EL
BG
DE
ES
FR
ITGlossary · Batteries
Eurobat Design Life Classes
A classification of sealed lead-acid batteries by their design life on float charge at 20 °C.
Technical level:Intermediate
Eurobat, the association of European battery manufacturers, groups VRLA batteries by the number of years they are designed to last: 3–5, 6–9, 10–12 and more than 12 years. On datasheets you will see it, for example, as "Eurobat 10–12 years".
The figure refers to ideal conditions: continuous float charging at 20 °C at the correct voltage. It is neither a warranty nor the life to expect in practice. In a UPS running in a warm room or discharging often, the battery will last less.
In small office UPS units the 3–5 year class is the most common. For critical installations, compare batteries of the same class and schedule regular capacity tests.
Related terms
- Float ChargingA continuous low-level charging method to keep UPS batteries full and prolong their lifespan.
- Lithium-ion BatteryA rechargeable lithium-ion battery with high energy density, long life and faster charging than lead-acid batteries.
- OPzS / OPzV Tubular BatteryStationary 2 V lead-acid cells with tubular positive plates, flooded (OPzS) or sealed with gel (OPzV), built for a very long life.
- AGM BatteryA sealed VRLA lead-acid battery whose electrolyte is absorbed in glass-fibre mat separators.
- Equalising ChargeA controlled charge at a higher than normal voltage that brings all cells of a lead-acid battery to the same state of charge.
- GEL BatteryA sealed lead-acid battery with its electrolyte in gel form, well suited to deep and repeated discharges.