Windows Embedded APC UPS and MSDN Registry Data

[Anonymous user]

Does APC provide a UPS minidriver for WES7 (Windows Embedded 7)?

MSDN describes UPS\Status Registry Entries (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/battery/ups-status-registry-entries) for getting data from any UPS minidriver.

  This used to work for us (we have code from 10 years ago).  But with our new APC Smart UPS SRT5KXLT, it does not insert that information into the registry in the expected location: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UPS\Status

I do find some here:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APC\PowerChute Personal Edition\3.02.00

But it does not seem to present the BatteryCapacity, BatteryStatus, CommStatus, FirmwareRev,  SerialNumber, TotalUPSRuntime, UtilityPowerStatus, Vendor, Model, etc. that I need.

  The above was using USB connection and installing PowerChute Personal Edition.

Any help would be appreciated.

Kelly

[BillP]

Hi,

On 11/9/2017 7:45 PM, Kelly said:

  The above was using USB connection and installing PowerChute Personal Edition.

PowerChute Personal Edition is not designed to communicate with a SRT Smart-UPS. We offer PowerChute Business Edition for USB and Serial comm between the Smart-UPS and OS. If PowerChute Personal Edition is install on the system I recommend you uninstall it and then follow the instruction in Schneider Electric FAQ FA159743 to restore the proper HID driver.  

As for the USB drivers. We  do not provide the drivers. They are pre-installed in the Windows OS. 

[Anonymous user]

OK, thank you for that info.  I was having trouble installing PowerChute Network Solutions that came with the UPS, it didn't like my Windows Embedded 7 OS.  I looked it up and PNS supports only Win Server 2008 etc.  Unless I'm mistaken.  So that's why I tried the Personal Edition.  Like I said, the old system no longer uses the same registry key info.  So I was testing options.

  I am now trying the USB HID built in the OS.  That gives me very basic info, but is also generic (Microsoft instead of APC for the Vendor info, etc.)  I wish it would just send me a blob of data.  Yes, I understand I can use the Modbus comm via USB/Ethernet/RS232, but then that would be a very specific interface (like we've had trouble with in the past, same APC, different model, no longer working).

  It's also very hard to find my options without going through forums and outside sources.  I'm really perturbed that APC doesn't supply it's OEMs with sample code and drivers (like HID mini-drivers).

[BillP]

Hi,

Options you have other than Modbus is to poll the required information using SNMP. If configured to do so the network card will provide data via SNMP v1 or v3. Another option is PowerChute Business Edition when the UPS is connected serially or via USB. We have tested Windows Embedded Standard 7 (SP1) with PowerChute Business Edition 9.2. And a third possible option APCUPSD. That application offers communications USB, and PCNET to the card. 

NOTE: I am not sure if APCUPSD has ever been tested with Windows 7 Embedded. 

[Anonymous user]

Thank you for that info.  I am trying to maintain backwards compatibility to Win Emb XP as well.  Apparently, the previous code (running on XP) communicated to your older (10 yrs ago) UPS via the registry values in:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\UPS\\Config\\

BatteryCapacity,  BatteryStatus,  CommStatus,  TotalUPSRuntime, FirmwareRev,  SerialNumber,  UtilityPowerStatus,  Vendor,  Model.

However, these don't seem to be present in the registry with the new APC UPS connected.  Is there something I'm missing?  Were these only good on a Win Emb XP or only supported by old models?

Thank you,

Kelly

[BillP]

Hi,

As with all electrical mechanical equipment UPS are updated over time. The older UPS you refer to used a more basic communication method based on ascii characters. Using this method limited the available configurable features. You will find more information on the protocol in Schneider Electric FAQ http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA276164/ 

The new UPS use a more robust method. The changes allow for addition of the new features added to the UPS. As an example, older Smart-UPS had a single group of outlet where as newer Smart-UPS offer multiple switchable outlet groups. By changing the communication method these new features are now available via SNMP, Modbus, and PowerChute. 

You do have the option of adding the AP9620 card to the SRT that will allow for communication via the older method. To my knowledge the AP9620 and SRT have not been tested with Windows 7 Embedded however if your older UPS worked with that OS then it should work with the AP9620. Here is a link to a FAQ concerning the AP9620 http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156172/

You would need to remove the network card that is now installed in the SRT so there are disadvantages. My recommendation for gathering the data you required is to leave the network card installed and use SNMP. 

[Anonymous user]

Thank you!  This is exactly the info I've been looking for.

One followup question:  Can the old systems be upgraded (firmware) to support the new SNMP protocol?

[voidstar_apc]

If the old system is a SmartUPS, you can put the NMC in to get SNMP. The older and newer SmartUPSes are somewhat different so it's worth testing on each.

[Anonymous user]

hi,

 is powerchut is suitable to delta ups? and im using wyse win7 in my pc , is this software is compactible

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Delta Power Solutions is not part of the Schneider Electric family. Delta Power Solution offers its own software for its UPS so no PowerChute is not compatible.