It’s easy to overlook your UPS system (Uninterruptible Power Supply) – until there’s a power cut. Suddenly, everything rides on whether that system works as expected. But here’s the thing: unless your UPS batteries are tested and checked regularly, there’s no guarantee they’ll back you up when it really matters.
That’s where we come in. At BCL Power, we help businesses across the UK take a proactive approach to UPS reliability. Our battery testing and risk assessments are all about making sure your power protection is rock solid, so there are no surprises when the lights go out.
Don’t Leave Backup Power to Chance
UPS systems are a vital line of defence, but they have a known point of failure: the batteries. Most unplanned UPS failures can be traced back to battery issues – either due to ageing cells, poor installation, or lack of routine checks.
Industry data shows:
- Battery failure causes 20–35% of all UPS system failures
- A single minute of downtime can cost around £4,800 in sectors like data hosting, finance, and healthcare
- The average outage lasts 86 minutes, potentially costing more than £400,000 per incident
This risk isn’t just financial. Downtime can damage reputation, disrupt services, and put safety-critical systems at risk.
What a UPS Battery Risk Assessment Actually Involves
Our approach at BCL Power is to go beyond basic visual inspections. A proper UPS battery risk assessment should give you a clear picture of system health, remaining lifespan, and any urgent actions needed to stay compliant and operational.
Here’s what’s typically included:
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Conductance Testing
Identifies weak or deteriorating cells by measuring internal resistance, one of the earliest and most reliable indicators of battery failure.
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Load Bank Testing
Simulates a real-world power cut to confirm the system’s actual runtime performance under load, without the risk of interrupting your live environment.
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Environmental Checks
Conditions like high ambient temperatures or poor airflow can shorten battery life. We assess the installation environment to prevent accelerated degradation.
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Terminal Checks
Loose connections are a common and dangerous oversight. We physically inspect terminal points to prevent overheating or voltage drop.
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Compliance and Safety Review
We ensure your system aligns with key maintenance standards, including SFG20, and flag any areas that may present a health & safety concern.
UPS Battery Health Checks with Clear, Practical Advice
In many industries, planned maintenance and lifecycle management are seen as a best practice. UPS systems should be no different. But unlike HVAC or lighting systems, the UPS is often forgotten – until there’s a fault.
Our UPS Battery and System Health Check brings everything together: detailed findings, practical advice, and a clear risk profile. This isn’t just about identifying problems, it’s about giving you a plan to maximise system life and reduce future spend.
Preventative UPS Maintenance and Battery Testing
All UPS batteries will eventually need replacing. But premature failure, avoidable callouts, and unplanned downtime? That’s preventable.
By making regular UPS battery testing part of your asset maintenance strategy, you can:
- Spot and replace weak batteries before they cause disruption
- Reduce emergency interventions and reactive costs
- Extend the operational lifespan of your entire UPS setup
Is your business truly prepared for an unexpected power outage?
Assess your business’s preparedness for a power outage with our free checklist – identify gaps in your setup, improve your response plans, and protect your business. Download our checklist here.
Why Choose a UPS Specialist?
Not all UPS maintenance providers are equal. UPS systems require specific expertise, especially when it comes to batteries, load balancing, and manufacturer requirements. At BCL Power, we’re not general electricians, we’re UPS battery professionals. We work with facilities managers, IT teams, and operations leaders across the UK to keep critical systems running, no matter what.
At BCL Power, we bring:
- Over 30 years of experience in UPS and battery maintenance
- Specialist technicians certified by major UPS manufacturers
- Tailored testing programmes based on system criticality and site risk
- Nationwide 24/7 support for rapid response when it matters most
Don’t Wait for a Power Cut to Review Your UPS Setup
If it’s been more than six months since your last UPS battery test, or if you’re not sure when your batteries were last assessed, now’s the time to act.
Contact BCL Power today to schedule a battery risk assessment and speak with one of our UPS specialists. We’ll help you safeguard your systems, stay compliant, and keep your business running without interruption.