XR Frame fault with code E7 and E6

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by sawangpong on APC forums on 2/17/2016

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Hi,

We has bought the UPS with 17 units of extended XR battery frames.

Unfortunately, 4 out of 17 units had the error E7. So, we have changed the communication cards of this 4 units.

The fault E7 has been solved but another code comes, E6.

Could you please suggest what is the cause of E6 and how to solve?

Also, is there any effect on the operation if we don't solve this problem.

Last but not least, it would be highly appreciate if you could share with us the definition of fault code E1....E7 or even more.

Thanks a lot.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by David on APC forums on 2/17/2016

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Hello,

Which UPS are we speaking about? Is this a Symmetra RM or a Symmetra LX? How many XR frames have you attached to one UPS? It is odd to get an E7 on so many new cards. The E7 could mean a number of different issues including: The XR COM card itself, the communication cable, or an incorrectly set dial on the COM card. The E6 that you are reading is actually an Eb most likely. This is a fault with the card itself and it would need to be replaced. This fault could be generated by any number of items. Such as a damaged component on the card. 

[Terry_Kennedy_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/18/2016

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I'm just another user, so I'd suggest going with the APC answer if it conflicts with mine.

I'm assuming you purchased this hardware used (as otherwise you should just tell the seller to take it back and send you some working equipment). Here are some things to try...

• You say 17 XR frames. If this is a "classic" Symmetra (SYRMXR4 XR frame), only 7 XR frames can be attached as the selector switch to identify the frame can only be set for 2 through 8.
• Start with the simplest possible configuration - the UPS and one XR frame with no batteries installed. If you don't get an error (or the error just indicates "no batteries"), install batteries one at a time. If all batteries install without triggering any errors, connect the next frame, with no batteries in it. Install batteries. Repeat until you have everything connected, or you find a fault. If you find a fault, try using a different communication cable, battery(s), or frame. You should end up with a pile of stuff that works and perhaps some that doesn't. You can leave all of the big, heavy power cables attached while doing this test - just unplug the communication cables for the XR frames you haven't started testing yet. You don't have to completely remove the batteries - just unscrew the retaining screws and pull each battery pack out an inch or so to unplug it from the frame.
• The communication cables can develop poor connections over time. Sometimes it is the jack on the communication card, sometimes it is the connector on the cable. The connectors are normal modular handset type. I'm not sure, but I think the cable pinout is "flipped" from the normal phone handset pinout. It will probably be better to purchase replacement cables from APC if you find you have some bad ones, rather than trying to fix them yourself. You can use a cotton swab dipped in 90% isopropyl alcohol to clean both the jacks on the communication cards and the connectors on the cables. Just be sure to let the cables dry out before plugging them back in.
• Make sure the communication cards are properly seated in the XR frames. You can unscrew the large thumbscrews, pop the card out and push it back in. You will get an alert on the UPS about batteries removed when you do this, but the UPS should remain online.

As to whether the UPS will run with the errors, it will. The calculated runtime will be incorrect, as the UPS computes that based on the size of the load and number of batteries. Anything that makes the UPS think that there are fewer batteries will cause it to report a shorter runtime. If you are getting repeated alerts about battery removed / battery inserted, you can disconnect the communication cable(s) from the frame(s). Leave the big DC power bus cables connected. Battery charging may not achieve 100% if there are batteries that the UPS doesn't "know about" connected - one of the things that the communication cable reports is the state of charge of the battery packs. If the communication cable isn't connected to some XR frames, the UPS makes its charging decisions based on the battery status from the battery packs it can "see" communications from, and the voltage on the battery bus (which is constant across all of the frames). So you may see the UPS sitting at 99% charge instead of 100%, or something like that.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by sawangpong on APC forums on 2/18/2016

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Hi David,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will check for that first.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by sawangpong on APC forums on 2/18/2016

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Hi Terry,

Thanks a lot. I will try step-by-step as you suggested.