Top five UPS components that require preventive maintenance

UPS battery life is affected by many factors, including shelf life, storage and acceptance testing, ambient temperature, battery chemistry and cycling. UPS battery maintenance can allow you to estimate when the end of life will be reached and when you should schedule replacements.

A UPS capacitor is a device that stores and releases electrical energy. They can be as small as a thumbnail or as large as a soft drink can. To maximise the performance and reliability of your UPS, treat capacitors as the perishable commodity they are and plan on replacing them at or near the end of their rated service life. Eaton field technicians can diagnose the condition of the capacitors in UPSs and, if necessary, perform a full or partial replacement of capacitor banks to maintain UPS performance up to factory specifications.

Did you know dust can block UPS air filters and cause a UPS to shut down due to overheating? To avoid this, air filters on a UPS must be inspected every month. Replacing UPS air filters is an inexpensive component of a comprehensive and effective UPS maintenance plan.

Vibrations from buildings, local construction projects or machinery close to the UPS may affect internal connections. Eaton recommends that you have your UPS scanned every three months to check for hot spots and checked annually with a complete mechanical review of the UPS and battery cabinets.

Although a UPS has redundant power supplies, it’s possible for power supplies to suffer from input voltage surges which can cause unexpected stress and overheating. You can detect and avoid potential issues with regular inspections.