strange happenings everyday SUA1500

[Anonymous user]

Hello,


I recently purchased a DLA1500 (SUA) and everyday at exactly 0930am it sounds as if it runs for about 10-15 seconds then goes back to normal. The relay clicks, the fan starts running, no other abnormal indications on its display. Checking the PowerChute software doesnt indicate any anomalies. In fact, it still does it even if its not hooked up to the computer at all. The unit is set to test every two weeks and that function has been working properly. The unit otherwise operates 100 percent normal and works well.

its everyday at the EXACT same time. When it occurs there are NO abnormal indications on the front display.

any ideas?

-Kevin

Message was edited by: klehmann

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Kevin,

The consistency with the time at which it occurs points to something power-related, even if it's not on-battery. Does the Data Log in PowerChute record any voltage fluctuations? Have you changed your data long configuration to make sure it snapshots something at 930?

[Anonymous user]

Do you have a large load that starts up consistently, such as a heat pump at 9:30AM?
Set UPS sensitivity to Medium in software. If that doesn't fix it, try Low.

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Did you ever try lowering the sensitivity as Kvar mentioned? If you hear the fan coming on and a relay clicking I would agree that it sounds power related. Lowering the sensitivity is a quick way to troubleshoot whether the UPS is reacting to something in the power or if its something else. If you set the sensitivity to medium or low and the conditions go away, then it sounds like theres something happening (AC coming on, other devices all coming on at once) thats causing it. Is this more of an annoyance or are you concerned about the UPS having a problem?

I assume that this is in an office? If so, what other equipment is around you? Are there other UPS units in the same room? Are you near any sort of manufacturing facilities?

[Anonymous user]

Guys thanks so much for your responses.

although i dont know about my neighborhood, i can say for sure there is no large draw items coming on at exactly 930am every day in my home.

when i checked PowerChute, i hit refresh and look 'back' over the past hour and no events come up, is there a particular way i can set it up to snapshot or look back exactly at that time?

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Kevin,

You would have to adjust the Data Log settings in PowerChute so that the interval is say, every minute, or 10 minutes. Just make sure that the interval if it is a multiple of 5 is set to start at a 0 minute, so you get the recordings @ 930

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again for the help here. i will try and change the sensitivity from high to med then to low and see if it happens. The unit is in my home. No high draw items in my house kicking on. Especially this time of year.

its not annoying, i timed it today it ran for exactly 13 seconds, i just want to be sure that the unit is okay. I'll make the sensitivity adjustment and report back to you guys.

could be something else in the neighborhood but theres not much around here except for other homes.

-kevin

[Anonymous user]

Since the event is EXACTLY at 9:30, this shouldn't be too hard. Plug in a lamp(with regular light bulb) at your laundry room or garage a few minutes before 9:30 and turn it on and watch. See if it flickers at exactly 9:30.

Do the same on a different day at the outlet your UPS is plugged into.

If they both flicker, it's likely outside your home. Check if neighbors are having the same problem.In this case you'll have to plead with the power company to fix the problem.

If it flickers at the outlet UPS is plugged into, but not at laundry room or garage, it's likely something in your house.

Setting the UPS to medium to low just tells it to ignore the problem and it is a preferred suggestion for tech support to give out as it increases the rate of solving the "case" and make 'em go away, but you're not really fixing the problem.

[Anonymous user]

I changed the sensitivity from high to medium, as well moving outlets.
I have other, consumer grade UPS's in the house, and there are no other issues or anomalies inside the house with any lights or otherwise at 930am.

unfortunately i wont be home tomorrow at 930 but i'll check the log when i get back home as well as listen for it on friday.

Message was edited by: klehmann

[Anonymous user]

I changed outlets and switched it to medium. Im not sure if it kicked on today as i wasnt home, i will be home tomorrow to listen for it.
heres the log data for today...
9:30:02 Line Voltage 120.9 Output 120.9 60hz

the only abnormality i see in the log isnt until 950am which isnt a factor, line volts at 122.4 for a few minutes. Otherwise there were no event logs generated either. I'll drop another post after tomorrow AM.

thanks for your help with this. I just want to be sure the unit is working properly.

