Your average UPS battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 years, provided it exists in recommended conditions. But what are those ‘recommended conditions’ and how much can they affect the lifespan of your battery?
Perhaps even more important than that – how can you make sure you maximize the lifespan of your UPS battery, overall? Luckily for you – that’s the question we’re looking to help answer today. Here are some of the things that you can do to make sure your UPS system lasts as long as possible. Let’s jump right in!
Unit placement
UPS systems should never be placed near windows or anyplace where there might be significant amounts of moisture. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you avoid corrosive fumes and dust. You want to make sure you place your UPS system in a place where the ventilation openings on the front, side and rear of the unit aren’t blocked. Instead, they have the space to provide the proper air circulation and avoid any potential overheating.
Temperature
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that your UPS System battery lives a long life is to be exceedingly cautious about the temperature. Simply put, the general rule of thumb is this: For every 18 degrees above the ambient temperature (77 degrees), the life of the UPS and its battery is reduced by 50%. So if you can – try to maintain temperature right around 75 degrees.
Cycling
When the power goes out, your UPS will automatically switch power sources to the battery to make sure the system is still running. Once the power comes back on, the UPS battery will begin to recharge. This is called the ‘discharge cycle.’ The more this cycle happens – the more wear and tear your battery will accumulate.
That being said, cycling is a normal and mostly unavoidable part of running a UPS system. Being aware of its frequency will help you notice if there’s anything off or abnormal about your cycling. Some models are adjustable as well – allowing you to regulate the sensitivity to things like voltage sags and other events that call what we call ‘nuisance trips’ – or events that chew up battery life without you noticing.
And last but certainly not least – you’ll want to make sure you’re providing proper oversight over your UPS System. Make sure that your care plan is simple, repeatable, consistent and most importantly – proactive in nature.
If you have questions about how you can get more out of your UPS system’s battery, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation. Good luck!