Choosing the Right Emergency Power System for Healthcare Facilities

LiteSource  |  October 24, 2025  |  Agency News

Every hospital needs reliable emergency power, but how you deliver it is a critical design choice. Two of the most common approaches—Central Battery Systems and Distributed Inverters—each offer unique benefits depending on the type of space, budget, and operational priorities.

Central Battery Systems: One Hub for Many Fixtures

Central battery systems use a single, room-sized inverter and battery bank to feed multiple emergency circuits. This setup provides several advantages:

  • Fast Transfer: “No-break” models can relight luminaires in under 2 ms—critical for ORs and ICUs where any outage is unacceptable.
  • Centralized Maintenance: All batteries are in one conditioned room, making inspections and integration with the building management system easier.
  • Cost Efficiency: Lower cost per fixture, a single test point, and spare capacity for future loads offset future labor.
  • Testing & Records: Remote panels automate NFPA’s monthly 30-second and annual 90-minute tests, producing a single downloadable log for Joint Commission audits.

Best fit for:

  • New towers or floors with many emergency and task fixtures
  • Spaces where zero interruption is non-negotiable (e.g., ORs, ICUs)

Distributed Inverters: Flexibility at the Fixture Level

Distributed inverters place small units at the circuit or even luminaire level. They’re ideal when renovations or phased upgrades make pulling new homeruns costly:

  • Flexible Installation: Units fit above ceilings, in closets, or within fixtures—minimal HVAC impact.
  • Zero Transfer for Normally-Off Luminaires: Fixture-level packs deliver instant relight.
  • Scalable Upgrades: Add units as spaces convert without oversizing a main battery room.
  • Isolated Failures: If one inverter fails, only that zone or fixture is affected—others stay lit.

Best fit for:

  • Phased renovation projects in scattered wings
  • Outpatient wings or mobile units
  • Budget-conscious upgrades over time

Compliance & Code Essentials

No matter which approach you choose, your emergency power system must meet life-safety codes:

  • NFPA 101 Life-Safety Code: Luminaires must relight within 10 seconds and stay on ≥90 minutes.
  • NFPA 99 Essential Electrical System (EES): Splits loads into Life-Safety, Critical, and Equipment branches.
  • NEC Article 517: Requires separate automatic-transfer switches and wiring for each branch.
  • Joint Commission: Monthly 30-second functional tests and annual 90-minute load tests are auditable.

How LiteSource Helps

LiteSource works with leading manufacturers to translate complex code requirements into clear fixture specs. Our healthcare team provides:

  • Single-source emergency lighting solutions
  • Fast, accurate quotes
  • Support from design through post-installation

Download the full “Healthcare Emergency Power: Central Battery vs. Distributed Inverters” guide here to see all the specs and scenarios in one place, and contact us at healthcare@litesourcenc.com or 919.555.0123 to discuss compliant, safe, and reliable emergency lighting for your space.

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