Please Help APC 1500

LincolnMan_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

Hello,

I'm Bryan and new here. I have a problem that maybe some one could help me with. I have 5 UPS back ups that run my DVRS Infrared and other stuff.. I had a spare APC 1500 and thought I would put it to use. I put new batteries into it and plugged 1 DVR (4 channel Zmodo) 1 Power supply for 1 camera and a VGA to HDMI converter.. Nothing the APC can't handle. Well about 6-9 hours after I hooked it up, I noticed the AVR Trim lights was on.. I never seen this light on for longer than a few secs on my other APC's so I googled it. I found the owners manual and according to them, it means that the UPS is seeing higher than normal voltages. Not 10 minutes after the 1 started to do this, but the other 2 now have it on as well. I seriously doubt that I have 3 defective units. I powered on and off all 3 with out no luck. I even called the power company to see if they are experiencing any electrical problems in my area. They are not. I decided to pull out the volt meter and check outlets. I am getting about 127v AC from all of them.

I do not understand why the AVR Trim lights are on, and its got me scared of an electrical fire.. The 1 that I hooked up today is on a seperate wall circuit than the other 5. (2 APC 3 TrippLites) And I decided to unplug and power down the one I hooked up today.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Bryan

wayne_i_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

As Terry pointed out earlier, a problem with the neutral circuit in the house or to the street can cause a low voltage problem on one "leg" of the 240 volt supply while the other leg sees a high voltage. I suggest you measure some other recepticals in the house to see if any read a low voltage at the same time the receptical for the UPS reads a high voltage. For example, if you read 127 volts at the receptical for the UPS, and 113 at any other receptical in the house you likely have a problem that you should consult with an electrician about. On the other hand, if other recepticals all read close to 126 volts (+/- 1 volt?) it would suggest the local utility is just running on the high side of the normal range. The sum of both legs should equal 240 volts +/- 5% (up to 252 volts (or 126 volts on both legs) is considered "normal" utility voltage in the US).

Another question: is the 127 volt reading continuous, or does it change to a more "normal" value at other times? If it changes, this could suggest some high power load is turning on and off and potentially overloading the old wiring.

See Answer In Context

Terry_Kennedy_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

In this topic, Angela says that on at least one model of UPS, the AVR trim comes on at 126.5V, but that other UPS models may do it at a different voltage. 127V is a little outside of the +/- 5% that I would expect to see in the continental UPS, but not enough that I would worry about it, except in one condition. If you ever notice some of your lights getting brighter when something that pulls a lot of power (like a microwave, air conditioner, etc) turns on, you could have a dangerous situation known as a "loose neutral" and you should call your utility company. It is acceptable for lights to dim slightly when something that pulls a lot of power turns on, and for them to get a little brighter when the device turns off. It's the opposite that you need to worry about. However, this is almost certainly not what you are experiencing.

LincolnMan_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

Hi Terry,

ok, so I don't have a whole lot to worry about. I still wouldlike to call my electrician to check things out and get this figured out. Just saying. Funny thing is that the Tripp-Lites don't have a AVR light. They seem to be unaffected by this. My entire network runs and is dependant on these UPS. If they fail, everything fails. Just saying. Any idea of where to look at for a high voltage issue? The building is very old and so is the wiring.

Thanks in advance,

Bryan

Terry_Kennedy_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

Unlike low voltage, which can come from too-thin, overloaded, or badly connected wires, high voltage is almost always due to the electric utility delivering too high a voltage.

wayne_i_apc · ‎2021-07-07

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/19/2015

As Terry pointed out earlier, a problem with the neutral circuit in the house or to the street can cause a low voltage problem on one "leg" of the 240 volt supply while the other leg sees a high voltage. I suggest you measure some other recepticals in the house to see if any read a low voltage at the same time the receptical for the UPS reads a high voltage. For example, if you read 127 volts at the receptical for the UPS, and 113 at any other receptical in the house you likely have a problem that you should consult with an electrician about. On the other hand, if other recepticals all read close to 126 volts (+/- 1 volt?) it would suggest the local utility is just running on the high side of the normal range. The sum of both legs should equal 240 volts +/- 5% (up to 252 volts (or 126 volts on both legs) is considered "normal" utility voltage in the US).

Another question: is the 127 volt reading continuous, or does it change to a more "normal" value at other times? If it changes, this could suggest some high power load is turning on and off and potentially overloading the old wiring.