This simple guide provides a concise outline of UPS maintenance. Any item or product, regardless of whether it’s a UPS, requires you to heed the maintenance procedures to meet and even exceed its expected lifespan. The more vigilant the maintenance, the longer the item will last over time.
Further, you’ll realize that great maintenance justifies a worthy investment in the long run. A well-maintained UPS barely malfunctions or starts to bear defects shortly after purchase.
So buckle your belt for this long but educative adventure of maintaining your UPS system.
Understanding the Components of Your UPS System
It’s essential to understand the different parts of a UPS system to basically acknowledge what you’ll be caring for. The UPS is made of various components, but during maintenance, these are the major ones to consider for the UPS to be durable enough.
UPS Battery
Remember, a UPS primarily functions as a power backup system, and therefore, a battery is the most essential component in its structure for power storage. UPS systems can barely work without a battery except in a few modern scenarios, like a supercapacitor UPS, but they may still demand battery integration.
There are three distinct types of batteries commonly used in UPS panels with different features, designs and lifespans. UPS systems are compatible with lithium-ion, lead-acid, or nickel-cadmium batteries.
- Lithium-ion batteries: These are the most compact and low-maintenance UPS batteries. Their lifespan ranges between 2-10 years, varying with the Li-Ion battery type, size, battery’s chemical content, and charging/discharging cycles.
- Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) or Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) batteries: The VRLA batteries are the most common UPS battery type because they need no maintenance. They are properly sealed and have 3-5 years of service life.
- Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) batteries: This is the less advanced version of the VRLA batteries since they’re less efficient performance-wise. Plus, they have an open-top/ unsealed design though they’re loved for their robustness and durability compared to VRLA batteries. They can serve your UPS for up to 8 years if cared for properly.
- Nickel-Cadmium batteries: These are the most robust and reliable UPS batteries and actually have the longest working life of over 20 years.
UPS Inverter
An inverter makes up the circuit of a UPS system and simply connects with the battery. During power failure, it converts the DC power in the battery into AC power which now runs the connected electrical device. Hence, you can tell the battery power becomes ineffective if the inverter is absent or defective.
Common Inverter Issues and Their Prevention
Like any other UPS part, inverters are prone to damage with improper maintenance. Always look out for these inverter problems, and we’ve countered them with the right mitigation strategies to include in your UPS maintenance routine.
Overheating
A UPS inverter will likely overheat when the cooling fans break down due to obstructed airflow into the UPS system. Similarly, the fan blades may experience burnout because of the dirt buildup in the UPS air filter, which hampers airflow.
Preventive tips: Provide adequate ventilation to the UPS system, unclog the air filter, and clean the fans regularly.
Battery Problems
If the battery degrades, it’s likely not to provide sufficient power to the inverter. Therefore the inverter will go off from time to time since it’s overwhelmed in enabling current conversions.
Preventive tips: Replace the dying battery on time, monitor it periodically, and check it frequently to ensure it works efficiently.
Overloading
Overloading may also cause the inverter to misbehave. When the electrical load connected to the UPS exceeds the inverter’s capacity, it becomes overworked and fails to function normally. It may even shut down completely.
Preventive tips: Check or enquire from the manufacturer about the inverter’s load capacity and ensure the total electrical load lies within the inverter’s capacity.
Surge Protection Unit
This is another significant element of a UPS, protecting the connected electrical equipment from unexpected voltage spikes caused by power outages, lightning strikes, and short-circuiting.
However, the components of the surge protection unit are vulnerable to wear and tear. Occurrences such as UPS switching to battery power even when power is on and uninterrupted, persistent beeping alarms, and unusual noises are great indicators of a failing UPS. Regular checks and inspections enable early detection of these anomalies and combating them in good time for a reliable UPS system.
Control Unit
Like a computer, the UPS also has a control unit with software that manages and monitors all its operations. It’s basically the brain of a UPS, with sensors that monitor power inputs and outputs and automatically transition to battery power upon detecting a power blackout.
It’s crucial to carry out checks often on the control unit to prevent the likelihood of a UPS system failure.
Regular Maintenance Practices
For a UPS to be long-serving, you’ll need to implement the following maintenance practices. Make it one of your habits to care for your UPS like you would care for a fragile piece of property in your possession.
Routine Inspection and Testing
As a rule of thumb, always conduct routine inspections on your UPS components as the most effective preventive measure for damages and to confirm your UPS is working properly. By routine inspection, we expect you to do visual inspections and check for any visible damage like broken parts or burn patches.
Also, run a battery test, particularly a UPS battery self-test, to test for its voltage and performance. The battery test shows whether the battery is in good working condition. And always be keen to notice queer noises and excessive heat in case the UPS overheats.
Cleaning Procedures
The air we breathe contains dust and definitely when it enters a UPS, the air filters trap the dust and debris. Eventually the filters clog and block the air from cooling the UPS if not unclogged promptly. So, these filters should be cleaned regularly to ensure the UPS is optimally ventilated.
Clean the air filters in this manner:
- Disconnect and remove the air filter from the UPS
- Spray a can of compressed air to blow off the dust and debris.
- If stubborn debris lingers, wash the filter in warm soapy water, rinse, and dry it.
Similarly, the fans should be cleaned at the time you’re cleaning the air filters as the dirt and debris accumulate on them. Simply use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe the dust off blade by blade.
Note: Always switch off and unplug the UPS system before cleaning the air filter and the UPS fan.
Firmware and Software Updates
UPS systems have updateable firmware and software that should be updated for the UPS to function well. Keeping the software up to date helps boost performance and also triggers the use of new features, like on your Android smartphone.
The firmware and software update is done successfully with these steps, and the secret is to follow the on-screen instructions as well:
Step 1: Find the software update option on the UPS LCD screen under the About command on the main menu.
Step 2: Click on the option and further confirm the initiation of the software update.
Step 3: The software update starts to run; give it time to complete the processing. The UPS should stay on throughout this process.
Step 4: If necessary, restart the UPS and finally confirm that the software version is updated to the current one.
Best Practices for Battery Care
Caring for the UPS battery is part and parcel of your overall UPS maintenance routine. These considerations are crucial to extending the lifespan of a UPS battery.
Environmental conditions
Environmental conditions impact the battery’s life. To ensure a long-lasting UPS battery, these environmental conditions are the most ideal to adhere to:
- Ambient temperature between 68 -77° Fahrenheit. Typically the battery operates efficiently at around room temperature.
- An average humidity level of 50 percent or lower to reduce risks of corrosion.
Charging and Discharging Cycles
The battery should undergo proper charging and discharging techniques. Always ensure the UPS is mostly connected to power to keep the battery fully charged most of the time.
However, sometimes you may leave the UPS battery to discharge but recharge as soon as it discharges completely to attain battery calibration.
Battery Replacement
When using your UPS, a time comes when the battery wears out. You can only find out through detectable leakages or when the battery swells. Or the UPS alerts you severally it’s low on battery, then it indicates a battery replacement is necessary.
After getting a new battery, turn off the UPS, unplug it, and open the battery chamber. Proceed to remove the old battery, place the new battery in the chamber, and close it. As simple as that, you’d have completed the battery replacement.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common UPS issues:
Identify and Address Alarms and Warnings
Check the alarm section of the UPS user manual and let it guide you on the cause of the alarm and the recommended ways to resolve it. The manual provides alarm codes that help identify the alarm to address.
Resolving Power Supply Problems
For power supply challenges, check that the UPS is securely plugged into the wall socket or extension cord, prevent overloads by disconnecting idle devices, and confirm that the cables are intact and undamaged. In the event these actions do not work, check the battery status through the battery self-test.
Addressing Communication Failures
Check the communication cable connections if they’re disconnected, and if necessary, reset the UPS system through a software update. You can as well consult the user manual to guide you on solving the communication issues.
Professional Servicing and Support
Truth be told, you may troubleshoot and apply solutions, but your efforts are futile. This warrants the intervention of a professional technician with expertise in UPS systems. In such cases, the UPS issues are complex and beyond DIY repairs.
Indulge only qualified technicians with reputable services. You may solicit reviews form their previous clients to find out their quality of work. Or choose to work with a technician recommended by a close friend or relative, whereby you can easily find proof of their professional acumen.
In a Nutshell
Proper care and maintenance allow a UPS system to reach its intended service life. Provide TLCs like regular inspections, battery tests, software updates, prompt battery replacements, and periodic cleaning of the fans and filters. Only through such maintenance activities can your UPS meet its expected long-term benefits.
We urge you to follow our UPS upkeep hacks and smile big because your UPS is serving you to your satisfaction. And do not forget to seek professional help when your UPS is seriously faulty. Keep engaging with us for a more fulfilling experience with UPS systems.
