Finding the right battery for UPS units is usually simpler than buying a new UPS. The sealed lead acid batteries inside a UPS wear out every few years, long before the electronics do. Signs include a UPS that beeps, shows a battery warning, or switches off the moment the power drops. Most desktop and small office units take one or more 12 V blocks of 7 Ah or 9 Ah, and larger units use battery packs. This page covers sizes, matching, hot swap and disposal. Send one request for free, no-obligation quotes.
Signs the UPS battery is worn
- a battery or replace battery warning light or alarm
- runtime much shorter than it used to be
- the computer switching off as soon as the power fails
- the UPS failing its self test
- a swollen battery case, or a sour smell near the unit
Heat speeds up wear, so a UPS in a hot cupboard or a server room with poor cooling eats batteries faster. If a new battery does not fix the fault, the charger or the UPS itself may need repair, or a new UPS system.
Matching the old battery
Open the battery compartment or check the manual and note:
- voltage (almost always 12 V per block) and capacity in Ah
- how many blocks and how they are joined
- the case size, so the new one fits the slot
- the terminal type, usually F1 or F2 spade tabs
A 9 Ah block can often replace a 7 Ah one if it fits and the UPS charger suits it, giving a little more runtime. Replace every block in the UPS at the same time. Mixing old and new shortens the life of the new ones.
Hot swap and battery packs
Some office and rack UPS units allow hot swap: the battery is replaced while the UPS keeps the load running from the mains. Smaller desktop units usually need to be switched off and unplugged first. Bigger units use pre-wired battery packs or trays, or several blocks in series. Packs can be rebuilt with new blocks, which is often cheaper than a new pack, as long as the wiring and fuses are put back exactly as they were. Extended runtime packs are covered under UPS for computers and servers.
Disposing of the old blocks
Old UPS batteries are lead acid and must not go in the household bin. Most battery shops and IT dealers take them back, and scrap dealers and recyclers accept them. Offices and server rooms replacing many units at once can ask for collection. See battery recycling for the options.
What to include in your request
- UPS make, model and VA rating
- Number of UPS units to service
- The battery size and terminal type now fitted
- Fitted on site or supply only
- Old batteries to be taken away
UPS Replacement Batteries for different clients
- Homeowners: a new battery so the home computer UPS gives time to save and shut down
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: fresh blocks for the UPS units on access control and camera recorders
- Offices and home offices: replacing worn batteries in every desk and server UPS on one visit
- Shops, restaurants and salons: new UPS batteries behind tills and card machines at each checkout
- Farms and smallholdings: UPS batteries for the farm office computer and the fence monitor
- Clinics, surgeries and care homes: replacement blocks for UPS units on surgery computers and medical fridges
- Factories, warehouses, schools and churches: battery packs rebuilt for rack UPS units in data and control rooms
- Electricians, installers and security companies: IT dealers buying 7 Ah and 9 Ah blocks for client UPS replacements
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UPS replacement battery?
How often should UPS batteries be replaced?
Can I put a bigger battery in my UPS?
Who can replace the batteries in my UPS?
UPS Replacement Batteries by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg