PowerChute Power Failure Email Notification

[nick4978_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/7/2014

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I don't know if it's a problem with the unit, or just the power here. Nothing else seems to be affected, but the UPS I have keeps losing connection with power and then immediately restoring. Nothing goes down, nothing blinks or dims in the office, no other UPS's beep, nothing. I just keep getting emails every time it happens with this unit (usually several times a day.). If it's NOT a problem with the unit, is there any way I can configure the email notifications to only alert me when the power has been off for x number of minutes or seconds? I'm getting emails back-to-back every time this happens with a zero second delay.

Or does it seem like it's a problem with the unit itself?

SMART-UPSX750VA RACK/TOWER LCD 120V

Thanks,

Nick

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/7/2014

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Hi Nick,

My first thought on the power failed/restored, have you caught the UPS switching briefly to battery (versus it just being recorded in PowerChute)? It is feasible too the software could be logging erroneous events but I think that is a very remote possibility.

Another idea - you could try lowering the sensitivity setting on the UPS in case there is some electrical noise or other obscure power issue (to the naked eye) causing the UPS to switch. (To change the sensitivity, I see it under UPS name/menu on the top left->UPS settings.)

Based on experience, just because the lights don't dim or no other UPSs are doing anything does not necessarily mean this UPS does not see something that is triggering some type of electrical noise or 'change in voltage over time' threshold it may have. The other thought is unless those UPSs are the same exact model, firmware, SKU and are on the same circuit, then it is sort of like comparing apples to oranges these days.

To change your email notification settings, I know you can log into the PowerChute Business Edition Agent via the web interface but I only see the option to enable/disable the events. The Network Management Card can support what you're looking for but I don't see a way to delay events or anything. I'll defer to Bill P. to confirm if I am missing something on that but it seems to be a limitation of PowerChute.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 10/7/2014

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Hi,

E-mail delay is not available in PowerChute Business Edition (PCBE) at this time. It is on the list of future enhancements. I suggest changing the sensitivity of the UPS as Angela did and you may also need to change the transfer thresholds.

If you want to set an e-mail delay you should add a network management card and replace PCBE with PCNS.

[nick4978_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/7/2014

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Angela & Bill,

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I can actually hear the UPS switch modes when it happens so I know it's not just a software issue. And no, this is the only UPS of it's kind and it's in a completely different location so I'm sure it's also on a different circuit.. The other ones are CyberPower and a small APC so I would agree that just because this one is switching and the others are not, doesn't necessarily mean that there's a problem with the unit. My first assumption is that the power here isn't optimal and the unit is sensitive to that.

I was looking at the setting you suggested and there are a few in there so I wanted to clarify which one(s) you would suggest changing. I just changed the "Power Quality Sensitivity" down to "Reduced" (I will try Low if that doesn't work.) Is that the one you were referring to? Or do you think I should also (or instead) adjust the high/low transfer voltage? I don't want to put the unit at risk by setting the values too low/high, but since it does happen several times a day, I would like to adjust the correct setting to a reasonable threshold. Clearly the unit isn't actually losing power since nothing else on that circuit is turning off, resetting or anything, but it's certainly possible that there are power spikes or lows that could be affecting it.

Thanks!

Nick

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 10/8/2014

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Hi,

Start with reduced and if the issue persist then switch to low. Changing the transfer points would be the last thing I would try.