When a power outage strikes, your UPS system is your last line of defence. But what happens when that system fails? For facilities managers, IT leaders, and operations teams, UPS failure can mean lost data, halted operations, and serious compliance breaches. It’s not a scenario any business can afford.
UPS systems are highly reliable when properly maintained. However, like any complex electrical infrastructure, they require professional oversight to continue performing as expected. Regular maintenance by professionals who understand the specific demands and internal components of UPS systems is crucial to avoiding failure and extending operational life.
Despite being designed for resilience, UPS systems are vulnerable to a handful of avoidable issues. Knowing what causes UPS failure and taking steps to prevent it is essential to keeping your operations running without interruption.
Here are the top five causes of UPS failure, along with practical ways to prevent them.
1. UPS Battery Failure
The most common cause of UPS failure is battery degradation. Over time, UPS batteries naturally lose their ability to hold a charge. Factors such as temperature extremes, incorrect charging, and lack of regular testing can accelerate this decline.
Prevention:
- Schedule regular UPS battery testing to identify weak or failing units early.
- Replace batteries before they reach end-of-life, typically every 3-5 years depending on type and usage.
- Ensure the UPS room remains at a stable, cool temperature (ideally 20-22°C).
- Invest in a UPS battery maintenance plan from a specialist provider like BCL Power to ensure compliance with SFG20 standards.
2. Lack of Preventative UPS Maintenance
Many UPS failures stem from overlooked maintenance. Dust build-up, loose connections, and worn components can all go unnoticed until they cause a fault.
Prevention:
- Implement a preventative UPS maintenance schedule in line with manufacturer guidance and SFG20 standards.
- Use trained specialist technicians rather than general electricians.
- Record and review UPS maintenance visits to identify patterns and address recurring issues.
3. UPS Capacitor Wear
Capacitors help regulate voltage within the UPS. Like batteries, they have a limited lifespan and can degrade over time, especially in high-temperature environments. Failing capacitors may lead to erratic UPS behaviour or complete UPS failure.
Prevention:
- Include capacitor testing as part of routine UPS system audits.
- Replace capacitors proactively every 5-7 years or based on condition reports.
- Monitor UPS internal temperatures to reduce stress on internal components.
4. Overloading the UPS System
Connecting more equipment than your UPS is rated to handle can result in overload, shutting the system down during a power cut. This is often due to system expansion without reassessing power requirements.
Prevention:
- Conduct a UPS load analysis annually or after any major infrastructure changes.
- Allow a margin between your UPS’s capacity and the connected load to accommodate future growth.
- Consider a UPS system upgrade or parallel systems if your site demand has increased.
5. Environmental Factors Leading to UPS Failure
Heat, humidity, dust, and even pests can significantly impact UPS performance. Poor environmental conditions accelerate component wear and increase the risk of sudden UPS failure.
Prevention:
- Maintain UPS systems in clean, well-ventilated, temperature-controlled environments.
- Use environmental monitoring tools to detect changes in temperature or humidity.
- Schedule periodic room inspections to prevent contamination or external threats.
Why Preventing UPS Failure Matters
Unexpected UPS failure puts your critical systems at risk and can also impact business continuity, data security, and regulatory compliance. By addressing these common causes head-on with planned preventative action, you protect both uptime and operational resilience.
At BCL Power, we provide tailored UPS maintenance services designed to catch problems before they cause UPS failure. Our specialist technicians deliver SFG20-compliant inspections, battery testing, and system audits across the UK, 24/7.
Looking for professional UPS support? Contact BCL Power today to book a UPS system audit or discuss a proactive maintenance plan that fits your business needs. Prevent UPS failure before it puts your operations at risk.