517.30(B)(3) Battery Systems.

Battery systems shall be permitted to serve as the alternate source for all or part of an essential electrical system.
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Battery systems shall be permitted to serve as the alternate source for all or part of an essential electrical system.

Code Change Summary: New code section permits battery systems as an alternate source of power.

Essential electrical systems in a health care facility are required to have at least two independent sources of power. A normal power source (usually the electric utility) supplies the entire electrical system for the health care facility and at least one alternate source is required for use when the normal source is interrupted.

For years, the most common alternate source used in the health care industry has been a standby generator. In the 2020 NEC®, battery systems were added as an acceptable alternate source of power which aligns with similar language in Chapter 6 of NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code.

Battery system technology has improved greatly over the years and proven itself to be a dependable option when alternate power is desired.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

This code section did not exist.

2020 Code Language:

N 517.30(B)(3) Battery Systems. Battery systems shall be permitted to serve as the alternate source for all or part of an essential electrical system.

Informational Note: For information on installation of battery systems, see NFPA 111-2019, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems.

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517.30(B)(3) Battery Systems.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: Only lead-acid battery systems are permitted to serve as the alternate source for the essential electrical system.
B: Battery systems are not permitted in health care facilities.
C: Battery systems are permitted to serve as the alternate source for all or part of an essential electrical system in a health care facility.
D: Battery systems are permitted to serve as the primary power source for the essential electrical system.
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