UPS Batteries - Flooded Cell vs. VRLA

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chrisstaker

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Atlanta, GA
I’m curious to hear anyone’s pros, cons, and experience with UPS battery systems.

Any preference on UPS manufacturer?

Respectfully,

Christopher D. Staker, PE
Atlanta, GA
 
We mainly used Yuasa VRLA on the basis of costs. Life expectancy was as good as wet cells but price is a big driver on the decision making.
 
Wet cells introduce hydrogen safety problems. You typically need a bunker and good ventilation. VRLA have none of these issues.

FWEIW, I have not seen new wet cell UPS systems in years, the last being at the DirecTV uplink but that was a 5mw system so there wet cells are the only economical choice.

As for brands, Liebert (Emerson Power) is considered the top brand. Going down the line there is MGE, APC.
 
As for brands, Liebert (Emerson Power) is considered the top brand. Going down the line there is MGE, APC.
Those are UPS manufacturers, not battery manufacturers, but they will source them for you.

We use Enersys quite a bit.

You can get 20 year VRLA but still don't stand up as long as the flooded cells (20 year life).

Flooded are more footprint, more money, more lifetime, more robust, fail as closed circuit.

VRLA are less footprint, less money, less lifetime, less robust and fail as open circuit (be sure to have at least 2 strings in parallel)
 
UPS Systems

UPS Systems

Thank you for the replies. I saw these two (2) options on the PIP data sheet while recently specifying a UPS system, and I didn't really know the difference between the two.

I really like the Eaton 9355 Series for small to mid-size installations up to 30 kVA. These units seem to have a much smaller footprint, and they seem to be cheaper than some of the other big names. They are also scalable with the option of adding extended battery modules (EBM's) for more backup time, and they can be paralleled with up to four (4) other UPS units for redundancy/increased backup time.

For larger installation, the 9390 Powerware Series (20-160 kVA) has some of the same benefits/qualities but in larger sizes.

I'm curious to see what UPS systems other users on this site specify/like to use or install?

Thanks,

Christopher D. Staker, PE
Atlanta, GA
 
A quick search showed this but I am sure there is a lot more info on this subject:

https://blog.schneider-electric.com...05/08/safely-reliable-industrial-ups-battery/

From what we see working in all AT&T central offices throughout CA , no matter what manufacturer they choose as a replacement, the Lead Acid Wet Cell is still the King when it comes to their 48VDC battery plants.
Not the smallest footprint and I'm not sure how this applies and crosses over to UPS systems.

Typical 48VDC, 4000A plant in background:
 

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Flooded Cell - 48 VDC Battery Plant

Flooded Cell - 48 VDC Battery Plant

A quick search showed this but I am sure there is a lot more info on this subject:

https://blog.schneider-electric.com...05/08/safely-reliable-industrial-ups-battery/

From what we see working in all AT&T central offices throughout CA , no matter what manufacturer they choose as a replacement, the Lead Acid Wet Cell is still the King when it comes to their 48VDC battery plants.
Not the smallest footprint and I'm not sure how this applies and crosses over to UPS systems.

Typical 48VDC, 4000A plant in background:

Wow! Nice! How many batteries is that in the background?

Any issues with Hydrogen off gas?
 
nicad are your goto if you need good temp insensitiyity. VRLA if you want limited maintenance, and low off gassing at the cost of reduced life. Flooded if you need the longest lasting, if you can't afford the high cost and large footprint check out tubular plate flooded.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
 
Wow! Nice! How many batteries is that in the background?

Any issues with Hydrogen off gas?

Not sure how many cells at this CO, it varies with the size of the office. I'll take better pics when I get a chance.
Battery strings are typically out in the open next to the telecom equipment racks with no special
venting hoods so off gassing doesn't seem to be an issue.
 
Not sure how many cells at this CO, it varies with the size of the office. I'll take better pics when I get a chance.
Battery strings are typically out in the open next to the telecom equipment racks with no special
venting hoods so off gassing doesn't seem to be an issue.
As long as you do not enclose tightly above the battery bank, the hydrogen will rise and diffuse long before hazardous concentration can accumulate (except inside the battery case itself.) Watch out for acid mist if the cell caps do not filter it.
 
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