Configuration Standards for DC Operating Power Supplies for Critical Loads in Hospitals

New Idea Electric Co.,Ltd.

Addtime: 2025-12-29 Clicknum

Configuration Standards for DC Operating Power Supplies for Critical Loads in Hospitals

Hospitals, as key public health institutions, bear the responsibility of safeguarding people's lives and health. The reliability of their power supply systems directly affects the continuity of medical services and the safety of patients. Among them, critical loads such as emergency medical equipment, life support systems, fire protection facilities, and medical imaging equipment have extremely high requirements for power supply stability—even a short-term power interruption may lead to catastrophic consequences such as interruption of life-saving treatments and equipment damage. DC operating power supplies, as the core power support for these critical loads, provide stable and reliable DC power for the control, protection, and operation of equipment. Establishing scientific and rigorous configuration standards for DC operating power supplies is of great significance for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of hospital critical loads. This document elaborates on the configuration standards for DC operating power supplies for critical loads in hospitals, covering configuration principles, key parameter requirements, scenario-based configuration specifications, inspection and maintenance standards, and safety guarantees, providing a comprehensive technical basis for the design, construction, and operation of hospital power supply systems.

1. Core Configuration Principles for DC Operating Power Supplies in Hospitals

The configuration of DC operating power supplies for critical loads in hospitals shall adhere to four core principles to ensure the reliability, safety, and applicability of the power supply system.

1.1 Principle of High Reliability

Reliability is the primary requirement for DC operating power supplies in hospitals. The system shall be designed with redundant configurations to avoid single points of failure. For example, adopting a dual-machine parallel redundant mode or N+1 redundant configuration for rectifier modules ensures that the system can still maintain normal power supply when individual modules fail. At the same time, the power supply system shall have strong anti-interference capabilities, able to resist voltage fluctuations, electromagnetic interference, and other grid anomalies, and stably output DC power that meets the requirements of critical loads.

1.2 Principle of Load Adaptability

Different critical loads in hospitals have different requirements for DC power supply (such as voltage level, current capacity, and ripple coefficient). The configuration of DC operating power supplies shall be tailored to the characteristics of the load. For example, life support equipment such as ventilators and infusion pumps requires low-ripple and high-stability DC power, while fire protection control systems have requirements for power supply continuity and quick switching capabilities. The power supply system shall be compatible with various load types and have flexible expansion capabilities to adapt to the subsequent increase or adjustment of critical loads.

1.3 Principle of Safety and Environmental Protection

Hospitals are special places with high requirements for electrical safety and environmental protection. DC operating power supplies shall comply with relevant national electrical safety standards, with complete protection functions such as overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection, short-circuit protection, overcurrent protection, and overheating protection to prevent electrical accidents such as equipment damage and electric shock. In terms of environmental protection, energy-saving and low-noise components shall be selected, and the battery system shall use environmentally friendly materials to avoid environmental pollution. At the same time, the installation and layout of the power supply system shall comply with fire protection requirements, with sufficient heat dissipation space and fire isolation measures.

1.4 Principle of Maintainability

The DC operating power supply system shall be designed to facilitate daily inspection, maintenance, and fault handling. Adopting a modular design allows for quick replacement of faulty modules without affecting the normal operation of the entire system. The system shall be equipped with an intelligent monitoring and alarm device that can real-time monitor key parameters such as output voltage, current, battery capacity, and module operating status, and issue alarms in a timely manner when abnormalities occur. In addition, the system shall have convenient maintenance interfaces and complete technical documentation to reduce the difficulty and time of maintenance work.

2. Key Parameter Configuration Standards for DC Operating Power Supplies

The key parameters of DC operating power supplies directly determine their performance and applicability to critical loads. The following are the mandatory and recommended configuration standards for core parameters.

2.1 Voltage Level Configuration

The voltage level of DC operating power supplies for hospital critical loads shall be selected according to the load requirements, and the common voltage levels include 12V, 24V, 48V, and 110V. Specific configuration standards are as follows:

12V and 24V DC power supplies are mainly used for small-scale critical loads such as medical monitors, portable ventilators, and emergency call systems. The voltage deviation shall not exceed ±5% of the rated value to ensure the stable operation of precision electronic components.
48V DC power supplies are suitable for medium-power critical loads such as medical imaging equipment (ultrasound machines, X-ray machines), laboratory equipment, and fire alarm control systems. The voltage deviation shall be controlled within ±3% of the rated value, and the ripple coefficient shall not be greater than 0.5% to avoid affecting the imaging quality and detection accuracy of the equipment.
110V DC power supplies are used for high-power critical loads such as central air conditioning control systems, elevator emergency systems, and large-scale surgical equipment. The voltage deviation shall not exceed ±2% of the rated value, and the system shall have strong load capacity and voltage stabilization capabilities to cope with the impact of large current when the equipment starts.

