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Key Features of A Hospital’s Power Distribution System

Advancements in medical equipment are being developed faster than ever and technology is powering innovation. Providing a reliable and adequate electrical supply to the hospital means being able to adapt to frequent changes in the demand for power. Not only should a power system be able to cope with a power cut, it also need to be able to provide whatever power requirements a power hungry facility like a hospital needs.

According to the World Health Organization, modern health facilities in high and middle-income countries are among the largest commercial consumers of energy. A hospital’s power distribution system is usually larger and more complex than other commercial buildings. This is not surprising when we consider how big a medical facility like a hospital can be and all the different procedures and operations it conducts. Some hospitals are even comparable to small villages in their size and complexity.

A hospital can draw electrical power from two sources. There’s a primary source, which also powers non-essential equipment, such as light and air-conditioning, and an alternate source, which kicks in to keep life-saving equipment powered in case of emergencies.

Reliability

Hospitals often face high-level emergency situations, making the need for a reliable source of electricity paramount.

Strict protocols are in place for hospitals designed to maintain power at all times. This means that both the hospital’s sources of electrical power should be reliable as hospitals are required to supply emergency power within ten seconds of loss of normal power. The alternate power source should always kick in before serious harm can come to patients who require the machines to continuously work.

This happened in 2017 in California when an underground power line in the area failed, affecting a hospital. The hospital, however, was prepared and had a generator that powered the essential equipment in its ICU.

Several hospitals in Florida also encountered a similar issue after a power outage affected their computer systems. The hospitals implemented downtime procedures to ensure that emergency services continued to operate.

Adequacy and Quality of the Electricity Supplied

Power distribution system in hospitals should also ensure the adequacy and stability of the electricity being provided.

The electricity supplied should be able to power equipment like a magnetic resonance imaging machine or a heart defibrillator, without risking the electricity supplied for non-medical equipment like the air-conditioning units.

Ensure an Effective Power Distribution System with a Licensed Contractor

With the country’s aging electrical infrastructure and the influx of advancements in medical technology, it is becoming important to ask whether your medical facility or hospital can handle the growing demands. If you find you have a growing need, it’s time to call the experts.

Pro Circuit is a leading electrical contractor in Kansas City for commercial and industrial companies. Known as Kansas City’s one-stop shop for Voice and Data, Commercial, Industrial and Motor Controls, our team of experts has handled hundreds of wiring jobs and thousands of service calls.

Contact Pro Circuit here today to find out how we can be of service to your facility.

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