Accurately Estimate your UPS’ Batteries’ Life & Battery Maintenance Needs.
In continuing with last week’s discussion of UPS batteries, “maintenance-free” or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) UPS batteries do not require replacement fluid, but they do require periodic maintenance. Battery service and maintenance are essential to ensuring ongoing UPS reliability. Without it, a UPS battery becomes susceptible to a number of threats that can ultimately result in a reduced level of protection and premature failure. Visually inspect batteries for cleanliness and remove any dust, dirt, or debris. Leaking batteries or batteries with excessive swelling are a sign of “end of life” and should be properly disposed of and replaced.
Proper maintenance allows the end of battery life to be accurately estimated which enables scheduled replacement without unexpected downtime and/or loss of backup power. In addition, preventive maintenance helps extend the life of battery strings, providing the opportunity to detect loose connections, remove corrosion and isolate bad batteries before they affect the entire string. Finally, gradual decreases in battery life can be monitored and evaluated through periodic voltage and conductance testing completed during a PM visit.
During regularly scheduled Battery Maintenance visits, trained technicians should perform a number of inspections, including:
- Visually scrutinizing batteries, racks or cabinets for signs of corrosion and leakage.
- Measuring the float voltage and current of the entire bank.
- Recording the terminal voltage of all cells.
- Checking the electrolyte levels and specific gravity readings in each cell (for flooded batteries only).
- Noting the ambient temperature.
- Conductance or impedance readings should be taken from every cell and compared to the manufacturer’s published values.
All readings should be archived for comparison with future readings. This allows you to track and identify trends with your batteries’ life, further minimizing outages and maximizing efficiency.
At Odyssey Power, we assist our clients in implementing battery maintenance solutions that are reliable and efficient. As the only third party service provider in California with both UPS and Generator technicians, we are uniquely suited to assist you in finding the right critical power solutions for your business. Contact us today for more information.