Exercise is the key to a long and healthy life. The same advice holds true for the batteries in your UPS system.
Almost all batteries in the UPS are Sealed Lead Acid (SLA). Electricity is generated by the reaction between the acid and the lead. These electricity is used by the UPS in the case of a power loss. However, there is a dark side to this chemical reaction: Sulfation.
Time to time, and the battery is not used, sulfation will happen. You will see a white powdery substance starts to adhere to the plates of lead in the battery. Sulfation is a by-product of the lead-acid chemical reaction. After a period of time, acid will no longer make contact with the lead, because the white powdery substance covers the whole lead plate, and no electricity can be generated.
There is a way to prevent sulfation. If the batteries are regularly exercised, the build-up of sulfates can be minimized. Thus the battery life is extended. Here's what you can do. Two to four times a year, cut the power to your UPS by simply pulling the plug. Make sure there is no process is in the middle of any processing. Let the UPS run on battery for a few minutes. As the battery heats up the sulfates will release from the plates and fall to the bottom of the battery case. Now the battery has clean lead for the acid to react with, so as to obtain the maximum output.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
