Montreal Hospital: Medical grade UPS

Introduction

Montreal General Hospital (MGH) – a 479-bed acute care hospital in Quebec – recently undertook a critical power upgrade to protect its patients and equipment. The hospital recognized the need for a reliable medical-grade UPS system to safeguard life-saving devices against any loss of power. Even a momentary outage can jeopardize high-risk surgeries and shut down vital equipment in ICUs, posing immediate risks to patient safety. While emergency generators provide backup power, they take time to start; only a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) can bridge the gap with instant, seamless power transfer. To meet strict healthcare standards and ensure continuous uptime, MGH opted for a UPS medical grade Canada solution – specifically a Powervar medical-grade UPS – that could deliver clean, conditioned backup power to its critical systems. This case study details the supply, configuration, installation, and maintenance of the Powervar UPS at MGH, highlighting how it improved the hospital’s power reliability and patient safety.

Project Scope

Hospital Requirements: The project began with a comprehensive assessment of MGH’s power protection needs. Key requirements included: a true sine-wave output UPS with sufficient capacity to support critical monitors and life-support equipment, compliance with hospital safety standards (CSA/UL certifications for medical use), and integration with the existing backup generator setup. The hospital engaged our installation team to perform a site survey and load analysis in areas like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and operating theaters where even a minor power disturbance was unacceptable.

Selecting a Powervar Medical-Grade UPS: After evaluating several options, the team selected a Powervar Security II Medical Series UPS as the ideal solution. This Powervar UPS is purpose-built for healthcare environments, providing low-leakage, fully conditioned power for equipment in patient care areas. North American models of the Powervar Security II are UL 60601-1 (3rd Edition) certified for use in patient vicinity, ensuring they meet Canada’s strict medical electrical standards. The chosen unit features a built-in low-impedance isolation transformer and line-interactive design, meaning it filters noise and voltage spikes while regulating output – critical for sensitive medical devices. It delivers a true sine wave output and reduces leakage current of connected equipment to <300 µA, well within safe limits for hospital use. The Powervar’s robust design, with hospital-grade receptacles and plugs, and a medical-grade UPS classification, made it a perfect fit for MGH’s needs. Additionally, the UPS supports user hot-swappable batteries and includes auto battery testing and alarms, which aligns with the hospital’s requirement for easy maintenance and minimal downtime.

Technical Specifications: The Powervar UPS unit supplied was a 1.5 kVA (1440 VA) model configured for 120V output, providing ample capacity to support the target equipment. It was equipped with internal sealed lead-acid batteries rated to sustain the load for approximately 20 minutes – more than enough time to cover the generator startup (typically ~10 seconds) plus a safety buffer. The UPS offers remote monitoring capabilities (via SNMP/Web interface), so the hospital’s facilities team can receive alerts and check status in real time. Being a UPS medical grade device, it came with hospital-grade outlets for the critical devices and a hospital-grade plug for its input, ensuring compliance with CAN/CSA C22.2 standards. The solution also adhered to the hospital’s infection control and electrical safety guidelines, with a properly insulated enclosure and zero emissions (important as it was installed near patient areas).

Site Preparation: Prior to installation, a detailed site preparation was conducted. The location chosen for the UPS was an electrical closet adjacent to the ICU, which feeds several critical bedside monitors and ventilators. The installation team coordinated with MGH’s biomedical engineering and maintenance departments to plan the power cutover. A new dedicated circuit breaker was installed in the closet’s panel to feed the UPS, and the output was wired into the hospital’s critical equipment distribution panel. Ventilation in the closet was assessed to ensure the UPS (which dissipates some heat) would operate within safe temperature ranges. Floor space and weight capacity were checked since the Powervar unit (approximately 45 kg with batteries) would be floor-mounted. With all preparatory work completed and contingency plans in place, the project moved to the installation phase.

Installation Process

The UPS installation was executed during a scheduled maintenance window to avoid impacting patient care. Our certified technicians followed a step-by-step process to integrate the Powervar UPS into the hospital’s infrastructure:

  1. Physical Placement & Mounting: The Powervar UPS was delivered to the site and carefully moved to the prepared electrical closet in the ICU. The team mounted the UPS on a sturdy platform at an accessible height for ease of service. They ensured proper clearance around ventilation grilles and secured the unit in place.

  2. Electrical Integration: Hospital electricians wired the UPS input to the dedicated 120V supply circuit. The UPS’s output was then connected to the critical load panel that powers the ICU monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps. The UPS service team also installed an external maintenance bypass switch – this device allows the UPS to be electrically bypassed during future maintenance or battery replacements, ensuring no downtime during service events.

  3. Configuration & Testing: Once connected, the UPS was powered on and its configuration settings were tuned to the hospital’s requirements. Output voltage was set to 120V with tight regulation, and alarm thresholds were adjusted. A full system test was then performed: technicians simulated a power outage by cutting mains power to the UPS – immediately the Powervar UPS took over, supplying clean power with zero interruption to the connected devices.

  4. Training & Handover: After successful testing, the installation team provided on-site training to MGH’s biomedical and maintenance staff. The team also handed over documentation including the user manual, maintenance schedule, and emergency contact for 24/7 UPS support.

Battery Performance & Maintenance

  • How long do UPS batteries last? In general, UPS batteries (typically sealed lead-acid types used in medical UPS systems) have a lifespan of about 3–5 years with proper use. At MGH, the UPS batteries are monitored and tested regularly to track their health.

  • Are UPS batteries hot-swappable? Yes – the Powervar Security II Medical UPS selected by MGH features hot-swappable batteries. This means the battery modules can be replaced without shutting down the UPS or dropping the load.

  • How can we extend UPS battery runtime? There are a few strategies to extend the backup runtime of the UPS, including adding external battery packs and load management.

MGH has also signed up for a preventive maintenance program to ensure optimal UPS performance.

Results & Impact

Since installation, the UPS has ensured uninterrupted power for critical medical equipment at MGH. Feedback from hospital staff has been overwhelmingly positive, and the hospital is considering expanding its UPS network to other departments.

Conclusion

The deployment of a medical-grade UPS at Montreal General Hospital showcases the critical importance of reliable power backup in healthcare settings. Hospitals should opt for UPS medical grade Canada solutions designed specifically for patient care environments. By implementing a professional installation and maintenance plan, MGH has ensured that its UPS service Canada infrastructure will reliably support critical medical equipment for years to come.

For hospitals considering a similar investment, contact us today for expert guidance on selecting, installing, and maintaining the right UPS battery Canada solution for your needs.