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Battery Operation of CPAP Devices for Sleep Apnea Treatment, Part 4--Safety Warnings<
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Sleep
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Introduction | Quiz
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S A L E Sleep Apnea—the Phantom of the
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by Jerry Halberstadt with Gary Collins, Charles Woodson; and Shane Finn and others at ResMed.
This document provides information only. Reasonable efforts have been made to obtain accurate information, however the reader is warned that the information may not be correct. This information is intended only as a general introduction and does not replace the advice and services of health care professionals or electrically qualified professionals. Furthermore, the use of lead-acid storage batteries and electrical circuits is dangerous. Therefore, unless you are trained in their use, you should obtain the services of a qualified, trained electrician.
You should review your plan and get approvals from your physician, the home care company providing your equipment, and the manufacturer of the CPAP equipment.
If Oxygen therapy is part of your treatment, this backup system is not safe or acceptable because of the danger of a spark causing an explosion. You should have your doctor or home care company provide an appropriate backup solution.
Avoid possible damage to or shortening the life of your CPAP equipment; your warranty may not apply if you use an electrical input not approved by the manufacturer. You should confirm the selection of any inverter with the manufacturer of your CPAP equipment.
Before attempting to implement a battery system for your CPAP, you should verify the electrical information with a person competent in electrical device power supplies, and confirm with the manufacturer of your specific CPAP device that your device will not be harmed or the warranty voided by the proposed setup. You should have a qualified person help install your system and instruct you in the safe and proper use of it. Follow carefully the instructions and cautions of the manufacturers of the CPAP, battery, battery charger, and inverter in addition to normal cautions when using electrical current.
The lead-acid battery produces hydrogen and oxygen; this is an explosive mixture and you must take care to clear out the accumulated gas and avoid sparks when changing battery connections.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can cause serious burns and blindness. WEAR EYE PROTECTION AND NEVER LEAN OVER THE BATTERY. In case of splashing on to a person with battery acid, wash off with copious amounts of clean water and get medical attention. Neutralize spills with baking soda.
Before measuring the specific gravity, disconnect the battery from the charger and inverter, open the cell cover and and use a large piece of paper or cardboard to fan away any gas. Avoid splashing or spilling the fluid. Wear eye protection. Avoid smoking, flame, or sparks.
A short-circuit (any direct electrical connection between the poles of the battery) is capable of drawing a massive amount of electricity from the battery, resulting in white-hot wires, the danger of fire and burns, and possible explosion of the battery. This can happen in an instant, there is no time to react. Therefore, to avoid the danger of short circuit and a possible explosion, you should install a fuse in the + line to the inverter or other device BEFORE connecting it to the battery. (For example, I purchased a battery clamp connector/cigarette plug receptacle adapter. However, it was defective--one of the connections had failed inside the plug and the wire was loose and could have touched the other wire, creating the possibility of a short-circuit of the battery that could not have been protected by the inverter's fuse. It could have caused a battery explosion the first time I connected the system.)
Do NOT attempt to run a heated humidifier from an inverter or battery backup system.Warning against using heated humidifier
Making, installing, and using a battery backup system can damage CPAP equipment, or may cause personal injury, fire, or explosion. Therefore, consult with your physician, home care company, and/or the manufacturer of your CPAP before you start. The services of a qualified electrician should be used. The Safety Warnings are part of this document and should be read together with it. This document provides information only. The reader is solely responsible for any use made of this information.
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Our publications (online, email, print, or any other communications or phone contacts) do not provide medical advice or a professional service. No one including the publisher, editors, editorial advisors, or the authors of any material in this site is engaged in providing any medical or professional advice or services through the publication, distribution or sale of articles, books, materials, tests or quizzes, on this site or in communications by phone, email, or any other means. Persons with suspected or diagnosed sleep apnea syndrome or any sleep disorder or other condition including COPD discussed in this site should consult with a physician and other qualified professionals for advice concerning their own treatment.