2.2 Capacity Configuration

The capacity of the DC operating power supply system shall be determined based on the total power of the critical loads and the backup time requirements. The configuration shall follow the principle of "sufficient capacity, reasonable redundancy":

The rated output current of the rectifier module shall be not less than 1.2 times the total rated current of the critical loads. For loads with large starting current (such as motors and compressors), the rated output current shall be increased to 1.5-2 times the total rated current to withstand the starting impact.
The battery capacity shall be configured according to the required backup time. For general critical loads, the backup time shall not be less than 2 hours; for key life support loads (such as intensive care unit ventilators, cardiac monitors), the backup time shall be extended to 4 hours or more. The battery capacity calculation formula is: Battery Capacity (Ah) = (Total Load Power (W) × Backup Time (h)) / (Rated Voltage (V) × Battery Discharge Efficiency). The battery discharge efficiency shall be taken as 0.85-0.9.
The system shall be equipped with redundant capacity for future load expansion, and the reserved capacity shall not be less than 30% of the current total load capacity.

2.3 Ripple and Noise Requirements

The ripple and noise of DC operating power supplies have a significant impact on the performance of precision medical equipment. The configuration shall meet the following standards:

For precision medical equipment such as monitors, infusion pumps, and laboratory analyzers, the peak-to-peak value of the output ripple and noise of the DC power supply shall not exceed 50mV, and the RMS value shall not exceed 10mV.
For medical imaging equipment and surgical equipment, the peak-to-peak value of ripple and noise shall be controlled within 100mV, and the RMS value shall not exceed 20mV.
The power supply system shall be equipped with ripple filtering devices, such as LC filters and electrolytic capacitors, to reduce ripple and noise and ensure the stable operation of the equipment.

2.4 Charging and Discharging Parameters

The charging and discharging parameters of the battery in the DC operating power supply system shall be configured scientifically to extend the battery life and ensure the backup power supply capacity:

The charging mode shall adopt the three-stage charging mode of "constant current - constant voltage - float charging". The constant current charging current shall be 0.1-0.2C (C is the battery capacity), the constant voltage charging voltage shall be 1.25-1.3 times the rated battery voltage, and the float charging voltage shall be 1.2-1.25 times the rated battery voltage.
The battery discharge protection voltage shall be set according to the battery type. For lead-acid batteries, the discharge termination voltage shall not be less than 1.75V per cell; for lithium-ion batteries, it shall not be less than 2.5V per cell to avoid over-discharge damage to the battery.
The system shall have an automatic equalization charging function to balance the voltage of each battery cell, prevent individual cells from being overcharged or undercharged, and ensure the consistency and service life of the battery pack.

3. Scenario-Based Configuration Specifications for Critical Loads

Different functional areas and critical loads in hospitals have different characteristics and requirements for DC operating power supplies. The following are targeted configuration specifications for typical scenarios.

3.1 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Operating Room

The ICU and operating room are core areas with the highest requirements for power supply reliability, equipped with a large number of life support equipment such as ventilators, cardiac defibrillators, anesthesia machines, and patient monitors. The configuration of DC operating power supplies shall meet the following requirements:

Adopt a dual power supply redundancy configuration, with two independent DC operating power supply systems working in parallel. When one system fails, the other can automatically take over the load without interruption, ensuring a power supply reliability of 99.99% or higher.
The voltage level is mainly 24V and 48V, with a voltage deviation of ±3% and a ripple coefficient of not more than 0.5%. The power supply system shall be equipped with a high-performance filter to reduce electromagnetic interference and avoid affecting the operation of precision medical equipment.
The battery backup time shall not be less than 4 hours. Lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, long life, and low maintenance shall be preferred. The system shall be equipped with an intelligent battery management system (BMS) to real-time monitor the battery's state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), and temperature, and issue alarms for abnormalities such as overheating and overcharging.
The power supply system shall be integrated with the hospital's intelligent monitoring platform to realize real-time monitoring of power supply parameters, remote fault diagnosis, and automatic alarm. The alarm information shall be sent to the on-duty personnel through multiple channels such as sound, light, and short messages.

