The operating instructions booklet supplied with the UPS contain a few general guidelines and other guidelines that are UPS specific. The general guidelines cover certain points like; (a) Placement of the UPS.-The UPS should always be placed only in the upright position. There are two types of UPS, the tower type and the conventional rack type. For both these UPS the upright position has been indicated on the UPS or in the operating manual or instruction booklet. Placement of the UPS also covers locating the UPS. - The UPS should not be kept in an area where there is high humidity, or exposure to moisture, or in direct sunlight. (b) Covering the UPS.-The UPS should not be covered or kept in an enclosed area. There are certain places in the UPS which are either designed as cooling holes or heat dissipating vanes. These are meant for dissipating heat or cooling of the UPS. Hence it is all the more important that the UPS should not be covered in such places. (c) Operating load.-The UPS has been designed for a certain operating load like either 600 VA or 1KV UPS. It is advisable not to use / connect loads that are more than the specified rating on to that UPS. This may lead to short circuiting or the UPS may trip if it has been provided with a circuit breaker.

A very common general instruction that is given in almost all the booklets of UPS manufacturers is "Do not install in a thunderstorm". The UPS is designed for indoor use only. Use it only to connect equipment for which it is designed not high capacity motors or other equipment.

Certain UPS are provided with additional sockets, which do not give out backup power but provide surge protection. These are specifically marked on the UPS. So when connecting main equipment like the CPU power, make sure that you connect the line of the CPU to the backup power and other non important equipment to the surge protection line which do not require back up power but at the same time it will be needing surge protection.

The battery that is located inside the UPS is of the maintenance free type; this it means that there is no necessity for periodical servicing of the battery. IF you happen to experience battery failure, you are left with no alternative other than replacing the battery. Replacement of the battery needs to be done by a qualified technician only. There are no spares that are provided inside the UPS that necessitate you to remove the back cover or dismantle the UPS.
When opening the back cover of the UPS for servicing or other specific operations like fault diagnosis, disconnect the UPS from the main lines after switching off the UPS. Do not wear rings, or handle other metallic objects in your hands when opening the back cover.

A new UPS should be charged for a minimum of twenty four hours or as stated in the operating instruction manual before put to operational use. Do not keep the UPS in a discharged state for long periods of time.

Following these guidelines ensures a long life and safe life for you and you're UPS as you use it.

Submitted by www.gedigitalenergy.co.uk