For many, an APC replacment batteries may be the cornerstone of their workstation. This is true when your primary power supply is, in fact, not that reliable. For example, those who live in areas that have frequent storms. When you don’t know how long an APC battery will last, though, it may leave you feeling less secure, nonetheless. Here we try to help you keep your APc.
It is very important to remember when you rely on APC batteries to keep your work station, home computer or network up and running is to always play it safe. So you should be prepared to replace you APC batteries before they expire, and not after.
An APC battery is meant to be used as an emergency power supply, and as such, different rules apply than if you were talking about some double A batteries for your remote control. You can wait until your remote control batteries run out before you replace them, because not being able to change the channel is hardly an emergency situation.
APC batteries need to be replaced regularly just as you would regularly replace the 9 volt battery in your smoke detector, whether you know the battery to be expired or not. It might have run out, or it might not be. If it’s still working, it might save your life in the event of a fire, but if it’s not, then the only way to find out is to have the smoke detector fail to make a sound when there is a fire.
The best way to go about replacing your APC batteries is to use the warranty as a rough guideline. Most APC batteries will last beyond the warranty, simply because that is the only way to stay in business (you would not last long in any industry if you find yourself living up to every warranty you issue). When the warranty runs out you should expect that the battery to be reliable for some time after, but you should consider replacing it as soon as possible.
The warranty, then, can be seen as a “minimum possible performance” guideline. A well made APC battery will almost certainly last longer than the warranty, but it is only guaranteed to last as long as the warranty.
In general, most reputable APC battery manufacturers and retailers will offer a one year warranty. Some may have shorter or longer warranties, but one year is the usually considered to be as long as the average APC replacement battery should be expected to last with any degree of reliability.
So in short, think about your emergency power supply like your emergency safety kit. The batteries in your flashlight might still be okay, but if they have been in there for a year, the last thing you want is to find out they are dead when a hurricane knocks your power out.
Filed under Electrical by .