3.2 Medical Imaging Department

The medical imaging department is equipped with high-power and high-precision equipment such as CT scanners, MRI machines, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) machines. These equipment have large power consumption, high requirements for voltage stability, and large starting current impact. The configuration requirements are as follows:

Adopt a modular DC operating power supply system with N+1 redundant configuration for rectifier modules. The number of redundant modules shall not be less than 1, and the rated output current of each module shall be not less than 0.5 times the maximum starting current of the single equipment.
The voltage level is 48V or 110V, with a voltage deviation of ±2% and a ripple coefficient of not more than 0.8%. The system shall be equipped with a voltage stabilization device with strong anti-interference capabilities to avoid voltage fluctuations affecting the imaging quality.
The battery backup time shall be not less than 2 hours. Lead-acid batteries with high discharge rate and strong load capacity or lithium iron phosphate batteries shall be selected. The battery pack shall be installed in a dedicated battery room with good ventilation and temperature control (the ambient temperature shall be maintained at 15-25°C) to ensure the battery performance.
The power supply system shall be equipped with a load monitoring and protection device that can automatically cut off non-critical loads when the system is overloaded, ensuring the priority power supply of key imaging equipment.

3.3 Fire Protection and Emergency Evacuation System

The fire protection and emergency evacuation system, including fire alarm controllers, emergency lighting, smoke exhaust fans, and fire elevators, is crucial to ensuring the safety of personnel and property in the event of a fire. The configuration of DC operating power supplies shall comply with the following standards:

Adopt an independent DC operating power supply system that is not affected by the main power supply. The system shall have the function of quick switching, and can switch to battery power supply within 0.1 seconds when the main power supply is interrupted, ensuring the continuity of the fire protection system.
The voltage level is 24V or 48V, with a voltage deviation of ±5% and a ripple coefficient of not more than 1.0%. The power supply system shall be able to withstand harsh environments such as high temperature and smoke, and the components shall have fire and flame retardant properties.
The battery backup time shall not be less than 3 hours. The battery shall be tested regularly for discharge performance to ensure that it can meet the power supply requirements in the event of a fire. The system shall be equipped with a dedicated fire protection power supply monitoring device to real-time monitor the operating status of the power supply system.
The wiring of the power supply system shall be flame-retardant and fire-resistant cables, and the installation shall be separated from other electrical circuits to avoid being damaged by fire and affecting the power supply.

3.4 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Center and First-Aid Station

The EMS center and first-aid station are responsible for pre-hospital emergency treatment and patient transfer, and are equipped with emergency medical equipment such as portable ventilators, defibrillators, and first-aid monitors. The DC operating power supply system shall be configured to be mobile, reliable, and easy to use:

Adopt a portable or vehicle-mounted DC operating power supply with small size, light weight, and strong mobility. The power supply shall be equipped with a handle or installation bracket for easy carrying and fixing.
The voltage level is 12V or 24V, with a voltage deviation of ±5% and a ripple coefficient of not more than 0.5%. The power supply shall have multiple output interfaces to adapt to different types of emergency equipment.
The battery shall be a high-capacity lithium-ion battery with a backup time of not less than 2 hours. The power supply shall be equipped with a fast charging function, and the charging time shall not exceed 3 hours. At the same time, it shall have overcharge, over-discharge, and short-circuit protection functions to ensure safe use in mobile scenarios.
The power supply shall be able to operate normally in a wide temperature range (-10°C to 50°C) and have strong anti-vibration and anti-shock capabilities to adapt to the harsh environment of emergency vehicles.

4. Inspection and Maintenance Standards for DC Operating Power Supplies

Regular inspection and maintenance are essential to ensure the long-term stable operation of DC operating power supplies for hospital critical loads. The following are the specific inspection and maintenance standards.

4.1 Daily Inspection Items and Standards

On-duty personnel shall conduct daily inspections of the DC operating power supply system, and the inspection items and standards are as follows:

Check the operating status of the rectifier module: the indicator light is normal (green for normal operation, red for fault), no abnormal noise or overheating, and the output voltage and current are within the rated range.
Check the battery pack: the surface is clean, no leakage, bulging, or corrosion; the battery temperature is normal (15-25°C); the voltage of each battery cell is consistent, and the deviation is not more than 0.05V.
Check the monitoring system: the display is normal, the parameters are accurate, no alarm information is displayed, and the communication with the hospital's intelligent platform is smooth.
Check the wiring and connectors: the wiring is firm, no looseness or oxidation, and the connectors are intact and free of damage.

