 Maintenance of UPS systems. A UPS system is an important part of your critical backup plan and processes. Therefore, to ensure that this hardware is operating optimally, it is highly important to plan and implement maintenance of UPS systems. A UPS is also known as an uninterruptible power supply. It is at its core an electrical unit full of batteries that can supply an emergency electrical load to your critical systems when there is a power failure. The UPS systems are there to protect your critical hardware and technology in the event of a power dropout or failure. Without the correct maintenance of UPS equipment, your system might fail when you most need it. The best way to prevent problems is through correctly planned preventative maintenance of UPS units, batteries, and software. Three ways to implement maintenance of UPS systems. Number 1. What is the environment the system is operating in? UPS failures, which are commonly caused by changes in temperature and the instability it therefore creates. There are optimum temperature ranges that most UPS batteries operate within. Therefore, the temperature in that optimum range will assist in the UPS operating effectively. Your aim should be to keep the temperature within 20-25 Celsius. This is the peak range for the batteries operation. As an example, a 10-degree change in temperature can lead to a 50% drop-off in battery operation. Your technology will also have an optimum temperature range that it will operate in. Therefore, with good temperature control, all elements of your communications room will benefit. Therefore, a preventative maintenance plan will include the following. 1. Server cleaning. 2. Maintenance of UPS systems. 3. Maintenance of cooling equipment and air conditioning. 4. Removal of redundant cabinet equipment and patch leads to maintain optimum airflow. Airflow is an important part of the cooling. Redundant equipment and dirt build-up can block this airflow. Either through the systems themselves, or the airflow around the external unit. A planned specialist cleaning visit would be a recommended way of avoiding this. Greater airflow results in better operation of your UPS units, and therefore increased operational longevity. Number 2. Installing a building management or monitoring system. A monitoring system will leverage technology to monitor your equipment, technology, and power systems. It will give you a heads-up of any potential problems that may lead to a power drop-out, power surge, or power failure. It will also show which technology and equipment are running inefficiently so that it can be investigated. The information provided allows you to correct these issues before they lead to a costly outage or operational drop-out. These monitoring programs can be standalone or part of a larger overall building management system, also known as BMS systems. Thus, the UPS can have dedicated monitoring or be monitored as part of the overall building. Whichever you choose, the important thing is that the UPS is monitored and maintained to a set maintenance program. 3. Planning preventative maintenance. The ongoing maintenance of UPS systems is a very important part of your critical protection design and plans. The parts within a UPS unit will require maintenance and replacement over the lifespan of its operations. Furthermore, the more the system has been employed, the more those replacements will be required. A UPS inspection will highlight the following. 1. Battery operation and suitability. 2. UPS parts such as capacitors and fans. 3. Correct software programming. 4. Cleanliness of the unit. 5. Changes in client equipment and effect on the unit. The regular maintenance of the unit will avoid emergency call-outs to fix the unit when it should be supporting the critical systems. Furthermore, regular maintenance will increase the longevity of the units. Therefore, increasing the time between further capital investment. Studies shave shown that the life cycle of a UPS system can be increased by 25% to 50% just through regular preventative maintenance. Summary. The UPS unit in your building is a very important part of supporting your critical systems. Therefore, they must be serviced and looked after. If you require maintenance of UPS systems or would like to discuss how best to achieve this, our professional team is happy to discuss this further. Furthermore, if you feel you require an upgrade to your existing systems, we can also advise on the best course of action. We can advise you on the best options, whether that be a new unit, upgrade or refresh. As different clients and different locations require different systems, we have a modular system to suit any situation. The modular system we install allows the modular units to fit together and suit your particular UPS needs. The ongoing service and maintenance is also scalable to suit your specific requirements. For further assistance or a free survey please email or call on the details below, and click like and subscribe if you have enjoyed this video.