SMX1500RM2U - A DC bus overvoltage exists. 0x0163 - Then the output power shuts off

[Anonymous user]

I have 5 Smart-UPS X1500 devices in remote network switch cabinets.  The other day, one of them started shutting off output power.  The front panel shows "Misc Fault" and says to contact APC tech support.  It happened once the first day, then ran fine for a day but is now happening every hour or so.  I finally plugged my switch directly into the outlet power, bypassing the UPS.  But the UPS still errors and shuts off the outputs without a load.  Looking at the Management card event log it shows

04/19/2017 14:27:31 Device UPS: A DC bus overvoltage exists. 0x0163

Immediately followed by Outlet groups 1-3 turning off.  Then I have to manually turn the system back on. (physically push the button on the front panel cannot restart remotely via the Management card)

Occasionally it will also show this error

04/19/2017 15:30:47 Device UPS: The battery is not installed properly. 0x012F

Followed shortly after by

04/19/2017 15:31:23 Device UPS: The battery is now installed. 0x0130

I replaced the batteries in November 2016, so I don't think they could be the problem.  Is this DC overvoltage error repairable?  The device was purchased in 2012 so is out of warranty.

[BillP]

Hi Terry, 

When you replaced the batteries for this UPS in Nov. 2016, were they genuine APC batteries or another 3rd party that you installed in the UPS? 

A DC bus overvoltage fault can either be caused by bad batteries, or in most cases, a malfunction with the UPS itself. 

Since you have experienced this fault multiple times, and have cleared it multiple times and it has still returned, to avoid further load drops, I would suggest replacing the UPS. 

Let me know if you have any more questions, 

Nicole 

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the reply Nicole.

Yes, I used a genuine APC replacement battery cartridge in Nov.  At the time, the device was giving me a faulty battery alarm but it never shut off the outputs like it is doing now.

To avoid additional network outages in the area I connected the switch to a Back-UPS pro 1500 I had on hand.  It is having no issues keeping the switch powered up.

But the Smart-UPS still continues to get the DC bus error and shut off the outputs without any load!  So I placed an order for a replacement device this morning.  Is it possible to repair the defective unit?  Or will it cost more than it's worth?