UPS Replacement Factors to Consider

While every business has its own unique factors to consider, there are basic ones that need to be evaluated to make the best decision. The age of the UPS as well as your current operational needs are fundamental in deciding between a UPS update in lifecycle parts or a complete UPS replacement. Read below to learn more about what you should be aware of as you navigate this process.

 

How long will your facility continue to operate?

If your facility is expected to continue to operate another 5-10 years or more, it may make more sense to opt for a UPS replacement. Alternatively, if you only expect your facility to operate for less than 5 more years, it may make more sense to continue to replace specific UPS parts or potentially integrate additional technologies into your UPS.

 

 

How many years of additional service life do you anticipate?

UPS systems typically have a design life of around 15 years. Assuming the system is well maintained and operating within its specification envelope, you should expect reliable performance up to this point. If you decide to update the UPS system with new parts, you should think about how many additional years of service life you expect. 

 

One factor to consider is that going beyond an additional 5 years could push into another cycle of battery and fan replacements, so it is important to consider if it is worth the cost of attempting to extend the service life of your system by replacing UPS parts. If your system is close to or at end of life, it is typically more sensible to fully replace your UPS.

 

 

Where is your current UPS in its support lifecycle?

If your system is in a later phase of its support lifecycle and support is limited, then you may want to consider planning to replace the UPS system instead of investing in parts replacements and updates. Alternatively, if the system is earlier in the lifecycle, then continuing to do maintenance on it would be a reasonable move. Reference your UPS system’s support availability when evaluating potential changes.

 

 

What is your system’s current operating load?

If your system is heavily loaded (in the 80% range or more) and you do not expect this load factor to decrease, then it may be necessary to replace your UPS to upgrade your system’s efficiency. Alternatively, if the system load factor is much lower and you do not anticipate reaching or exceeding 80%, then a system update may suffice.

 

 

Is the current system meeting your efficiency and availability goals?

Another important consideration is system efficiency. Many UPS systems today can operate more efficiently compared to older generation systems. If improving efficiency is an important factor for your organization, you may want to consider upgrading your system with a complete UPS replacement rather than continuing to invest in life cycle updates.  

 

Likewise, if you are considering different redundancy configurations to increase overall system reliability, you may want to take the same approach. Conversely, some technologies can be integrated into your existing UPS system, such as an upgraded battery solution.