Services

Replacement batteries can be purchased for UPS. Replacing the batteries every 3-5 years can extend the lifespan of your UPS. We can advise you on the best battery for your product. We sell a wide range of batteries including: valve regulated lead acid batteries; flooded lead acid batteries; flooded nickel cadmium batteries (NiCd batteries); gas recombination low maintenance NiCd batteries; and lithium ion stationary batteries.

Put simply, yes. A generator service and/or UPS service can determine any existing and future power supply problems that could impact equipment performance. Planned and preventative maintenance can extend machine efficiency, assures optimal working conditions and conserves the life span of the equipment. Along with determining when replacements will be needed for a seamless transition, planned and preventative maintenance is a far cheaper solution compared to complete equipment replacement.

Depending on the size and complexity of your site, as well as the number of tanks, the inspection should take from 1-3 days to complete. Upon completion, a bound and electronic copy of the report will be given to you, and recommendations made about what to do going forward.

OFTEC inspections should be carried out annually and we suggest timing the inspection with regular servicing or maintenance as this can save your company money against multiple call outs. Upon a pass the OFTEC certificate is valid for 5 years.

Nearly all electronic and electrical equipment, regardless of how well-designed and built it is, will eventually break down unless it is maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wear and tear is common with electrical equipment, but it has severe consequences for UPS systems and generators, where financial, reputation and potentially life-threatening damage comes into play. It is highly recommended that as a minimum you service your power systems annually in order to maintain its working lifecycle. Our service contracts include everything from AC maintenance, DC maintenance and generator maintenance through to analogue metering, intelligent monitoring, remote monitoring and spare parts, as well as callouts, minor fault fixes and access to our customer portal, where you can access management information reports and other key details on your power supply systems.

UPS manufacturers usually recommend that UPS maintenance should be carried out within the first year of installation, and then annually from there on out as a minimum. However, if you notice any issues with your UPS system beforehand, then you should always contact your power supply partner as soon as possible to rectify them, and to ensure that UPS repairs are carried out swiftly and efficiently. The right check up could be the difference between business continuity and costly downtime, so UPS maintenance is always worth the time and effort.

Without proper maintenance, generators can fall prey to failures and power outages. Generator manufacturers generally recommend that a generator should be serviced after the first year of installation and on an annual basis there on after. We also suggest carrying out regular visual inspections to keep on top of any faults within your generator that may require maintenance sooner than anticipated.

Factors that may result in more frequent maintenance include:

Exposure to extreme temperatures and weather can damage components of the generator.
Airborne contaminants such as dust and sand may infiltrate the generator, causing damage to its internal components.

Excess usage: Most diesel generators are designed to provide backup power. Should a standby generator be used for prime power, care should be taken to ensure the generator is inspected frequently and only used for as long as it is required.

Lack of usage: Similarly, if a generator is left dormant longer than expected, engine exercise should be carried out to avoid battery failure.

Batteries have a typical lifespan of 3 – 5 years, with causes of battery failure including loss of electrolyte and inaccurate float charge voltage. However, factors such as battery chemistry, battery cycling and suitable storage conditions can greatly affect how long your battery lasts. We strongly recommend carrying out battery maintenance tests to keep abreast of any battery faults or issues, as batteries are one of the most integral parts of your UPS system. Battery testers can visit your business, site or facility every 6 months to a year, ensuring you’re always in control of your critical power equipment.

To comply with British Standards, the base material should be either:

Concrete at least 100mm thick.
Paving stones at least 50mm thick.
Stonework at least 50mm thick.

The overall size of the base should be larger than the oil storage tank and any integral oil storage tank bund, so that when the oil storage tank is installed, the base has a clear projection of a minimum of 300mm around all sides of the oil storage tank.

We have no doubt of your trained eye, but an OFTEC inspection provides assurance that your tank is fine, and can function properly. When exposed to the elements, steel pipes can rust, and plastic becomes brittle. Similarly, poor installation can put large amounts of pressure on the tank, leading to leaks and pollution. Having your oil tanks inspected will considerably reduce any risk, and leave you less liable should an issue occur.

As batteries go unused, with no charging schedule, their battery life will decrease. When it comes to the self-discharge characteristics of lead-acid batteries for example, it is important that they are charged after 6-10 months of battery storage. Otherwise, permanent loss of capacity will occur between 18-30 months.

