UPS Battery Life: 5 Factors to Consider

Investing in a UPS is a smart way to protect your home or workspace from electrical inconsistencies. A UPS device will provide you with an external power source in the event of a power outage, allowing you to save documents and safely shut down your appliance, effectively sparing your appliances from damage. 

UPS devices can safeguard a number of electronic appliances, from computers to lighting, and protecting these from power surges means making sure your UPS battery is in good working condition. There are several factors that can influence your UPS’ battery life and determine its overall efficiency.

Like most electricals, UPS batteries prefer to be kept in temperature-regulated conditions as this allows them to provide the most stable, consistent protection. The ideal temperature for a UPS battery is 25°C, and any variation from this temperature can alter the battery’s performance as well as its lifespan. It’s important to note that for every 8°C rise in temperature, your battery’s lifespan is reduced by half. As such, you’ll want to keep your device in a well-ventilated area, with at least 2 inches of space on either side to guarantee airflow.

When considering the lifespan of your UPS device, you’ll also want to take into account battery chemistry. Positive grid corrosion is one of the most common factors in the reduction of battery life and is the measured breakdown of the inner components of the battery’s positive grid. 

Another important factor to note is a battery’s lead-acid chemistry. A battery’s lead-acid chemistry can only sustain a certain amount of discharge/recharge cycles before it becomes depleted. Once this happens it will need to be replaced.

Performing regular maintenance means being consistently aware of your battery’s charge status. A discharged battery needs to be recharged within 48 hours to reduce the chances of potential damage. 

Being conscious of fluctuations within your battery’s capacity will allow you to understand how soon your UPS will need to be replaced, and avoid being unprotected against a power outage. Voltage checks and load testing can both help monitor and evaluate any progressive decreases in battery life. 

The best way to prevent premature failure is to conduct regular maintenance on your UPS battery, in order to avoid heat-generating resistance and reduced protection.

Proper storage of the UPS battery helps to ensure its best performance and runtime, and this extends to the battery’s storage prior to installation. Adequate ventilation and climate-controlled conditions are paramount to ensuring the battery’s reliability. Inability to adhere to these may lead to a decreased lifespan for the battery, as well as a shorter runtime.

The best way to ensure consistent and reliable protection from your UPS device is to allow for frequent maintenance and testing of its battery. This, along with following storage guidelines, will make sure your battery lasts as long as possible, and provide you with the coverage you need.