PowerChute Business Edition reporting multiple power failures

[Anonymous user]

We have 3 Smart-UPS 750 RMs installed in our rack. We currently have 3 of our 5 servers connected via USB to manage them. I have configured them to be managed by our main server. I have also configured it to email my cell phone when the power fails. he issue that I am having, is that in the last 24 hours, all 3 UPSes have reported power failures. The power has not failed however. When viewing the event log in the management console, it shows power failures. It then reports power being restored no more than 5 seconds later (usually 2 or 3 seconds) My question: is this an issue with the UPSes, the software, or our utility company?

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

There are two things you can try to eliminate the USB port not being completely active, and utility power (mainly, harmonic distortion), being the root cause of this.

1. Lower the UPS Sensitivity to "Low". By default it's set to High.

2. Brain-dead the UPS to ensure that the USB port is fully active and that partial communication is not being shared between the USB and serial ports:

A. Power off the Load/UPS
B. Disconnect the UPS from utility power and remove all communication cables
C. Depress the Off button for approximately 4-6 seconds until you hear a click and the front LED's flash
D. Power everything back up, connecting only the USB cable.
E. Continue to monitor to see if it was a harmonic distortion issue, or a communication issue.

Message was edited by: The Notorious K.M.P.

[Anonymous user]

I have lowered the sensitivity to low, we'll see how that goes. I'm not quite sure what you mean by brain-dead the UPS.

[Anonymous user]

I've been present when we've had the slightest drops or brown outs in power. Discern-able as just a flicker in the lights, it has nonetheless caused the UPS to trigger an event, which is what I expect it to do. The machines stay up and undisturbed. This is why we have the UPS's I think, at least in my case it is one of the big reasons, as we rarely have an extended power outage in our building.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Cory, please see my edited post. Apparently the boards didn't like the 5 space return I put between the start of the line and the letter indicating an indent. Hope this clarifies.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thank you for clarifying that. I will test that out the next time that I am able to take the servers offline (which might be a week or two since other users might try to lynch me if i take the servers down during the week) I need to rewire the enclosure, so that would likely be the best time to try it. However since changing the sensitivity i haven't received any notices of the power failing.

As far as the point of the UPSes, it is to protect against brown outs, and outright power outages. However I would rather only be notified if the power actually fails, not just if it deviates.