Electrical systems on rescue vehicles are a matter of life and death. As users, we often overlook the functionality of batteries in delivering emergency services, but operative technicians can vouch for their importance.
Breakdown of Ambulance Power:
- Rescue equipment – 45% of power.
- Exterior lights – 16% of power.
- Interior lights – 14% of power.
- Air Conditioning – 25% of power.
While rescue equipment requires the most power to run, only a few of the rescue devices are used at a time. This reduces the total electrical draw. When someone is admitted into the ambulance, all of the vehicle’s lights are running including the interior patient cabin, standard driving lights, and the emergency flashers.
There is also a large portion of the air condition section that is running at all times, which adds a good amount of continuous power consumption.
Current Ambulance Model:
On Sept. 25, 2012, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1917 Standard for Automotive Ambulances was released. The standard applies to new ambulances that were contracted for purchase on and after January 1st, 2013.
An ambulance has several different items to generate and supply power towards. The systems include the battery, 12 Volt DC electrical system, and a 125 Volt AC system. Each of these systems are used differently to effectively power the lights, temperature, and rescue equipment.
All the power is generated from the batteries. In ambulances there are two batteries, and an option to install additional batteries if necessary. These batteries are located in a ventilated areas, cut off from occupant compartments. They are readily accessible for usage and removal.
When batteries are mounted in the engine compartment they are surrounded by a heat shield that prevents against raised temperatures. All ambulances have an automatic charger, which monitors the level of charge within the battery and automatically charges and protects the battery from overheating.
There is a separate circuit for charging all portable battery powered devices like hand lights, radios, and suction units. This circuit only allows the charging of portable devices when the vehicle is running or when the optional battery conditioner is connected to maintain power.
A 12 Volt DC Electrical System:
A 12 Volt DC electrical system runs off of the aforementioned batteries. This provides power to the auxiliary connectors within the ambulance’s patient compartment. These sockets are often used to provide power to rescue equipment.
125 Volt AC System:
The next electrical system is the 125 Volt AC system, which is separate from the 12 Volt DC system. This is responsible for powering medical equipment, maintenance devices and battery chargers when the vehicle is not in motion.
Lights:
Lights are extremely important in the operation and functionality of the ambulance. The exterior of the ambulance’s lighting includes daytime running lights, rear side market lights, flood and loading lights, and lower front marker lights. Interior lights also require superior battery technologies to ensure that patients are safely attended to.
For these reasons and more, batteries are extremely important to the functionality of ambulances and while not often mentioned, they are definitely a main component.
Related:
We Need Hospitals, but Hospitals Need Batteries
