UPS

Q: What is the expected life of an APC UPS battery

A: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) batteries typically last three to five years. Life expectancy is based on several factors, including usage (the number of times the unit must go to battery power) and other environmental conditions. Below are some guidelines to ensure the optimum life expectancy of a battery.

1. Make sure that the APC UPS is kept in a cool, dry location with plenty of ventilation. Ideally, the temperature where the UPS is kept should not exceed 75° F (24° C). Also, for ventilation purposes, leave roughly 1 to 2 inches on each side for proper airflow.

2. Perform runtime calibrations on the UPS only one or two times a year, if necessary. Some people perform runtime calibrations to verify that their runtime is sufficient. However, performing frequent runtime calibrations can decrease the life expectancy of an APC battery.

3. Do not store APC batteries for extended periods of time. New batteries can be stored 6 to 12 months. After this period, the battery should be used, or it will lose a great deal of its charge. It is not advisable to store batteries that have already been in use.

4. Do not exceed 80% of a UPS unit's rated capacity, on account of the reduction in runtime. Increasing the load decreases runtime. In the event of a power failure, a UPS loaded to full capacity will drain and discharge its battery quickly and will lessen the life expectancy.

Note: In order to ensure longer runtime on a battery, laser printers should never be plugged into battery backup outlets of a UPS. Be sure to use the "surge-only" outlets (on appropriate models) for laser printers. For those UPSs without "surge-only" outlets, it is recommended that the laser printer be plugged into a separate APC SurgeArrest surge suppressor.