Nowadays, UPS power supplies are not only effective when there is a power outage, but more often provide uninterrupted power supply. The UPS power supply itself often experiences some malfunctions, and if it fails, it cannot provide protection for the load. In this article, the editor of Cunneng Electrical introduces several reasons for premature failure of UPS power supply.
In the daily process of handling UPS power maintenance, we can find that many UPS failures are caused by factors such as battery, mains power, usage environment, and usage methods, and a considerable number of UPS itself have not experienced any failures. If these factors can be identified and it can be determined that the fault is not caused by UPS, it can solve the problem for customers more quickly.
1. Poor storage of UPS power supply
Even if the UPS power supply is not in use, its lifespan will begin to decrease. That’s because lead-acid UPS power supplies automatically release a small amount of energy.
To extend the storage life of the UPS power supply, it is recommended to charge it every three to four months. If we don’t do this, we may see permanent capacity loss in just six months. It is also possible to extend the lifespan of unused UPS power supplies by storing them at a temperature of 10 ° C or lower.
2. The ambient temperature is too high
The rated capacity of each UPS power supply is based on an ambient temperature of 25 ° C (77 ° F). Any changes, especially temperature increases, will affect performance and service life. Typically, for every 15 ° F increase in recommended ambient temperature, the expected lifespan of UPS power supplies will decrease by 50%.
For UPS power supplies, the working environment should be the same as that of computers, with temperatures controlled above 5 ℃ and below 22 ℃, relative humidity controlled below 50%, and a range of no more than 10%. Routine maintenance checks can help identify hotspots and verify ventilation conditions.
3. Over cycling
During a power failure, UPS relies on its power supply to operate, and the UPS power supply will charge for future use, which is called a discharge cycle. After installing the UPS power supply, it will reach 100% of its rated capacity. However, each discharge and subsequent charge will slightly reduce the capacity of the UPS power supply.
4. Incorrect floating voltage
Every UPS power supply manufacturer will specify the charging voltage range for their UPS power supply design. If the UPS power supply continues to charge outside of these parameters, it may cause serious damage. Insufficient charging or low voltage can cause sulfate crystals to form on the UPS power board.
As time passes, these crystals will harden and reduce the available capacity of the UPS power supply. Excessive floating voltage can lead to excessive hydrogen and oxygen, and may cause internal drying. Once accelerated, internal drying can cause thermal runaway, leading to malfunctions or even fires.
5. Incorrect use of UPS power supply
UPS power supply is dedicated to UPS, just like other UPS power supplies are dedicated to their respective appliances. Any power source has its unique set of rules, regulations, and methods for all of us to use. The service life of UPS uninterruptible power supply system is closely related to its usage, so it is necessary to pay attention to methods and maintenance during normal use.