Designed to protect electrical circuits, telecommunications equipment and computer networks from power surges, brownouts or blackouts, uninterruptible power supply batteries, also known as UPS batteries, battery backups or continuous power supplies, equip offices with alternative electrical power in case the building’s original utility power fails. It’s important that providers of UPS batteries, UPS battery back-ups and replacement UPS batteries manufacture devices that are safe, energy efficient and effective to prevent interruptions in your company’s power supply.

Because UPS batteries carry high voltage power, safety for UPS batteries must be addressed. Whether you use new batteries, UPS replacement batteries or buy battery back-ups, these devices must be handled and stored with care to prevent damage that can cause acid spills or fires. Apply safety standards for new and used UPS batteries, whether you use them for home or business computers, data processing centers or entertainment systems.

1. Work with UPS battery suppliers to pick the right equipment and supplies.

2. Follow online guides from UPS battery suppliers that provide safety tips for handling UPS batteries.

3. Look for any training courses that focus on care and safety for UPS batteries.

4. Check certification status to ensure that the UPS batteries meet safety standards.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

UPS battery suppliers can assist in picking the right equipment

UPS battery distributors and suppliers feature inventories of new, used and recycled UPS batteries. Seek assistance in choosing the UPS battery that is safe to use with your office of factory setup.

I recommend: Find UPS batteries of different sizes and specifications at Gruber Power Services. The company also offers installation, engineering and maintenance services to enhance safety for UPS batteries. Tripp Lite features “green” products, solutions and resources that promote energy efficient uses of UPS batteries and UPS replacement batteries.

Look for information on safety for UPS batteries in manuals or in other guides

Product guides, installation manuals and technical data sheets help users understand the safe applications of UPS batteries.

I recommend: Materials and safety data sheet information, start-up and troubleshooting services are available from UPS battery supplier Tech Power Group. American Power Conversion presents manuals, features and UPS battery models information online. The company supplies both new UPS batteries and UPS battery back-ups.

Consider on-site training on the installation and safe uses of UPS batteries

Some providers of UPS batteries offer company training on the installation and care of power equipment to avoid malfunctions that may cause data loss, injury or fires.

I recommend: Industrial Power and Battery provides on-site, professional training to employers and employees who work with UPS batteries and other systems. Engineers, technicians, IT professionals and plant operators can also attend training sessions related to UPS batteries at Ametek Solid State Controls. Topics range from UPS battery basics to troubleshooting.

Verify that UPS batteries and related products comply with safety requirements

To guarantee quality and to avoid mishaps, determine whether providers of UPS batteries are certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or similar associations.

I recommend: ISO-certified Storage Battery Systems distributes single-phase and three-phase UPS battery systems of various brands. UPS battery distributors such as Chloride Power Protection feature ISO-certified UPS batteries and UPS replacement batteries.

Most companies know UPS replacement batteries are a must to protect computer equipment throughout their organization. What they may not know is there are some green solutions to UPS batteries that will use less energy, do less harm to the environment and save money too.

UPS battery distributors carry an ever-enlarging group of environmentally friendly UPS solutions that you might not know exist. When choosing a green UPS battery supplier, here are some questions to think about before your choose their technology:

1. Ask about the reliability of their green products, and how they compare to traditional UPS battery back-ups

2. Determine what green technology (e.g., flywheel versus superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES)) is best for your UPS needs

3. Make sure they recycle old UPS units and batteries

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy battery back ups, but know your environment first

Take note of the electronic environment that you need protected when you contact providers of UPS batteries. Ask yourself questions like, How much equipment will be connected to your UPS system? How reliable is your local electricity provider? How long do you need to ensure your operation stays up and running without power? Answering questions like these will help you choose the right UPS battery replacement for your needs.

I recommend: To understand just what you need to take care of all your power worries, see the American Power Conversion (APC) Upgrade Selector page. It will ask you questions about your power supply needs and supply suggestions to meet those needs. There are also different types of UPS systems that maintain and support power differently, so check out Groupe Techna's take on Line Interactive vs. Online UPS systems.

Understand the difference in green UPS battery replacement technologies

There are two major types of energy efficient UPS replacement battery technologies - flywheels and SMES, and each is best for certain large and small business applications.

I recommend: To find out more about these applications, visit the Electricity Storage Association for detailed information on flywheels. For SMES technology, read more at AZoM.com including information on applications in many different industries. Active Power is one of the largest green UPS battery suppliers.

Recycle UPS batteries properly

No batteries should be put out with regular garbage pick-up because they contain dangerous chemicals such as lead. Because of the large size of UPS batteries, they require special handling. Some UPS battery suppliers will recycle them for you. You can also take them to auto repair shops that accept car batteries.

I recommend: Battery Solutions will accept batteries for recycling via ground shipping from anywhere in the US. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation offers a program they call Call2Recycle. They have an online form that lets you search for businesses that will take batteries of many types of chemistries, e.g., lead acid (under 1 kg), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lithium Ion (Li-ion).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are buying a stand-by, or 'off-line,' UPS, remember the system turns on only when the incoming voltage spikes or sags enough to trip the system, and this process takes some fixed time. Purchase a UPS with the fastest trip time you can afford to avoid losing data in the interim.