Simply arranged uninterruptible power supplies that a person uses in everyday life include a battery and a voltage inverter. More complex batteries have enhanced functionality and a large number of batteries connected to each other in parallel. It is with the help of this technology of the device that it is possible to achieve high-power operation of industrial and server UPSs. Jumpers for installation on batteries are used in sources with more than one battery. They give a quality connection of the batteries in the device and lead to an increase in power. The UPS battery is considered the weakest part of such equipment, since for its high-quality and long-term operation it will be necessary to provide ideal conditions that cannot be created in everyday life.
Main types of UPS
It is important to remember that it is the batteries that will affect the backup power operation time and the power rating of the supplied current. A UPS cannot operate without a battery. Before buying, it is important to read the instructions for the UPS andfeatures of its functioning.
Modern manufacturers equip the market with a large number of batteries that differ in their design and operating principles. The main ones include manganese-zinc, copper-lithium, lead-acid, lithium-polymer, lithium-ion, silver-zinc, nickel-cadmium. Each type of battery is used for a specific purpose, and their cost varies significantly.
Li-ion battery
Lithium-ion batteries are distinguished by their high specific capacity, which makes it possible to use them to power powerful energy consumption systems. As a rule, such models are distinguished by their low weight and compactness. The main advantages of lithium-ion batteries include low maintenance cost, long recharging time, increased energy density, and operational reliability. This UPS is good for home use.
But this battery model also has its significant drawbacks, for example, over time they can break down, they can only be stored in a charged form, a high price.
Lead-acid battery
Such battery models are widespread among modern users. They are used not only in the computer field. The main advantages of the equipment include: long-term operation, a large number of temperatures at which the device continues to function, voltage level stability, manufacturer's warranty, fast self-charging, cost-effectiveprice. The device can perform up to a thousand discharge and charge cycles.
The main disadvantages of lead-acid batteries include: loss of normal functioning after several powerful discharges, reduced specific capacity, large weight and size of the device.
Ni-Metal Hydride battery
This type of UPS for a heating pump is rarely used due to certain problems in their operation. The main advantages include the following factors: lack of capacity level, high energy density, efficient operation. This also includes the long battery life of the UPS.
The device also has its disadvantages: high cost of battery operation, long and difficult charging, powerful discharges degrade battery performance over time, low load capacity, lack of operating temperature, high price, a small number of charge-discharge cycles.
Nickel-cadmium batteries
The list of the best UPS batteries includes nickel-cadmium devices. They are most often used in the computer field. The devices are distinguished by their compact size and light weight, which makes them suitable for use in portable electronics. They are also used for uninterruptible batteries.
The main pluses are fashionable to include: wide temperature range, ease of use, reliability, favorable price, stable charging. The equipment can withstand up to 1500 recharge cycles, has a high energydensity. The qualities described are important when using a UPS for a heating pump.
Cons can be noted as follows: increased cost of disposal and recycling, created from highly toxic substances, loses capacity.
Which battery can be used?
Also, batteries can be classified according to the type of electrolyte: batteries using AGM technology, batteries with a liquid electrolyte in the composition, batteries based on the principle of operation of GEL. The most popular are the following device models:
- Electric battery with liquid electrolyte. This type is popular for UPS with battery for gas boilers. The electrolyte in this case is sulfuric acid. The main disadvantage of such a battery is the lack of tightness, which negatively affects the state of the environment. Can I charge the UPS battery at home? To operate and charge the device, specially equipped rooms are needed in which people do not live. This is what is considered the main disadvantage of the device. It should be noted that such batteries have a low price.
- GEL technology batteries. UPS gel batteries include a thickener to help bring the electrolyte to a jelly-like consistency. During operation, this battery model does not provoke the release of any gases, which helps to create sealed conditions. This type of battery does not require special maintenance; it is also considered safe for human he alth. Gel batteries are characterized by a long service life, good capacity, a variety of operating temperatures, and reliability. The main disadvantagesconsider the high cost and problems that can arise with higher power charges.
