APC Smart-UPS X 3000VA

[Anonymous user]

I have a one APC Smart-UPS X 3000VA (part # SMX3000RMLV2U) I tested at my main office and it powered up and worked fine. I powered it down and took it to a remote office, installed and powered it back up. When I powered up I got a soft start fault error. Since this location is an hour away I plugged a usb cable into it and one of the local servers in hopes of getting some diagnostics off of it later. What's wrong with this unit? How can I get diagnostic information off of it without a network management card?

[BillP]

You'll want to grab PowerChute Business Edition which supports the USB connection for this UPS type. That is available here @ http://www.apc.com/tools/download/index.cfm

Let's get PowerChute Business Edition Agent installed which you can access hopefully through that remote server since it is locally attached to the UPS via USB. Let's check the status/event log of the UPS through there and I think this could be related to when you moved it. It was suggested to me, assuming the UPS is on, to run a UPS self test diagnostic and see if it clears.

The next step if that does not do anything would be to braindead the UPS which requires local access to the unit and will reset it.

Keep in mind too depending on the UPS status and issue, if the server is plugged into the UPS for power and the UPS turns off, then that may not work out well

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Anonymous user]

Event log has 3 entries, 1) monitoring started 2) communication established 3) TurnOff delay was adjusted. Self-test status and last runtime calibration status show Refused.

[BillP]

Hmm OK. Next step would be to "braindead" it which will require you to go over to it, turn off and remove any load. Then, turn the UPS off, disconnect the USB cable, unplug it from the wall, and remove the battery for several seconds while holding the power button down after the battery is removed. This will discharge all capacitors and reset the UPS intelligence and clear out any issues that may cause this. If it still does not work, then it may need to be replaced.

[Anonymous user]

I ran through all of your steps, when I turn it back on I'm still getting refused for both my self-test status and runtime calibration. If something needs to be replaced would it be the battery or the entire unit?

[BillP]

We'd recommend the entire unit but I just learned this could be due to older firmware. Can you find the UPS firmware version from PowerChute and let me know what it is? It should say something like UPS 09.1 or something and possibly have an ID listed like ID19.

[Anonymous user]

Firmware Revision 

UPS 07.4 / MCU 07.4 (1003 - 😎

Product Version

Version  9.1.1.604

I'll check and try to apply the latest firmware if you think that will help.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Looks like your UPS already has the latest firmware version - UPS 7.4 for ID1003 is indeed the latest already. I would say since you are at the latest and there was no change after you did the braindead reset, then the entire UPS should be replaced under warranty.