Frequently Asked Questions:

How It Works:

• Does the system plug into a regular wall outlet?
• Does it turn on by itself with it's own automatic transfer switch?

Installation:

• Is there any Installation or Assembly Required?
• Are the wall mounted systems have to be recessed or can they be surface mounted?

Maintenance:

• How often do the batteries have to be replaced?
• How long does this battery backup system last?

General:

• What is the lead time, how long does it take to get one?
• How does it arrive preassembled? How is it shipped?
• Can a system be purchased from Canada or Mexico?

Technical:

• What is the difference between the standalone systems and the hard-wire systems?
• Do these battery backup systems only 120 volts or are they available at 220 volts?
• Can more than one refrigerator or freezer be plugged into the same power system?
• Are 3 phase battery backup systems available?
• What standards does it meet?
• Can the system and batteries be monitored via an internet connection?
• How do you know when the batteries are getting low?
• How much electrolyte do the batteries contain?
• What is the difference between Reassurance carts A, B and C?
• Can the mobile system be configured for hardwiring?
• How much heat do these battery backup systems put out?

How It Works:

• Does the system plug into a regular wall outlet?
                   
                    This depends on the size of the system and the circuit that is connected to.  Unless it is otherwise specified each system it is configured with a
                    standard 15 amp plug for charging the batteries.  Some of the larger systems where higher amps and/or voltages are necessary.  Such systems are fed                    with twist-lock plugs of which the plug NEMA number is specified on the order.    

• Does it turn on by itself with it's own automatic transfer switch?

                    The system has an internal transfer switch which automatically transfers to battery power when the input power loss is detected. This occurs within

                    a fraction of a second.  

Installation:

• Is there any Installation or Assembly Required?

The mobile systems, MCS and MD series do not require any installation or assembly. The unit arrives on its castors and just needs to be plugged into a standard wall outlet in order to keep the batteries charged.
The wall mounded hardwire and standalone systems, SSH, SHCS, SACS series do have some assembly and installation requirements. These models ship palatalized with the cabinet separated into 2 or 3 parts. The lower battery compartments need to be attached to the upper cabinet with 4 fasteners. Then the entire assembly gets mounted to the wall. Once the battery backup system is fastened to the wall, the batteries will need to be installed. Installation of the batteries is much like installing car batteries.
Hardwire systems are usually installed by a local electrical contractor, who also connects the utility input and output wiring.
The standalone plug and play systems do not require a licensed contractor to install.

• Are the wall mounted systems have to be recessed or can they be surface mounted?

The Silent Sentry wall mounted systems can be configured to be surface mounted or recessed between 2 wall studs.  The configuration should be specified at the time of order.    

Maintenance:

• How often do the batteries have to be replaced?

Battery replacements are recommended every 48 months. If the batteries have never been heavily discharged more than once, they weaken which makes them unable to put out their full capacity.

If the batteries have been weakened in any way or no longer can put out their rated capacity they should be replaced.  

• How long does this battery backup system last?

It is impossible to answer this question, without knowing exactly what equipment or appliances are to be allocated with backup support, Medi-Products systems are customizable to suit each and every application in order to meet the desired runtime and requirements of the particular user.

If the application is for an operating room, 2 hours is the standard backup support runtime requirement. Life safety codes for egress and exit lighting requirement is 90 mins.

For an application such as a vaccine refrigerator or freezer, the runtime is suited to the consumers choice. Battery support runtimes are often configured to accommodate runtimes anywhere from 2 hours up to 30 hours.

General:

• What is the lead time, how long does it take to get one?

Each system is custom built to the customers' spec. Our standard lead time is 2 weeks plus transit.  However, lead times can vary with production levels so it is always good to ask what the current lead time is at the time of ordering. 

• How does it arrive preassembled? How is it shipped?

The mobile systems are shipped and delivered "white glove". We use moving van line companies to transport these systems. The reason for this is they ship completely assembled and are too heavy to remove from the pallet all in one piece, resulting in damaged goods. This service always offers a team of 2 with a lift gate to transport the system directly from the truck to its storage location.

The Silent Sentry wall mounted battery backup systems are knocked down in 2-3 pieces with the batteries boxed up separately from the cabinet these systems will arrive paletteized. These systems must be connected to the wall prior to battery installation.

• Can a system be purchased from Canada or Mexico?

Yes, over the years our company has sold may systems to Canada.  We have also met the CSA regulations to do so may be reshipped from a CSA laboratory.  The systems are priced and sold in US dollars. However, we currently do not sell to Mexico.

Technical:

• What is the difference between the standalone systems and the hard-wire systems?

The hard-wire system is intended to be connected to the building wiring. The input gets fed from the main electric panel and the systems output breaker is directly fed to various outlet branch circuits, equipment and lights that are intended to have backup support.

• Are these battery backup systems only 120 volts or are they available at 220 volts?

Both 120 and 220-volt input and output voltages are available.  This varies with the model number.  If the building only has 208 volts - a 3 phase, a transformer may be required to boost the voltage from 208 to 120/240.

• Can more than one refrigerator or freezer be plugged into the same power system?

These battery backup systems can supply power to more that one refrigerator or freezer.  The system would have to be sized to accommodate the sum of all the appliances of which it is intended to support. 

• Are 3 phase battery backup systems available?

Medi-Products does not manufacturer a 3 phase power system but we do have access to suppliers who do.  Three phase battery backup systems have to be designed, engineered and installed properly, this is normally done by the manufacturer or an electrical engineering firm.  

• What standards does it meet?

All of our emergency power systems are custom built and assembled using only UL approved components and to nationally recognized standards.  There are times, however, when the completed system in its entirety has to be inspected and approved by national standards testing lab.  Medi-Products has a lot of experience working with these agencies and special inspection labels can be accommodated upon request.

• Can the system and batteries be monitored via an internet connection?

For certain models, an optional remote system monitoring is available via an internet connection.  This option will allow the users to remotely monitor battery voltages and system status.  

• How do you know when the batteries are getting low?

Medi-Products battery backup systems come with a low battery alarm which makes an audible sound when the batteries drop below a certain voltage. 

• How much electrolyte do the batteries contain?

The VRLA storage batteries we use contain a small amount of electrolyte.  Here is a link to the Material Safety Data Sheet: https://www.mediproducts.net/hubfs/CSB%20HRL%20Series%20%20msds-1.pdf for the batteries we use.

• What is the difference between Reassurance carts A, B and C?

For the mobile systems, there are 3 cart sizes available.  The purpose of this is to accommodate more backup battery capacity.  There are many variations within each cart size, therefore, pricing is not reflected by the size, of the cart but rather by the capacity of the system.

• Can the mobile system be configured for hardwiring?

The answer is yes.  It is not common but our mobile systems can be configured for hardwire applications.  This is often done while replacing another out of date system in an existing medical practice.  To do so we configure the mobile system with male and female twist-lock cord caps, so the system can connect to the building wiring thru twist lock receptacles.

• How much heat do these battery backup systems put out?

The heat output varies on the conditions and mode of which the unit is operating under.  These are some estimates of heat dissipation of dynamic values based on some specific extreme conditions of which the power system would be operating under: