How To Prevent UPS Downtime: Proactive Maintenance And Service Strategies

by Isaac Prakash September 14, 2023

Your UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, is there to keep you up and running even in the event of a full blackout. It gives you the critical time that you need to protect your data and your computer, but when it fails, or fails to perform at its best, there can be serious consequences.

Here we will take a look at UPS downtime, its impact, and ways that you can work to prevent it for your UPS…

The impact of UPS downtime and why it's crucial to prevent it

While uptime is the amount of time that a computer or service is available, downtime is quite the opposite. It is how long your system is not working, or how long it is not able to be used. Depending on the kind of industry you are in, for example in medicine or similar, downtime can actually be life-threatening. In all other situations, it can be incredibly costly both in time and money.

Recent studies have shown that downtime can cost a company anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars each year. You can lose productivity, damage data and equipment, and lose out on opportunities all while your system is down – and that’s not even the worst part.

The worst part is that a huge percentage of downtime is avoidable, as long as you have a functioning UPS that is regularly maintained and serviced. Choosing UPS Solutions to maintain your UPS can ensure that you reduce your downtime, saving you both time and money in the long run.

Proactive maintenance strategies for UPS systems

One of the key ways to reduce your UPS downtime is through preventative maintenance. It is not enough to fix a problem after the fact. If your UPS has already failed, it could be too late. The right service schedule could help you discover issues in time to fix them before any downtime occurs.

Remember to keep clear records, check the manufacturer recommendations and be aware of lifespans of batteries, potential wear and tear and other damage that can occur. Components will at some point need to be replaced, and indeed your UPS system as a whole won’t last forever. Anticipating when you will need to make these replacements can help proactively prevent downtime.

The role of professional servicing in preventing downtime

Professional servicing from UPS Solutions can dramatically reduce your downtime and help your system to perform well in the event of a power outage or fluctuation. Not only will we be able to regularly schedule preventative maintenance, but also carry it out in the safest and most effective way possible.

Assets have different maintenance needs and priorities, and operate on different schedules. It is imperative that you know what each of your assets need and when in order to reduce downtime. UPS Solutions can provide you with the peace of mind that your system will perform as needed, while optimising the maintenance process to avoid wasted expenditure and time.

Actual failure of your UPS, or even a slight amount of downtime, can cost you more than money. UPS Solutions can root out any potential problems before they become a reality, helping to remove the complications that could cost your business time, productivity and profits.

Developing a maintenance schedule: factors to consider and implementation

With any maintenance schedule, and particularly when you are working with electricity, it is essential that you put safety as your first priority. After that, there are many more steps you can take and factors to consider. These include:

Assigning specific tasks to individuals to ensure they actually get done

Setting firm deadlines, and sticking to them

Keeping detailed records

Checking in with manufacturer recommendations, lifespans and historical maintenance records

Carrying out a visual check of each component, the area and the UPS system itself regularly

Understanding that components will need to be replaced and when

Knowing when to contact UPS Solutions for help and advice

Case study/examples of effective prevention of UPS downtime

UPS downtime can have massive real world implications, and can even cause safety concerns as well as large economic losses.

One key example of this is in the airline industry. Major airlines in Australia just this year alone have suffered downtime losses into the tens of millions of dollars, in situations that could well have been prevented.

In 2023, the service provider that supplies the Australian Border Force suffered huge power outages that led to delays, cancellations, and caused upsets for thousands of people. This could have been prevented.

In other countries the improved preventative maintenance in the last few years has led to less downtime and less losses for airlines, while providing a greater experience for their passengers.

Conclusion

Prevent UPS downtime with our professional maintenance and service solutions at UPS Solutions. Explore our range of offerings and reach out to our experts for personalised advice. Let's safeguard your power continuity together!