Output Power is turned off due to an overload

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I have a Smart UPS 3000 (with a 6 month new battery) that last night shut down its output causing all servers connected to it to shut down. Here is what is in the logs at the time the UPS shut down:

09/21/2011 19:47:36 UPS: The output power is turned off due to an overload.
09/21/2011 19:47:36 UPS: A low battery condition no longer exists.
09/21/2011 19:47:36 UPS: The load exceeds 100% of rated capacity.
09/21/2011 19:47:34 UPS: The battery power is too low to continue to support the load; the UPS will shut down if input power does not return to normal soon.
09/21/2011 19:47:31 UPS: Started a self-test.

So it seems the UPS started a self test, then almost immediatly turned of the output. I can confirm that the load is only 40% as shown in the status box:

Load in Watts
40.3 %

Battery Capacity
100.0 %

Input Voltage: 240.4 VAC
Output Voltage: 240.4 VAC

Runtime Remaining: 7 minutes
Last Battery Transfer: Due to software command or UPS's test control


Could anybody shed some light on this? A bit concerned that it may happen again.

[BillP]

can you tell us specifically which Smart UPS 3000 this is? with 240 output, i am not sure and i'd like to verify. it'd be on the white sticker on the back of the unit or worst case, let us know if its a Smart UPS RT from the NMC/software - something like SURT3000XLT/XLI or SURTD3000XLT/XLI.

also, is this indeed an NMC or PowerChute software you are using? if it is an NMC, can you please provide the full event.txt, data.txt, and config.ini - instructions here -> http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9321

[Anonymous user]

Hi sorry for delay replying.

The Exact model of the UPS is DLA3000RM12U and is 240 output. I using the NMC for logs and i attach them here for you now.

We had the same event occur yesterday, UPS did a self test then shut down as per original post.

Appreciate you looking into this.

[BillP]

hmm ok..if i did not know that you said the battery was 6 months old, i'd suspect a battery issue. where did you get the battery from? is it a genuine APC battery and if so, does it have a serial number? also, how much runtime do you normally get on battery with this load? what is the reported runtime via the NMC interface? i also see a lot of AVR trimming in the log, presumably because this is receiving 250v sometimes, instead of 240v.

another note/question - do you have anything cycling attached to this UPS? such as something a laser printer or similar that could be causing a very short load jump to increase the load for only a second or two and reduce the runtime/create an overload? perhaps someone attaching something to the UPS, like a cleaning crew or similar that shouldnt be?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

The battery was from a uk stockist and is a genuine APC battery. I'll try and get the serial number tomorrow. Run time usually more than 3 mins. We do a regular power off restore test where we switch the ups off and make sure the server gracefully shut down. The connected servers are set in poser chute to shutdown between 2 - 2.30 mins and they do this (did this) successfully.

We do seem to get a lot of 'compensating for high input voltage messages' each night on the ups. presumibly this is down to a power fluctuation from the grid.