Smart UPS 1500 buzzing like crazy

[Anonymous user]

I bought a new SUA1500 and it worked great. Then I moved locations and now it produces a rather loud buzzing sound all the time. The only time the buzzing goes away is when it's on battery. It even makes the buzzing when the unit is off, but just plugged in to the wall. Sounds like I have a big transformer under my desk.

None of the "warning" lights on the front panel are on, and I have various other UPS units in use here that do NOT make any kind of noise including several Back UPS LS 700s, an APC S15 power conditioner/backup, and several others made by another company called MinuteMan.

So I figured something must be wrong with this one and sent it in for replacement. Only problem is the replacement does the exact same thing. So the only thing I can figure is that there is something in this specific model (SUA1500) that doesn't like the power here at this location.

I'm sort of at a loss about what to do here. Unfortunately the unit is relatively close to my desk and the buzzing drives me crazy, but I have to do something. Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? There's no way the unit is supposed to make this much noise. Should I call out an electrician to check the AC ... maybe something is out of wack?

For comparison, the S15 that I use for all of our audio stuff is almost silent. You can't even tell its on when standing a few feet away. But that's a $1250+ unit and ridiculous to use just for a server.

I can't go to a smaller model, and I don't know if I have room for anything bigger, but it seems like the only choice if I want to stick with APC is to try a different model. Hmm.

Anyway, just curious if anyone has any ideas ...

Thanks!

Message was edited by: dsiomtw

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

We have a Smart UPS 1000XL and are having the same problem. Funny thing is that we had another UPS from a different company hooked up this morning and it was buzzing. This had been our UPS since I've been here starting in Feburary and probablly before. We got here and our server was off and the old unit was buzzing. We tried to figure out that one and did not succeed. We decided just to get another one so we didn't have to worry about the server going down and this brand new one (APC SMART UPS 1000XL) is buzzing just like the old one.

Someone help please!!!!

[Anonymous user]

I bought a new SUA1500 and it worked great. Then I moved locations and now it produces a rather loud buzzing sound all the time. The only time the buzzing goes away is when it's on battery. It even makes the buzzing when the unit is off, but just plugged in to the wall. Sounds like I have a big transformer under my desk.

None of the "warning" lights on the front panel are on, and I have various other UPS units in use here that do NOT make any kind of noise including several Back UPS LS 700s, an APC S15 power conditioner/backup, and several others made by another company called MinuteMan.

So I figured something must be wrong with this one and sent it in for replacement. Only problem is the replacement does the exact same thing. So the only thing I can figure is that there is something in this specific model (SUA1500) that doesn't like the power here at this location.

I'm sort of at a loss about what to do here. Unfortunately the unit is relatively close to my desk and the buzzing drives me crazy, but I have to do something. Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? There's no way the unit is supposed to make this much noise. Should I call out an electrician to check the AC ... maybe something is out of wack?

For comparison, the S15 that I use for all of our audio stuff is almost silent. You can't even tell its on when standing a few feet away. But that's a $1250+ unit and ridiculous to use just for a server.

I can't go to a smaller model, and I don't know if I have room for anything bigger, but it seems like the only choice if I want to stick with APC is to try a different model. Hmm.

Anyway, just curious if anyone has any ideas ...

Thanks!

Message was edited by: dsiomtw

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Is the buzzing abnormally loud? These units do exhibit sounds and the buzzing can easily just be the inverter passing power through. The SUA1000XL can have an audible noise up to 1 Meter of 42 dBA's.

Have you tried another outlet? Have you tried adjusting the sensitivity settings of the UPS? Does the buzzing cease while the UPS is on battery? What size load do you have?

Thanks.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Asymmetry in the line voltage will cause any transformer to buzz like crazy and anything with a half wave rectifier will do just that. Since the Smart-UPS has a rather large transformer, the effect will be very noticeable. Two step lamp dimmer, overhead projector and hair dryers are notorious for that. If there are overhead projectors or two-step lamp dimmers, try turning them all off. If this doesn't apply to you, have an electrician come out to test your power line for 2nd, 4th and 6th harmonics.