Severe actions can be taken against companies that have not complied to regulations including fines, associated costs of production loss and cleaning and imprisonment. These are based on several factors concerning the overall damage of the spill, number of litres spilt and the duration it took place and of course the direct and indirect impact on the environment. Records have seen fines reach in the region of c£8M in recent years.

There are lots of things you can do to prevent oil theft, such as:

• Check the fuel levels regularly to make sure that none has gone missing.

• Lock the tank. Most tanks can be locked at the inspection cover or a lockable filler cap can be retro fitted to existing oil tanks.

• Install automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank.

Fuel polishing involves a number of steps, all of which help to keep your secure power solution at optimum performance.

• Regular Sampling and Testing – Fuel sampling on site to access fuel cleanliness and fuel quality.

• Fuel Treatment – Identify and deliver the most appropriate solution to bring your fuel back to optimum condition.

• Fuel Storage and Handling Procedures – Advise on handling and storage including tank cleaning, testing, repair and replacement.

• Fuel Maintenance – Fuel polishing systems are available to suit any tank in any application. All systems operate “stand alone” with basic 24/7 digital timers or advanced remote control and monitoring.

Generator maintenance includes everything from exhaust treatment and OFTEC qualified fuel tank inspections, through to fuel management and radiator cleaning. It also includes load bank testing to ensure your standby generator can operate at its optimum kW output, as well as control system management and remote monitoring services that allow your maintenance provider to access to your generator from afar so they can make critical decisions should an issue occur.

Knowing exactly which parts are needed is of vital importance to successfully repairing any damaged or faulty generators. First, you must identify which part needs replacing, then you need to find the corresponding part for the exact make and model of your generator. Our dedicated team use a parts identification system and an advanced ordering system to get you the right part when you need it most.

It is a common misconception that fuel can be stored in bulk for long periods without requiring any maintenance. However, this is simply not true. Like most substances, fuel can easily become contaminated when left for a considerable amount of time. Microbes can be particularly troublesome and if left untreated, the contaminated fuel could jeopardise the performance of your generator and ultimately lead to power downtime.

OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) is the industry body that governs the assessment and certification of fuel storage and associated pipework.

An OFTEC Inspection concerning the fuel tank is an assessment of the tank and pipework ensuring the health and safety of individuals and the environment. By carrying out such an inspection by a qualified engineer you are minimising the risks and associated penalties.

Fuel management is necessary for the upkeep of your fuel, as diesel can often be subject to contamination over time. It is just as important to maintain your fuel as it is your generator, as your fuel could jeopardise the efficiency of the whole system.

Load bank testing is typically carried out during preventive maintenance, and is a way of validating the correct operational performance and battery autonomy of your generator. Testing this under load conditions, a load test can determine battery condition and when they are approaching their end of working life, not holding a charge or are about to fail. This allows a load bank tester to replace them in advance of breakdown or failure, ensuring that critical power supply is always available.

A load bank test will provide timely identification of problems with the generator and an indication of remedial actions that should be taken. In the case of a standby generator, a load bank test will indicate the engine’s ability to provide the required power; the alternator’s capability to provide the required voltage stability; stable frequency; efficiency of control systems under varying conditions of load; performance of the whole system; oil and fuel pressure. It will also help remove deposits from pistons, engine castings and exhausts, identify potential weaknesses, record results and any work that needs to be done.

Remote monitoring systems allow you to check up on your UPS and generator systems from a computer or smart device from a remote location. Your device connects to offer reports and data on the functionality of your UPS and generator systems. Featured functions include checking vital systems, turning generators in the field on and off and viewing various statistics.

The standard lifespan for VRLA batteries is 3 – 5 years. However, expected battery life can vary dependent on environmental conditions, number of discharge cycles, and suitable maintenance. Having a regular schedule of battery maintenance and battery monitoring to ensure that you know when your batteries are reaching their end-of-life is always a good idea.

The IEE defines ‘end of useful life’ for a UPS battery as the point where it can no longer supply 80% of its rated capacity in ampere-hours. When your battery reaches 80% of its rated capacity, the ageing process accelerates and the battery should be replaced.

