Powering Through: The Indispensable Nature Of Regular UPS Maintenance

by Isaac Prakash October 14, 2023

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is like an insurance policy for your electrical equipment. When the power goes out or becomes unstable, the UPS kicks in to provide continuous, clean power to keep your devices running safely. But like any insurance, you have to pay your premiums for the coverage to work properly when you need it most. For a UPS, that premium comes in the form of regular maintenance.

Routine maintenance is not just about changing filters and wiping down cabinets—it’s the only way to ensure your UPS delivers reliable backup power day after day, year after year. Maintenance extends the life of your UPS, enhances its performance, and most importantly, verifies that it will perform flawlessly in an emergency – which is

critical for your business continuity.

Want to learn more about the benefits of regular UPS maintenance? Read on and we’ll share all the info you need. Let’s get stuck in…

The Lifeline: UPS Batteries

The battery is the beating heart of a UPS. Without properly maintained batteries, the UPS cannot fulfil its core purpose. Batteries wear out over time as they go through charge cycles. Environmental factors like high temperatures also shorten battery life. That’s why periodic battery tests are critical.

A maintenance check can detect things like swollen or leaking batteries and replace them before they fail. Proactively swapping out weak batteries ensures your UPS always has full backup runtime available.

Ensuring Optimal Performance

Your UPS was designed to operate within certain efficiency thresholds, but factors like electrical load, temperature, and dust build-up make it harder to stay in this optimal zone over time. Thorough maintenance tackles all these issues to keep the UPS running at its peak. For example, filters and fans may need cleaning to improve ventilation and heat dissipation.

The UPS’s load should be monitored as well—if too many devices are plugged in, the UPS has to work harder, wasting energy and possibly overheating.

Proper load balancing maximises efficiency – so be mindful of the devices you connect to your UPS.

Preventive Maintenance: Cost-Effective and Safe

Being proactive with UPS maintenance saves money in the long run compared to a “run it until it breaks” approach. Skipping maintenance often leads to total UPS failure down the road, resulting in expensive downtime and repairs. A well-maintained UPS that’s inspected, tested, and serviced regularly avoids most major issues and operates reliably for years longer than a neglected unit.

The small, regular investment in preventive maintenance pays off exponentially when disaster strikes and the UPS instantly powers up as expected. Preventive maintenance also reduces safety hazards like electrical faults, sparks, fires, and more.

Software, Firmware, and Environmental Updates

Today's UPS systems are high-tech devices relying on equally sophisticated software and circuitry. Their digital components must be updated periodically as technology evolves. New firmware adds capabilities, closes security holes, and ensures compatibility with equipment like generators and monitoring systems.

The UPS’s surrounding environment should also be "maintained" through periodic inspection and cleaning. Dust accumulation necessitates more frequent filter changes. Humidity control and temperature regulation preserve battery life and avoid overheating.

The Role of Professionals

While basic wipe-downs and record-keeping can be handled in-house, certain tasks require the expertise of certified UPS maintenance professionals – such as installation and maintenance. They have the technical know-how and safety training to, for example, properly calibrate and load test the UPS electronics or replace ageing battery packs.

Hazardous procedures like working with high-voltage components should only be left to experts. Companies can also benefit from having their in-house teams participate in professional training programs to learn UPS best practices to prolong your UPS life.

Conclusion: Make UPS Maintenance a Priority

Regular UPS maintenance demands a bit of time, effort, and money—but a whole lot less than the devastating consequences of an unprotected power outage without a well-maintained UPS to support you.

Prioritising and scheduling maintenance ensures your UPS receives the care it requires to operate reliably day after day. Consistent upkeep and record-keeping give you confidence that when catastrophe strikes, your UPS will power through without missing a beat.

Don't wait until you see warning signs like power quality issues or odd noises—be proactive. Make UPS maintenance a habit, not an afterthought.

Your business continuity depends on it.

We hope that you have found this article insightful. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how UPS Solutions can be of assistance, simply contact us today and we’ll gladly accommodate your needs.