Service life of a UPS: key factors and how to maximize it

The service life of a UPS depends on its batteries, operating conditions, and maintenance. To extend it, it is recommended to use high-efficiency batteries (such as lithium-ion), avoid overheating, clean regularly, and perform periodic functional tests. Thus, a UPS can operate reliably for more than 10 years, reducing costs and operational risks.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are essential in industrial facilities, data centers, and sensitive applications because they guarantee the continuity and quality of the power supply.

However, a well-managed UPS, with adequate batteries, a controlled environment, and predictive maintenance, becomes a key asset with many years of safe operation. Learning how to optimize its life cycle not only ensures the protection of investments but also contributes to energy efficiency and the reliability of the power supply, which are priority issues on Mexico’s energy agenda.

What determines the useful life of a single-phase or three-phase UPS?

The life expectancy of a UPS system is mainly determined by the service life of its batteries and the electronic components of the equipment itself. Now, let’s remember the difference between a single-phase UPS and a three-phase UPS, since both types share key components such as batteries, inverters, and cooling systems, but their design and load capacity influence their maintenance, efficiency, and durability.

Single-phase UPS delivers power through a single electrical phase, making it ideal for individual equipment, small offices, or IT racks with moderate loads. In contrast, three-phase UPS uses three electrical phases, allowing for better load distribution and support for higher energy demands, making it common in industrial environments, data centers, and manufacturing plants.

For example, three-phase UPSs often include a maintenance bypass, allowing adjustments or replacements to be made without interrupting operation. In contrast, smaller single-phase UPSs (1 to 3 kVA) do not have this feature, so they generally require a complete shutdown to perform more thorough maintenance. Therefore, the service life of a single-phase or three-phase UPS will depend on adopting a strategy that prioritizes its internal batteries (such as lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries), with predictive management and controlled environments.

Learn more about the importance of UPS batteries and why to use lithium-ion batteries for UPS.

Strategies to extend the useful life of your UPS

Extending the useful life of a UPS is a task that combines component quality, optimal operating conditions, and a well-planned technical maintenance routine. Below are some key tactics for implementing a proactive strategy based on prevention and continuous monitoring:

1. Use high-quality batteries with advanced technology: VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid) batteries have an estimated lifespan of 3 to 5 years, while lithium-ion batteries can last between 8 and 10 years, with a higher number of charge cycles and less maintenance.
2. Keep the UPS in a temperature-controlled environment: High temperatures accelerate component degradation. It is recommended to operate between 22°C and 28°C, with good ventilation and no dust accumulation, to prevent internal damage to the batteries.
3. Cleanliness and humidity control: A clean environment reduces the presence of particles that can clog fans or interfere with internal components. In addition, excessive humidity affects the integrity of the circuits.
4. Avoid unnecessary discharges: The frequency of charging and discharging directly affects the life of the batteries. Avoid testing or discharging without operational justification. For inactive equipment, recharge every 2 or 3 months to prevent total discharge.
5. Implement preventive and predictive maintenance: perform periodic visual inspections, connection adjustments, autonomy tests, electrical parameter checks, and diagnostics with BMS systems. This allows faults to be detected before they become major problems.

Signs to replace or renew a UPS system

When a UPS system is reaching the end of its useful life, it is not enough to simply replace the batteries. It is also important to identify the following signs that compromise the other components of the equipment due to wear and tear:

• A system that generates recurring alerts without an obvious external cause may be indicating the end of its useful life.
• Unusually high temperatures in the unit may be a sign of internal faults or an unsuitable environment that is accelerating deterioration.
• If the UPS no longer supports the required load, it generates overload or activates with less load than before.
• When the costs of maintenance and battery replacement (every 3-5 years) exceed the cost of a new efficient system.
• If the obsolete system does not meet new requirements such as remote management, energy efficiency, or ISO 50001 standards.

Read more about the types and benefits of UPS maintenance.

Frequently asked questions about the service life of a UPS

How long does a UPS last?

In general, a single-phase UPS with VRLA batteries offers between 7 and 10 years of life, provided it is regularly maintained. A three-phase UPS, especially a modular one, can last a little longer if timely replacements, predictive monitoring, and a controlled environment are applied. Systems with lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, achieve between 8 and 10 years of use with less maintenance.