How do we maintain and extend UPS battery life?

The constant maintaining power of a UPS battery is important because of the official name of the battery itself; Uninterruptable power supply.

UPS batteries are used for several different things, but their main design is to make sure equipment is covered during a power failure, before any type of backup power can kick in. It ensures that there is no lapse in power, and that certain types of machinery and equipment can stay up and running without any gaps.

As you might expect, UPS batteries are typically used for things that can’t afford to lose power for even a second. They are often used on computers or in data centers to ensure that no valuable information is lost if there is a power outage of any kind. They are also used for any type of equipment where a disruption in power could be disastrous, including certain medical machines.

 

What is the Lifespan of a UPS Battery?

There are a few different factors that can contribute to the lifespan of a UPS battery. On average, a battery will last anywhere from 3-5 years. But, some batteries can last much longer, while others might die on you in a very short amount of time. It all depends on the conditions and how you maintain your battery.

For example, it’s important to consider the fact that most UPS batteries are designed with a 5-year standby. That means that if you keep your battery in ideal conditions and take care of it properly, after 5 years it will still have about 50% of its original capacity. That’s great, and it typically means you can get a couple of extra years out of the battery. But, after that 5-year period, the capacity will start to drop off much faster.

Other factors that can impact the overall lifespan of your UPS battery include:

• The operating temperature; most should operate between 20-25 degrees Celsius
• Discharge frequency
• Over or under-charging

 

The Way to Maintain and Prolong a UPS Battery Life

So, what can you do to properly care for your UPS battery and increase the battery life by as long as possible? There are a few best practices to set in motion if you want to get the most out of your battery. Thankfully, they’re fairly easy to follow.

First, determine the best place to install the unit. As stated above, the operating temperature can have a big impact on the lifespan of the battery. So, when you’re first installing the unit itself, it should be in a temperature-controlled environment. Don’t place it near doors, windows, or anywhere that could be susceptible to a draft or moisture. Even an area that could accumulate a lot of dust or corrosive fumes can be problematic.

Regular maintenance of your UPS battery is, perhaps, the best way to increase its lifespan and get the most use out of it. Most people recognize that UPS batteries are designed to be durable and low-maintenance. But, that doesn’t mean you should ignore taking proper care of them.

The most important maintenance features to keep in mind when caring for your battery include keeping track of the temperature and cycling frequency. Regular inspections and paying attention to storage are also important. Storage is an interesting factor in the lifespan of a UPS battery, because an unused battery will actually have a life cycle decrease. In essence, if the battery isn’t being charged every 3 months, even if it hasn’t been used, it will start to lose capacity. If you keep up the practice of not charging it frequently enough, it will render itself useless in anywhere from 18~24 months.

 

How Do I Know if My UPS Battery Needs to Be Replaced?

There are several key signs to look for to determine whether your UPS battery has reached the end of its life. The most obvious is the low battery alarm. All UPS batteries have this alarm, and when they run a self-test, if the battery is low, it will either make a sound or you’ll notice a light going off. Either/both are indicators that the battery needs to be replaced.

If you’re paying close attention to your battery and trying to perform regular maintenance on it, there are a few signs and symptoms to look for ahead of time, before an alarm goes off. Flashing panel lights or any signs that indicate strange control electronics are indicators that your battery has likely met its demise.

Additionally, if you’ve noticed that your battery takes an unreasonably long time to charge, you should consider that a sign that it probably already isn’t running as effectively as it should, and it’s only a matter of time before it gives out on you completely.

Finally, pay attention to how long you’ve had the battery. Even if you don’t see any of these obvious signs, that doesn’t mean it’s working the way it should. If you’ve had a UPS battery for over three years, and certainly over 5, it might be time to look into a replacement. Some of the best replacement options from FSP include theUPS Champ、Custos ant the Mplus series that were all specifically designed with LCD displays that show the battery status.

 

Should a UPS Always Be Plugged In?

You can choose to care for your UPS battery however you see fit. But, unplugging it can result in a shorter lifespan. If you unplug your UPS each night, for example, it will self-discharge. When it is plugged in again, the battery will have to charge itself back up to “make up” for that discharge. It uses more power and can increase the wear and tear on your battery, causing it to work harder, so it won’t last as long.

If you have any additional questions about the lifespan of a UPS battery or if you’re looking for a replacement, feel free to browse our website or contact us for more information. You don’t have to be familiar with UPS batteries to learn more about them and how you can help them last longer, so you can protect your investment and ensure the safety of your equipment in case of a power outage.