UPS Battery Service Providers
Even UPSs with a great return on investment can suffer a loss of functionality over time. UPS battery maintenance helps reduce the likelihood of expensive downtime.
Ensure your UPS batteries will perform as designed when mains power fails by testing them regularly. Physical inspections, including a visual check for leaking and swelling, can reveal early warning signs.
Preventative Maintenance
UPS batteries are an essential component of back-up power systems, protecting critical equipment and ensuring continuous operations during a power emergency. They are susceptible to deterioration over time – but when detected early, professional UPS battery service providers can replace aging backup batteries before they fail, eliminating downtime, costly repairs, expensive replacements, data loss and lost productivity.
It is recommended that users monitor their battery backup power with a cycle and temperature monitoring system. This will provide the user with valuable UPS battery service data that demonstrates trends over time, making it easy to determine when UPS battery replacements are needed. A battery testing and maintenance plan can also yield additional information that may not be able to be monitored by UPS sensors. Testing results can reveal impedance and resistance readings, which will help the service professional to identify potential battery failure indicators.
In addition to testing and inspection, a comprehensive UPS battery maintenance program can also include visual cleaning of the batteries to remove any dust or dirt buildup which could result in poor performance. Leaking or bulging batteries should be replaced immediately as they can leak acid, which can corrode other systems and cause hazardous conditions in the data center. A trusted UPS battery service provider can handle all aspects of battery replacement, including submitting internal resistance measurements and other important data to the manufacturer as part of the warranty process.
Load Bank Testing
UPS battery service providers often offer load bank testing as a component of comprehensive data center commissioning and preventative maintenance services. This type of UPS battery test simulates actual load scenarios to assess the UPS’s ability to deliver power during a critical application failure. It’s also a good opportunity to identify any weak cells that might need replacement before they fail under critical load conditions.
Many uninterruptible power supplies have built-in functionality that tests their batteries regularly and alarms when a fault is detected, but this only provides a general indication of the condition of the overall battery set. External testing methods that evaluate the performance of individual battery cells are far more effective and should be part of a UPS battery maintenance plan.
A comprehensive battery test should be conducted a week after the data center is commissioned to ensure that the voltages across the UPS batteries have had an opportunity to equalize and become fully charged. Alternatively, discharge testing can be performed at two-thirds of the UPS batteries expected useful life to provide accurate capacity verification.
During this process, the batteries are simulated to be completely drained in order to assess their actual capacity. The drawback is that the batteries must be taken out of service during the testing process, which typically takes 24 hours but can last up to several days in extreme circumstances.
Replacement
UPS batteries provide data center equipment with the specific wattage it requires until backup generators can take over or power is restored. They are an integral part of the UPS system and must be inspected regularly to ensure they will perform when needed.
A simple visual inspection can help determine battery health and condition. If the UPS batteries are in poor condition, they may need to be replaced. It is important to replace UPS batteries before they reach their designated design life or service life, which is defined as the number of times a battery can be discharged and recharged under recommended conditions. Typically, this is at about 80% of their original capacity.
Environmental factors also impact the UPS battery’s performance and service life. It is a good practice to follow the manufacturer’s temperature guidelines for the storage and operation of the UPS batteries. Most conventional flooded or valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) UPS batteries are designed to operate at 77F. Any temperature higher or lower and the UPS battery’s life expectancy will be significantly shortened.
A proactive approach to UPS battery maintenance is the best way to maximize battery runtime and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime. A pro-active maintenance program includes visual inspection, load bank testing and a battery replacement plan. international shipping service It is also one of the most effective ways to ensure compliance with IEEE battery maintenance standards that are often required for UPS warranty eligibility.
Disposal
UPS batteries contain lithium and other chemicals that can be dangerous if not properly disposed of. If the battery is exposed to high levels of heat or electric discharge, it can burst into flames or release a chemically reactive substance into the environment. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended that you recycle your UPS batteries rather than throw them away.
Several companies offer UPS battery recycling services. For example, Staples offers free battery recycling through its Advantage program. This service accepts all rechargeable batteries that have lost their ability to hold a charge. These batteries are sorted and recycled into new gadgets and batteries, helping to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
The batteries used in UPS systems contain toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium and mercury that can cause damage to the environment and human health. These chemicals are often leached into soil and water supplies, contaminating them. By properly disposing of UPS batteries, businesses and households can protect the environment and prevent environmental damage while also saving on utility bills.
Whether you need to test your UPS batteries, replace them or maintain your battery backup system, Alpine Power Systems can help. Our team of experts provides UPS battery service that meets all manufacturers’ specifications, including handling all environmental regulatory aspects of disposal. With our single-source accountability, you can be confident that your data center infrastructure is in good hands.