It is essential for you to look after your UPS battery to increase its life span and efficiency. The better it’s maintained the greater chance you have of avoiding a battery replacement. Under advised conditions, the forecast for the life expectancy of a UPS battery is 3 – 5 years. Are you aware of the recommended conditions?
Top Practices for extending UPS Battery Replacement
- UPS System Placement
- Ambient Temperature
- UPS maintenance
- Battery Care
- Power Conserving Devices
What Is a UPS Unit?
UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Source or Uninterruptable Power Supply. The main purpose of a UPS system is to provide you with power if there’s a sudden loss of power. The systems are designed to act as a secondary power source. UPS systems are commonly found in offices that possess high end computers and network systems. Because of their delicacy these computers and networks need to be shut down correctly to prevent damage and loss of work. A UPS system provides you with instant power if your building lost power. Thus, allowing you to save on going work and correctly shut down the system.
UPS System Placement
When installing a UPS, its crucial to identify where to install the unit to give the most effective power protection. The unit must be installed in a temperature-controlled environment. In addition, you must ensure that there is the correct airflow around the unit. The air flow opening at the front, back or sides of the unit can not be blocked as this will affect the UPS.
If the UPS unit is placed in a dedicated communications room, the design of the room should take into consideration the placement of the UPS. The correct environment should be taken into consideration when designing that room. The correct environment should also cover the switches, servers, and hardware.
In a situation where the data cabinet and UPS or a standalone UPS is placed in an open area like an office, you must make extra considerations. The area should have the correct environment for optimum operation. A UPS placed in a non-ventilated, overheating storeroom will inevitably fail resulting in a short operational life.
Ambient Temperature
Ambient temperature is probably the most important consideration when it comes to placement of your UPS system. When designing a communications room, you must take into consideration the ambient temperature. High ambient temperature levels can affect the battery’s life span. The hotter it runs, the harder it has to work, and more strain will be placed on the unit. To maximise the life expectancy and capabilities of a UPS system, you must keep it at a comfortable temperature.
UPS Maintenance
Specific manufacturer and model will recommend a schedule of desired maintenance. Therefore, it’s important to discuss this with us as an installer and schedule the correct plant for preventative maintenance. Maintenance of all active equipment should always be part of a long-term plan. The maintenance will check the full system as all elements of the unit can potentially affect the battery life if they’re not operating correctly. The aim is to maintain the unit so you can avoid a battery replacement.
UPS batteries should be examined for tidiness and any kind of dust, dirt or debris should be removed. Leaking or swollen batteries need to be effectively taken care of or changed. Furthermore, there are different types of batteries, but all still require maintenance. Up-keep free UPS batteries mean that they don’t require any replacement fluid. As a result, comprehending exactly how to look after batteries is an ongoing and essential process.
Click here for a YouTube Video of this Blog
UPS Batteries
As discussed, the best way to reduce the possibility of downtime is to take care of the batteries that support the UPS unit. To ensure the load is appropriately supported during a power cut, we advise changing the batteries every 3 years. This will prove to be effective during high load problems.
Some other recommendations on maintaining your UPS battery and avoiding unnecessary battery replacement cost.
Replacement batteries should be stored correctly.
Batteries should be calibrated once or twice a year.
Maintain the environment where the UPS is stored (AC maintenance).
Use Power Conserving Devices
Power conserving devices are likely to extend the life of your UPS unit.
Equipment with reduced power usage will maintain the temperature of your UPS. For this reason, less stress is placed on the unit. Thus, expanding your unit’s lifespan.
Regular PAT tests will enable you to isolate faulty units which will minimise the chances of a power fault or circuit trip. Any time a circuit fails, the UPS will instantly start working. The less you have to rely on it, the longer its lifespan will be.
UPS Battery Replacement Summary
Maximise the lifespan of your UPS system by taking care of the battery and by being proactive with regular maintenance and tests. The batteries that last the longest or offer the most effective performance are those that are being taken care of.