In the telecom sector, where customers rely on connectivity and communication services to be up and running at all times, even the briefest amount of downtime can significantly impact your business. Yet downtime threats are abundant, from seasonal storms to aging infrastructure to the nation’s overtaxed power grid. In fact, one independent market research firm found that 34% of telecom providers experienced at least 15 incidents per year, with mobile operators spending some $20 billion on network outages and service degradation.
Telecom businesses are vulnerable to the many unwelcome consequences of downtime, including long-term loss of revenue from dissatisfied customers; lost productivity and potential overtime hours to resolve the issue; replacement costs and expensive repair bills; and damaged reputation from negative publicity, which can affect future growth.
Thankfully, maintaining uptime in the telecom sector can be achieved with a simple, straightforward approach. Deploying high-quality uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems and generators ― coupled with regularly scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) ― is a cost-effective, successful strategy to avert downtime and minimize the chance of equipment failure and costly repairs.
Comprehensive UPS Services for Telecom Companies
While installing a power system represents an essential step in safeguarding critical telecom applications, it is imperative to also ensure the ongoing health of the UPSs and generators tasked with keeping equipment operating through both power fluctuations and outages. If the uninterruptable power supply system fails when it’s needed to support the critical load, it can result in downtime, data loss and unbudgeted expenses. Telecom companies can help avoid those ramifications by engaging in services such as:
UPS Preventive Maintenance Plans
Periodic scheduled maintenance helps ensure that your UPS equipment remains reliable, while improving overall performance and extending useful life. Preventive maintenance (PM) service plans represent a proactive approach, providing the opportunity to detect potential points of failure before they become expensive problems.
Emergency Service
In the telecom industry, it is critical to have a service provider that will respond to any unexpected UPS repair needs 24/7/365. Ideally, certified field engineers should be on site within hours, depending on your site location, to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Some telecom providers select emergency service as part of an overall service agreement, while others may choose the option of time and materials repair.
UPS Rentals
While having a permanent UPS system in place helps ensure that a telecom facility remains fully operational at all times, there may be instances when a rental power system is needed, including during budgetary constraints, system or facility upgrades, and recovery from a natural disaster or emergency. Additionally, long lead times when purchasing a UPS or uncertainty about future power needs are additional occasions when it might make sense to rent a UPS.
Battery Preventive Maintenance, Capacity Testing & Recycling
Because lack of maintenance is the single largest contributor to premature battery failure, it is important for UPS batteries to undergo routine maintenance, which increases uptime and extends lifespan by preventing loose connections, removing corrosion, and identifying bad batteries before they cause a problem. Keep in mind that one bad battery will affect the entire cabinet and render the uninterruptable power supply system unreliable if a power interruption occurs.
UPS Capacitor Service
To maximize the performance and reliability of your uninterruptable power supply system, its capacitors should be replaced at or near the end of their rated service life. It is recommended to schedule a full replacement of capacitors used in the primary power-train portion of the UPS around seven years of operation. However, some newer UPSs may have oil-filled DC capacitors that are rated for the full life of the UPS. At the minimum, an annual inspection will help optimize operation and extend lifespan.
Critical Generator Services for Telecom
Like UPSs, backup generators that are not properly maintained can be prone to erratic performance, poor reliability and unexpected failure. The best approach to safeguard your generator and ensure it will perform when you need it is to engage in routine preventive maintenance. This approach helps telecom facilities avoid unplanned downtime and costly generator repairs by providing the opportunity to catch potential issues early. Because many industrial generators do not display symptoms of impending failure, it is essential to detect issues as early as possible — not when a power outage occurs and your unit unexpectedly fails.
In addition, PM service ensures that organizations remain in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 110 code, which requires generators to be tested at least once a month for 30 minutes under at least 30% load. If you are unable to do so, then you must perform an annual load-test.
How to Maintain Your UPS
The failure of an uninterruptable power supply system can spell disaster for telecom providers. Yet UPS system failure ranks as the No. 1 cause of unplanned data center outages, according to a report from the Ponemon Institute. Understanding the different types of UPS failures and how to safeguard against them can help providers to avoid downtime, data loss and other negative consequences of power failures.
There are numerous components within a UPS system that are prone to failure and must be properly maintained, including:
- Batteries ― As the heart of any UPS system, batteries require regular checkups to ensure they remain fit to safeguard critical systems. Regardless of their age, batteries should be inspected semi-annually as part of a PM visit that includes testing for impedance or conductance, as well as assessing performance and evaluating any potential weaknesses.
- Capacitors ― A fairly simple device that stores and releases electrical energy, capacitors range in size and type and generally require replacement every seven years.
- Fans ― Some UPS fans may perform well for 10 years of continuous use, while others operate for just a short time before locking up or failing. Electrical or mechanical limitations and dried-out ball bearings are common issues that can result in fan failures and subsequent UPS overheating.
- Filters ― A UPS may overheat ― and shut down ― when particulates such as dust and debris block air filters. Replacing filters is an inexpensive way to avoid this; they should be inspected monthly and changed as needed.
- Connections ― Improper and loose connections are among the most common sources of UPS failures. Regular PM visits provide the opportunity for a trained service technician to inspect the UPS and battery cabinets for loose internal connections that can arise due to machinery close to the unit or building vibrations. These inspections are essential to catching faulty connections before they become a problem.
- Power supplies ― Even redundant power supplies can be impacted by input voltage surges, leading to stress and overheating. If you notice that your UPS is regularly running hot, aging power supplies could be the culprit. Contact a professional team to complete an inspection and get your system back in order as soon as possible to prevent downtime.
- Contactors ― UPS contactors are susceptible to dust and should be inspected and cleaned regularly, since dust in the contactors can cause other components to fail, leading to costly repairs and downtime.
While it’s clear that UPS components are prone to failure for various reasons, investing in preventive maintenance with a professional and skilled service provider will appreciably reduce your risk of downtime — and potential disaster.
The Unified Power Difference
To ensure uptime in the telecom sector, providers need to get dialed into a professional service organization that offers proven expertise, highly trained technicians and unparalleled responsiveness, whether during routine PM calls or emergency service.
As a national provider of critical power equipment and services for more than two decades, Unified Power not only offers an affordable alternative to Original Equipment Manufacturers but employs a dedicated, in-house telecom sales rep who brings more than 15 years of sector experience.
Unified Power offers standard or customizable preventive maintenance service plans on all major manufacturers’ brands of UPSs to companies across the country ― with a typical savings of 20% on UPS maintenance agreements. Learn more about our power solutions that can be customized to fit the needs of any business, including UPSs, backup generators, DC Plants, power distribution units (PDUs) and more. Get a quote today for preventive maintenance and other services.