The most common reason for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) failure is battery breakdown.

As more businesses modernise their operations by upgrading IT and digital technologies, battery failure can disrupt an organisation as seriously as a grid malfunction. Taking steps to ensure batteries are maintained in optimum conditions can help protect firms against data loss.
Operating temperature is the external factor which contributes most significantly to battery failure, which is particularly important to note as the temperature rises during summer months. Exposing a UPS battery to higher temperatures causes the chemical reactions within the battery cells to deteriorate, which in turn can increase current draw, water loss, and the rate of interior corrosion.

In order to protect against this, Continu advises that UPS batteries are housed in a constant, ambient temperature of between 22-25°C. Operating a UPS under these conditions will maximise the life of the battery and result in optimal performance. While a UPS will continue to operate in varying temperatures, this is likely to diminish the performance and lifespan of the battery – a general rule to bear in mind is that for every 8°C above the ambient temperature of 25°C, the life of the battery will be reduced by 50 percent.

UPS’s and their associated batteries are designed to be durable and dependable, however, in our experience, batteries that last the longest and provide the best performance are the ones that are provided with the best management and care.

So, this summer, particularly on the warmest days, make it part of your routine to check the temperature of the rooms housing your backup power supply equipment. It is a small check which could protect your business and its data against critical failure. If you have any concerns and need advice, contact us.