In mission-critical environments, battery reliability should be a top concern. Yet, battery failures remain a leading cause of power disruptions, leading to costly downtime and equipment damage. According to the 2024 Uptime Institute Annual Outage Analysis, 52% of data center outages are caused by power, followed by 19% of outages being caused by cooling. In 2022, power outages only accounted for 40% of outages – with this number going in the wrong direction, prioritize your batteries and watch for the warning signs. By being proactive you’re your batteries and power equipment, you can prevent costly outages.
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Common Battery Failures
First, let’s go through some of the most common battery failures so you know what you should be watching for.
Sulfation
Sulfation occurs when lead-acid batteries develop lead sulfate crystals due to prolonged undercharging or inactivity. This buildup reduces battery capacity and can lead to premature failure.
Signs of Sulfation
- Reduced battery capacity and shorter runtime
- Increased charging times with lower efficiency
- White or grayish crystalline deposits on battery plates
- Higher internal resistance, leading to excessive heat generation
- Difficulty in holding a charge or frequent need for recharging
Thermal Runaway
Thermal runaway is a dangerous condition where excessive heat causes a battery to overheat uncontrollably, potentially leading to fire or explosion. Overcharging, high ambient temperatures, and poor ventilation can create thermal runaway conditions.
Signs of Thermal Runaway
- Rapid increase in battery temperature
- Swelling, bubbling, or deformation of battery casing
- Unusual or strong odor from the battery
- Leakage of electrolyte or venting of gases
- Unexpected shutdowns or erratic voltage readings
Capacity Loss
Over time, batteries naturally lose capacity due to aging and repeated use. If not properly monitored, this decline can result in unexpected power failures.
Signs of Capacity Loss
- Decreased runtime under normal loads
- Increased frequency of recharging
- Voltage drops under load
- Inconsistent or fluctuating power output
- Failure to hold a full charge
Grid Corrosion
For lead-acid batteries, the positive grid structure deteriorates over time, reducing conductivity and overall efficiency. This type of degradation is one of the leading causes of end-of-life battery failure.
Signs of Grid Corrosion
- Increased internal resistance
- Gradual loss of battery efficiency
- Longer charging times with diminishing performance
- Visible corrosion on battery terminals or plates
- Frequent need for battery replacements
These are only a few of the most common failures that can occur with your batteries, but the reality is that batteries are temperamental and need to be checked. You can’t just install your batteries, leave them alone, never check them, and expect them to work when you need them. To help lighten your maintenance load, we’re huge advocates of battery monitoring systems (BMS) because they continuously monitor your batteries for you. You will be alerted about an issue long before it becomes a bigger problem. You never have to wonder if your batteries are healthy—the BMS will tell you. With early alerting, reporting, and constant updates, you can rest assured that your batteries are operating at 100% capacity and ready for any outage your facility may experience.
Battery failures can lead to costly downtime, safety hazards, and operational disruptions. Implementing a comprehensive monitoring solution like a BMS ensures continuous health tracking, early fault detection, and optimized battery performance. Investing in proactive battery monitoring is not just about preventing failures—it’s about ensuring uninterrupted power and long-term reliability.
Are you ready to enhance your battery reliability? Contact us today to learn how battery monitoring can safeguard your critical power systems. Don’t fall prey to the 52% — ensure your facility doesn’t experience an outage because of a power system today.
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