Maintaining a server room UPS battery

UPS batteries form a variety of vital functions when it comes to protecting your IT infrastructure. In the event of a serious outage, UPS batteries are more often than not – the first line of defense you’ll have against downtime and lost data. 

Simply put, you can’t afford for things to go wrong. 

However, when they do go wrong, it’s usually not the fault of the battery but rather the lack of maintenance and regular inspection that contributes to not addressing emerging problems and issues before they contribute to potential catastrophes. Here are some maintenance tips you can abide by to help you avoid the worst. Let’s jump right in!

Being mindful of the environment

While you wouldn’t think it – batteries are in many ways like any other thing in this world – a product of its environment. In this case, we’re talking about the temperature of a server room. While each battery is different, the difference of even a few degrees can mean the difference between extending or shrinking a battery’s life span significantly. Always be monitoring the temperature and layout of your server room to make sure that your battery is in the kind of environment where you’ll be able to get the most out of your investment and increase its longevity as much as possible.

Always focus on the basics

Sometimes the best answers are, in fact – the simple ones. We’ll start with following the user manual and manufacturer’s specs. Abide by the correct temperature. Make sure you read the instructions on charging and float voltage. Make sure batteries are, you know – charged!

Also – monitor your server room regularly. While many rooms can be temperature controlled, seasonal change – especially in places like our home of Tampa, FL – can tick temperatures up a little or down a lot and this can have a dramatic impact on the lifespan of the battery. Monitor your own station regularly. There are several temperature monitoring solutions on the market and investing in one could certainly save you a lot of time and worry. 

Ongoing maintenance

People often don’t invest in ongoing maintenance because they don’t think it’s worth it. “My UPS battery and equipment is new, I don’t have to worry.” Until of course, they do. The point of ongoing maintenance isn’t to fix things that are broken – it’s to head issues off at the pass before they ever get there. In this case it’s checking battery blocks, the cabinet outlay and the rack. Checking for leaks, temperature issues, and any potential issues your battery may cause to the rest of your system. And most importantly – any issues that might arise that could harm someone on your staff. 

Ongoing maintenance is less about maintenance and more about protecting you, your workers and your business from the worst. 

If you’re experiencing issues with your UPS system or are struggling to find the right balance – give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help you out. Until then, good luck!