SURT10000XLI - Alternation between bypass and online mode

[POsorio_apc]

Hello,

Last saturday I installed two Smart UPS 10kVA (SURT10000XLI - Three phases) with two bypass each.
Today, one of this UPS are switching between Online and Bypass mode. The only way to turn the UPS to "normal" mode is:
- Cut the power and Turn off the UPS
- Press the O button for a while
- Power ON the UPS again
After this procedure the UPS are OK (online led is green and battery led's also) but only for a while (~30min).

We use one breaker with 30Amp, one for each UPS.

The question is if do you think that we should us breakers with 60Amp or this has nothing to do with breakers?

The strange think is that the other UPS works perfect (with the same breakers potency - Amp).

Thank you for your time.
BR,
Luis Osorio

[BillP]

is it possible to log in to the pre-installed network management card and configure it to retrieve the event and data logs that the unit can provide? this would most likely be helpful in diagnosing the issue.

instructions are here -> http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9321

i forgot to add - if instructions are needed to set up the NMC, check this out -> http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3061

[POsorio_apc]

Ok. I will try tomorow.
By the way, I can see some generi alarms when I connect to the UPS through web access. Is something like:
- (...) hardware fault;
And an error with the information that bypass condition probably caused by an external acessories...
but I will confirm it tomorow.

Excluding some possible causes, do you think that a breaker with 30A to a load of ~5Amp could be the cause for this issue?

Thank u.
BR,
Luis Osorio

[BillP]

no i dont think so at this point to be honest. that is probably not up to code but i don't think it should case this type of problem based on what you said so far.

[POsorio_apc]

Hello again,

I attached the requested files.
I switch the UPS to Bypass mode manually (switch button from the back of UPS).

Thank you again.
Pedro

[BillP]

ok i took a look at the logs. definitely seems to be an issue with the UPS inverter that is causing the UPS to go in and out of bypass because of the hardware fault. then i also see some funny stuff going on with battery capacity which is most likely causing your runtime to drop and cause the battery discharged messages.

the first thing i might do is braindead the UPS and see if it still does the same thing. if so, then you probably want to contact your local APC support and see what they can do for a warranty replacement.

to braindead, you need to remove any load attached which there doesnt appear to be any now. once thats done, you need to turn the UPS off by pushing the off (o) button. remove AC power - by cutting the breaker to the UPS or flipping the input breaker maybe. then, go back to the front of the unit and hold down the off (o) button again for 5-10 seconds until you hear a click and see some front panel LEDs flash. if you don't get that, leave the UPS in this state for 10-15 minutes and it will automatically braindead if you also disconnect the batteries from it temporarily - including internal or any attached battery packs.

once this is complete, then try to reconnect everything, return breakers to their normal state and then power up the unit again and check the management card to see if you are still seeing the same faults or if you can tell by the front if it is still switching to bypass. i imagine this WONT fix the problem but it is worth a try before we have to pursue replacing it.

[POsorio_apc]

I did the procedure that you suggested and I don't want to "launch the rockets" 🙂 but has already more than 1 hour without going to bypass alternately...
We also observed that all connections were tight.
I will give feedback to you tomorow.

[BillP]

sure thing. i'll wait to see what you find.

[POsorio_apc]

Hello,

Bad news...
The UPS was off this morning...
I turned on the UPS and I have the same problem on the front of the UPS (switching between bypass and online)...

Log:
Date Time Event
10/20/2011 00:35:22 System: Network service started. System IP is 10.227.2.201 from DHCP server 10.227.2.1 with 86330 second lease.
10/20/2011 00:35:16 UPS: The output power is turned off.
10/20/2011 00:35:16 UPS: Restored the local network management interface-to-UPS communication.
10/20/2011 00:35:05 System: Network service started. IPv6 address FE80::2C0:B7FF:FEC4:4F10 assigned by link-local autoconfiguration.
10/20/2011 00:34:55 System: Warmstart.
10/20/2011 00:34:43 System: Restarting.
10/19/2011 23:41:37 UPS: The output power is turned off.
10/19/2011 23:41:37 UPS: Restored the local network management interface-to-UPS communication.
10/19/2011 23:41:36 System: Network service started. System IP is 10.227.2.201 from DHCP server 10.227.2.1 with 86330 second lease.
10/19/2011 23:41:26 System: Network service started. IPv6 address FE80::2C0:B7FF:FEC4:4F10 assigned by link-local autoconfiguration.
10/19/2011 23:41:16 System: Warmstart.
10/19/2011 22:12:20 UPS: The output power is turned off.


Why Warmstart and UPS off this morning?

Thank you.
Luis

[BillP]

that UPS doesnt power the network switch does it?

here are the reasons why an NMC might "warmstart" and what it means. if the UPS is turning off output that is powered by something on the UPS, the NMC will try to reboot to fix its network connection and cannot ping its default gateway.

http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2572

there definitely appears to be a problem with the UPS here - i don't know why its acting a little differently today but i'd recommend contacting your local support to pursue a replacement because i don't think you can trust the UPS. you could move your network management card to your new UPS so if you do get a warranty replacement, check to see if it comes with an NMC or not.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

dear ,

      the issue is not ciritical simple first reset the NMC card and then check .if issue is not resolved then replaced the NMC