A bypass automatically and instantaneously transfers the load to the mains electricity supply when there’s an internal fault or failure with your UPS system. This allows general servicing to continue without causing disruption to the load. In effect, running on a bypass circumvents the UPS (i.e. the rectifier, batteries and inverter) and ensures power continuity while the UPS is fixed or swapped out.

Internal static bypass switches should not be confused with an external maintenance bypass switch, which is an option that enables the UPS to be powered down manually for maintenance to be carried out while the critical load is powered directly from the mains. External maintenance bypass switches tend to be mechanical in the form of a wraparound or rotary switch or set of circuit breakers.

OFTEC inspections provided by Dale are carried out by registered technician/engineer.

To keep your systems up and running, original spare parts are needed to maintain your generator. Our quality OEM parts, from air filters to complete engine or alternator replacements, keep your generators running for longer. These parts are also covered by a warranty to give you even more longevity out of your generator.

No matter the make, model or manufacturer, most generators are going to need some sort of repair. Ensuring that you have the correct parts to carry out vital repairs can be the difference between routine maintenance and a full system shutdown. Ensure that you are stocked and prepared for any faults.

A controlled, load bank test, checks that all aspects of the system are working correctly, including the entire electrical supply infrastructure (cabling, switchgear, generator, fuses) ensuring your system is capable of taking on a full load during a power outage. Back-up power will only work if it can support the required critical power load and therefore, we would always recommend regular load bank testing if the generator is not being used on the building load.

Having constant access to vital statistics on efficiency, fuel tank levels, power monitoring equipment and HVAC infrastructure keeps you in the know at all times. Our system lets you spot any faults, errors or changes in the system, changing a system-shutdown level fault to a minor repair, stopping any potential downtime.

The critical nature of UPS systems means that they need to be serviced regularly to ensure that the internal workings of the units and their batteries are functioning correctly. More than this, UPS maintenance is needed to prevent failure-induced downtime, which could also compromise the equipment the UPS systems have been installed to protect. UPS maintenance can therefore secure confidential information and data and reduce the likelihood of damaging lags or sags in a power supply that could hinder access to this. Ensuring optimum UPS system efficiency – UPS maintenance evaluates your whole system and provides support with prolonged lifecycle management.

To ensure that all systems are running at optimum levels, it’s imperative to have a system that lets you easily monitor and control your UPS or generator’s performance. Remote monitoring allows you to keep an eye out for any potential faults before they occur, drastically reducing downtime and any repair costs.

UPS maintenance is extensive and far-reaching, and when carried out by our technical team, is highly successful. UPS maintenance involves the testing and inspection of your UPS systems, and making any necessary adjustments for power continuity. A visual inspection of the area surrounding your UPS and battery equipment will typically be carried out first, with UPS maintenance seeking to identify any operational abnormalities. Following this, we can carry out battery maintenance, battery management, enclosure maintenance and load bank testing, as well as control system management, voltage testing, and replace faulty parts with new ones. This can include batteries, capacitors, alternators and fans.

How often should UPS maintenance be carried out?

This depends on the criticality of the load and the environment the system operates in, but as a general guide:

• Quarterly visual/operational checks — for business-critical sites (data centres, hospitals, manufacturing lines), a light-touch inspection every 3 months helps catch developing issues early.

• Annual full preventative maintenance — most manufacturers recommend at least one full service per year, covering battery testing, capacitor checks, fan/alternator inspection and firmware/control system review.

• Bi-annual for harsher environments — UPS systems operating in WIMES-rated or otherwise harsh conditions (dust, moisture, temperature extremes) typically need servicing twice yearly to stay within warranty and compliance requirements.

• Battery-specific testing every 6–12 months — batteries degrade faster than the rest of the system and benefit from more frequent, dedicated testing regardless of the wider maintenance schedule.

The right interval ultimately depends on load criticality, site conditions and manufacturer warranty terms — our UPS Servicing team can recommend a tailored schedule as part of a site survey.

Depending on the size and complexity of your site, as well as the number of tanks, the inspection should take from 1-3 days to complete. Upon completion, a bound and electronic copy of the report will be given to you, and recommendations made about what to do going forward.

OFTEC inspections should be carried out annually and we suggest timing the inspection with regular servicing or maintenance as this can save your company money against multiple call outs. Upon a pass the OFTEC certificate is valid for 5 years.

Without proper maintenance, generators can fall prey to failures and power outages. Generator manufacturers generally recommend that a generator should be serviced after the first year of installation and on an annual basis there on after. We also suggest carrying out regular visual inspections to keep on top of any faults within your generator that may require maintenance sooner than anticipated.

Factors that may result in more frequent maintenance include:

Exposure to extreme temperatures and weather can damage components of the generator.
Airborne contaminants such as dust and sand may infiltrate the generator, causing damage to its internal components.

Excess usage: Most diesel generators are designed to provide backup power. Should a standby generator be used for prime power, care should be taken to ensure the generator is inspected frequently and only used for as long as it is required.

Lack of usage: Similarly, if a generator is left dormant longer than expected, engine exercise should be carried out to avoid battery failure.

To comply with British Standards, the base material should be either:

Concrete at least 100mm thick.
Paving stones at least 50mm thick.
Stonework at least 50mm thick.

The overall size of the base should be larger than the oil storage tank and any integral oil storage tank bund, so that when the oil storage tank is installed, the base has a clear projection of a minimum of 300mm around all sides of the oil storage tank.

We have no doubt of your trained eye, but an OFTEC inspection provides assurance that your tank is fine, and can function properly. When exposed to the elements, steel pipes can rust, and plastic becomes brittle. Similarly, poor installation can put large amounts of pressure on the tank, leading to leaks and pollution. Having your oil tanks inspected will considerably reduce any risk, and leave you less liable should an issue occur.

Severe actions can be taken against companies that have not complied to regulations including fines, associated costs of production loss and cleaning and imprisonment. These are based on several factors concerning the overall damage of the spill, number of litres spilt and the duration it took place and of course the direct and indirect impact on the environment. Records have seen fines reach in the region of c£8M in recent years.

There are lots of things you can do to prevent oil theft, such as:

• Check the fuel levels regularly to make sure that none has gone missing.

• Lock the tank. Most tanks can be locked at the inspection cover or a lockable filler cap can be retro fitted to existing oil tanks.

• Install automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank.

An OFTEC Inspection from Dale ensures compliance with industry regulations and OFTEC-approved controls. An extensive inspection, it covers the following functions:

Tank Features

Taking its location, condition and construction into account, we also look at the type of oil used, its age and identification.

Condition of Pipework

From your gathering pipelines and your feeder pipelines through to your transmission pipelines and distribution pipelines, we look out for corrosion, cracks, environmental pressure and any potential damage from installation or excavation.

Corrosion, one of the most common causes of pipeline issues, can be of 3 types:

External Corrosion

Usually arising from external conditions of heat, water or pressure combined with contact with corrosive materials such as acidic soil.

Internal Corrosion

Resulting from the transportation of a corrosive or pressurised product.

Corrosion Defects

Due to physical characteristics such as pipeline shape or form, or from issues resulting from handling or installation.

An OFTEC inspection will cover all of this, as well as check weld integrity, look out for cracks and fractures in the pipelines, consider pipe alignment and wall thickness, and that everything is in working order.

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Condition of Tank Supports and Base Quality

A visual check of the base and supports of the fuel storage tank for cracking and subsidence is very important. An uneven base, or incorrectly fitted base, could cause an oil tank to succumb to pressure, especially when full. This could lead to stretching and the formation of cracks and splits. We can check for all of this, and make recommendations on base types too.

Bund Compliance

Also known as ‘secondary containment’, a bund is an area around a tank and its ancillary equipment designed to contain any loss of oil and to prevent any environmental impact. A bund must hold at least 110% of the volume of oil the tank is designed to contain, with that extra 10% taking into account everything from sudden tank failures and leaks through to loss of the total tank contents, overfilling and containment of fire-fighting agents.

Bunds may also be impermeable to oil and water with no direct outlet such as a pipe, valve or other opening to drain the system.

Inspection of Gauges, Level Alarms and Fire Valves

For example, sight gauges will be checked that they:

• Have a bracket along the length of the sight gauge tube that fixes the tube to the tank so that it can’t be knocked over.

• Are fitted with a valve that closes automatically when the gauge is not in use.

Inspection of Associated Ancillary Equipment

If your fixed tank has a pump, we’ll check that:

• Your pump has a valve in its feed line that prevents the tank contents emptying if there’s damage to the pump or feed line.

• It’s positioned to reduce the risk of damage by impact – for example, away from tanker turning circles and fork lift truck routes.

• It’s protected against oil theft – for example, by keeping the pump in a lockable cage.

Inspection of Overfill and Impact Protection

If the vent pipe of a fixed tank, and the tank itself, cannot be seen from where the tank is filled, we’ll check that an automatic overfill prevention device has been fitted to the tank. This may be a device that cuts off the flow of oil to the tank when it’s full, a sounding alarm or fixed tank probe that sends a signal to alert the person filling the tank when the tank is full.

Inspection of Fill Points, Draw Off Points and Vents

Fill pipes, draw off pipes and overflow pipes must be positioned in a location that minimises the risk of damage by impact – for example away from driveways, tanker turning circles, and fork lift truck routes.

Also, if you fill your tank or container through a remote pipe (i.e. you fill your container at a fill point that’s outside the bund/secondary containment), we’ll check that you’re using a drip tray to catch any oil that may be spilled during its delivery.

If your fixed tank has any vent pipes, taps or valves, we’ll also check:

• That the vent pipes, taps or valves are within the valve.

• They are arranged so that any oil coming out of them will go vertically down the bund.

• That taps and valves have a lock and can be locked when not in use.

We will also discuss your processes and procedures for operation, filling and spill response, and ensure that environmental issues and fire issues are at the forefront of your business.

Fuel polishing involves a number of steps, all of which help to keep your secure power solution at optimum performance.

• Regular Sampling and Testing – Fuel sampling on site to access fuel cleanliness and fuel quality.

• Fuel Treatment – Identify and deliver the most appropriate solution to bring your fuel back to optimum condition.

• Fuel Storage and Handling Procedures – Advise on handling and storage including tank cleaning, testing, repair and replacement.

• Fuel Maintenance – Fuel polishing systems are available to suit any tank in any application. All systems operate “stand alone” with basic 24/7 digital timers or advanced remote control and monitoring.

Generator maintenance includes everything from exhaust treatment and OFTEC qualified fuel tank inspections, through to fuel management and radiator cleaning. It also includes load bank testing to ensure your standby generator can operate at its optimum kW output, as well as control system management and remote monitoring services that allow your maintenance provider to access to your generator from afar so they can make critical decisions should an issue occur.

Knowing exactly which parts are needed is of vital importance to successfully repairing any damaged or faulty generators. First, you must identify which part needs replacing, then you need to find the corresponding part for the exact make and model of your generator. Our dedicated team use a parts identification system and an advanced ordering system to get you the right part when you need it most.

Generators require regular servicing and without this there are a number of risks you face. Most serious is a lack of power. Failure to identify problems can lead to the generator not working when you need it most. Without regular upkeep, you can find yourself with more serious repairs that are costly to fix. The generator can also become dangerous with risk of harmful emissions, electrocution and fire. Linked to this is a failure in legal compliance and associated fines.

It is a common misconception that fuel can be stored in bulk for long periods without requiring any maintenance. However, this is simply not true. Like most substances, fuel can easily become contaminated when left for a considerable amount of time. Microbes can be particularly troublesome and if left untreated, the contaminated fuel could jeopardise the performance of your generator and ultimately lead to power downtime.

OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) is the industry body that governs the assessment and certification of fuel storage and associated pipework.

An OFTEC Inspection concerning the fuel tank is an assessment of the tank and pipework ensuring the health and safety of individuals and the environment. By carrying out such an inspection by a qualified engineer you are minimising the risks and associated penalties.

Fuel management is necessary for the upkeep of your fuel, as diesel can often be subject to contamination over time. It is just as important to maintain your fuel as it is your generator, as your fuel could jeopardise the efficiency of the whole system.

OFTEC inspections provided by Dale are carried out by registered technician/engineer.

To keep your systems up and running, original spare parts are needed to maintain your generator. Our quality OEM parts, from air filters to complete engine or alternator replacements, keep your generators running for longer. These parts are also covered by a warranty to give you even more longevity out of your generator.

The Environment Agency reports that there are approximately 3000 pollution incidents involving oil and fuels every year in the UK, making this the second most frequent type of pollutant of inland waters in the UK, after plastic. On average, an oil spill can cost a business up to £8 million in fines, clean up charges and production losses. Not only this, but if you pollute, as stated in the Pollution Prevention Guidelines, ‘’you could get an unlimited fine, go to prison for up to 5 years, or both’’. You may also have to pay for the whole cost of the clean-up. There could also be additional costs in terms of compensation to third parties, higher insurance premiums or loss of contracts. With damage to your reputation too – it’s certainly something that any business owner should seek to avoid. Luckily with an OFTEC inspection, you can reduce the risk of oil spills and oil leakages from both your generators and fuel tanks.

Recommended annually, an OFTEC inspection from Dale ensures that yours is carried out by an OFTEC-registered engineer or OFTEC-registered technician. By carrying out a tank inspection by a qualified engineer you are minimising the risks and associated penalties that come with an oil spill or oil leakage, and should you pass, you’ll receive an OFTEC certificate that is valid for 5 years.

Covering everything from the condition, construction, type of oil and identification of your oil tank through to bund compliance, gauge inspections and environmental considerations, our OFTEC inspections are thorough, reliable and industry-compliant. You can be certain that after an OFTEC inspection with Dale Power Solutions, you will have the information and tools you need to prevent oil spills and oil leakages, and actionable advice for increased protection, and health and safety.

Along with diesel check fuel testing, clear tank cleaning and diesel defence fuel polishing, we can handle it all. To learn more about what our OFTEC inspections involve and just what we can do for you, please contact us today on 0330 999 3000. We’ve carried out tank inspections across the UK, in areas including Liverpool, London, Glasgow and Cardiff, so no distance is too great for us.

No matter the make, model or manufacturer, most generators are going to need some sort of repair. Ensuring that you have the correct parts to carry out vital repairs can be the difference between routine maintenance and a full system shutdown. Ensure that you are stocked and prepared for any faults.

A controlled, load bank test, checks that all aspects of the system are working correctly, including the entire electrical supply infrastructure (cabling, switchgear, generator, fuses) ensuring your system is capable of taking on a full load during a power outage. Back-up power will only work if it can support the required critical power load and therefore, we would always recommend regular load bank testing if the generator is not being used on the building load.

Replacement batteries can be purchased for UPS. Replacing the batteries every 3-5 years can extend the lifespan of your UPS. We can advise you on the best battery for your product. We sell a wide range of batteries including: valve regulated lead acid batteries; flooded lead acid batteries; flooded nickel cadmium batteries (NiCd batteries); gas recombination low maintenance NiCd batteries; and lithium ion stationary batteries.

Put simply, yes. A generator service and/or UPS service can determine any existing and future power supply problems that could impact equipment performance. Planned and preventative maintenance can extend machine efficiency, assures optimal working conditions and conserves the life span of the equipment. Along with determining when replacements will be needed for a seamless transition, planned and preventative maintenance is a far cheaper solution compared to complete equipment replacement.

Nearly all electronic and electrical equipment, regardless of how well-designed and built it is, will eventually break down unless it is maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wear and tear is common with electrical equipment, but it has severe consequences for UPS systems and generators, where financial, reputation and potentially life-threatening damage comes into play. It is highly recommended that as a minimum you service your power systems annually in order to maintain its working lifecycle. Our service contracts include everything from AC maintenance, DC maintenance and generator maintenance through to analogue metering, intelligent monitoring, remote monitoring and spare parts, as well as callouts, minor fault fixes and access to our customer portal, where you can access management information reports and other key details on your power supply systems.

UPS manufacturers usually recommend that UPS maintenance should be carried out within the first year of installation, and then annually from there on out as a minimum. However, if you notice any issues with your UPS system beforehand, then you should always contact your power supply partner as soon as possible to rectify them, and to ensure that UPS repairs are carried out swiftly and efficiently. The right check up could be the difference between business continuity and costly downtime, so UPS maintenance is always worth the time and effort.

Batteries have a typical lifespan of 3 – 5 years, with causes of battery failure including loss of electrolyte and inaccurate float charge voltage. However, factors such as battery chemistry, battery cycling and suitable storage conditions can greatly affect how long your battery lasts. We strongly recommend carrying out battery maintenance tests to keep abreast of any battery faults or issues, as batteries are one of the most integral parts of your UPS system. Battery testers can visit your business, site or facility every 6 months to a year, ensuring you’re always in control of your critical power equipment.

