How to extend the battery life of a UPS

The maintenance of the power of a UPS battery over time is a feature of primary importance for defining the quality of UPS. The UPS batteries are in fact used for various purposes but their main objective is to guarantee the continuity of electrical power supply to the equipment to which they are connected, keeping any type of equipment and machinery in operation without interruptions.

As you might expect, UPS batteries are generally used for those vital applications that need to work without interruption of any kind. They are often used in combinations with central servers, mainframes and data centres to ensure that no valuable information is lost in the event of a power outage. They are also used for any type of equipment where a power outage could be disastrous, including some medical equipment dedicated to surgical operations or maintaining the state of patients.

What is the life of a UPS battery?

There are several factors that can contribute to the life of a UPS battery. On average, the useful life cycle of a UPS battery is between 3 and 5 years, although in some cases this period of time can be much longer. It all depends on the quality, condition and degree of maintenance we are able to give.

For example, it is important to consider the fact that most UPS batteries are designed with a 5-year standby. This means that if you keep your battery in ideal condition through careful and precise maintenance, after 5 years you will still be able to enjoy 50% of its original capacity. In this way it is possible to extend the life of the battery by at least a couple of years.

So what are the main factors that can affect the overall life of the UPS battery? The main ones are 3:

• The operating temperature, generally between 20° C and 25° C
• Charge-discharge frequency
• Excessive or insufficient charges

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How to maintain and extend the life of a UPS battery

So, what can you do to take proper care of your UPS battery and increase battery life for as long as possible? There are some best practices to implement if you want to get the most out of your battery and regular UPS battery maintenance is certainly the best way to increase its life and make the most of it.

A first point to examine falls on the choice of the precise place where the unit will be installed, humid, hot or exposed to atmospheric agents environments should be avoided. Next you need to consider the operating temperature; therefore it is better to opt for a controlled temperature environment, away from doors, windows or draughts, due to the possible presence of dust or fumes.

The most important maintenance features to keep in mind when caring for your battery include monitoring the temperature and frequency of charge cycles. Storage is also an interesting factor to improve the life of a UPS battery, because an unused battery will see a decrease in its operational life. Basically, if the battery is not recharged every 3 months, even if it hasn't been used, it will start to lose capacity. If you still don't charge it frequently enough, it will render itself unusable in 18 to 24 months.

How do I know if my UPS battery needs to be replaced?

There are several key signs that may indicate the end of life of the UPS battery; the most obvious is the low battery alarm. Normally UPS batteries are equipped with this alarm and when they run a self-test, if the battery is low, they emit a sound or activate an LED light. These signals indicate that the battery needs to be replaced.

Any blinking lights on the panel or any signs that indicate an anomaly are also indicators that your battery probably has something wrong. Even the charge curve which takes a long time to complete its cycle is a signal that indicates the imminent end of the battery.

In some cases, LCD displays are also available that show the battery status and make it easier to view information such as charging curves and usage status.

It is also advisable to plan a preventive replacement after 3-5 years, even if there are no obvious signs of anomalies.

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Should a UPS always be plugged in?

You can choose to take care of your UPS battery as you see fit. But unplugging it can worsen battery life, so avoid unplugging the UPS at regular intervals, for example every night.

If you have additional questions about the life of a UPS battery or are looking for a replacement battery, contact us for more information and advice to ensure the safety of your equipment in the event of a power outage.

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