Whatever the UPS topology, the battery is what actually carries the load when the mains fails. The chemistry you choose affects footprint, weight, replacement interval, temperature tolerance and total cost of ownership.

VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid)

VRLA is the long-established UPS battery: maintenance-free sealed lead-acid blocks, widely available and lower in upfront cost. It is a sound choice for most installations and for projects that are sensitive to initial budget. The trade-offs are heavier and larger banks for the same energy, a shorter typical service life and more sensitivity to high ambient temperature.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP / LiFePO4)

LFP is a lithium chemistry chosen for stationary UPS use because it is stable and long-living. Compared with VRLA it offers much longer cycle life, lighter and smaller banks for the same energy, better tolerance of higher temperatures, and a built-in battery management system (BMS) for cell monitoring and protection. The trade-off is a higher upfront cost, usually offset over time by longer life and fewer replacements.

Side-by-side comparison

Which ATENCO series support lithium?

Lithium support is offered on specific ATENCO series, not the whole range. On single-phase systems, the RM11E PRO is the ATENCO rack lithium UPS platform with LiFePO4 battery configuration by model. On three-phase systems, lithium / LFP battery systems are available by project configuration on TM33E 50 to 200 kVA, TM66E Modular 40 to 600 kVA and TM66E Large Modular 400 to 1200 kVA. Other ATENCO ranges are normally specified with VRLA unless a lithium-supported configuration is confirmed for the exact model and project requirement.

Battery banks, cabinets, BMS communication, charger settings and DC bus configuration are sized per project. Exact battery quantities, cabinet models and runtime depend on UPS platform, load, backup-time target, battery chemistry, site temperature and project conditions.

How to choose

• Tight upfront budget, moderate runtime, stable temperature: VRLA is usually the right call.
• Limited space or weight, high ambient temperature, long service life or frequent discharges: lithium LFP often wins on total cost of ownership.
• Long design life and remote sites: lithium reduces replacement visits.

For runtime targets, read how to size UPS battery runtime, then send your load and backup-time target to ATENCO or use the UPS Selector to filter by battery type.

Project note: This guide is for general UPS battery selection and project planning. Final UPS model, battery chemistry, battery cabinet design, runtime and communication options should be confirmed against the exact ATENCO series, site conditions and project requirement.