Grow business with lithium-ion battery backup
Jul 21, 2026
By Jay Queen, Eaton Product Line Manager – Single-phase UPS
The need for a longer lifecycle, rapid recharging, long runtime and less rack unit (RU) space is driving the transition from traditional VRLA (valve regulated lead acid) battery backup to lithium-ion.
Eaton rackmount 9PX G2 UPS
Eaton’s ever-expanding selection of lithium-ion UPS systems gives channel partners options for customers who require low-maintenance, high-efficiency solutions for power protection and battery backup. The lithium-ion single-phase UPS portfolio includes double-conversion, line-interactive and standby topologies, enabling our partners to meet diverse customer requirements in a variety of environments. Lithium-ion battery backup is especially well-suited for network closets, edge installations, security/surveillance centers, retail locations and branch offices, where staying powered is critical to business operations.
Key advantages of lithium-ion battery backup
Compared to similar VRLA batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries offer longer lifespan, longer runtime, faster recharge rate, less rack space and lighter weight. These advantages combined with reduced maintenance requirements can result in a lower total cost of ownership.
- Longer lifespan: Lithium-ion batteries have an average lifespan of 8-10 years, which is two to three times longer than similar lead-acid batteries. This long life enables a set-it-and-forget-it value proposition for remote edge environments, including retail stores and branch offices.
- Longer runtime: In the case of the 9PX G2 lithium-ion UPS, runtime is double the runtime of similar lead-acid batteries. For your customers who need extra runtime, Eaton offers lithium-ion UPS models that support extended battery modules (EBMs).
- Faster recharge rate: A faster charge to full capacity means the battery will be ready to provide backup power more quickly after depletion from an outage. This enhances the reliability and availability of the UPS.
- Lighter weight and less RU space: Lithium-ion batteries weigh less than their lead-acid equivalents, making them easier to install. Many lithium-ion UPS models also have a reduced physical footprint that allows them to protect equipment in space-constrained areas. Lithium-ion batteries use fewer units of rack space than comparable runtimes using VRLA batteries.
Reliable battery monitoring
Eaton’s exclusive lithium-ion battery management system (BMS) monitors the health of each battery pack individually, including temperature and charge cycles. The UPS provides advance warning when battery health is low, proactively pinpointing which battery pack in the UPS or EBM should be replaced. This prevents unexpected downtime caused by depleted batteries and avoids unnecessary expense and disruption caused by premature replacement.
Learn more about lithium-ion UPS batteries
UPS models with lithium-ion batteries provide our channel partners with new opportunities for edge installations. Explore the advantages of lithium-ion!