Inquiry About APC Easy UPS 1600 VA Behavior

[Alexandria_Barnes]

Dear Support Team

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to inquire about a behavior I’ve noticed with my APC Easy UPS 1600 VA. When the UPS is disconnected from mains power, I hear frequent relay switching sounds. Is this normal?

I’ve connected a 3D printer to the UPS, which typically consumes about 100 watts. Interestingly, this issue does not occur during low power consumption.

For additional context, the 3D printer’s heated bed is powered by 220V. I’m not sure if this information is relevant, but I thought it might help in diagnosing the situation.

Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to your reply.

Best regards

This only happens when using the battery; it doesn't occur when the power is connected.

[Teken]

I’ll keep this short and say replace the unit. If it’s under warranty you may consider submitting a RMA to APC Technical Support.

Please have the serial number, purchase receipt, and brief description of the problem.

At first blush it appears the unit is over loaded. I can’t tell from the video if the relays are clicking when powered or when on battery only mode.

If you can provide that clarity that would be great. 

Regardless, this entire line of APC UPS are complete garbage. 🤦‍♂️🤢 Consider the Back-UPS over the Easy-UPS.

Ideally a Smart-UPS model if you can afford to do so. 

[Alexandria_Barnes]

This only happens when using the battery; it doesn't occur when the power is connected.

[Teken]

If you have a method to determine the power consumption that would be great to know. As you noted this doesn’t happen with low power consumption draws.

I would suggest you do a few tests like disconnect all current loads like the 3D printer.

Connect a hair dryer and see how it operates in low, medium, high modes if available. My expectations are you see the same relay clicking behaviour or nothing.

If nothing that’s good so grab something else like a lamp, small heater. What happens when these resistive loads are connected and running on battery?!?

[Alexandria_Barnes]

Hello, I tried it. My hairdryer has three settings: the first setting works fine without any relay noise, but starting from the second setting, it begins to overload, which I think is normal. I feel this might be related to the working principle of the 3D printer’s heated bed, as other small appliances seem to be functioning normally. Thank you!

[Teken · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Appreciate you taking the time to test and provide the results of the hair dryer test.

It should be noted that if the system was over loaded the unit should have declared the same. ☝️

I can tell you from personal experience one of the major failures is from what APC terms as (Relay Weld) fault / error. 🤢

As such the rapid opening / closing of the relays cause contact (Arcing) which is pitting, burning, damage to the plates of the relays.

At some point the relay(s) will literally weld close and thus the UPS will declare a fault and obviously stop working. 🤦‍♂️☹️

I would encourage you to submit a service request with APC Technical Support if this unit is still covered by the 2-3 year warranty in your region.

The worst case scenario is you receive another unit with the same behaviour or it doesn’t happen at all with the replacement! 👍

Good luck and let me know either way. Merry Christmas . . .