UPS Error Regarding automatic voltage regulator (AVR)

[Anonymous user]

I had this set of errors come across the other day and I am trying to determine what needs to be done as far as hardware goes.

04/03/2014	10:08:42	UPS: An automatic voltage regulator (AVR) relay fault no longer exists.	0x0127
04/03/2014	10:08:42	UPS: Started a self-test.	0x0137

Restarted the UPS.

04/02/2014	12:50:57	UPS: The output power is turned off.	0x0114
04/02/2014	12:50:55	UPS: No longer in bypass.	0x011E
04/01/2014	14:31:01	UPS: Refused a self-test; UPS is overloaded.	0x0106
04/01/2014	14:30:54	UPS: An automatic voltage regulator (AVR) relay fault exists.	0x0126
04/01/2014	14:30:53	UPS: In bypass in response to an internal hardware fault.	0x011B

Anyone experienced this before? Was it compensating to something external or did something fail internally?

Any help is appreciated.

Dan

[BillP]

Does your UPS utilize AVR often (often being majority of the day)? You can look in the log to see how often it reports "compensating for low or high input voltage" messages. The UPS is designed to use AVR every so often and not constantly so if it has been on very frequently, this could be a reason why it has failed. When it fails, it typically becomes welded or damaged somehow and would require the UPS to be replaced (either under warranty or not) assuming the UPS is a Smart UPS. Do you have any more information on the exact model of the UPS so that I could provide any additional feedback? And how old it is?

I could also review the full logs from your UPS Network Management Card to provide further feedback. (Instructions here- How can I download Event, Data, Configuration, and Debug files from my Network Management Card? | FA...)

[Anonymous user]

The model number is SUM3000RMXL2U. It has only been deployed since October, 2013. There is no mention of low or high voltage inputs in the log. The only time it comes up is in the section of the Event log that I copied to the original post and the log still has data going back to October.

Thanks!

[BillP]

Hmm,

How did you restart the UPS specifically? We might want to try and "braindead" it and observe and if that does not address it, the power module or the entire UPS may need to be replaced to address the fault.

[BillP]

Angela,

I have a similar problem and it clears itself. Not sure why or how. It is a Smart-UPS 2200 RM. Should I be worried or replace the unit?

I am concerned with your comment "When it fails, it typically becomes welded or damaged somehow and would require the UPS to be replaced" which leads me to think it isn't properly sized to handle the added current when the voltage is low.

Regards,

J

[Anonymous user]

Relays are electromechanical components and as such are subject to wearing out over time. The contacts inside are designed to handle X amount of current for Y amount of closing/opening cycles....over time the contact surfaces become pitted and the current carrying capacity becomes reduced, and what can happen concurrently is the return spring or solenoid mechanism inside becomes weakened. When a relay weld occurs its a combination of the weak return or the current itself passing across a smaller and smaller portion of clean metal on the two contacts that acts to bond the contacts together just like welding a two metal pieces - eg a cracked body panel on car.

The reason why Angela asked you why the UPS is going to AVR frequently - eg there is dirty power in the building and the UPS is sitting there clicking away several times a minute for hours on end - is that this is exactly what would cause the UPS's relays to wear out. Dirty power is something that many times needs to be looked into as it could be the result of failing or faulty equipment elsewhere in a facility.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I pressed the power button and it started up without issue. There were no faults present when I looked in after the restart and it hasn't notified me of a problem since.