Increasing efficiency for UPS or Power Inverter

The Uninterrupted Power Suppy (UPS) and the Inverter are two mostly used power back up devices at home.  They are used to run all the electrical and electronic devices like Computers, fans, lighting and all home appliances. Before buying UPS or Inverter you need to decide on how much power backup is required. The above factor also depends on the number of electrical equipments you are going to use in power backup.  When there are more loads, more power will be sucked from the battery which leads to shorter life of inverter of UPS batteries. Few guidelines and tips are listed below to help increase the power back up for your inverter or UPS.

1. A smaller battery will have shorter backup time.
2. Use energy saving devices. CFL bulbs consume 75% less electrical energy compared to the ordinary bulbs.  Furthermore, we can also use LED lights to reduce energy. LEDs are the most power saving light producing devices. Fans with better copper winding consume less power. Better wiring decreases resistance and helps us save power and also reduces the load in our backup.
3. New gadgets and appliances are coming with the power saving techniques. They consume less energy compared to the old devices. The old devices are devoid of such options and consume more power compared to the new devices.
4. Change the old batteries if they are worn out. Poor quality batteries do not last long, buy SLA batteries as they come in a enclosure and do not leak. Lithium Batteries are the most energy efficient batteries compared to all other types.
5. Certain UPS contain built in batteries which can be connected to larger batteries for usage.  Power inverters can be easily connected to larger batteries.

The above listed are the few guidelines to follow to increase the power backup in your UPS or inverter battery.

Suggestion for extend the life of UPS Batteries

UPS batteries are expected to have a lifespan of around 4- 5 years. However, with proper care and precautions, you can increase this life and make your UPS battery stay alive for a longer time.

There are few factors which adversely affect the life of UPS battery. Discussed below are some guidelines to assist you in maximizing the life of your UPS batteries.

Surrounding Temperature:
All batteries would have a limit which is based on the indicated conditions. The absolute working temperature for a UPS to be working stress free is 25°C (77°F). When the UPS is worked under these conditions, its life gets boosted. While the UPS will work in varying temperatures, it is to be noted that this will affect its lifespan. A general guideline is that for every 8.3°C (15°F) increase over 25°C (77°F), the lifespan of the battery will decrease by 50 percent.

Unit Replacement:
At the point of installation, it is mandatory that you figure out the best point of installation so that it is easily accessible. It is always advisable to install it in a temperature controlled environment. The UPS should never be placed near open windows so that it does not get exposed to dampness or get affected by dust. The ventilation openings on the UPS should not be blocked.

Protection:
Most of the UPS batteries being manufactured today are branded as maintenance free. This just means that these batteries do not require any liquid top up to be done often. It does not mean that proper maintenance is not required on these batteries.

Cycling:
Whenever the power fails, the UPS batteries immediately swing into action and provide backup power. When the power is restored, the battery will start reviving itself and prepare itself for the next power failure. This is known as cycling. The number of cycles that a UPS undergoes also determines its lifespan.

During installation, the battery is generally at 100% of its capacity. However, every cycle is bound to reduce the ability of the battery. Hence, it is always advised to monitor the cycling to foresee the life of an UPS.