The things that will shorten the length of your UPS battery’s life

One of the most common questions we get is with regards to the lifespan of a UPS battery. The answer is FAIRLY straight-forward, but there are a lot of factors that can influence things – and those factors are what we’re going to discuss today. 

The truth is – MOST UPS batteries last anywhere from 3 to 5 years on average, but these factors we’re about to discuss can impact that outcome greatly. So regardless of what kind of battery you choose to purchase, these are a few things you’ll need to do to insure you get the most bang for your buck. Let’s jump right in. 

Ambient temperature

If you’re new to the blog, welcome; but if you’re not – you’re probably sick of us talking about this – but it is what it is. Batteries are meant to operate at a temperature of around 77 degrees. Go too far above that and it’ll shorten the lifespan due to overheating. Go too far below that, you’ll shorten their lifespan. Staying at a consistent, ambient temperature isn’t up for discussion – it just needs to be maintained. 

Discharges

If UPS power isn’t lasting as long as it once did that’s because there’s only so many discharges the battery will have. The more discharges, the deeper the discharges and the shorter the life of your battery will be. 

Age

Yes, age is a factor here as well. Over time, the chemicals that convert themselves into electricity begins to deplete. As such, your battery won’t be able to throw out as much power and what power it does distribute, will be more limited in terms of the length in time in which it can do so. That basically means less power over a shorter period of time. So if your battery is old, it’s probably time to get it replaced. 

Load size

If your battery’s power isn’t aligned with what it’s supposed to be powering, it can be rough on the battery and cause it to burn out much earlier than it normally would. Make sure you calculate the load size that you’ll need to power and purchase the appropriate battery for it. 

At the end of the day, you know the old saying about prevention. If you own any kind of server room or own a UPS System, then it’s advisable that you put yourself on a maintenance plan just to check up on things. Many of these issues we mentioned here can be avoided if your batteries are looked after and well maintained. 

If you’re looking to purchase a UPS battery for your business, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation. Until then, good luck!