[Cap1_apc]

Hello,

Can you go into further detail when you mention the UPS "runs" every morning? Is it making any considerable humming or buzzing noises? Can you compare the noise to an on battery run by simply pulling the power cord?

Also, do you happen to know the meter manufacturer your utility company uses? Do they utilize AMR (automatic meter reading)? Do you use any special "energy efficient" lightbulbs?

The more info the better.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

Hello -
my power company is JCP and L in NJ, my meter is read manually. I have one outdoor light that is a florescent light ( low wattage ) and another that is halogen ( a little high wattage ) they cycle off with timer and daylight sensor, all the other bulbs are conventional, and they are pretty small. House is only 1000 sq feet. No forced hot air for heat. The sound it makes is just like its switching to battery and running for 10-13 seconds, only there are no abnormal indications on the front display.

[Anonymous user]

guys i just dont get it... after several days of testing heres the results.

different outlet, SAME CIRCUIT, the unit acts normally and nothing happens at 930. that makes no sense!

and i found out more about the "fans just running". the other day during its normal 930 routine of running (while in the former outlet), powerchute sent me a message that the power failed, by the time i looked at the UPS (within 2 seconds) the indications on the front were normal (as usual). Its possible that unit was 'losing power' but it was so brief that i never saw any of the LEDs on the front change.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Are you starting to think that maybe something's wired either improperly, or very loose wiring with that outlet?

[Anonymous user]

i dont think its loose wiring cause the time wouldnt match up, i beleive the outlet is wired correctly because i dont get a fault light, and i know its grounded. Its also on the same circuit as the other outlet that did not have this issue.

I looked more closely today at the unit. I had a lamp plugged into the outlet at the same time with a regular light bulb, there was no dimming or flickering.

At exactly 9:30:59 the online light went off, and for a split second (not even long enough to BLINK once) the On Battery light came on then immediately went back to normal.

im not sure what else to look at...but im baffled

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Kevin,

I guess now we can start to discuss whether or not you're satisfied with this. If you're not, is it covered under warranty? I'd be interested in getting this swapped out and setup in our lab to have a network management card installed and monitor the thing for a few days to see if it happens. And to throw all sorts of power tests at it.

[Anonymous user]

Does it do this even with the interface cable disconnected?

[Anonymous user]

yes, it makes no difference if the USB is connected or not. But ive made a strange discovery.

When i switched wall outlets on the same circuit the unit stopped misbehaving at 930. If i go to MED sensitivity it would also behave normally. I put it back to High and back in its original outlet and the issue would reoccur. I then switched it to a different plug in the same outlet (top/bottom) its been fine now, no problems! all of this just makes absolutely no sense to me, theres no logical explanation that i could possibly come up with. Maybe to switch outlets but for the issue to resolve itself on the same outlet box but a different receptor is beyond me. the outlet box is not switched, and im about 25% positive that outlet doesn't feed any other circuits. I may take it apart to just have a look later this week. but as far as im concerned its resolved.

thanks guys for ALL your patience and help.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

klehmann wrote:
yes, it makes no difference if the USB is connected or not. But ive made a strange discovery.

When i switched wall outlets on the same circuit the unit stopped misbehaving at 930. If i go to MED sensitivity it would also behave normally. I put it back to High and back in its original outlet and the issue would reoccur. I then switched it to a different plug in the same outlet (top/bottom) its been fine now, no problems! all of this just makes absolutely no sense to me, theres no logical explanation that i could possibly come up with. Maybe to switch outlets but for the issue to resolve itself on the same outlet box but a different receptor is beyond me. the outlet box is not switched, and im about 25% positive that outlet doesn't feed any other circuits. I may take it apart to just have a look later this week. but as far as im concerned its resolved.

thanks guys for ALL your patience and help.

Then there's a wiring problem. If the circuit is connected in series like this and your UPS is connected at the very end and the load at the 3rd in series draws a lot of power and there's a weak connection 2&3, it would cause problems downstream, but you wouldn't have a problem upstream.

(1-------(2)-------------(3)--------------(4)