PowerChute Personal vs. Business

[Anonymous user]

What are the differences between PowerChute Personal and Business? One thing I would like to do is monitor the power supplied to the UPS, both real time and historical data. The PowerChute Personal software does not seem to give me historical data.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

you have to use software that works with your unit.

The Back UPS line is required to use PowerChute Personal Edition and it wont work with Business Edition.

PowerChute Personal Edition shows a little historical data such as how many blackouts, brownouts, overvoltages, etc you've had during a certain period but it doesnt keep voltage readings or anything like that. It only gives you the current voltage in.

The Smart UPS line is required to use PowerChute Business Edition which has a larger event log with more detailed data. It has an event and data log and keeps track of more data than Personal Edition can. It can also send notification emails.

What UPS do you have?

[Anonymous user]

Is this distinction between what model UPSes work with what software new? and is it irrelevant of the UPS using SmartSignalling versus SimpleSignalling?

I replaced a BackupUPS Pro 650 (model BP650S, which uses SmartSignalling) with a Back-UPS RS 1500 only to discover that my PCBE 7.0.5 won't recognize it. So my old working config violated the proposed policy. I had to install the PCPE 2.0 just to get basic functionality. I don't like the PCBE since it doesn't offer the logging and analysis features of the PCBE.

When did PCBE 5 node change from being free to being a paid software? Will PCBE 5 node v8 still work with my other BackUPS Pro 650's?

Message was edited by: WayneW - typo

[BillP]

the BP650S is kind of an exception to the rule along with a couple of other Back UPS. it is more like a Smart UPS and that is why you were able to use PCBE 7.0.5 with it. It is an older generation Back UPS that supported smart signaling. Generally the Back UPS are kind of a mix between Smart and Simple signaling as far as functionality goes but technically they are simple signaling (besides BP650S and a couple of other models).

[see this link for what software to use with what UPS|http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2396]

for anything in the newer generation, anything with a serial port generally uses either Powerchute Plus (which is what was first out when the BP650S came out but its discontinued) or Powerchute Business Edition. USB Back UPS need to use Powerchute Personal Edition Only. Smart UPS with a USB port have to use Powerchute Business Edition.

The Back UPS RS line does indeed require Powerchute Personal Edition. Generally, the home user does not want to run command files and get email notifications but the features that you mentioned are handy. Unfortunately, you cannot use Business Edition as you discovered.

The change to paid software has happened in the last couple months when PCBE v8.0 came out. You should still be able to use PCBE single node Agent version 8 with your BP650S. One agent node is free with business edition 8 so you shouldnt have to pay for it just to use it on your BP650S. The 5 node software is paid but is for when you want to monitor 5 different UPSs.