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UPS Runtime for Medical & Critical Care Loads
Clinical areas often need **clean shutdown** or **ride-through** for **patient monitors**, **workstations**, and **network gear** during utility blips. This page is **planning guidance only**—life-safety and NEC Article 517 designs require licensed engineers and AHJ approval.
Who this scenario is for
Best for: Facilities teams sizing UPS for **nursing stations**, **imaging IT**, **lab interfaces**, and **critical care support** loads with documented kW.
Not ideal for: Operating-room **isolated power**, **emergency lighting**, or **redundant hospital-wide** emergency systems—those follow separate code paths.
Quick answer
Screen near **1.5 kW** steady on a **5 kVA** online-class UPS with **48 V / 100 Ah** external strings—often **15–30 minutes** for orderly shutdown if batteries are healthy; measure actual clinical load.
Key variables
- Measured kW vs. nameplate: Sum **workstations**, **monitors**, **network**, and **interface racks** on the protected panel—exclude imaging modalities on dedicated feeds unless they must ride through.
- Online vs. line-interactive: Many clinical IT loads favor **online double-conversion** for voltage regulation; transfer glitches can disturb sensitive interfaces.
- Runtime vs. generator: Hospital sites often have **emergency generators**—UPS minutes cover **ATS bridge** only; align with facilities MOP.
Example: nursing station cluster
**1.5 kW** measured on **5 kVA** with **48 V / 100 Ah** and one string screens **~20 minutes** before aging derates—enough for **EMR save** and **graceful shutdown** if staff respond to alarms.
Next steps — tools
- UPS Runtime Calculator — minutes at your kW, V, and Ah.
- UPS Load Calculator — roll up devices before runtime.
- UPS Battery Calculator — Ah for a target minute goal.
- UPS Capacity Calculator — required kVA with PF and margin.
- How long will UPS last? — guided entry across the UPS tool chain.
Assumptions and disclaimer
Figures on this page are planning estimates using typical efficiency (~0.8) and safety factor (~0.7). Battery age, temperature, discharge rate, and UPS topology change real minutes. Confirm procurement with manufacturer runtime charts and your licensed engineer where required.
Frequently asked questions
Does a consumer UPS meet medical IT requirements?
Rarely for critical clinical IT—plan online UPS with documented maintenance, SNMP monitoring, and PE/AHJ review where required.
How many minutes should clinical UPS provide?
Enough for orderly shutdown or until generator transfer completes—often 10–30 minutes at measured kW, not brochure labels alone.
Can imaging equipment share the same UPS?
Only if engineering confirms inrush, harmonics, and isolation requirements—many modalities use dedicated feeds.
Often planned together
- Server rack — PACS or imaging IT racks
- Laboratory — Lab analyzers on branch UPS
Related UPS scenarios
All scenario guides · How long will UPS last? · UPS Runtime Calculator · Runtime calculation guide