Why UPS Battery Maintenance Should Be a High Priority for Your Facility
Protect Your Mission Critical Infrastructure
Your UPS’s lifeline is also its weakest link—the battery. Battery failure, the number one cause of UPS load loss and system downtime, can lead to significant disruptions in your facility’s operations. The good news is this scenario is often preventable with regular UPS battery maintenance and monitoring.
You can minimize battery failures by maintaining proper environmental conditions, following the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines, and replacing batteries proactively based on age and performance.
Battery Life Expectancy & Factors
| Average discharge depth | Number of cycles before reaching 60% capacity |
|---|---|
| 100% | 200 – 300 Cycles |
| 50% | 600– 700 Cycles |
| 30% | 1100 – 1200 Cycles |
While UPS batteries have a life expectancy, numerous factors contribute to battery life. UPS batteries are a bit like Goldilocks – they require temperatures that are not too hot and not too cold. Temperatures outside this “Goldilocks” zone drastically decrease your UPS batteries’ functionality, reliability, and lifespan. Even though we often use age in years as a guideline, UPS battery life is measured in cycles. As the batteries are used, each cycle reduces the total capacity. The IEEE specifies the “end of useful life” for a UPS battery is the point at which it can no longer supply 80% of its rated capacity. Once a battery has reached this point, the aging process can quickly accelerate and you should replace the battery as soon as possible.
Other factors include wear and tear. Your UPS batteries don’t just lie in wait to be used in the case of a power outage — they are constantly utilized to support the operation of your UPS, which is precisely what they are supposed to do, but this leads to a decline in their lifespan as is the case with any battery.
Invest in UPS Battery Maintenance
Battery maintenance of your UPS system not only offers you peace of mind in the event of a power outage but is also an investment in the success and operationality of your business. Preventative maintenance helps extend battery life and allows for proactive swapping when the time comes. Don’t be deceived by batteries labeled “Maintenance-free,” as this means they do not need replacement fluid; all UPS batteries still require regular maintenance. Regular maintenance checks can prolong battery life, ensure reliability, and, most importantly, help you avoid costly and damaging downtime.
Why do UPS Batteries Fail?
Numerous factors contribute to the life and functionality of your UPS’s batteries — poor temperature maintenance or leakage can compromise the success of your entire UPS system.
- Age: Batteries have a limited lifespan, and their capacity degrades over time. Most UPS batteries last 3 to 5 years, depending on usage, environment, and maintenance.
- High temperature: Excessive ambient temperatures can accelerate battery aging and reduce lifespan. For every eight °C (15°F) above the recommended temperature of 25°C (77°F), the battery life can be reduced by 50%.
- Overcharging or undercharging: Improper charging voltages can damage batteries. Overcharging increases corrosion and gas generation, while undercharging results in sulfation, a process where lead sulfate crystals form on the battery plates, leading to reduced capacity and performance loss.
- Deep discharge: Repeatedly discharging batteries below their minimum voltage can cause irreversible damage and reduced capacity.
- Lack of maintenance: Neglecting regular battery maintenance, such as cleaning, tightening connections, and performing periodic testing, can lead to premature failure.
- Poor storage conditions: Storing batteries in humid, dusty, or corrosive environments can cause damage and reduce lifespan.
- Incorrect sizing: Using undersized batteries or subjecting them to frequent power outages beyond their designed capacity can lead to overworking and faster deterioration.
For additional insights, explore our article on UPS Battery Lifecycles
Get Started with Regular Maintenance Checks
In a commercial power outage, your UPS system relies upon its battery to keep your business powered up — QPS is here to make sure your batteries are working at peak performance. Talk to our service team to schedule your maintenance checks today.
Published on Oct 22 2024
Last Updated on Nov 14 2024