UPS: On battery power in response to an input power problem - details?

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

We have several UPS-systems which give an error 'UPS: On battery power in response to an input power problem', luckely followed very soon (eg 1 second later) by the information that the problem is solved (every day there is at least one of the UPS giving this error, but mostly there are more).  The messages as such aren't a big problem, the fact that the UPS switches cause more issues.

When I look at the data-logs of the UPS, I don't see what could have caused this (at least no over- or undervoltage), but there must be a reason I guess as it's more than one system giving this error, not at the same time however (they aren't all connected to the same power line either).  The most positive idea would be there is a fireware issue, but I guess this would be too much positive thinking

However, it's not just an issue of alerting, still could be UPS-firmware however, or the sensors, but some of the equipment "protected" by the UPS can give an alert as well of a short power failure when the UPS switches...

Is there an option to get information of the UPS on what specific parameter he gave this error?  Or even just an overview on which parameters that can cause this specific error?  I'd like to test this with other equipment as well, but if we could trigger on the reason the UPS think it should react too, it would be easier.

The used UPS are Smart-UPS 3000 RM, this weekend 4 of the 7 UPS (of that type) gave errors like this (most of them multiple times par day).

Thanks in advance,

Alain

[BillP]

For this UPS, unfortunately, we really only have the event and data log from the Network Management Card itself to go off of. It is likely the data log is not catching the particular thing that is causing this and the UPS is seeing something really obvious to the naked eye causing it to transfer to battery. For example, a rapid change in voltage over time, over the span of a few seconds, is not likely to be reported with the Network Management Card. The UPS (this model anyway) only has the capability to tell the Network Management Card a few select things. Or, a frequency problem could be an issue. The Network Management Card can only  provide a snapshot of the frequency at the time it logs the data log since neither the UPS nor the Network Management Card can store min/max frequency like the UPS can with the voltage.

Here is a general article on reasons why a UPS goes to battery -> Reasons a Smart-UPS Will Transfer to Battery | FAQs | Schneider Electric US

Anyway, my first thought is to ask what is the sensitivity set to on your UPS? We can try bumping it down a notch to see what happens so that the UPS is less sensitive to tiny little power issues. You'd see this under UPS tab->Power Settings I believe. We also see the need for this such as when a generator is in use or if the utility power company is experiencing problems. It could also be caused by something on the same circuit causing a strange issue but that is the minority of issues.

I can tell your UPS must be the older type (well this one the logs are from anyway) without an LCD screen based on the fact you have an AP9617/18/19 model Network Management Card in it (which I can tell by the firmware version on the log files). Our newer UPSs with SMT, SMX, and SRT model prefixes have the capability on the UPS itself to record the last 10 reasons it transferred to battery. I would've had you check that so we can see what the UPS logged itself (which those UPSs work with AP9630/31 only). Are any of your UPSs the newer model with the LCDs?

Though, now that I think of it, I do believe this UPS will list the last single transfer reason under Status or Overview menu. Can you look there and see what it says?

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela,

Thanks for the information. I modified the sensitivity on one of the switches to low, another to reduced.  Currently all were set to high.  Let's see if this makes a difference ... Is there a risk to a "low sensitivity"?

I also found the information on the reason in the status (an old UPS mentions a "line voltage notch" ; the new one mentions "distorted input", which will probably be the same).  On the more recent UPS (we have 3 with LED display, so 10 in total), I didn't find the history of "10 reasons" like you mention, but the firmware might not be the most recent one either.  Do I need to activate this 'history' in some way?  Or is this a firmware thing (aos/sumx is version 5.1.7 from late 2011) ; I prefer not to upgrade when there is no real need ... I did this for the network cards on the older equipment just to get them the same however, but not on the newer systems.

Thanks,

Alain

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello.

I tracked down a newer SMX UPS that supports this with v5.1.7 on its network management card and I do not see these last 10 transfer reasons there after double checking. You'd have to upgrade to v6.2.0 Smart-UPS application (sumx) Network Management Card firmware (as you suggested might need to happen) which in there, it is under Logs->UPS logs.You could also view it through the LCD on the UPS (as long as it is in advanced mode). v6 firmware just had a new release which fixed a lot of existing issues and has many new features if you're still on v5. There may be some devices on testdrive.apc.com with this firmware already so you can see it before you upgrade.

Regarding your question on sensitivity, since we are in the business of providing power protection, we always want to deliver the highest possible quality power for our customers. That means, that by default we set to High, which is very, very strict. Even at our very lowest/widest settings, we will never let anything through that could possibly risk anything to the equipment. The only issue with sensitivity is that the lower the setting, the longer the transfer time.

Let me know if you have further questions.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela,

Thanks for all the info!  At the moment I don't have the time for the update, but I'll try to schedule this in a few weeks/months (depending on other priorities).

BR,

Alain