Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs) are the silent heroes of the tech world. They keep your power clean and balance surges and spikes, reducing damage to IT equipment. They also keep power on during a power outage, or disruption so there is enough time to save work and shut down gracefully.
With such an important role to any successful business, it is imperative to maintain your UPS to ensure that it is capable, strong, and, works when needed. In this blog, we’ll look at what affects the lifespan of a UPS, and recommendations for maintaining and prolonging the lifetime of your UPS.
Maintain
The life expectancy of a UPS depends on a few factors, such as the location of the UPS, battery chemistry, and storage. For example, UPSs should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Heat is a battery’s enemy, so keeping it away from radiators and vents is also helpful. It’s also important to test and run your UPS so it doesn’t run out of battery, and so you are always prepared for an event of downtime.
Life expectancy also depends on how old your UPS is. For different stages in their lifetimes, there are different solutions you can implement to get the most out of your UPS. If your UPS is less than 3 years old, an extended warranty is a good way to protect your investment. Details may vary but generally most warranties offer 24/7 support and a free replacement if the battery happens to die prematurely.
A UPS that is between 3 and 7 years old should have its battery checked, and possibly replaced. APC provide hot-swap instructions so that the UPS doesn’t need to be shut down. After 7 years it is time to replace the entire UPS.
Manage
Managing a UPS device can be done in many ways, such as:
- APC The PowerChute Software, which ensures safe system shutdown.
- Network Management Card which allows you to remote monitor and manage your UPS through a web interface.
- Cloud-based management with the Smart-UPS with SmartConnect allows you to receive alerts through an online portal.
- EcoStruxure IT which is APC’s Cloud-based data centre management solution for remote monitoring and management.
These solutions cater to your unique business needs, ensuring you can keep an eye on your UPS power status 24/7.
Replace
When a UPS needs replacing, it is important to do so and not hang onto your old one. You don’t want to be left unprepared during unexpected downtime because your UPS is no longer able to cover you. A UPS’s lifespan can be maximised to 10 years providing that it is properly maintained, but with various considerations in the mix, you should start to consider a new UPS when yours seems to decline in efficiency.
Benefits Of Maintaining Your UPS
- Reduced Downtime – A maintained UPS means that it is always in good working condition and can keep your power on in times of unexpected downtime.
- Improved Performance – Ensure efficient performance of your UPS regularly.
- Increased IT Productivity – Focus on core competencies, not lifecycle management.
- Greater Efficiency – Increase energy efficiency for greener data centres.
- Investment protection – Prolong the life of your investment.
Extra Top Tips for Maintenance
- Perform a charging cycle every 3-6 months to prevent battery degradation.
- Complete visual inspections for signs of battery damage like bulging, leaking, or corrosion.
- Check your machine is clean and dust-free to avoid issues with airflow and performance.
- Ensure your UPS isn’t crowded to allow proper airflow and heat dissipation.
- Adhere to your UPS’s capacity to not exceed power limits and strain battery life.
- Call for backup if you notice unusual sounds, error messages, or inconsistent performance.
For more UPS related information, why not check out some of our blogs below:
How to properly dispose of your APC products
Check your UPS battery now, before it is too late
Interested in extended warranties, replacing your UPS battery, or replacing your UPS overall? Shop now at Comms Express.
