NORTEL UPS BATTERY ISSUES OPTION 11C

[Hairball1]

We have a Option 11c with 2 expansion cabinets. All three cabinets have the same individual back up battery system. (NTAK76AB)
We recently viewed the batteries a couple weeks ago to get the part numbers for a swap out.
This week one of the battery packs had become swollen, warped and appeared to have heavy corrosion on the terminals.
They weren't that way a couple weeks ago.
We have experienced power spikes from the power company that has caused other problems within the Hospital.
Does anyone happen to know if power spikes could cause the warping and swelling?
We went ahead and swapped the battery pack out. We are worried that it could happen again.
The batteries in question have been in service for about three years.
Any insight is appreciated.
Worried a bit.

 

[johnpoole]

if power spikes could cause the warping and swelling

spikes would be one of the 1st thing i looked at.. an internal (nortel) problem that will cause that is the charge side of the ps is sending to much current at all times.. there is a sensor that goes from high power to trickle on the charge side depending on the battery condition.. if that send a high current all the time the battries can explode, i've only heard of that happening, never saw it.. but i have had new batteries swell within 96 hours due to that problem... best bet... ups, unless the replacement parts are covered on a maint contract, go to a secondary vendor... unless you've got dc power supplies it's real simple.. since your a hospital, your eng dept will have sales contacts... i am on site at a hosp and never recogmend nortel ups's.. to expensive for what you get.. same amp hours from almost any other source is a better deal

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[tnphoneman]

Ups is the best bet for one reason...Cheaper to replaced than the PBX. Some UPS's have the capability of stopping power spikes. Keeps them form even getting to the switch. Right now you are plugged into the wall outlet. Also with the ups you can keep ancillary devices operational like CSUs and such. You can also run the CSUs off the AUX cable. Oneac is a great brand for this. I would at the minimum look at installing an Oneac surge supressor. You will hear alot about how different brands stop surges and they do to a point. They are designed to protect people where Oneac has designed their equipment to protect electronic equipment. They only allow 10 volts of noise through before shutting down.