Changing fans in the Symmetra SYMSTRF

[Anonymous user]

The fans in our Symmetra are pretty loud... they are Nidec Alpha V T450. We are wondering if we can swap them with something quieter... I found some NMB fans that appear to be much quieter... however, I am concerned about the wiring. Can anyone help with the wiring? I see that the current "Nidec" fans we have installed have a 5-wire plug for each fan. Is it 3 phase + neutral and ground? How is it wired? The NMB fan appears to have a 2 pin connector... they are single phase. Here is the info on the NMB fans: http://www.nmbtc.com/pdf/acfans/4715ms.pdf The ones I have are: 4715MS-23T-B50-A00 - Also, I tried to get some Nidec quiet AC fans, but Nidec told me that the minimum quantity I can order is 75 fans!!! ha! - and nobody seems to be stocking them anywhere that I can tell... and on top of that, I still am unsure about the wiring. Here is the link to the quiet Nidec AC fans: http://catalog.nidec-servo.com/digital/english/general/g_fab/acsfan.html - I really wish APC offered a quiet fan "option" at least so I could just order plug-in replacements from APC that I knew would work well without all of this hassle...

Thanks,
Todd

[BillP]

Hi Toader,

The fans we use in Symmetra Power Array include a tachometer and presence sense line so that the Main Intelligence Module can report on their status. The 0M-606 Fan Assembly that is used in the Symmetra includes the Nidec fan with custom wiring to provide the tachometer functionality to the UPS.

I'm not aware of any off-the-shelf fans that will run in the Symmetra Power Array without modification to their wiring. If you were to find another fan with the same specification as the official 0M-606, you might be able to compare the wiring harness of the APC part to the alternate fan.

Please realize that we cannot comment on this matter any further, as using untested 3rd party components in the UPS is unsupported and not recommended. In the case of the fans, they are critical components which ensure the Isolation Transformers are able to operate within their specified thermal range. It's essential that the UPS is able to report to the user a legitimate fan failure, therefore we recommend the use of the official 0M-606 fan assembly in the Symmetra Power Array.

[Anonymous user]

I understand... and thank you for you answer. I am going to see if it is possible to rewire another fan. Also... I don't know if it would amount to anything, but is there anything you can do to urge APC to consider releasing a "kit" with quieter fans? Even according to my links above, Nidec Servo makes their AC silent fan series, so it seems unnecessary to use loud fans. I believe that there are LOTS and LOTS of customers out there would would consider swapping their fans for quieter ones... even on this forum alone, there are quite a few people talking about the noise. If there is anything APC can offer as a solution, that would be wonderful.

Thanks,
Todd

[BillP]

Hi Toader,

I can understand your request for a quiet fan kit from APC, but at this time the spare parts support plan for the discontinued Symmetra Power Array is to maintain availability of critical components. No new development or engineering effort is being spent on qualifying new parts such as quieter fans.

Our latest single-phase Symmetra offering, Symmetra LX, uses variable speed fans controlled by UPS logic. When your Symmetra Power Array was being developed in the mid-90s, the decision was made to use AC-powered constant velocity fans to ensure that the transformers are cooled even under worst-case load and environment conditions.

[Anonymous user]

Are these fans hot swappable?Thanks!!

Tony

[BillP · Accepted solution]

No, unfortunately. I imagine it may be because of what they are located near.

Regardless, here are some details and instructions on that -> http://www.schneider-electric.us/support/index?page=content&country=US〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA252227