Are Network Management Cards compatibles with Dell Smart-UPS ?

BillP · ‎2021-06-30

Hello,

I am facing a strange issue :
* AP9617 (w/ latest firmware) and AP9630 (brand new) are both working fine in an APC Smart-UPS 5000VA SUA5000RMI5U
* Same cards are not working at all (no LED light at all) in a Dell Smart-UPS 3000VA DLA3000RMI2U

I tried several time to reseat them in the Dell UPS, following the brain dead procedure... But it changed nothing.

Connected to the serial port of the Dell at 2400 8N1, I can confirm Smart Mode is enabled when typing shift-Y shift-A Enter...
I get the correct answers :
SM
OK
NA

So I am asking myself if APC NMC are compatible with APC UPS sold by Dell, or if I am facing an issue within the UPS (either hardware or software).

Unfortunately this UPS in not under warranty anymore.
I've read somewhere in the forum there may be some ribbon cable or connectors issue.
Is it worth opening the case to check connectivity ? Is there anything else to try ?

Thanks in advance for your help
Best regards
Fabrice

Message was edited by: fabsainte

BillP · ‎2021-06-30

Hi fabsainte,

Network Management Cards 1 (AP9618/19/17) and 2 (AP9630/31) are compatible with Dell branded APC Smart-UPS. It almost has the same feature and functions as a regular APC Smart-UPS. While you are connected to the UPS using Hyper Terminal or PuTty, can you try pressing Shift+A? Make sure as well that the card is properly seated into the Dell Smart-UPS smart slot. The smart slot is where you install/slide in the card.

If properly done, the NMC LEDs should lit up in your case if the card LEDs does not lit up on this UPS but it does on another UPS there's a possibility that the smart slot is the culprit.

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-30

Hi fabsainte,

Network Management Cards 1 (AP9618/19/17) and 2 (AP9630/31) are compatible with Dell branded APC Smart-UPS. It almost has the same feature and functions as a regular APC Smart-UPS. While you are connected to the UPS using Hyper Terminal or PuTty, can you try pressing Shift+A? Make sure as well that the card is properly seated into the Dell Smart-UPS smart slot. The smart slot is where you install/slide in the card.

If properly done, the NMC LEDs should lit up in your case if the card LEDs does not lit up on this UPS but it does on another UPS there's a possibility that the smart slot is the culprit.

BillP · ‎2021-06-30

Hi,

Everything was fine from a Serial port point of view, but the management cards did not even light up their STATUS LED.
I has also a feeling that NMC was not being plugged when I was inserting it inside NMC slot (no resistance at all).

This morning, I fully stopped the UPS, removed the battery, unracked it, and then opened the case, removing the top cover.

It gave me quickly the confirmation that it was "only" an internal connectivity issue: the internal connector at the back of NMC slot was not full inserted !!!
So I just firmly pushed it inside its receptacle, closed everything, put back in rack... and now everything is fine !

Notice: opening the UPS should be only done by qualified technicians.

Regards
Fabrice

BillP · ‎2021-06-30

It is nice to know that you got it working. As a note as well, we do not recommend anyone to open and remove the top cover or casing of our UPS. The customer can only remove the battery door to install/remove the battery.

Opening the case of the UPS voids the warranty and pose a hazard of electrical shock.