Battery

Proper maintenance and monitoring are vita to preserving the life of batteries in any UPS system. Over 75% of unplanned power outages can be attributes to a battery failure. These battery failures can happen over the course of two or more weeks or as little as two days.

While most UPS systems are purchased with a maintenance contract that guarantees semiannual battery testing, the rate at which any battery could begin failing leaves the UPS at risk during the months when the batteries go untested. During those absent months, if one or more begin to fail, the entire string will begin to over-compensate for the failing batteries. This, in turn, causes the “good” batteries to lose health and begin failing as well.

How Battery Monitoring Works

Battery monitoring starts with attaching a single Data Collection Module (DCM) to the batteries. Depending on the product, each DCM monitors anywhere from one to four batteries. The Data Collection Modules attach to each battery at the terminal and are easy to assemble and disassemble. The string of DCMs then connect to a Control Unit or String Measurement Kit. These product collect the information from each string of Data Collection Modules and sends it to an Integrated Battery Monitoring Unit. The Integrated Battery Monitoring Unit will collect all the data from the Control Units and organize it into easy to view history charts and live individual cell readings.

This video below will explain further how this battery monitoring system, Cellwatch, works:

Benefits to Battery Monitoring Systems

Implementing a Battery Monitoring System will not only enhance the reliability of the data center but also help reduce maintenance costs over the lifetime of the UPS. With a Battery Monitoring Systems, a failing battery can be quickly diagnosed and replaced before it drains the remaining “good” batteries in the string. This monitoring solution will prolong the life of the remaining batteries as well as help to make sure any power outage to a facility will be properly controlled by the UPS system.

In the event of a power failure, knowing the current health of the UPS’s battery string is vita to data center reliability. Battery Monitoring Systems offer an all-encompassing look at the UPS’s battery string. This should include:

• Ohmic values

• Voltage readings

• String Current

• Pilot and ambient temperatures

• Inter-cell resistance

• Float voltage

With an easy to read history chart, a Battery Monitoring System will provide data center managers the health of batteries over time, ensuring that the UPS is at full strength. These systems are fully modular and scalable to integrate with any UPS’s system configuration.

These systems are able to notify the user of an alarm via email. The user is able to self-configure alarm settings that will provide detailed information about the event provided. Each email provides details about the site location, battery, string, date, time and type of alarm.

Wireless

Our wireless battery monitoring system from Staco Energy is an easy to install product that utilizes radio frequency to monitor in real time. This product also features a 6.4” LCD touch screen to further assist users in monitoring their batteries. The FirstLine BMS also comes with a two year on-site warranty and different post-warranty service options.

Cellwatch

STACO Energy