Battery Safety and Reliability Are Important Concerns for UPS Battery Manufacturers and End Users

UPS batteries are one of the key components of an uninterruptible power supply. They enable uninterrupted operation, avoid delays and distortions, and protect power system equipment.

There are many types of UPS batteries, including Lead-Acid, Lithium-Ion, and Nickel-Cadmium. All have different life spans.

Cost-effectiveness

In recent years, battery-based UPS systems have become a viable alternative for protecting production facilities. However, capital investment costs are often too high to justify the installation of these systems in many industrial environments. This is due to several factors, including the continued cost of replacement batteries and electrical losses caused by UPS equipment running on batteries.

When it comes to the total cost of ownership, lithium-ion (LI)-based UPS systems offer significant benefits over traditional valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries. They have a longer lifespan, higher temperature resistance, reduced maintenance expenses (with fewer or no battery replacements), and lower installation expenses.

Moreover, LI-based UPS solutions typically use smaller batteries and require less space than their VRLA counterparts. This saves on real estate and reduces peak shaving expenses, which can have a major impact on the overall economy of the data centre.

Another advantage of LI-based batteries is their low charging time. These batteries can be recharged from 0% to 90% of their full runtime capacity in as little as 2 hours. This is an important factor because during a power outage, you don’t want to wait for your batteries to charge up to full capacity before you can start using the UPS to protect your equipment and your business operations.

Furthermore, these batteries are more environmentally friendly than their VRLA counterparts, as they do not produce harmful carbon dioxide. This is important because it is known that carbon dioxide can lead to respiratory problems and even cancer.

There are a number of standards and guidelines that govern the construction and use of lithium-ion batteries for UPS systems. These include UL1973 and UL1642, which ensure safety for the batteries themselves and their enclosures.

The underlying chemical composition of the battery is also a critical factor in its long-term performance and cost. Batteries that contain lithium, nickel, and manganese are generally less expensive than those made from sulfur, oxygen, and copper.

Choosing the right ups battery manufacturer is key to ensuring you get the most out of your equipment investment. You’ll need to work with a company that is knowledgeable about the specific needs of your industry and your application, as well as the batteries that best meet those requirements. This will help you ensure that your new UPS system provides the necessary support for your production and that it is cost-effective.

Longevity

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are essential to keep critical systems running during a power outage. However, they require a regular battery replacement to ensure longevity and performance.

Depending on the size and capacity of the UPS, batteries can last anywhere from three to five years. This lifespan can be extended if the UPS is properly maintained and used in an environment that promotes optimal storage and use of the batteries.

Some factors that can impact the lifespan of an UPS battery include temperature and the frequency of discharge cycles. For example, if the battery is regularly discharged for long periods of time, it can significantly reduce its overall lifespan.

Temperature – Batteries have a limited lifespan if their ambient temperature exceeds 25degC or 77degF. This is because the chemical makeup of the batteries degrades with time.

Most manufacturers recommend keeping the ambient temperature within this range. This is especially important for industrial facilities that are prone to high temperatures.

Other factors that can impact the lifespan ups battery manufacturer of UPS batteries include how often they are used and how much they are topped off. Generally, UPS batteries should be topped off at least twice per day and discharged only when needed.

A battery will also be damaged if it is repeatedly exposed to extreme heat, dust and humidity. These conditions can degrade the battery’s efficiency and shorten its lifespan, so it is essential to keep your UPS as clean and dry as possible to increase its life span.

When the time comes to replace the batteries, it is recommended to purchase VRLA or lithium-ion batteries, which are more durable than lead-acid (LA) batteries and are less likely to be damaged by overcharges or discharges. They also have a longer lifespan than NiCd batteries and are more cost-effective.

In general, it is best to replace the batteries in a UPS every three to five years. This will help to keep the system in good working order, and it will ensure that your equipment is always protected when the power goes out. If the batteries are not replaced, they may fail during a power outage, which can cause a lot of damage to your critical systems.

Reliability

When your business relies on a UPS system to safeguard against unexpected power outages, you want to be confident that the batteries you deploy are reliable. In fact, according to a 2021 Ponemon Institute report, UPS battery failure is one of the leading causes of data center downtime and has become a major concern for many organizations.

To ensure the reliability of your emergency power system, a comprehensive preventive maintenance program should be in place. This will allow you to identify issues before they lead to costly downtime.

Annual testing can provide a good indication of the health of your UPS batteries. Checks for float voltage, current charge and temperature will give you an idea of how your batteries are performing and can help identify any areas of concern.

In addition, periodic battery string maintenance is also vital to UPS reliability and will extend battery life by preventing loose connections and corrosion. It will also identify and remove bad batteries before they can degrade the rest of the string.

A deteriorating battery can cause the entire backup system to fail during a power outage, so it’s critical that your battery string is properly maintained to ensure optimal performance. Regular battery monitoring can also help you detect any issues before they cause downtime and reduce the cost of a replacement.

The lifespan of a battery can be affected by several factors, including environmental conditions, use and storage. For example, if you live or work in an environment that is prone to high temperatures, ups battery manufacturer then your UPS battery might need to be kept at a stable temperature of 77degF or 25degC to maximize its lifespan.

Likewise, battery monitoring systems can track temperature and other parameters real-time to alert you of any problems before they lead to downtime. This information will help you determine when your batteries are due for a replacement or when it might be best to upgrade your entire UPS.

Most batteries will eventually reach the end of their useful life and require a replacement, but they can last much longer than that if proper maintenance is performed on them. In some cases, a battery might last five years or more, depending on the type and how it’s used.

Safety

Battery safety is an important concern for UPS manufacturers and end users alike. They’re responsible for ensuring their batteries meet safety requirements, such as storing them in a properly ventilated area, preventing unauthorized access and installing battery monitoring systems to monitor the health of their batteries.

Whether it’s lead acid, lithium-ion or another type of battery, each has specific chemistry and battery enclosure requirements that ensure safety. A battery manufacturer will also provide the necessary information and procedures for battery maintenance, testing and replacement.

The battery chemistry used in UPSs can significantly impact their ability to protect critical systems. While traditional lead-acid batteries are still common in data centres, newer technologies such as lithium-ion and Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) can help to reduce energy costs and improve battery reliability.

In addition to promoting battery safety, these batteries are designed with an intelligent battery management system (BMS) to regulate the flow of electricity through the battery pack and help prevent over-charging or thermal runaway. The BMS also identifies when the battery needs to be replaced, which will save time and money in the long run.

A UPS battery is a critical part of your business’s emergency power system, so it must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they continue to operate safely. It’s best to make UPS battery inspection and maintenance part of your facility’s routine maintenance schedule, and to ensure that the batteries are handled carefully when being shipped or transported.

Batteries should always be stored indoors in a properly ventilated room or cabinet. This ensures that all of the battery’s components can be kept dry, and helps to prevent them from corroding or burning.

Whenever possible, battery rooms and cabinets should be constructed using standard engineering guidelines such as IEEE 1635/ASHRAE 21[1]. They should also be properly insulated to ensure that the batteries are not subjected to sunlight.

While battery chemistry may play an important role in the safety of UPSs, the overall environment that surrounds them plays an even bigger one. A UPS’s batteries should be operated at an ambient temperature of 77degF.