APC UPS BK650-AS emitting hum/buzz sound even on AC power. Normal?

[Anonymous user]

This is actually my 3rd APC unit being replaced, the first one has the "disconnected battery" issue which I posted here days ago, then the 2nd unit I got has this hum/buzz issue but its even louder (you need to totally removed the plug to make it silent), this 3rd unit I got is fairly okay but emits still this annoying hum, so I was really curious if this is normal or not.

This unit is already fully charged and is running on AC power. At startup, you can barely hear it, but after 5-10mins, of normal operation you can hear the hum/buzz noise. It's even noisier if the power fluctuates a bit, around 215+ (the highest recorded was 246), but the unit is a little bit quieter at 208 volts (I use the powerchute software to monitor this).

I've read several threads that this is really normal to this model. I have even read a review ( [http://www.halfgaar.net/apc-ups-cs-650-review]) that this unit is not recommended coz it emits a noisy buzz/sound. As far as I know it does not have a fan inside.

Below is the a link to a youtube video which I personally recorded earlier (you can really notice the hum sound).
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw14sS2EntM]

If this is normal, I really regretted getting this one, it gets to your ears for long while esp. when your in from of the computer for long hours. This is my 3rd unit, and is the second one with the same issue. My other UPS (intex) which has a dead battery/alarm problem after 1.5years does not have this issue, very quiet. Even the ES 500 here in our office is dead silent.

So, is there a way to just isolate this annoying sound? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

*Note: When the hum/buzz tends to be louder I noticed that after running the manual self test through powerchute helps silence it, but as time goes by it goes back again.

Message was edited by: dmist24

[Anonymous user]

It seems no one cared to answer my thread, nevertheless, got another replacement and this is the 4th replacement (newly sealed unit), and I noticed that while the unit is still charging, it was silent, but once charged and on AC power, the buzz/hum tends to grow as time goes by. So far a little bit tolerable (or probably i was already immune to it) than the past units I got, but still this is really annoying, if this is the way APC makes their products, they better just scrap the CS models, I wonder how can somebody tolerate this kind of buzz/hums if the UPS is on their table, you really need to isolate the unit far away so that it won't disturb you.

Many already said that this is normal but I wonder how can they let this models pass QA if this is the case, I even chatted with an APC agent and they always mentioned that it's the fan, as far as I know there is no fan for this CS 650 model.... I'm purely disappointed that this expensive device emits an annoying sound while other never heard UPS brands is dead silent and still does the job.. I believe i'll just charge this to experience. I will never again recommend any APC UPS model if this is the kind of devices they are making.

[BillP]

It doesn't sound like a fan noise to me. Have you considered calling our Philippine Technical Support Team? If not you can reach them from the numbers provided below.

(A) Call us at toll free 1800 144 10535
(B) For Globe Subscribers, please call +6346437 3288
(C) For Blackberry mobile users enter the numbers directly into your mobile when calling the toll free number. Thank you.

9:00AM-6:00PM (Monday-Thursday)
9:00AM-6:00PM (Friday)

or e-mail them at asetech@apcc.com

[Anonymous user]

An APC agent via webchat confirmed it with me that this unit does not have a fan, and does emit a buzzing sound. I wonder how come APC still produces this kind of UPSes, esp. if they emit this annoying sound, it's just too distracting esp. if you use it on your bedroom pc. But how come a certain cheaper model ES 500, is really dead silent? While this expense one is buzzing/breathing/snoring?

I'm sorry that I rant all about this but it's just my right as a customer, I'm really not satified with the product I bought. I don't know if I'm the first person to comment about this but let APC know that they better change their design with the CS model or all UPSes that buzz hum... If other not known brands can create a dead silent UPS and still do it's job why APC cannot? I used to looked up on APC but now meh..

By the way, the Agent told me that I should go for the "BR650CI-AS", he told me that this is a newer model and is a silent one (but as of now I cannot really confirm it, I'm just holding the words from that agent). Can you confirm that it's silent just like ES 500? I'm still on warranty and the store which I bought the unit agrees that I can still trade up.

[BillP]

Unfortunately the region that I am supporting is North America, I have already forwarded your concern to our ASEAN team.

I couldn't tell if the unit that they gave you is a newer model for that region. In North America, the latest model that we are offering is the BackUPS Pro G. This UPS do have an LCD display as well as controllable outlets. With regards to the unit that you have, there is a possibility that the buzzing could come from the transformer. Have you tried plugging this in on a different outlet or location?

[Anonymous user]

Yes, we've tried it on the store where I did bought it and it's still the same. Nevertheless, it's okay, I have already talked to several of the agents via webchat in our country and they really confirmed that this unit is buzzing/breathing... I might just exchange this with a certain unit named "BR650CI-AS", as the agent told me that it's newer and much more silent. I just hope that his words are true. I just never expected that some APC UPS breath/buzz/snore.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

So this buzzing is all normal?