connecting and monitoring multiple UPS

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

Can you hook up multiple rack mounted UPS up to a stand alone computer to monitor all the UPS's on the stand alone computer?

for instance say I have 4 APC UPS's hooked up with multiple peices of equipment hooked into them for power. But I can not add power chute to the equipment to monitor the events and batteries. is hooking all 4 UPS's to a stand alone CPU to monitor the UPS's a viable option so I can see the power events and monitor the batteries?

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

No, unfortunately the software only supports one instance on each computer so it'd only be able to actively monitor one UPS via USB or serial. Same also applies for doing graceful shutdown via the software via USB or serial.

I'd suggest getting a UPS Network Management Card for the UPS and you can then monitor those via the network inside each UPS via IP address. If interested, your options would be AP9630 or AP9631 for the current offering of management cards. Depending on UPS model, some of our older management card models may work too if you have some available or would rather purchased used. (Those would be AP9617, AP9618 or AP9619 or even AP9606 for the basics). But again, not every UPS supports every type of management card so I'd have to help you verify UPS models to make a suggestion.

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

Can you hook up multiple rack mounted UPS up to a stand alone computer to monitor all the UPS's on the stand alone computer?

for instance say I have 4 APC UPS's hooked up with multiple peices of equipment hooked into them for power. But I can not add power chute to the equipment to monitor the events and batteries. is hooking all 4 UPS's to a stand alone CPU to monitor the UPS's a viable option so I can see the power events and monitor the batteries?

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

No, unfortunately the software only supports one instance on each computer so it'd only be able to actively monitor one UPS via USB or serial. Same also applies for doing graceful shutdown via the software via USB or serial.

I'd suggest getting a UPS Network Management Card for the UPS and you can then monitor those via the network inside each UPS via IP address. If interested, your options would be AP9630 or AP9631 for the current offering of management cards. Depending on UPS model, some of our older management card models may work too if you have some available or would rather purchased used. (Those would be AP9617, AP9618 or AP9619 or even AP9606 for the basics). But again, not every UPS supports every type of management card so I'd have to help you verify UPS models to make a suggestion.

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

great that helps me a lot. now i can figure out where i need to go from here. i will get the model numbers of the UPS's and add them to the thread and maybe you can help me out with the correct configuraation.

Thasnks once agian.

John

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Sounds good to me!

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

the model number for the UPs is BR1500 8 ea in this one room. i have serial numbers if that will help. Let me know. thanks for the help.

John

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Ok, this is a Back UPS product unfortunately so what I mentioned does not apply. Network Management Cards are only supported in Smart UPS and essentially most larger UPS models besides BR1500 and other Back UPS.

Your options would be one computer per BR1500 UPS via USB monitoring or upgrade the UPSs to Smart UPS or similar where a Network Management Card accessory is available and supported. (Back UPS do not even have a location on them physically to install accessories).

Let me know if you have any questions.