Do you have to replace your UPS batteries far too often?
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is one of the best investments you can make to support your critical infrastructure, whether in the office, a computer room or data center, or even at home. When a power outage strikes, it’s the UPS system that provides respite by supplying power continuously for short periods. In this way, you have enough time to shut down your computers safely, save important data, and prevent your devices from malfunction. Without this level of protection, you are exposed. Power surges pose a significant amount of risk to sensitive computers, backup systems, and even medical equipment. It’s likely that these momentary voltage spikes will occur in your home or office without you even realizing it, hence, the need to be careful and prepared. Here are some tips and tricks that can help extend the life of your UPS batteries.
1. Place the UPS Batteries At the Right Location
During installation, figure out the most suitable location to install the unit, particularly for the purpose of protecting your IT equipment. Ideally, you need to install your UPS in a temperate-controlled environment.
Don’t place the UPS near open windows or in rooms with high humidity due to proximity or environmental exposure. Large amounts of moisture, from places like parking garages or electrical rooms near the coast. Without protection to ensure a consistent, protected environment your efforts to install a UPS are futile. Also, make sure the location isn’t vulnerable to corrosive fumes or excessive dust. Further, keeping your electrical equipment as dust-free as possible is critical.
On a similar note, avoid using the UPS in a location where the humidity and temperature levels exceed the specified limits specified by the manufacturer. Temperature is a leading cause of premature failure to batteries and the electrical components within the UPS system. In addition, prevent the ventilation openings of the unit from being blocked and air filters should be changed regularly.
2. Avoid Misconceptions
Typically, a UPS battery includes the mention of “maintenance free”. Claims like these lead to common misconceptions among users that there’s no need to monitor and maintain the UPS battery. We’re here to tell you, this is not the case. UPS systems require a proactive setup and minimal–albeit important–ongoing mataintence.
A maintenance-free battery only means that it doesn’t need replacement fluid. Batteries require regular maintenance and testing to monitor for premature failure and to help prevent unexpected outages resulting in downtime. Monitoring and taking care of your batteries is always necessary.
3. Improve the Lifespan of UPS Batteries
Get proactive by replacing degraded batteries during set timeframes and before your current one malfunctions. This way, you can avoid the costly consequences that come with downtime.
It’s common knowledge that the life cycle of an unused battery drops over time. Regular testing can help predict battery failure as it can show trending over periods of time. Testing can also monitor the float voltage used to charge the batteries on your UPS system. If correct, the float voltage maintains a consistent charge across the system’s batteries. Charging too high or low will increase the degradation level of your batteries.
Temperature is also a critical factor when looking at extending the lifespan of your batteries. Per the manufacturer’s recommendations, most batteries require a temperature between 72-75 degrees or below. Maintaining consistent temperature can reduce your battery’s degradation cycle and provide a tremendous boost to its life expectancy.
From manufacturing and design, UPS batteries are created to be dependable and durable. But, it’s only possible to increase its lifespan when the owner takes proper care of it. Although owners know they have to replace their UPS batteries at some point, they don’t realize that with proper maintenance, they can prolong the life of their UPS batteries significantly.
Check with your manufacturer, make a plan and don’t underestimate the importance of periodic inspections, storage, and placement.
4. Use Energy Saving Devices
You can extend the life of your UPS batteries by opting for power-saving devices. Equipment that consumes lower amounts of power plays a pivotal role in maintaining your UPS temperature to a certain extent due to lower load values. A UPS is typically most efficient when the load values remain under 80% of its full rated capacity. As a result, your unit’s lifespan is increased.
5. Conduct Regular Maintenance
After an outage, ensure that your batteries are fully recharged in order to avoid damage. Take note of how often outages and discharges occur because excessive discharges, charging, and over-charging are known to increase the rate of battery degradation and reduce the battery lifespan.
Normal aging factors and corrosion can cause the internal resistance of a battery to rise over time. Capacity testing can also help you with measuring your internal resistance. When a battery experiences a loss of 70-80% of its original capacity, it should be replaced to minimize any risk of failure.
Final Thoughts
Time and again, experts have come to the same conclusion: batteries that offer the best performance and last longest are the ones that are maintained with extensive care and management.
If you want more tips and tricks to extend the life of your UPS batteries, get in touch with Odyssey Power today. Our experts have over 20 years of experience in helping clients get the most out of their systems and maximize their uptime.