Why You Need UPS Battery Service
UPS batteries do more than just stand-by for a power outage. They also constantly maintain line conditioning so that your critical data center equipment receives clean pure AC power.
If your UPS battery sounds a low-battery alarm or displays an amber warning light or symbol, it is likely time to replace it. A proactive approach to battery service is the best way to avoid downtime and data loss.
Scheduled Checkups
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery backs up a computer or other devices in the event of commercial power failure. When a UPS system is not properly maintained, the UPS batteries will fail when you need them most — possibly leading to expensive data loss. To avoid the risk of losing critical information, facility managers need to implement a UPS battery maintenance plan.
An effective UPS battery maintenance plan should include regularly scheduled inspections and testing, as well as monitoring of all batteries in the system. A professional can inspect your UPS batteries to ensure they are in good working condition, as well as determine the approximate remaining life of each cell. The exact battery lifespan depends on several factors, such as storage, acceptance testing, ambient temperature, and battery chemistry.
The most common type of UPS battery used today is a valve-regulated lead acid battery, or VRLA battery. These are sealed in polypropylene plastic, which prevents sloshing water and protects against corrosion. However, they are still vulnerable to heat damage and degradation. They also require regular inspection and maintenance, as well as monitoring and replacement of batteries when the time comes.
Load bank testing is a key part of an effective UPS battery maintenance plan. Engineers can connect a loadbank to your UPS to simulate the conditions of a real power outage, allowing them to assess which cells still hold a charge and identify those that might be reaching the end of their useful life.
Battery Tests
UPS batteries are vital in ensuring critical systems remain online during a power outage. But if left neglected, UPS batteries can fail when they’re needed UPS battery service most, leading to costly downtime and data loss.
UPS battery maintenance programs help extend VRLA and wet cell batteries’ life and provide critical diagnostics. These services can include:
A visual inspection of the UPS battery system to look for signs of stress or deterioration such as swelling or cracking. The technician can also check if the batteries are stored properly, clean the tops of the batteries (or the entire racking cabinet), verify battery terminal connections are securely tightened and observe any spill containment measures in place.
Using a UPS battery cycling monitor, the technician can predict when batteries are reaching their end of life and plan for their replacement accordingly. By taking this proactive approach, facilities directors and data center staff can avoid downtime, and expensive recovery costs caused by a UPS battery failure.
During this type of testing, the UPS is run on batteries for about 10 seconds to perform a self-test and validate its internal subsystems. If any errors are detected the UPS will display them on its LCD screen and notify users via its replace battery LED or network management card if so equipped. This method of testing offers something of a middle ground between full load and partial discharge testing.
Replacement Batteries
UPS batteries convert chemical energy into the electrical energy UPSs use to run. Regardless of how well they are cared for, all batteries eventually wear out and must be replaced. When this happens, the system may start beeping or display amber warning lights and symbols. If not promptly addressed, the problem could worsen and lead to a battery failure – leaving your critical equipment unprotected.
Taking a proactive approach to UPS battery service is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the risk of unexpected downtime. This is particularly important for organizations that rely on mission-critical equipment that can be damaged by even brief power outages.
Batteries that aren’t properly maintained can wear out far faster than expected, and they will likely need to be replaced sooner than they should. Routine preventive maintenance has been shown to optimize battery performance and extend battery life, making it easier to spot issues before they lead to downtime.
Using replacement UPS batteries that are designed for superior performance is another effective way to prolong the life of your equipment. These UPS batteries international shipping service are backed by warranty and provide guaranteed compatibility with your equipment. They are also fully assembled, allowing for fast hot-swap installation. And they are environmentally responsible, containing no hazardous substances and complying with international regulations for battery disposal.
Installation
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) keeps critical equipment and devices running during commercial power outages. A UPS battery backup is critical to this functionality and must be kept in good condition to ensure it will work as expected when needed most.
Traditional lead acid batteries need to be charged every six months or they will lose capacity permanently. The best way to keep your battery backup in optimum condition is to schedule UPS battery service. UPS battery services can include visual inspection of the batteries, removal of debris from racking and cabinet, and charging sequence testing that helps optimize battery performance and lifespan.
Today’s UPS systems are most often equipped with a maintenance-free valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery system. These batteries are sealed within a polypropylene plastic, preventing the sloshing of water that is found in wet cell or flooded battery systems. However, even maintenance-free batteries require periodic UPS battery servicing to avoid degradation.
Other UPS battery types include nickel cadmium and nickel iron phosphate (NiCad) batteries. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but the choice of battery type depends on a variety of factors including ambient temperature, cost, and environmental concerns. Our experienced DC power team can provide comprehensive installation, upgrade, replacement, and life-extension services to help you get the most from your UPS battery backup system.