generator + UPS

[utsyspwr_apc]

We have a couple of servers and several workstations in a small office. All equipment is on a distributed set of qty 6 1100VA back-ups which are about 50% loaded. We would like to be able to power the UPSs off a generator for extended outages. We have a new 6500W Honda generator. Its frequency wanders some and its output waveform is not pretty. As expected, the back-ups will not accept this power. We are looking at 3 options. 1 - consolidating into a single large UPS setup, 2 - distributed UPS setup similar to what we have now except replacing all UPSs with something that will run directly off the generator, 3 - some kind of setup to clean up the generator power and feed it to the UPSs we currently have.
Any recommendations?
For #2 Will the smart-ups XL "generator compatible" UPSs run off such a generator?

[utsyspwr_apc]

We have a couple of servers and several workstations in a small office. All equipment is on a distributed set of qty 6 1100VA back-ups which are about 50% loaded. We would like to be able to power the UPSs off a generator for extended outages. We have a new 6500W Honda generator. Its frequency wanders some and its output waveform is not pretty. As expected, the back-ups will not accept this power. We are looking at 3 options. 1 - consolidating into a single large UPS setup, 2 - distributed UPS setup similar to what we have now except replacing all UPSs with something that will run directly off the generator, 3 - some kind of setup to clean up the generator power and feed it to the UPSs we currently have.
Any recommendations?
For #2 Will the smart-ups XL "generator compatible" UPSs run off such a generator?

[Anonymous user]

Hi folks.

Sorry to digg up such an old thread.

What could be used to "clean up" the generator power? Would the Line-R do any good?

Cheers

P.S. Do switches exsist to transfer the servers to the generator when the power goes out without making the servers restart? (Something like a transfer switch with a few second battery time..)

[BillP]

line-R products are basically only used automatic voltage regulation, a feature which majority of APC UPSs already have built in. the purpose of AVR is to only boost or trim the voltage if it is too low or high. it wont help with noise and frequency issues.

P.S. Do switches exsist to transfer the servers to the generator when the power goes out without making the servers restart? (Something like a transfer switch with a few second battery time..)

APC actually has something that does this, made for a home environment called a [Universal Transfer Switch|http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=371] and we also sell [Automatic Transfer Switches|http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=14] that you could rig up to do something like that as well.

[Anonymous user]

I'm not really clear on the answer to this post and am sorry to bring up an old post but it also kinda follows what I need.
I recently built my own home office and have had it all wired off 1 30 amp generator panel, every circut in the office is fed from this panel with dedicated lines, I have not purchased a generator yet but soon I will, I have 1 46U rack server with 4 dedicated 15A circuts to the rack and currently 1 APC 1500RS powering the 2 rack PC's and in another room 2 computers and 2 laptops all fed from the same generator panel(no ups on them yet). What I am looking for is a way to power all these computers from the generator panel and provide battery backup for about 30 min, this will give me time to hook the generator up and start it up.
From what all I have been reading the 1500RS will not work with a generator because of the unclean power.
I have done a little load test and with all computers in the system turned on and running a defrag and any other loads turned on, it tells me on the generator panel that I'm using about 900 watts.
A few questions I have;
Is it better to spend the extra for a clean generator like one of the honda EU generators and cheaper APC ups's that will work with its output, or go for a cheaper generator and look at the smart series APC ups's. I can't afford the best of both.
I'm looking at about 2000W + capacity for a generator
Is there other options?

[Anonymous user]

Emm wrote:
I'm not really clear on the answer to this post and am sorry to bring up an old post but it also kinda follows what I need.
I recently built my own home office and have had it all wired off 1 30 amp generator panel, every circut in the office is fed from this panel with dedicated lines, I have not purchased a generator yet but soon I will, I have 1 46U rack server with 4 dedicated 15A circuts to the rack and currently 1 APC 1500RS powering the 2 rack PC's and in another room 2 computers and 2 laptops all fed from the same generator panel(no ups on them yet). What I am looking for is a way to power all these computers from the generator panel and provide battery backup for about 30 min, this will give me time to hook the generator up and start it up.
From what all I have been reading the 1500RS will not work with a generator because of the unclean power.
I have done a little load test and with all computers in the system turned on and running a defrag and any other loads turned on, it tells me on the generator panel that I'm using about 900 watts.
A few questions I have;
Is it better to spend the extra for a clean generator like one of the honda EU generators and cheaper APC ups's that will work with its output, or go for a cheaper generator and look at the smart series APC ups's. I can't afford the best of both.
I'm looking at about 2000W + capacity for a generator
Is there other options?

The Honda EU inverter generators are among the most expensive generators in class, but they are one of the kind. APC UPSs are very sensitive to frequency swing, more so than voltage and frequency will swing with change in load in traditional generators, because the frequency is a direct function of rotor RPM.

On the Honda EU, the altenrator makes powre at high frequency, then the inverter electronically synthesizes 60Hz, so frequency WILL NOT swing.

The regular SmartUPS is picky as everything else when it comes to frequency swing. So, yes I recommend Honda EU generator if your budget allow it.

Since the frequency is electronically synthesized, this allows the EU series generator to change in RPM depending on load and still provide clean, sinewave 120v.

This guy has a very good comparison (not an APC site)
http://www.jkovach.net/projects/powerquality/

[Anonymous user]

wrong in response to

Message was edited by: tbd779

[Anonymous user]

I have a question along these lines if someone could please help it would be most appreciated. My basic issue is while on generator, the UPS clicks on and off the battery.

If I put a Transfer Switch AP7752 (RACK ATS, 120V, 20A, L5-20 IN, (10) 5-20R OUT) in front of my UPS, would it provide a clean source to the UPS while on the generator? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Purchasing a new generator is outside the budget.

R/
tbd

[BillP]

Typically it is the ATS/Transfer Switch that we attach to the UPS. With your desired setup, were are you going to plug in the 2 input cables of your ATS? If one goes to the generator and one goes to your AC outlet, if power goes out AC goes out and generator kicks in and if you do have problems with the generator it would still switch back and forth.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply. I have opened a new thread discussion on this topic here as it is a new question.

https://community.exchange.se.com/t5/Home-and-Office-Forum/bd-p/home-office-forum

Regards.

Message was edited by: tbd779