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All UPS systems and generators have a limited service life, regardless of where the UPS system or generator is located or deployed. While determining battery life is not always easy, there are various factors that you should consider to prevent issues such as intermittent spikes, brownouts or voltage fluctuations that can damage your critical power supply equipment and severely reduce the lifespan of your batteries.
Several steps you should take to maximise the lifespan of your backup power batteries.
Ambient Temperature: The rated capacity of a lead acid battery is 77°F, and any variation from this operating temperature can alter the battery’s performance and shorten its lifespan. In fact, to determine lifespan in relation to temperature, for every 15°F average temperature above 77°F, battery life is reduced by as much as 50%. Ambient temperatures below 77°F can reduce battery backup time too.
Battery Cycling: During a utility power failure, a UPS power supply system operates on battery power. Once utility power is restored, or a switch to generator power is complete, the battery is recharged for further use – known as a discharge cycle. At installation, the battery is at 100% of rated capacity, but with each discharge and subsequent recharge, the capacity is reduced. Batteries can only be discharged and recharged a certain number of times before the battery is depleted. When this occurs, the battery cells will fail and the battery will need to be replaced.
Battery Storage: Batteries must be properly stored prior to being installed in order to improve service life and reliability. Battery storage facilities should be climate-controlled with proper ventilation to keep batteries cool and dry. Failure to do so may result in shortened runtimes and reduced capacity. Fortunately, all battery manufacturers have shelf life and storage parameters to follow.
Battery Maintenance: Battery service and battery maintenance are critical to UPS reliability and generator functionality. A gradual decrease in battery life can be monitored and evaluated through voltage checks, load testing and battery monitoring, among other means. Consistent preventive maintenance extends battery string life by stopping loose connections, removing corrosion and pinpointing bad batteries before they impact the rest of the battery string. Without regular battery maintenance, a UPS battery or generator battery can experience heat-generating resistance at the terminals, improper loading, reduced protection and failure much earlier than expected.
With proper battery maintenance, end of battery life can be accurately estimated and replacements scheduled without unexpected equipment failure or loss of backup power. To learn about our battery maintenance contracts and battery service contracts, please give us a call today on 0330 999 3000.