As batteries go unused, with no charging schedule, their battery life will decrease. When it comes to the self-discharge characteristics of lead-acid batteries for example, it is important that they are charged after 6-10 months of battery storage. Otherwise, permanent loss of capacity will occur between 18-30 months.

Remote monitoring systems allow you to check up on your UPS and generator systems from a computer or smart device from a remote location. Your device connects to offer reports and data on the functionality of your UPS and generator systems. Featured functions include checking vital systems, turning generators in the field on and off and viewing various statistics.

The standard lifespan for VRLA batteries is 3 – 5 years. However, expected battery life can vary dependent on environmental conditions, number of discharge cycles, and suitable maintenance. Having a regular schedule of battery maintenance and battery monitoring to ensure that you know when your batteries are reaching their end-of-life is always a good idea.

The IEE defines ‘end of useful life’ for a UPS battery as the point where it can no longer supply 80% of its rated capacity in ampere-hours. When your battery reaches 80% of its rated capacity, the ageing process accelerates and the battery should be replaced.

A bypass automatically and instantaneously transfers the load to the mains electricity supply when there’s an internal fault or failure with your UPS system. This allows general servicing to continue without causing disruption to the load. In effect, running on a bypass circumvents the UPS (i.e. the rectifier, batteries and inverter) and ensures power continuity while the UPS is fixed or swapped out.

Internal static bypass switches should not be confused with an external maintenance bypass switch, which is an option that enables the UPS to be powered down manually for maintenance to be carried out while the critical load is powered directly from the mains. External maintenance bypass switches tend to be mechanical in the form of a wraparound or rotary switch or set of circuit breakers.

Having constant access to vital statistics on efficiency, fuel tank levels, power monitoring equipment and HVAC infrastructure keeps you in the know at all times. Our system lets you spot any faults, errors or changes in the system, changing a system-shutdown level fault to a minor repair, stopping any potential downtime.

The critical nature of UPS systems means that they need to be serviced regularly to ensure that the internal workings of the units and their batteries are functioning correctly. More than this, UPS maintenance is needed to prevent failure-induced downtime, which could also compromise the equipment the UPS systems have been installed to protect. UPS maintenance can therefore secure confidential information and data and reduce the likelihood of damaging lags or sags in a power supply that could hinder access to this. Ensuring optimum UPS system efficiency – UPS maintenance evaluates your whole system and provides support with prolonged lifecycle management.

To ensure that all systems are running at optimum levels, it’s imperative to have a system that lets you easily monitor and control your UPS or generator’s performance. Remote monitoring allows you to keep an eye out for any potential faults before they occur, drastically reducing downtime and any repair costs.

UPS maintenance is extensive and far-reaching, and when carried out by our technical team, is highly successful. UPS maintenance involves the testing and inspection of your UPS systems, and making any necessary adjustments for power continuity. A visual inspection of the area surrounding your UPS and battery equipment will typically be carried out first, with UPS maintenance seeking to identify any operational abnormalities. Following this, we can carry out battery maintenance, battery management, enclosure maintenance and load bank testing, as well as control system management, voltage testing, and replace faulty parts with new ones. This can include batteries, capacitors, alternators and fans.

How often should UPS maintenance be carried out?

This depends on the criticality of the load and the environment the system operates in, but as a general guide:

• Quarterly visual/operational checks — for business-critical sites (data centres, hospitals, manufacturing lines), a light-touch inspection every 3 months helps catch developing issues early.

• Annual full preventative maintenance — most manufacturers recommend at least one full service per year, covering battery testing, capacitor checks, fan/alternator inspection and firmware/control system review.

• Bi-annual for harsher environments — UPS systems operating in WIMES-rated or otherwise harsh conditions (dust, moisture, temperature extremes) typically need servicing twice yearly to stay within warranty and compliance requirements.

• Battery-specific testing every 6–12 months — batteries degrade faster than the rest of the system and benefit from more frequent, dedicated testing regardless of the wider maintenance schedule.

The right interval ultimately depends on load criticality, site conditions and manufacturer warranty terms — our UPS Servicing team can recommend a tailored schedule as part of a site survey.