UPS battery issues
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Recently, the UPS system here has been showing a red error alarm. According to the error code, it indicates that the battery capacity is insufficient. After talking to the manufacturer, they said that the battery might be damaged and needs to be replaced. I think the UPS here has only been in use for a little over two years; how could the battery be damaged? UPS batteries should last at least 7-8 years. Charging and discharging are carried out during the annual major maintenance. I would like to ask how such batteries are maintained. Please let me know.
It can’t be maintained; only some basic operations can be carried out. When it breaks, it has to be replaced. It’s the same here as well
UPS batteries generally last 3-4 years; it’s normal for them to develop problems after two years if their quality is poor
This phenomenon is actually quite normal; I wonder which brand of UPS the original poster is using? This issue has also occurred with the SANTAK UPS units we use; the manufacturer can come and handle it directly, but the failure rate seems to be high. We’ve had them for less than two years, and three units have already developed problems
UPS uses APC ones; have you used them before?
The battery of a UPS is its weak point; only by maintaining the room temperature at 25 degrees can the battery’s service life be as specified in the manual. Moreover, charging and discharging the battery every year does not necessarily ensure its lifespan; the specific frequency of charging and discharging depends on the instructions, with some requiring it to be done every 3 months. Only by ensuring these can the service life of the UPS be guaranteed. But it is difficult for ordinary chemical plants to achieve this. We generally install a bypass switch (not the one on the UPS). In this way, as long as the plant power is available, the UPS can be taken out for maintenance without shutting down operations. And if nothing goes wrong, it can also ensure that the battery is charged and discharged as required by the instructions. Furthermore, battery online monitoring equipment can be purchased to check each battery, allowing for immediate replacement if any issues are detected. All of the above are experiences I have gained through years of practice; I hope they will be helpful to you.
For a UPS to carry out normal charging and discharging cycles, it is difficult to use it for 7-8 years. The quality of the battery and the way it is used determine its lifespan directly; under normal circumstances, a battery reaches the end of its useful life after about 2 years. It might be possible to continue using it for another 3 or 5 years, but there is no guarantee that it will still perform as well as before! It has a lot to do with your environment
Online discharge is theoretically fine, but risks still exist; using temporary shutdowns makes discharge more reliable； The battery should be equipped with a main power switch for shutting it off; if there is enough space, it’s possible to replace the battery while it’s still connected (of course, safety must be considered – tools need to be insulated, and wiring must be handled carefully. Some workers in various facilities and battery manufacturers have been knocked down by the current resulting from short circuits that occur during battery replacement) ； Batteries with decent quality can last 4-5 years without being used, even if not discharged