UPS preventive maintenance in Toronto
A preventive maintenance visit measures every battery block, checks the fans, capacitors, connections and bypass, reads the event log, and ends with a report that puts each reading next to the last one. Book it at least once a year [1]. Critical sites book two visits a year [2].
Key facts
- Minimum frequency: once a year (Eaton)[1]
- Critical sites: two visits a year (Vertiv service data)[2]
- Battery readings: every block, every quarter, per IEEE 1188[3]
- Battery temperature: 20 to 25 °C for full life (Eaton)[4]
- Connections: inspected and tightened at least once a year (Vertiv)[5]
- Power-train capacitors: replaced around 7 years (Eaton)[6]
How Often Should a Data-Centre UPS Be Serviced?
At least once a year: Eaton recommends an annual mechanical review of the UPS and its battery cabinets, and Vertiv's own service data supports two visits a year at critical sites. A visit measures every battery block, checks connections, fans, filters and the bypass, and ends with a report.
In this video
- 0:00 How often should a data-centre UPS be serviced?
- 0:17 What happens during a visit?
- 0:57 What wears out, and when?
- 1:28 What can your team do between visits?
- 1:45 Talk to Symetrix Canada
Transcript
How often should a data-centre UPS be serviced? Plan on a preventive maintenance visit at least once every year. Eaton recommends an annual mechanical review of the UPS and its battery cabinets. Vertiv's own service data supports 2 visits a year at critical sites.
What happens during a visit? Our technicians measure every battery block, recording voltage, internal resistance and temperature: the IEEE practice for sealed lead-acid strings, 4 readings per block per year. We inspect and tighten the power connections at least once a year, following Vertiv's maintenance schedule. Fans and filters get checked, the event log gets read, and the static bypass gets a transfer test, booked in your change window under an agreed method. Infrared thermography sits on the same calendar: NFPA 70B, a standard since 2023, lists a thermal scan of all equipment every 12 months.
What wears out, and when? Batteries first. Eaton puts lead-acid blocks at 3 to 5 years. A block that slips to 80 percent of its rated capacity is due for replacement; one that drifts more than 50 percent from its resistance baseline needs further evaluation. Around year 7, Eaton schedules a full replacement of the primary capacitors, and the fans go at the same time. And heat decides a lot: an average room of 35 degrees instead of 25 cuts battery life in half.
Between visits, your own team keeps it simple. Every day, make sure the air intakes and the exhaust are clear, and that the green indicator is lit. Every month, check the air filters and write what you find in a service log. A red alarm lamp, or a green lamp that will not light, is a call for service.
Symetrix Canada services UPS systems across Toronto, the GTA and Ontario, with an around-the-clock emergency line. Reply and quote within 4 business hours. Call 1 (438) 800-0382. Find Symetrix Canada on the web, at symetrixcanada.com.
Visit checklist
| Check | What we record | When it needs action |
|---|---|---|
| Battery blocks | Voltage, internal resistance and temperature of each block | Resistance more than 50% off its baseline [7] |
| Battery string | Capacity trend and date code | Capacity down to 80% of rating [8] |
| Battery room | Temperature at the cabinet | An average of 35 °C instead of 25 °C halves battery life [9] |
| Connections | Heat marks, torque where specified, thermal scan | Any hot joint. Bolted connections need periodic re-torque [10] |
| Fans and filters | Noise, airflow, filter condition | Filters every two months in a normal room [11] |
| Capacitors | Bulging, leakage, age | Around 7 years in Eaton power trains [6] |
| Input, output, bypass | Voltage, current and frequency per phase, load per phase | Load past the redundancy limit |
| Event log | Alarms since the last visit | Any repeated or open alarm |
| Static bypass | Transfer and return under load | A failed or slow transfer |
| Monitoring | Network card traps and emails | An alert that did not arrive |
Between visits
Eaton’s 91PS/93PS guide gives the site team a short list. Every day, make sure the air intakes on the front doors and the exhaust at the back are clear [12], and that the green normal-operation indicator is on. A red alarm indicator, or no green indicator, means a call to service [13]. Every month, check and wash or replace the optional air filters, and write the results in a service log [14].
What the report contains
- Each reading from the checklist, next to the reading from the last visit
- Blocks that have drifted, with their position in the string
- Alarms found, cleared and still open
- Firmware version and settings
- Parts due now and parts to budget, each with a price
- The manufacturer’s support status for the model
What needs its own window
A capacity test is a full discharge, because partial discharges give a false picture of battery health [15]. It takes the string out of service for the duration, so it is booked separately, like a load bank test. Parts found worn are quoted on the report. They are fitted on the day only if you approve them.
Common questions
How often should a UPS be serviced?
At least once a year, as Eaton recommends [1]. Critical sites and hot or dusty rooms book two visits a year, which Vertiv's service data supports [2].
What can our own staff check between visits?
The daily and monthly checks in the manufacturer's guide: clear air intakes and exhaust, the status indicators, the air filters, and a service log of what was found [14].
Does preventive maintenance need a shutdown?
No. The readings and inspection are taken with the UPS carrying the load. The bypass transfer test is scheduled in your change window under an agreed method.
Which brands do you maintain?
Eaton and Powerware, APC, Vertiv and Liebert, Tripp Lite, Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, XPC and Delta, single-phase and three-phase.
Sources
- Eaton, Top five preventive maintenance services for UPS health, page body
- Vertiv, The Effect of Regular, Skilled Preventive Maintenance and Remote Monitoring on Critical Power System Reliability, conclusion
- EnerSys, Safety, Storage, Operating and Maintenance Manual, VRLA Battery Systems (US-VR-OM-002), maintenance section
- Eaton, Eaton 91PS/93PS UPS 8-40 kW User's and Installation Guide, P-164000493 rev 006, p. 16
- Vertiv, Liebert APM2 UL Modular UPS User Manual SL-71948, printed p. 116 (PDF p. 124)
- Eaton, Straight talk about capacitors in your UPS (WP153009EN), capacitor service life section
- EnerSys, PowerSafe SBS XL Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual, maintenance section
- CSB Energy Technology, VRLA Battery User Manual (Operation and Handling, Rev Dec 2024), failure modes table
- Vertiv, Liebert APM2 UL Modular UPS User Manual SL-71948, printed p. 118 (PDF p. 126)
- Eaton, Eaton 91PS/93PS UPS 8-40 kW User's and Installation Guide, P-164000493 rev 006, p. 110, section 8.3.3
- Vertiv, Liebert APM2 UL Modular UPS User Manual SL-71948, printed p. 156 (PDF p. 164)
- Eaton, Eaton 91PS/93PS UPS 8-40 kW User's and Installation Guide, P-164000493 rev 006, p. 110, section 8.3.1
- Eaton, Eaton 91PS/93PS UPS 8-40 kW User's and Installation Guide, P-164000493 rev 006, p. 110, section 8.3.1
- Eaton, Eaton 91PS/93PS UPS 8-40 kW User's and Installation Guide, P-164000493 rev 006, p. 110, section 8.3.2
- EnerSys, PowerSafe SBS XL Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual, capacity testing
Updated