rechargeable batteries.
- Energy storage – By leveraging lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, new medical technologies can be integrated into existing, older hospital infrastructures. For example, if a hospital has a maximum power consumption of 100 kW, a Li-ion UPS can reduce the power consumption to a maximum of 100 kW, and the additional power required to operate medical imaging equipment can be provided by the energy stored in the UPS system’s batteries.
- Power/Size/Weight Ratio – Li-ion batteries take up to 50% less space and are 50% lighter for the same power.
It’s not just the ability to store energy that makes Li-ion batteries the ideal power source for sensitive applications. The long life of the technology increases the reliability, efficiency, and flexibility of a facility’s overall backup power infrastructure: HTM 06-01 specifies an estimated 10-year life for batteries used in tertiary power supplies such as UPS systems. Dedicated VRLA batteries meet this recommendation, while standard lithium-ion batteries have an average life of 15 years and do not need to be replaced.
Limitation with lithium-ion
Despite the advantages of this technology, lithium-ion UPS systems are not yet widely used in healthcare because they are much more expensive than conventional VRLA battery. Operating time and power configurations are still limited with lithium technology, and not all UPS systems are currently compatible due to complex battery management.
However, the UPS industry has seen a dramatic drop in price over the past decade, and with the exponential growth in production of this technology, the cost of battery is also rapidly decreasing. Within a decade, we can expect lithium-ion batteries to be widely used in many industries, including healthcare.
Battery Life
Battery life is the period of time that a tertiary power supply. As a UPS, is expected to support critical loads in the event of a total power failure.
If the secondary power supply is switched on within 15 seconds of a mains failure. The UPS has only one hour of life left.
If more than 15 seconds have elapsed, the battery life should be 3 hours. Secondary energy sources include diesel generators and cogeneration plants (combined heat and power).
The third case is when the UPS provides tertiary power for other applications in the OR. In this scenario, the battery runtime must be matched to the needs of the OR staff. In order to have enough time to “facilitate closure of all cases in the OR.”
And in most cases, the backup run time is one to three hours; it is important that the UPS system is able to charge the battery. And provide a calculated charge in the required time. In some cases, it may be necessary to increase the size of the UPS. To compensate for the charging capacity of the battery.
Environment
Because batteries are made of chemical elements, they are sensitive to the environment in which they are used. The battery must be placed in an optimal environment to achieve its life expectancy. Life depends on the years of use, the number of cycles. And the quality of the load of the UPS or CPSS. However, the most important factor affecting the performance and life of a battery is temperature. In general, battery manufacturers recommend that battery be used in a 20-25°C environment. Beyond that, the life span is significantly reduced. For example, at an ambient temperature of 30°C, battery life is reduced to 50%, and at 40°C to 75%.
Prolonged use at high temperatures can seriously affect the performance of the battery and even cause a fire. Therefore, it is important to store the batteries in an appropriate place with an optimal environment, sufficient ventilation, and temperature control to achieve the best performance and maximum battery life.
