White Paper

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provides the most accurate picture of IT
equipment power consumption and can
support Level 3 (advanced) PUE reporting.
The ability to automate data collection,
consolidation and analysis related to
efciency is essential to data center
optimization and frees up data center staff
to focus on strategic IT issues.
9. Monitoring batteries
To prevent data loss and increase uptime,
most data centers require a dedicated
battery monitoring system. According to
Emerson Network Power’s Liebert Services
business, battery failure is the leading cause
of UPS system loss of power. Utilizing a
predictive monitoring battery monitoring
method can provide early notication of
potential battery failure. The best practice
is to implement a monitoring system that
connects to and tracks the health of each
battery within a string. The most effective
battery monitoring systems continuously
track all battery parameters, including
internal resistance, using a DC test current
to ensure measurement accuracy and
repeatability. Supported by a well-dened
process for preventive maintenance and
replacement, monitoring batteries can
signicantly reduce the risk of dropped loads
due to battery failure, optimize battery life
and improve safety.
In a study of organizations with service
contracts for maintenance and remote
analysis with alarm monitoring, ensuring
regular preventive maintenance is
performed, the Liebert Services business
of Emerson Network Power found that
customers using battery monitoring
experienced half as many battery failures as
customers that didn’t.
The potential for battery monitoring
to reduce failures is even greater than
that—customers who relied on Liebert
Services Ntegrated Monitoring did not
experience a single battery failure (Figure
4). This indicates that the primary reason
batteries being monitored fail is because
the monitoring data is not being regularly
viewed and acted upon.
Figure 3. Energy efficiency monitoring
provides centralized visibility into
trends.
Figure 4. On-site battery monitoring
can reduce battery failures by one-half.
Remote monitoring by a specialized service
organization can eliminate failures.