Whether you have multiple large data center UPSs or one small distributed battery backup, UPS and UPS battery health are critical. Keep your UPS healthy all year by following this simple checklist.

1. © 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
Keeping your UPS healthy year-round
Ensuring the ongoing optimal performance of
your uninterruptible power system (UPS)
requires just a few minutes of your time, but can
be critical to avoiding unexpected downtime. Jus
like an annual visit to your physician’s office will
help identify any potential health concerns, your
UPS should receive a yearly check-up, as well.
The following checklist will help you get a pulse
on how your UPS is feeling.

2. 2© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
1. Make sure your batteries are in good health.
Batteries are the No. 1 cause of UPS failure, so at
least once a year, you should schedule a preventive
maintenance exam. Also consider a support plan that
includes remote monitoring, which can help extend
battery lifespan and identify potential problems before
they become downtime issues.
If you choose self-maintenance, be sure you are
routinely and proactively addressing battery health.
For smaller UPSs, you should note their age (and plan
a replacement if they are 4 years or older); run a UPS
battery self-test; and remove the front bezel and make
sure there are no signs of swelling or damage.

3. 3© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
2. Perform spring cleaning.
Clutter, dust and general disorganization can
cause unwanted issues and decrease the
reliability of your system. Make sure nothing is
blocking the air flow in your IT environment,
since heat is one of the biggest reducers of
battery life. Visually inspect electrical
connections. And don’t forget to dust, since
caked-on grime can damage fans and cause
electronics board damage. A simple wipe down
is often all you need.

4. 4© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
3. Verify communication.
Properly configured UPS communications
ensure that IT managers can respond to alerts
and take corrective actions. If your UPS is
equipped with a network interface card (NIC),
run a trial email, since sometimes changing
email servers or domains can cause settings
to be out of date. Also check the software to
be sure the UPS and NIC both have the most
up-to-date versions.

5. 5© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
4. Keep service information up-to-date.
Nothing can be more frustrating than finding out your
UPS is no longer under warranty after a problem arises.
So review your service contract coverage and consider
storing all contract information in one place, either
physically or electronically. If you do not have a service
contract, make sure your UPS is registered with the
manufacturer, which will help you stay informed on any
updates and allow for quicker manufacturer response
time if any issue arises.

6. 6© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
5. Make service information easy to find.
Find your Factory Authorized UPS and
Battery Service number and keep it on file
where it can be found quickly. Your
Operators’ Manual should also be stored in
a safe location for easy reference.
Eaton UPS services:1 (877) 423-0065

7. 7© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
6. Reevaluate your level of power protection.
Since your equipment and power needs may have
grown since you first installed your UPS, it’s important
to ensure that your unit is not operating over capacity.
Advances in scalability and energy efficiency have
resulted in a range of new modular UPS solutions
capable of expanding with your changing needs.
Consider joining a professional discussion forum or
contacting a UPS manufacturer to learn more.

8. 8© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
For more information regarding your Eaton UPS or UPS services:
1 (877) 423-0065