How to Prevent Premature UPS Battery Degradation

How to Prevent Premature UPS Battery Degradation

1. Importance of Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing

• Preventive maintenance is essential for any UPS system, especially the batteries
• Regular monitoring helps detect early warning signs, allowing timely replacement to avoid system failure
• Batteries should be inspected at the cell level at least once a year

2. Physical Inspection Guidelines

• Check terminals and inter-cell links for corrosion
  
• Look for cracks, swelling, or electrolyte leakage on the battery casing
  
• Tighten all cell connectors and clean battery surfaces
  
• Remove any dust, dirt, or foreign materials

3. Advanced Monitoring Practices

• Use a Battery Monitoring System (BMS) to track critical battery health parameters:
  • String and cell float voltages
  • Charge and discharge current
    
  • Ripple current and ripple voltage
    
  • Cell temperature and ambient temperature
    
  • Internal resistance of each cell
    
  • Total number of charge/discharge cycles

4. Battery Testing Methods

4.1 Impedance Testing

• A non-intrusive method used to monitor battery health trends over time
• Conducted by injecting AC current and measuring resistance in milliohms

4.2 Discharge Testing

• Involves discharging batteries under both normal and peak loads
• Identifies which cells can still retain charge and which are near failure

4.3 Partial Discharge Testing

• Discharges the battery to about 80% of its capacity
  
• Temporarily reduces system availability, but the battery becomes usable again within 8 hours
  
  

BT Connect offers high-quality Battery Monitoring Systems suitable for all industrial applications.
We deliver advanced solutions that empower you to manage battery health effectively. Our experienced team provides consultation and full support across Thailand and Southeast Asia.