During a routine Preventive Maintenance inspection, the Nationwide Power Field Engineer discovered overheated batteries that required immediate replacement. Upon further inspection and discussion with the site contact, it was reported that the HVAC system had been failing intermittently – in the peak of summer – which caused irreversible damage to the UPS batteries.

The UPS batteries were not due for replacement for another 12 – 18 months. Unfortunately, due to the high ambient room temperatures damaging the UPS batteries, immediate replacement was required, costing the client in excess of $4,000.

The client had been diligent about proper UPS maintenance and regularly scheduled PM inspections. As a result of a timely PM schedule, this issue was identified early on, limiting Company A’s risk and exposure.

If this issue had not been addressed promptly, it could have resulted in any of the following:

• Full battery replacement required, as opposed to the single string.
• Other UPS component part failures, including damaged battery trays and cabling.
• Risk of fire, causing a much larger safety threat to the site.

The life expectancy for the UPS batteries in this case study was shortened by 12 – 18 months due to HVAC failure.

Nationwide Power installs strip thermometers on our clients’ UPS units. This helps the customer easily monitor temperature at any time by site personnel. Ambient temperatures in the data center room, or wherever the UPS system is located, generally should not exceed the ideal ambient temperature range of 70-77° Fahrenheit.

Additionally, Nationwide Power recommends room monitoring systems which will alert key team members whenever certain environmental elements vary from acceptable ranges.