Compensating for a high input voltag - Smart-UPS X 3000

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

since the 22nd of December we are getting those error messages from our UPS in England.

The input is usually in the range of 240-244V and now it is between 249V to 255V.

The Overvoltage also only appears to be at daytime:

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Should I contact the Power-Provider and can the USV handle that much overvoltage?

Thanks!

[MarkC_apc]

Being in the US, our split phase voltages are often in such a high range of even 250 VAC plus.  However, usually these voltages are near an energy source (solar panels, wind, etc.).  As I understand the "normal" voltage of single phase European power is 208 VAC, so your voltages would seem quite extreme - or is the UK actually higher??

As to the UPS:

The SU and SUA 3000 (and SMT?) "high voltage" units that I've used are not configurable to 240 VAC and will essentially "compensate" for such high voltages continuously.  This is because they use massive transformers with specific winding taps.  Maybe an APC tech can tell you if long term use at 240 VAC is damaging - I've not seen any signs of damage using them continuously in the US.

The SMX 3000 unit can be configured to 240 VAC as the "normal" voltage and will not show such error messages.  These units are "transformer-less" (at least for the line voltages) and can be easily configured electronically for just about any voltages within the limits of design.

Voidstar - please correct me if any miss-statements.

Mark

[voidstar_apc]

Hi PANKL,

EU voltages are 230V +/- 10%, so 207-253V. So:

 - You may want to check your UPS's "output limits" setting (under Power Settings) to make sure it will accept the entire 207-253V range.

 - When the voltage exceed the output limits setting, the UPS will handle it fine but will automatically drop the voltage to protect attached equipment. That may or may not be necessary depending on the equipment. Either way, you'll just get a warning "Compensating for a high input voltage". If the voltage exceeds what the UPS can handle (unlikely -- that's really high), it'll go to battery.

 - 255V seems outside the standard voltage range. It might warrant double-checking with a voltmeter and calling the power provider. It might be that they're running the voltage high to lower current during times of peak demand.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I had this and 10% is overloading a fair bit of kit designed for 230v and will cause things to breakdown faster that having a stable voltage. I had a job getting my provider to get this sorted, in the end they fitted a monitor at home that showed it was always close or at the 10% so they moved the monitor to the substation and that went over the 10%, they turned the voltage down and all is good again. Your UPS logs will be a good start to get them to take notice.