Symmetra 16KVA Power Module fail alarm - replacemente instructions needed

[Anonymous user]

Hi.

My Worldclass datacenter is protected by a Symmetra 16KVA UPS with additional battery modules. Two days ago, an alarm start with the APC indicating ONE power module failed.

The unit have 5 modules and because is N+1 redundancy, I believe we are running without fault tolerance at this time, this is highly critical.

Support in Mexico is NONEXISTENT and email from APC USA have long delays and lack of pro-response.

One email from APC yesterday indicates to remove / reinsert the failed power module before ordering a new one.

I have DAYS looking for instructions or manual to remove / reinsert the power module. Any idea? Link? URL?

I have a full box with APC manuals but don't have anything in regards to the power module replacement or instructions for removal / reinsertions.

Please help!!!!

[Anonymous user]

If you already reseated or reinserted to other slot was unsuccessfull... Im sure the connector on backplane pcb is need to replaced!

[Anonymous user]

I always try removal/reinsertion first on my two Symmetra 16 ks' ...just a week ago I rid one unit of a failed battery alarm by that method. I think the problem is the tiny Anderson connections to the backplane inside the frame can tend to get oxidation buildup over time, leading to voltage drop across the contacts and/or weakened current carrying ability.
Dave

Message was edited by: Battman

[BillP]

Almost every battery fault on a single-phase Symmetra can be cleared by reseating. Just because the fault clears upon re-installing the module does not mean the module is truly OK.

If you do suspect that your module may not truly be bad -- perhaps it is not that old yet -- you would want to reseat the module into a different bay. That way, upon the next self-test, if the same module fails in a new bay, you can be certain the module truly requires replacement.

On Symmetra LX, the SYBT5 modules hold status values in EEPROM. If these modules hold a state-of-health lower than 60%, they will show as failed in any Symmetra LX immediately upon insertion in the UPS. These modules can also show as failed after a self-test which can often be cleared simply by reseating.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Hi Alexis,

You can in fact remove and re-insert the power module to see if the fault continues to display for that respective power module. One thing we have found in troubleshooting in the past is that a fault may be indicated on a module, but it may rectify itself and clear upon removal and re-insertion. Therefore that's the first line of defense.

Do you have a forwarding address in the US to which a replacement power module (if the UPS is still covered under factory warranty), can be shipped? If so, and I'm assuming you're speaking with APC Email Support located in the US, please provide that information to them in advance, prior to them stating that because you're located in Mexico, we cannot do "International" shipping outside of the U.S. & Canada.

If you're looking for a much faster resolution, we can either speak through this means of communication, or offline, depending on your response time to this thread or possible response time for future emails.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

FYI, if possible, i would contact APC prior to reseating a faulty power module if you are not familiar with the general procedure.