A “K(i)” rating refers to the intermittent kVA or “momentary power demand” rating. During the time that a medical imaging or treatment modality performs the actual scan or procedure, that piece of equipment has a high surge current — meaning that the current will rise to (or be higher than!) 3 to 5 times that of the steady state current. This momentary power demand typically lasts for < 5 seconds, however these seconds are ‘critical’ in that the power source must deliver the required current while staying within the line voltage tolerance of the imaging / treatment equipment.
So Oversizing Should Solve Everything … Right?
Not true! We’ve seen how some medical OEM’s and power quality product manufacturers take a “better safe than sorry” approach, and deliberately oversize the distribution transformer, power conditioner, or voltage regulator, treating the momentary power demand as if it was a continuous event. However, keep in mind that most of the time, the imaging / treatment equipment is in the stand-by mode and requires only a fraction of its momentary power demand. Therefore, the “oversizing” approach simply leads to an expensive and inefficient installation, increased operating costs, and typically a larger space than necessary to accommodate the oversized transformer or power conditioner.
A Better Approach: Controlled Power Company’s Solution
Our K(i) rated SureImage power conditioner or SureImage voltage regulator is installed ‘upstream’ from the medical imaging / treatment modality. Therefore, when sizing our product, we consider both the maximum intermittent and the maximum steady state kVA ratings of the modality. We size our SureImage product’s K(i) rating to be greater than the modality’s maximum intermittent kVA rating. And likewise, we size our SureImage product’s continuous kVA rating to be greater than the modality’s maximum steady state kVA. Our SureImage medical-grade, K(i) rated power conditioners and voltage regulators are designed to supply both the intermittent and continuous kVA, while continuing to provide tightly-regulated voltage.
SureImage “Model Ultra-K/M” (left) and “Model 700F/M” (right)
So what does this mean for you? Bottom line: our SureImage products are properly-sized for the continuous load rating; and provide regulated and conditioned power, high efficiency, and lower operating costs. In addition, all of our SureImage models are surge-rated to optimize performance; and provide your medical modality with exactly the power that it needs.
Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?! Contact us for details … let us know how we can help!