If you don't have anything like that in your building, then it is possible that someone has a three phase motor drive with a failed component causing a DC offset on your line.

This goes for you too nicolen. I did notice your profile say you're on behalf of "CK Manufacturing and Trading, Inc.". Perhaps you have some large VFD motor drives within the building.

Message was edited by: KVAr

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately you're going to get very minimal information as to why the transformer is buzzing while charging. Chances are it has something to do with the electrical into the transformer while in the charging state. The information posted on this site and questions raised by customers are for APC related products only.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I have the one from home depot that has a sliding bar to adjust the lights.

I think it might be due to us not using the proper bulbs, we are going to try changing them out with dimmable bulbs.

[Anonymous user]

KVAr, I am having the problem as you describe with the dimmer switch on my light. I found this out thanks to your post, much appriciated! Although I have no clue of anything what you are talking about I was still able to run the tests to see what made the noise go away 🙂 If you have any good websites that I can goto so I can understand what you are talking about that would be great.

Is there a way to fix this? I am going to redo the wireing, but I'm wondering if there is something else I can do to resolve such a thing.

Thanks!
-Shawn

[Anonymous user]

Don't use the two-level type dimmer, this type have just low and full. Use the kind that dims from full to low continuously as these do not cause asymmetry on the line.

[BillP]

Hi all,

Right now my lab has five UPS's, all APC's of course, (oops six, there is one on my office w/s).

Two 1000iNETS, three 2200iNETS and one Noah's uncle had.

Now the latter is in the old plastic housing, like a clam shell, it is totally silent.

The 1000iNETS hum badly at 50Hz (AC frequency here in .au) and the 2200iNETS are nearly silent if the mains is well formed.

What I see happening is the field from the transformer is magnetically resonating the steel housing, it does annoy me and the smaller unit's are going very soon because I can hear it over my tinnutis, (which is very bad, "so bad in fact that it keeps my wife awake"© the tinnutis that is)!

There isn't much that can be done about this, other than physically re-locating the UPS.

Message was edited by: iFix.au

[Anonymous user]

we have 2 new smart up 1000 and it buzzes loudly in 5 different outlets thought out the office and building. It buzz upon plugging it in - with battery on or not on it just BUZZES LOUDLY, shoock it and held it and massaged it and still just BUZZES MORE, HUMS. Because it is for under our work desks, we just said NO not got ring in our ears anymore! It is just unworkable for any office space where you need to get work done! That HUMMMM and BUZZZZZ 24 x 7 just the worst, it may work but the NOISE is terrible.

[Anonymous user]

WE don't carry a meter around with us. they buzz in every outlet! even if nothing is plugged in! and no the battery is on = not even engaged. After calling apc and holding the phone to the buzzing apc sua 1000 they say it is broken MAYBE MAYBE NOT we return it and have moved on to have a brand new product right out of the store and it is broken sucks and if apc is making this unit with this BUZZING HUMMING Noise is unprofessional and poor quality.

[Anonymous user]

Download and install the smart ups software. My 500 started buzzing after a power outage. There is an option to turn off alarms inside the software. It will probably say your battery needs to be replaced also.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you I found that a heater on another floor that is on a completely different power circuit was causing line noise so If you have this problem just keep looking !

Thanks again for the help!

[Anonymous user]

hi,

ive ben working on an UPS that i build at home well its a 850VA ups with few gud features. Im using a transformer that buzzes on charging anyone have any idea!

[Ups-lvr]

Just found this post now as my ups was making quite the noise. Turns out it was my hair dryer I'm running to help keep some curing epoxy warm. The hair dryer and the ups were on the same circuit and switching the ups over to another circuit with an extension cord stopped the noise completely, Thanks KVr_apc  you were b-ng on.

[Ups-lvr]

Just seeing this post. Had a unusual noise coming from my smart ups today. Turned out to be a hair dryer i was running happened to be on the same circuit as my ups. Was using the hairdryer outside in the cold to keep a slow curing epoxy warm. You were right-on KVAr_apc, I just switched the ups out to another circuit with an extension and the noise magically disappeared!