SUOL2000XLI - Overheat

Anonymous user · ‎2021-07-07

Hello

We have an APC Smart-UPS On-Line 2000, model SUOL2000XLI.

Please can anyone confirm if this unit has an overheat protection function at all, ie if it overheats will it shut itself off or will there be an audible alarm?

Terry_Kennedy_apc · ‎2021-07-07

In the specific case of thermal runaway in the batteries, there isn't a lot that the UPS can do to stop the process and it may not even detect the situation, as can be seen from the difficulty in removing swelled-up / burst batteries from a UPS. In severe cases, it may take an extended period of time after the batteries are disconnected and electrically isolated for them to cool down enough for them to be safely removed - on a Matrix UPS with XR battery packs I had to wait nearly a whole day for things to cool down enough to be able to remove the batteries, and they were still quite warm to the touch.

Fortunately, the VRLA type batteries used in UPS systems don't have a particularly high specific energy compared to newer battery types. I'm sure you've seen videos of LiPo batteries experiencing thermal runaway where they actually explode and / or go up in flames, with probably the most well-known case being the Boeing 787 (and that was a specially armored and protected aviation model). That's one of the reasons that UPS systems don't use them but stick with traditional VRLA batteries.

Lead Acid Battery Thermal Runaway

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-07-07

Hi Damien,

I can't find a specific user's guide for this UPS but the model that replaced it, SURT2000XLI would shutdown and give you a front panel indicator/LED pattern showing it shutdown from overtemp and then turn off while continuing to show the LED pattern. I do not believe there would be an audible alarm but I can't say for certain. I tell you this because my educated guess is that the model you have would act the same way or very similar.

Terry_Kennedy_apc · ‎2021-07-07

In the specific case of thermal runaway in the batteries, there isn't a lot that the UPS can do to stop the process and it may not even detect the situation, as can be seen from the difficulty in removing swelled-up / burst batteries from a UPS. In severe cases, it may take an extended period of time after the batteries are disconnected and electrically isolated for them to cool down enough for them to be safely removed - on a Matrix UPS with XR battery packs I had to wait nearly a whole day for things to cool down enough to be able to remove the batteries, and they were still quite warm to the touch.

Fortunately, the VRLA type batteries used in UPS systems don't have a particularly high specific energy compared to newer battery types. I'm sure you've seen videos of LiPo batteries experiencing thermal runaway where they actually explode and / or go up in flames, with probably the most well-known case being the Boeing 787 (and that was a specially armored and protected aviation model). That's one of the reasons that UPS systems don't use them but stick with traditional VRLA batteries.

Lead Acid Battery Thermal Runaway