Recently, AUMA has launched a new battery backup system for electric actuators, designed to ensure the actuators continue to operate normally during mains power outages. This solution is specifically engineered to meet the stringent reliability and performance requirements of critical industries including water treatment, energy, and process control.
AUMA’s innovative custom backup system utilizes sealed lead-acid battery technology, chosen for its durable reliability, excellent depth of discharge (DoD) performance, and superior cost-effectiveness compared with lithium-ion solutions. The system offers a service life of five years, and the batteries can be replaced by the end user.
John Callow, Technical Solutions Specialist at AUMA Actuators Limited, said: “When developing this new battery backup solution, we prioritized reliability and user confidence. We combine proven lead-acid technology with automatic diagnostics and extra-high capacity to ensure customers’ actuators keep operating even during prolonged power outages. For critical applications, this means greater resilience, less downtime, and complete peace of mind.”
Each unit integrates a Battery Management System (BMS) that regulates charging cycles, prevents overcharging, and extends service life. The BMS includes a self-test function that runs automatically every 24 hours. The 30-second test cycle evaluates the battery’s charge retention and internal condition, allowing operators to detect early signs of potential degradation. This feature makes the system virtually maintenance‑free, eliminating the need for manual inspections and extending operational life.
The new system provides extra‑large battery capacity, housed in a glass‑reinforced plastic (GRP) cabinet. Compared with actuator‑mounted solutions, it delivers greater energy reserves and higher confidence, while handling power outages of varying durations. This configuration allows operators to specify the required operating support time for various outage scenarios, from short disturbances to long‑term outages.
The backup system is designed for easy integration into existing actuator infrastructures. Technicians can carry out installation independently, or operators can choose commissioning and integration by AUMA’s dedicated field service engineers. Safety is also a key design priority: the lead‑acid chemistry eliminates the risk of thermal runaway associated with lithium‑ion battery systems, while the BMS provides continuous charge regulation to prevent overvoltage and heat build‑up.
The system comes with a 12‑month warranty for the control panel and a five‑year warranty for the batteries. In addition, the recyclability of lead‑acid batteries ensures compliance with industry sustainability standards, supporting organizations pursuing circular economy and decarbonization goals.
John Callow concluded: “AUMA’s new battery backup solution delivers technically robust and reliable protection for critical flow control applications where actuator availability is essential. It combines extra‑high capacity, automatic self‑diagnostics, proven battery chemistry, and maintenance‑free operation.”
