What Determines Battery Service Life for a UPS?

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) rely on batteries to provide backup power during outages, ensuring critical systems remain operational. However, like all batteries, those in a UPS have a limited lifespan, and several key factors influence how long they remain effective. Understanding these factors can help extend battery life, reduce unexpected failures, and optimize UPS performance.

Battery Chemistry

Over time, that battery’s ability to store and deliver power deteriorates. This is largely due to its chemistry. This includes expansion and corrosion due to oxidation of the grid and plates, physical changes in the active material, and loss of the active material.

Temperature

Temperatures that are too high or too low reduce battery life. An ambient temperature of 25C/77F is recommended at all times.

Cycling

Using the batteries actually reduces their life expectancy. If there is a utility failure and the UPS kicks in the battery power, batteries will be discharged and then recharged. Each time this happens it reduces the battery’s capacity and, therefore, lifespan. Overcharging and undercharging have the same affect.

Lack of Maintenance

Regular maintenance is a necessity for maintaining battery state-of-health. Without maintenance, batteries may experience resistance at the terminals, improper loading, reduced protection, and premature failure.

Alpine Power Systems offers a complete line of UPS Systems from all of the leading manufacturers. With one of the most comprehensive product offerings available on the market today, we are an industry leader and globally recognized provider of technologically advanced power quality solutions for computer rooms, network closets, server rooms, and large data centers.