4.2 Periodic Maintenance Standards

Periodic maintenance shall be conducted on the DC operating power supply system, including monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance:

Monthly maintenance: Clean the surface of the equipment and the heat dissipation holes to remove dust and debris; test the alarm function of the system (simulate overvoltage, undervoltage, and short-circuit faults to check whether the alarm is timely and accurate); check the float charging voltage of the battery pack and adjust it if necessary.
Quarterly maintenance: Conduct a capacity test of the battery pack (discharge the battery to 80% of the rated capacity and then charge it fully) to check whether the capacity meets the requirements; inspect the rectifier module and replace the faulty module in time; check the insulation resistance of the system, which shall not be less than 2MΩ.
Annual maintenance: Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire power supply system, including the rectifier, battery, monitoring device, and wiring; calibrate the measuring instruments and meters to ensure their accuracy; evaluate the service life of the battery pack and replace the battery that does not meet the requirements; update the system software and firmware to improve the system performance and security.

4.3 Fault Handling Standards

When a fault occurs in the DC operating power supply system, the on-duty personnel shall handle it in accordance with the following standards:

Receive the alarm information, quickly locate the fault point through the monitoring system, and determine the fault type (such as module failure, battery failure, or wiring failure).
Take emergency measures according to the fault type: if a rectifier module fails, switch to the redundant module; if the battery pack fails, use the backup battery pack to supply power; if there is a wiring fault, cut off the power supply (ensure the power supply of critical loads is not affected) and repair the wiring.
Record the fault information in detail, including the fault time, type, handling process, and results. After the fault is eliminated, conduct a test to ensure the system operates normally.
Analyze the cause of the fault, formulate preventive measures, and avoid similar faults from occurring again. Submit a fault handling report to the relevant department.

5. Safety Guarantee Standards

The safety guarantee of DC operating power supplies for hospital critical loads involves electrical safety, fire safety, and operational safety. The following are the specific safety guarantee standards:

5.1 Electrical Safety Standards

The DC operating power supply system shall comply with the requirements of GB 19212.1-2016 "Safety of Power Supply Units for Use in Medical Locations" and other relevant national standards. The leakage current shall not exceed 100μA for class I equipment and 50μA for class II equipment.
The system shall be equipped with a reliable grounding device, the grounding resistance shall not be greater than 4Ω, and the neutral line and protective ground line shall be separated to avoid ground potential drift and electric shock accidents.
The power supply system shall be equipped with surge protection devices (SPD) with appropriate rated voltage and current to protect the system from lightning and surge overvoltage damage.

5.2 Fire Safety Standards

The equipment and components of the DC operating power supply system shall have fire and flame retardant properties, and meet the requirements of GB/T 2408-2021 "Plastics - Determination of Burning Behavior by Horizontal and Vertical Burning Tests".
The installation location of the power supply system shall be away from flammable and explosive materials, and equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment (such as dry powder fire extinguishers). The battery room shall have good ventilation and temperature control measures to prevent battery overheating and fire.
The wiring of the power supply system shall use flame-retardant and fire-resistant cables, and the laying shall be separated from other flammable materials. The cable trench shall be filled with fire-resistant materials to prevent the spread of fire.

5.3 Operational Safety Standards

The operation of the DC operating power supply system shall be performed by professional personnel who have received professional training and hold relevant certificates. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to operate or modify the system.
Before conducting maintenance work, the power supply shall be cut off, and a warning sign shall be hung. After the maintenance is completed, the system shall be tested to ensure it operates normally before restoring the power supply.
The hospital shall formulate an emergency response plan for power supply failures, conduct regular drills, and improve the ability of on-duty personnel to handle emergencies.

6. Conclusion

The configuration of DC operating power supplies for critical loads in hospitals is a systematic project that involves multiple aspects such as configuration principles, parameter standards, scenario-based specifications, inspection and maintenance, and safety guarantees. Adhering to the core principles of high reliability, load adaptability, safety and environmental protection, and maintainability, and formulating scientific and rigorous configuration standards according to the characteristics of different critical loads are crucial to ensuring the stable operation of medical equipment, the continuity of medical services, and the safety of patients.

Hospitals shall strengthen the management of DC operating power supply systems, strictly implement the relevant configuration and maintenance standards, regularly inspect and evaluate the system performance, and continuously optimize the configuration scheme to adapt to the development of medical technology and the increase of critical loads. At the same time, relevant departments shall strengthen the formulation and updating of standards, promote the application of advanced technologies and equipment, and improve the overall level of power supply safety for hospital critical loads, providing a solid guarantee for the development of the public health cause.

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