The new NFPA 855 Standard proves safety guidance for using lithium-ion batteries in UPS systems, which provide a secondary source of power in data centers in the event of an outage. Backup systems prevent downtimes for mission-critical facilities.
The NFPA 855 Standard
The new standard includes new design and testing protocols for UPS systems that run on lithium-ion batteries. The standard now makes it possible to re-imagine and modify practices in the use of UPS systems, making it easier for other facilities to adapt to the technology. The standard is still a work in progress, though. And many data centers are wary of the standard, as it cannot be applied retroactively to any existing battery setups. That would mean adapting to the new rules will come at a considerable cost for many companies.
Advantages of Lithium-Ion Batteries
UPS systems that run on lithium-ion batteries enjoy multiple benefits. They comply with cooling requirements that are less rigid, have reduced weight. The batteries can store large amounts of energy. That allows them to last longer, resulting in improved system performance. However, the batteries need to be managed or stored properly to prevent any fire risks. Monitoring is the key to ensuring that.
Changing Your UPS Design
The new battery is just another initiative to help data centers in reducing energy consumption. If you’ve been looking for ways to prevent energy use from going into hyperdrive in your data center, then explore other designs. Building and setting a better system for your equipment will help you cut back on power consumption. Make this possible by hiring a company that offers data center services. With their help, you’ll see how much the right infrastructure design can save your organization on costs.
Benefits of a Data Center Service
When you get a data center service team on board, they will take care of assessing your current energy plans and consumption to determine where the problems or weak spots are. They have the tools needed to pinpoint areas that need improvement. They’ll talk to you about the modifications that are possible for your system and employ the approaches you consent to. They also have tracking tools able to tell when your UPS battery will give out and when it’s ideal for you to replace it with a new one. If that is the case, though, you’re in the perfect position to comply with the new standard.
To learn more about services for UPS systems, contact LDP Associates, Inc. today.