Here in Arizona, we’ve been experiencing some pretty intense storms. Although Arizonans may not be surprised by the weather, we are never really expecting it. We can go from clear skies and nearly unbearable heat to grape-sized raindrops, piercing lightning and noise-cancelling thunder within minutes. But we know we’re not the only ones with unexpectant weather—the south has hurricanes and tornadoes, the west coast has earthquakes, people in the east coast experience some pretty intense snow storms—and because of this, we all need to be prepared when one of these natural disasters strikes.
The first step to properly maintaining your UPS is to be sure that it is plugged in correctly. It is never recommended to “daisy chain” your UPS, which means to have it plugged into an extension cord that is plugged into another extension cord. The best way to power your UPS is to have it plugged directly into the power source (the wall). It is also not recommended to daisy chain two or more UPSs together. These recommendations are made with the safety of your UPS in mind. In the event of a power outage or power surge strong enough to do serious damage, the first UPS in a chain would sacrifice itself to protect data. It’s just not safe.
The next step in maintaining your UPS is to recalibrate (correlate the standard of the UPS to ensure accuracy) it. UPSs have a recalibration procedure built into their memories. For most UPSs, this involves deep-discharging and recharging the battery while your UPS is in a special test mode. Our technicians recommend recalibrating your UPS once every six to twelve months for routine maintenance, but not more often than that, as deep discharges shorten battery life.
One last step in maintaining your UPS is to regularly inspect your UPS for any signs of wear and tear. Quarterly checks may include a visual inspection of the UPS for loose connections or burned insulation. Semiannual checks may include visual inspections of battery liquid contamination, vacuuming the UPS for dust removal, and insurance of proper environment (be sure it’s stored in a cool, dry place). Annual checks may include thermal scans on electrical connections (making sure nothing is generating too much heat) or an operational test of the UPS and connected system. Biannual checks may include tests of UPS transfer switches and circuit breakers.
Of course, another, simple way to ensure your UPS is properly maintained would be to check in regularly with your IT company. Here at MTI, our technicians are on hand 24/7/365 for all of your support needs—even routine maintenance. Not sure if your UPS is ready for a replacement or new battery? Call MTI today and we will let you know!