Time for a new UPS?

[obx_fisherman]

I inherited an 11-year-old Smart-UPS RT 8000 RM XL with 2 battery packs.

This morning got email alerts indicating an issue. (These are the first 2 alerts, hundreds more have come throughout the day.

3/18/24 7:17am
Serial Number : 5A1107T26488
Device Serial Number : QQ1337173316
Date : 03/18/2024
Time : 07:37:13
Code : 0x011B
Critical - UPS: In bypass in response to an internal hardware fault.

3/18/24 7:17 AM
Serial Number : 5A1107T26488
Device Serial Number : QQ1337173316
Date : 03/18/2024
Time : 07:37:15
Code : 0x0165

An inverter fault exists.
Refused a self-test; UPS is overloaded.
A graceful shutdown process is being used to shut down the load equipment before the UPS turns off. Initiated from connected display or smartslot device.

Logged into the unit and see these alerts:

• An inverter fault exists.
• Refused a self-test; UPS is overloaded.
• A graceful shutdown process is being used to shut down the load equipment before the UPS turns off. Initiated from connected display or smartslot device.

Front Panel show it is in By-pass mode the red fault LED is lit. Manual says the X means the unit has a fault.

Is it time for a new UPS solution given the age or is this unit repairable?  Debug file attached.  Thanks for any advice/comments.

[Teken]

If there is an inverter fault the unit needs to be replaced. You’ll need to decide if sending the unit in for repair is worthwhile vs balancing overall costs.

At a high level such equipment is considered as expenditures that just get written off. If the facility is cUL listed and must meet ISO certification along with insurance qualifications.

A repaired unit can’t be used . . . 

If the above doesn’t apply to your business then you can do whatever you wish. As an aside I would remove all connected loads and complete a brain dead procedure to see what happens.

Brain Dead: Remove AC Mains, unplug all connected batteries, press and hold the power button until you hear a beep / click.

You may not hear anything when this procedure is completed. 

Reconnect all battery / packs, apply AC Mains, turn on the unit without any connected loads attached. 

What are the results of doing the brain dead procedure? 🤔

[dpierce4776]

@Teken 

is correct if there is an inverter fault then the unit needs to be replaced. Smart-UPS RT 8000 RM XL are generally not worth repairing. they are good units but after 10 years I have seen several Smart-UPS go bad, and the cost to replace is much cheaper.

That said though I have seen the "An inverter fault exists." for other reasons as well. Some are but not limited to, a lose ground, neutral not bonded correctly, double ground (causing a ground loop and feedback), Phase out of sync on incoming power (FYI the Smart-UPS RT 8000 RM XL is a 208/240 unit. It has two hot/phases going to it), and improperly grounded battery packs.

For the first four you will need an electrician to check the circuit for any issues. The battery packs should have a ground cable attached at the proper spot connecting the two packs together. Then from the closest pack to the UPS another wire connecting the UPS to the ground screw on the battery pack. The UPS and battery packs each have one marked ground screw/location for attaching grounding wires.

If they are not grounded properly and a battery pack connection comes lose or is connected with the UPS on it can throw the "An inverter fault exists."

If you have/do follow Teken’s brain-dead instructions below and that does not work, you can check grounding or do both at the same time. As the only way to clear the alert if it is the batteries ground is to turn the UPS off make sure all batteries are connected and grounded then turn it back on anyways.

[obx_fisherman]

Thanks for the advice. Monday night after I posted this our facility had a brief power outage which reset the UPS.  Tuesday morning it was acting like nothing happened.  This afternoon it has started the same behavior so were going to stay late this evening and try the Brain Dead reset on it.  

Fortunately, management has been aware of this situation and has approved the purchase of 2 new UPSs to replace this one.  Hope to get them in next week!  

Thanks again for the help!

[dpierce4776]

Generally speaking as I said before. We start looking to replace these style (rack mount/small tower form) UPSs at round 10 years. In perfect conditions and usage they might last longer. But really who has that.

Anyways since it cleared and then came back I would either think something is getting weak and when loaded failing or you have and electrical issue going on either a lose bond or ground. Either way replacing is a good idea I would just hate to think that you replaced them and had the same issues with the next units due to other issues.