5 Factors To Choosing a UPS Battery Replacement

When it comes to replacing the batteries in your uninterruptible power system (UPS), consider the old adage, you get what you pay for. That’s not to say that the price of batteries should be steep, just that they shouldn’t be cheap. Before swapping out the heart of your power protection system, take to heart these five important factors:

1. Don’t base your UPS battery decision strictly on price.

UPS batteries are more than a simple commodity — they’re an investment in the continuous uptime of your organization. For this reason, it is wise to look beyond the price tag. Sure, there are a plethora of bargain batteries on the market available for smaller decentralized UPSs, but do they really last? The majority of these cheaper battery replacements do not work nearly as well as their big-name — but still-competitively-priced — counterparts.

2. Make it a name brand.

There are many types of standard lead acid batteries, yet even slight differences in chemistry can dramatically affect how the batteries charge. Furthermore, the size of some off-brand battery cases is slightly different and may not properly fit within the tight space inside a UPS. Smaller UPSs should always use a quality, high-rate battery such as CSB or Yuasa. For larger units, C&D, Enersys, Deka and CSB are among the top performing brands.

3. The UPS manufacturer knows best.

Many agencies — including UL — require that each individual UPS model is certified to be used only with a specific battery brand. Failure to replace the battery with the specific, qualified version can void the agency listing and negate potential insurance claims. Make every effort to replace batteries like-for-like rather than guessing on an equivalent brand and model. Medical-grade UPSs may have even more stringent requirements. As mentioned, the majority of UPS manufacturers trust CSB and Yuasa for smaller systems, and C&D, CSB, Enersys and Deka for larger units.

4. When in doubt, weigh.

Because the specifications of different batteries may look the same, it can be tough to really tell the difference. That’s when the scale comes in handy. Higher levels of lead not only point to better battery performance, but also weigh more. Cheaper batteries won’t tip the scales the way brand-name versions do.

5. Ask the experts.

Still unsure of the best bet for your UPS battery replacement? That’s when a professional service organization can help. With extensive experience working with the industry’s premier battery manufacturers, Intelligent Power Solutions is able to quickly supply battery kits for almost all manufacturers’ UPSs including legacy systems.

For more considerations, contact the experts at Intelligent Power Solutions.