Tripp Lite UPS Smart Online 5000VA 4500W Rackmount 5kVA 200V/240V USB DB9 4URM

We are sorry to hear of your difficulty with battery replacement on this platform. We cannot address how the screws in question were stripped, but by your description, they were stripped before you began your servicing of the unit. Certainly they would not leave the factory in that condition, and we have reviewed inventory to ensure that is the case. Beyond the screws, there are a number of factors that can add to the challenge of battery replacement. Age and elevated temperature, alone or in combination with each other, are primary drivers that can swell the physical cases of lead acid batteries. When batteries swell due to advanced age and/or elevated temperatures, they can defeat otherwise excellent designs. In this design, there is admittedly little room to accommodate such potential swelling, as the design prioritizes rack power density over easy access. We are working to improve the design and manufacturing of this platform to address points you mention in your review. The edge you mention, like any metal case bends, could be a problem if improperly machined. We have audited our inventory and do not find such defects from our metal fabrication. We are working to modify the opening of this enclosure as a running change to eliminate this potential issue, as well as to further ease travel of the battery assemblies. The battery pull tab, which is made of a specific 3M tape and complies with safety standards, is also under review with a goal to accommodate extreme force when needed, such as in this case where batteries were clearly swollen due to age or high temperature. A proactive battery maintenance schedule is recommended to avoid swollen batteries, as is environmental monitoring such as our Envirosense module for use with our WEBCARDLX network management card, which installs within the UPS. Thank you, Tripp Lite Support Team