- Devices based on AGM technology. Such a battery is considered the most efficient and is an improved version of the gel device. The electrolyte in such a device is absorbed by special porous fibers that help to provide a jelly-like state. Such batteries are created with special sealed cases and have minimal electrical resistance, which has a good effect on the overall properties of the device. In UPSs, such a battery is used more and more often. The main advantages of the battery include a long service life, reasonable cost, large volume and good reliability. Suitable UPS with battery for gas boilers.
Power Factor
To determine the battery life, it is important to pay attention to its capacity. If the user has purchased a UPS, the power of which is much less than the load indicator, then he simply will not be able to function normally. To determine the power indicator, you need to use a special formula from physics.
The power factor for a battery is considered very important when calculating the power rating. Such a figure will determine the real power that the load requires. If we consider the load as an ideal resistance, then the coefficient will still reach unity, which will be considered the maximum value. Coils and various capacitors do not belong to power consumption devices, for this very reasonload power factor on such devices will be zero.
The device may include a capacitive and inductive component. Capacitive devices include servers and computers. The inductive component prevails in equipment with electric motors, for example, an air conditioner or a pump. This condition is considered important when the UPS is built into devices of various types, since the first factor is at around 1, while the rest ranges from 0.8 to 0.9. Only with the help of the power factor can the device be operated efficiently.
Opening hours
Many battery users are interested in the formula by which you can calculate the operating time of the device. To do this, it is important to know the power of the connected load to the UPS, the efficiency of the investor and the total battery capacity.
It's pretty easy to calculate the running time by sum. Most often, an uninterruptible power supply includes standard batteries. To calculate and determine the operating time of the device, you should perform a total battery calculation and multiply the resulting value by the capacity of one battery.
Total power must be expressed in watts. You can calculate the operating time of an uninterruptible power supply using the following formula:
Time=total battery capacityinverter efficiency/load power.
Causes of problems with the operation of the device
Uninterruptible power supplies in some cases stop functioning normally. The main causes of failure include:
- Constant underexposure of the battery, which at first does not affect the quality of work. Such breakdowns can be explained by the fact that standard batteries, which are often supplied with the UPS, are of poor quality and are not fully charged.
- Permanent power fluctuations in the room.
- If the power supply is completely discharged.
- The amount of electrolyte in the device decreases for certain reasons, the electrolyte dries up, the battery capacity decreases or even drops to zero.
- Fault can also occur when lead-acid batteries are operated at either very high or very low temperatures.
- If the device has not been used for a long time.
Recovery Methods
How to restore the battery from the UPS? Experts identify three effective methods for restoring this type of battery:
- using distilled water;
- long recharge;
- Cyclic charging of step voltage supply of different levels.
Recovery with distilled water
People who used distilled water to restore the battery, give a variety of reviews about this method. Some are able to recoverat least half the battery.
To restore the UPS battery, you need to take a simple medical syringe and a small amount of distilled liquid. Since all devices are divided into maintenance-free and serviced, you should first carefully inspect the battery to determine which category it belongs to.
If the uninterruptible power supply inside is filled with a liquid consistency electrolyte, then it belongs to the serviced ones. In this case, it will be quite simple to fill the uninterruptible power supply container with distilled water. But even in the case when it is written on the battery case that it is maintenance-free, there are still covers on it, in this case, to restore battery operation, the user only needs to carefully remove these covers.
How do I restore my device?
To restore the UPS battery, fill a medical syringe with 2 milliliters of distilled water and pour 2 milliliters into each UPS can. After that, you should wait for some time so that the water has time to completely absorb into the internal chemical composition of the device. Even if the electrolyte is completely dry, it is still important that a small amount of it remains. Most often, you should wait about half an hour, and then carefully inspect each jar. Water should remain in a small amount on the battery plates. If the liquid is absorbed and the plates are dry, then add another 2 milliliters of distilled water. After recovering the UPS batteryput on charge.
