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Historically, in mission critical applications, lead acid batteries have provided backup power for uninterruptible power supplies. The three main types are VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid), VLA (Vented Lead Acid), and Pure Lead. Consider the four main questions below to accurately and timely replace your lead acid batteries to ensure optimum system performance.
Mitsubishi Electric offers replacement batteries for our UPS systems, whether you want to replace existing models with more of the same or make a change. But first, you’ll need to know what batteries are currently installed in your cabinet.
Identifying Battery Type with Your Battery Cabinet
If you purchased your battery cabinet from Mitsubishi Electric, the label on the interior of the cabinet door provides the necessary information for a compatible UPS battery replacement. As depicted in the image, the model number of the label identifies the pertinent specs for your current batteries.
If you did not purchase your original cabinet from us, it may still bear a similar type label containing the necessary information. When the battery cabinet can be safely accessed, take a photograph of the label or make a note of the information. If the label is missing or illegible, take a photo of a battery and its label, and note the number of batteries in the cabinet.
See below for battery type and respective lifespans.
As your lead acid batteries approach these time periods, you should start to consider whether to replace them like-for-like, or perhaps upgrade to newer technologies like lithium ion. Establishing regularly scheduled maintenance on your lead acid batteries ensures avoidance of thermal runaway and peak performance.
Knowing the manufacturer of your battery is important when looking to replace batteries in an existing string. It is not recommended to mix and match batteries from different manufacturers as the performance characteristics of the batteries could be different.
Mitsubishi Electric is vendor agnostic, and we work with the most common battery suppliers for uninterruptible power supply applications.
Many battery vendors offer multiple models of batteries for use in UPS applications. So, to avoid any confusion, you will want to verify the exact model/series of battery that you currently have. You can usually find this information on the label of the battery, or it can sometimes be determined from the part number of the battery cabinet.
Gathering this information will also allow you to determine the size of the battery, which is critical information to know when looking for a replacement. Just like with determining the manufacturer, you do not want to mix different models or sizes of batteries.
Now that you know what type of batteries and battery cabinet you have, it’s time to consider the right UPS battery replacement. A popular alternative energy solution is lithium ion, bringing with it many advantages from footprint to total cost of ownership. When it comes to lead acid battery replacements, Mitsubishi Electric can help you make the right choice.
Whether leveraging an existing battery cabinet through a retrofit, or opting for a new cabinet altogether, you’ll also need to consider connector compatibility, cable size and the possibility of re-wiring.
Lithium ion is quickly becoming the alternative DC power source in the mission critical market with its longer life, smaller footprint, and reduced maintenance.
Batteries being replaced need to be properly disposed of in accordance with EPA guidelines. Since they contain hazardous materials, it is unlawful to toss them into refuse that will end up in a landfill. We also recommend reviewing the disposal/recycling directions in your manufacturer’s safety data sheet, or contact us for more information on how Mitsubishi Electric can assist.
Whether replacing a lead acid battery with like-for-like or upgrading to lithium ion, Mitsubishi Electric can help secure the battery cabinet update you need to ensure your backup power stays up while batteries reach their end of life.