End-of-life battery sizing is essential for end-users aiming to achieve the required battery autonomy when the battery sets reach end-of-service life.

In many situations where UPS and generators are paired together, minimum runtime is designed for the UPS to cover the gap between power outage and genset start-up. Most often, we find this to be approx. 5 minutes, which is sufficient time for generator start-up following an automatic signal received from switchgear or the UPS itself in the event of mains failure/on-battery mode.

Issues may arise when UPS batteries begin to age and performance drops. In the latter years of their design life, battery performance reduces significantly. 10-year design life VRLA batteries in years 7+, even in ideal scenarios, battery autonomy can drop by half or even more. This is discounting temperature fluctuations, general usage, etc.

This leads to some interesting points. Firstly, 10-year design life VRLA batteries are recommended to be replaced in approximately years 7/8. This proactive replacement plan will aid in maximising uptime and ensure battery performance is there when you need it.

Secondly, it highlights the importance of regular servicing. Annual or bi-annual preventative maintenance visits can look at battery performance through resistance testing, helping to highlight any potential battery failures prior to a total system failure.

Finally, sizing minimum runtimes for end-of-life may ensure battery capabilities are exceeded prior to replacement date.

For information on battery sizing designed to achieve the runtime you need, maintenance support contracts to ensure system functionality and budget planning based on industry knowledge and experience so you’re not caught short, TheUPSTeam are ready to help.

sales@theupsteam.co.uk
0114 349 0685