SUA1500i - shuts down without apperent reason

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

We have two SMART UPSs in our lab. The problem is that both of them behave strange. Sometimes they just shut themselves down without apparent reason and following LEDs on the left are blinking: AVR TRIM, ON-LINE, AVR BOOST and all 5 LOAD LEDS. The ups then needs to be reset by switching it off and back on again.

Sometimes this fault occurs after short power cut but not always. It is worth mentioning that UPS runs on 3/4 load so it is not overloaded.

I'm not using powershute because I don't have any COM and USB port free.

Please help me with this issue as it is very important for our research to have uninterrupted measurements.

ps. I cant provide serial numbers as yet but both units are still on warranty.

Message was edited by: liko

[Anonymous user]

But the same problem with two separate units?? Can it be that it is just overloaded despite the led indicator showing otherwise? I don't have new batteries, the units are out-of-the-box new. And if I open it won't I void the warranty?

[Anonymous user]

Could you elaborate on this DC imbalance for us curious people?

Thanks,
Stew

[BillP]

hm, okay sounds like something related to the DC imbalance i was mentioning. it COULD be related to the batteries so do you have a spare set you can swap in before you buy new batteries? it may be also the unit but you could try spare batteries first.

[BillP]

Hi,

It might be best to monitor these UPSs via software so that we can see exactly what is going on.

As far as your configuration right now, even though you are not using any of our software, do you have the serial cable connected at the UPS end?

Are both of these Smart-UPS entering this state at the same time? or Randomly?

Are these units plugged in directly to its own dedicated outlet? Directly to the wall or a power strip?

I would also recommend that you perform a braindead and coldstart procedure just so that we can eliminate any hiccups that the UPS is currently exhibiting.

BrainDead
-turn off the UPS
-unplug the UPS
-Press and hold the off button/circle button. (o) for about 3-8 seconds until you hear it click.

This will set the unit to a default state.

ColdStart
-after doing the BrainDead Procedure, press and hold the On button. You will hear a short beep, follow by a secondary longer beep. As soon as you hear the secondary long beep please release. The unit will boot up from its internal battery power and go to battery.

Once it is on battery you can plug the UPS in to introduce utility power. The unit will go back online.

Hope this helps 🙂

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for reply 🙂

1. No, I don't have any cable attached to COM port of the UPS now since I don't have any ports free in my computer.
2. I haven't used them simultaneously. I just swapped one with another when I noticed the problem. And they switch off randomly.
3. The UPS is connected directly to the mains. Would it make any difference if it was connected to the extension instead?

I will try the BrainDead 😄 procedure followed up by the cold start. Then I will wait for the problem to appear again (I hope it won't...). It can run for weeks without problems and then the issue can appear several times a week. I will try to simulate power failure by switching the breaker of the mains off and we will see what will happen.

BTW: have you heard about similar problems with SMART UPSs so far?

Thanks

Message was edited by: liko

[BillP]

one thing i just came across indicates this may be a DC imbalance on the unit.

definitely try that brain dead procedure to see if it clears up and i would maybe just double check and see what the battery voltage is if you can. you'd have to use a voltmeter i guess since you dont have the software available. the batteries are hot swappable so if you remove them to double check the voltage, the replace battery LED will flash when you remove them and obviously you dont have any battery back up time with the batteries connected. we could make sure there isnt something strange with the battery voltage but i am not sure.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hi again,

I'm at the site now and, unfortunately, the procedure with brain-dead and cold start didn't help...I have noticed the following thing: When I simulate power cut the UPS goes to battery. The battery level goes down at a rate of one led per 20-30 seconds. Load indicator shows 3 out of 5 leds. Then after around 30 seconds the UPS shuts itself down with above mentioned leds flashing.

I really don't know what might be the cause of it....It isn't overloaded, is it?