What is the high voltage threshold that causes a SMART UPS 5000 XL to advise that bypass is out of range : High Voltage?

[Anonymous user]

I'm getting a lot of these messages from a new 5000 XL that replaced an older unit.  I didn't see any alerts on the older unit.

The new UPS is using the same power source.  Nominal output voltage is set to the default of 230 volts and in the logs I can see VMAX  hits 250v occasionally. 

The upper bypass limit is default at 255v so I am surprised that the unit alerts me to inputs of 250v, unless of course the logs are not picking up the actual highest recorded voltage?

Any info / advise, much appreciated.  The fix may be as simple as setting the nominal output voltage to 240 so that the difference is not as great.

[BillP]

Hello,

Can we take a look at your logs? You can remove any sensitive information if you want. It'd be helpful to take a look.

Instructions on obtaining logs (event, data, config) from the Network Management Card are here -> How can I download Event, Data, Configuration, and Debug files from my Network Management Card? | FA...

Also, what is the nominal voltage in your region? It sounds like 230V and the exact SKU of your UPS (from the white barcode sticker on it) is SURTD5000XLI - could you confirm? Do you know the previous UPS model you had?

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela, can I attach / upload the zipped up logs to this forum, or do they need to cut & pasted?

[BillP]

Yep. You can put them here. When you're typing your reply, select "Use advanced editor" on the top right of the apply box and it will show an option to attach files.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela, sorry but I cannot see any option to use advanced editor or attach files, aside from an image or video. I cannot see an "apply" box. Sorry if I am missing something obvious.

[BillP]

Make sure you're viewing the thread outside of your Inbox - If you reply right from your communications inbox, you only see comment/cancel and no editor versions.

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I also have the same issue with the same UPS. Keep getting notified of the following.

Critical Events - UPS: Bypass not in range ; high voltage.

Information Events - UPS: An input voltage or frequency problem no longer prevents switching to bypass mode.

The data logs show the input voltage passing 250 VAC, which triggers the notification, although the bypass upper voltage is 255 VAC

The power settings/ thresholds on the UPS are

UPS - POWER

Rated Output Voltage - 230 VAC

Bypass Upper Voltage - 255 VAC

Bypass Lower Voltage - 160 VAC

Output Frequency Range - Auto Hz

I have attached the DATA and EVENT log files.

Can I stop the email notifications?

Does the high voltage cause a problem for the UPS?

Thanks, Dan.

[Anonymous user]

Interesting that this hasn't been asnswered.  I am wondering if this is an issue with the newer UPS as I didn't see it on the older model.

You can stop the notifications Dan. If genuine this high voltage could cause problems for equipment if you were, say manually in bypass for any reason. The system is warning you though that if for any reason it needed to go into bypass, at that time, it couldn't because the voltage is out of range.

Would be great if someone with more knowledge on the matter is able to advise further.

May also be worth speaking with you building Facility managment team to enquire about getting the supply checked.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

If the voltage was too high, the UPS would go to battery power so I wouldn't worry about that.

And also, I would venture to guess maybe the log isn't catching short voltage peaks over 255 but then I would think you wouldn't see it in the log either. Considering it is hitting/logging 250V, I would think it is getting really close to 255 at some point.

In the EMEA region, 230V is the nominal voltage so if it is consistently at 250V+ I would investigate why that is as you suggested Allan. I don't see any load fluctuations on the UPS, like a drop in current to increase voltage or something, but there may be something happening on the UPS circuit itself to cause a periodic spike in the voltage or something further upstream.

Either way, the UPS is indeed just giving you a warning saying it is seeing high voltage, if it has to go to bypass (overload, fault, etc), it won't go and expose the load to the high voltage and will likely turn off. It will require investigation into the input power/circuit.