Three UPS Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

The rapid growth of data centers fueled by the push for digital transformation, proliferation of smart technologies, AI and big data, among other technological advances is undeniable. According to a recent McKinsey analysis “global demand for data center capacity could more than triple by 2030,”  and their analysis suggests that the explosion of AI, especially generative AI, is driving this demand. 

On the one hand, rapid growth of this kind in data centers is exciting to experience. It’s leading to new advances in technology to ensure critical and mission-centric systems such as redundant power supply and network infrastructure are strong and operating without failures. It’s like a seamless, invisible continuum that most people often don’t think about or realize is powering the technologies they rely on and expect to work effortlessly. On the other hand, rapid growth can also come with serious downsides including quality control issues, building infrastructure errors and talent shortages. 

In my more than 25 years as a field engineer with both hands-on experience maintaining and troubleshooting all types of UPS systems and batteries, as well as leading teams of field engineers as a regional manager for Quality Uptime I can tell you we’ve seen the effects of the downsides of growing rapidly, but it’s certainly not a deterrent to us! What sets us apart is our willingness to always cater to the needs of our customers to ensure uptime and provide a level of service that in my opinion and experience is simply unheard of in the field. Sometimes that means identifying, troubleshooting and finding solutions to problems for our customers that may not even directly involve UPS systems and batteries – our main priority when we go into a data center – but are going to significantly improve the operations and reliability of the data center. 

For example, last week while conducting routine preventative maintenance my team made a client aware of a water leak that was dangerously close to their UPS batteries. If that water had dripped into the cabinet it could have been catastrophic. 

Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Every week my field teams are pulling out miracles for their customers and adding value to pinpoint potential issues before they become a much larger, costly problem. Each data center is different, yet our field team sees some of the same, common mistakes being made when it comes to UPS and battery maintenance. We are here to help you avoid these common UPS and battery maintenance mistakes and help you prioritize routine and preventative maintenance for your UPS systems and batteries in 2025.

Mistake #1: Delaying Maintenance and/or Battery/Capacitor Replacements 

It is crucial to keep on your maintenance schedule. Did you know that a single bad cell in a battery string can compromise the entire backup system during a power outage? Battery maintenance can be a simple, low risk, inexpensive way to keep your batteries ready to go. Continued maintenance also ensures your warranties stay active, and you get the fully budgeted lifespan of your batteries.

Mistake #2: Rushing the Inexperienced to the Job 

Finding appropriately skilled and experienced talent within your data center operations is a universal challenge felt by all in the industry. UPS and battery maintenance requires a depth of knowledge and skill that takes time to build. Training cannot and should not be rushed. With Quality Uptime you don’t have to worry about rushing the hiring and onboarding process. You can allow the right amount of time to properly train the team you are building. This is because when you partner with us we bring you a field team that has the most experience in the industry, on average 20 years, and that means you can feel confident in their abilities. They can even work with the team you are building to help them learn and grow.

Mistake #3: Not Acting on Recommendations

When you work with us, you’ll be provided with recommendations after every visit. Our team works diligently to highlight issues in the order of risk and possible impact. Review your service reports and take action to mitigate risks. Don’t get complacent and let something slip through the cracks that could be disastrous.

How to Have UPS Maintenance Success 

Now that you know a few of the common mistakes we see data center operators making and how Quality Uptime can help you avoid them, let’s turn our focus to getting set up for success in 2025. Your time is already limited and you don’t want to waste it on unnecessary mistakes that could cost you even more lost efficiency and uptime. 

Here are three things you can do right now to ensure you have a solid approach to your UPS systems and battery maintenance plans for 2025, and can save you time: 

1. Shift from reactive approaches to proactive approaches. An easy place to start this is getting to know each of your data center buildings and understanding the systems and inventory you have in each. When you are not familiar with all the systems and inventory of what you have, you are bound to be stuck in a reactive approach to maintenance. You don’t want to be caught off guard when something critically fails that you were not aware needed attention. As you build familiarization with all of your data center systems and inventory, you will be better equipped to put together a specific proactive maintenance plan with Quality Uptime support, because you will understand your needs and can better plan for service that makes the most sense from a global standpoint all the way down to the individual data center campus or building level. 

Another way to make this shift is to break down the UPS maintenance process into manageable, time-based tasks. With expert support from Quality Uptime you can turn the process into a series of achievable steps done monthly, quarterly and annually. 

My team has specific tasks they will perform in each time period. Some of their tasks include: 

Monthly Tasks: 

• Visual inspections
• Recording readings from the UPS systems
• Monitor system environment

Quarterly Tasks:

• All monthly tasks
• Inspect UPS thoroughly 
• Conduct detailed battery cell readings/maintenance 

Annual Tasks:

• Fully denergized system inspection and cleaning
• Verify system functionality in multiple operational modes
• Evaluate hard to reach components for future needs
• Comprehensive battery assessment and maintenance 

2. Contact Quality Uptime for a consultation. Our team can help you assess your specific needs and help you put a maintenance plan in place. We can provide a customized scope to meet your maintenance needs while keeping your budget in mind. We do not offer a one size fits all solution. We partner with our clients for the right solution tailored precisely to their specific needs.

3.  Invest in a UPS maintenance service plan. An investment in a contract with Quality Uptime pays dividends day one, with the peace of mind that our team of 100+ experts are standing by to assist with any emergent situation you face with your critical power needs.

Now you know some of the common UPS maintenance mistakes to avoid and what you can do to ensure you have a strong plan in 2025 with Quality Uptime by your side. 

Ongoing UPS maintenance ensures the health of your UPS and battery systems, and gives you peace of mind with guaranteed uptime. At Quality Uptime, we understand the critical role UPS systems play in safeguarding your business operations. We will work with you to determine the best UPS maintenance plan for your needs. 

Contact us for your free quote. 

David Nosic is a regional manager for Quality Uptime Services leading field teams in the maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of UPS equipment. He has more than 25 years experience as a field engineer. 

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