Patricia Kuenzle is a global Product Manager with over 20 years of experience in the UPS business, specializing in low-power UPS systems. She is passionate about developing solutions that empower businesses and meet the diverse needs of customers. Based in Switzerland, Patricia serves as the Product Owner for OEM products at ABB, where she is responsible for product strategy and development.

You’ve decided you need to protect your power supply to servers, communication systems, and more. Good choice. But which is the right single-phase UPS for the job?

If you’ve researched the market, you’ll have seen that some UPS devices use VRLA batteries. Others use lithium-ion batteries. Each of these technologies has its strengths.

This blog will help explain the differences – and make it easy to decide which you need.

A quick guide to the two technologies

Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) is a type of lead-acid battery technology. It’s designed to be maintenance-free and to operate in a sealed environment. VRLA batteries are widely used in various applications, including telecommunications, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles.

Lithium-ion, on the other hand, is the most popular rechargeable battery chemistry used today¹. You’ll find a lithium-ion battery in your mobile phone, laptop and beyond.

Myths and truths about the two battery technologies

There are a few misconceptions about different battery types.

For example, some people worry about safety when considering lithium-ion batteries. However, we’re surrounded by this type of battery every day in cell phones, iPads and laptops. They can be perfectly safe with the right protections.

Many people also think that VRLA systems are cheaper. But over the long term, TCO (Total cost of ownership) may be higher for VRLA than for lithium-ion systems.

So, let’s take a closer look at how the technologies really compare. This table gives the key characteristics at a glance:

VRLA	Li-Ion
Low up-front cost	Lower total cost of ownership (due to longer lifespan)
Stable in terms of safety	Perfectly safe when paired with a BMS (battery management solution)
Unit lifespan of 3–5 years	Unit lifespan of 8–10+ years
Needs to operate in a lower temperature range	Can withstand higher temperatures
Larger footprint and weight	Lighter unit and smaller footprint
Longer charging time	Faster charging time
Requires minimal maintenance	Virtually no maintenance required
Easy to recycle materials at end of life	Good sustainability due to long lifespan, but slightly more difficult to recycle

Which technology do you need?

The best UPS battery will vary based on your situation. Let’s explore three scenarios, and which technology works for which.

1. Small server rooms, data centers, and office spaces

   There are situations when VRLA works well for these applications. Especially if you have ample space, weight isn’t a problem, and you only need a short amount of time to save files after a power cut.

   However, lithium-ion is a better option for those struggling with small spaces. It’s also better if you’re conscious of total cost of ownership and need a longer run-time after power failures.

   Extra batteries can be added to both types of UPS (if you choose the flexible solution from ABB), but this becomes very bulky when using VRLA. Overall, the solution will weigh approximately three times as much for the equivalent backup battery capacity.

2. Outdoor applications and extreme temperatures

   A VRLA UPS can work well for indoor environments where the temperatures are not too high. Even vibrations are not a big issue for a robust VRLA battery – if the manufacturer has rigorously tested the device.

   On the other hand, lithium-ion is generally the right solution for outdoor spaces, especially where space is at a premium and temperatures may reach over 25°C. For example, trains in hot countries will opt for a lithium-ion UPS if it must sit on the roof.

3. Home applications such as remote work and gaming

   VRLA is a good solution for many remote work setups, if you have a significant amount of space. When your main aim is to prevent data loss, a VRLA solution should provide ample warning to save files and prevent corruption.

   However, some users will prefer lithium-ion even for home use. These units are easy to maintain, long lasting, and have a smaller footprint. For example, if a gamer wants to avoid losing progress due to a power cut, a VRLA UPS should work. But if they wish to play on for hours through significant power cuts, lithium-ion is a better option.

Find the right VRLA or lithium-ion UPS for you

You might need minutes of backup power or hours of extra runtime. You might want to minimize upfront cost with a VRLA UPS or minimize ongoing costs with a lithium-ion model. Whatever your priorities, you’ll find an ABB PowerValue UPS for the job. Here’s what to expect:

1. The most flexible single-phase UPS available, since you can add external batteries to either VRLA or lithium-ion models.
2. Better safety standards thanks to a BMS that’s designed specifically for UPS applications. This gives you more insight into battery health, so you know when the system might need replacing, or if there’s something causing damage.
3. Rigorous in-house testing conducted by ABB experts. This makes sure the units are long-lasting and ready for rugged applications.

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1 https://ul.org/research-updates/what-are-lithium-ion-batteries/