Think for a moment about what might happen if you don’t properly maintain your automobile. You’ll probably be able to get where you need to go without any problems – for a while. But it’s only a matter of time until you get in your car to go to work and the engine won’t turn over. Worse yet, you could find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a tow truck to haul your broken-down vehicle to the nearest repair shop.
In this respect, an uninterruptible power supply is similar to a car. If you take your UPS for granted, it could have disastrous consequences for your business. Without a properly functioning UPS, a sudden power surge or unexpected power loss could cause vital computer networks to fail, disrupting your entire operation.
However, just like an automobile, proper maintenance can keep your UPS operating at peak efficiency and even extend its lifespan. The key to timely UPS maintenance is knowing exactly where you are in the UPS lifecycle.
Proper APC UPS Management Can Prevent Trouble Down the Road
If you’ve made the wise decision to deploy single-phase APC UPS units in your facility, you can expect to get 3-5 years of reliable performance. But with proper APC UPS management, you can extend the lifecycle to up to 12 years. Use the following timeline to determine the applicable APC UPS lifecycle stage, as well as what steps you should take during each stage:
0-2 Years — Think of this timeframe as the “honeymoon” phase of new APC UPS ownership.Compare it to new car ownership: you’re covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and you can expect trouble-free operation with few worries over performance issues.
2-3 Years — Once you reach the third year of APC UPS ownership, you should at least consider replacing the batteries in all of your units. While a battery typically lasts up to five years, factors such as high-temperature operating environments, charging circuit voltage and sulfation could reduce its lifespan. Just as you don’t want to wait until a dead car battery leaves you stranded, it’s better to replace a UPS battery before it has a chance to fail – and possibly cripple your business.
3-5 Years — This is the point in the UPS lifecycle where servicing your units is strongly recommended, which includes battery replacement. It’s also important to recalibrate your units. The minor power disturbances that are a daily occurrence in UPS operation can change component values.
5-6 Years — A properly serviced and calibrated UPS with a new battery should give you another one to two years of worry-free operation. If you’ve chosen CoastTec to service your units, you also get the benefit of warranty protection during this time.
6-7 Years — This period in the APC UPS lifecycle is comparable to the 2-3 year point on the timeline. Battery replacement isn’t a necessity, but it’s a good idea to consider the possibility.
7-9 Years — It’s time to have all of your UPS units serviced and recalibrated, and make sure you have all batteries replaced. This is especially important now that your units are reaching the latter stages in the UPS lifecycle.Think of it in terms of an older vehicle that needs a little extra attention to keep it running smoothly.
9-10 Years — This is another stage in the lifecycle where little active APC UPS management is required. You’ll also be covered by your CoastTec warranty, if you have been following this prescribed service model.One thing to watch for in an older UPS is a popping noise, which is the telltale sign of surge suppressor failure.
11-12 Years — The time has finally come for a complete UPS upgrade.Rather than making a heavy investment in brand-new units, you can save money with expertly refurbished APC UPS models from CoastTec. To check out current UPS inventory, click here.
So, where are you in the UPS lifecycle right now?