BR550G-AR clicking sound while off 'normal'?

[pmonto_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/27/2013

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On Feb 6th I bought this new aesthetically impressive but flawed UPS.

I usually turn off the UPS at night because it's in a room where people sleeps and since the PC is off I see no reason to risk the blackout alarm going off at night.

The problem with my UPS is a clacking sound every aproximately 30 seconds while OFF.

It sounds like a relay changing state "clack-clack" followed by a brief flash of the three leds on the front of the UPS (the display remains off). A cyle which repeats continuosly. Needless to say this is unacceptable coming from a quality product I thought APC was.

After many days of repeated attempts (which did not go through) and long waits on the phone I finally reached APC tech support in Argentina.

The solution they offered is very simple... LEAVE IT ON 24/7.

Is there an actual solution for this problem? (i.e. a firmware update?)

Is this not a valid reason for RMA on a brand-new product?

Please help!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 2/27/2013

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While I tend to agree the UPS is designed to remain on all the time, it is not required. We have a few questions.

• This is an LCD unit - can you be more specific on the three LEDs on the front that are flashing? Are they labeled or are they icons on the LCD?
• Is it possible to adjust the transfer settings to low. It could be feasible that the unit is trying to adjust to a voltage change even if its off.
• Are you using the master control outlet functionality? If so, what is connected to that outlet?

[pmonto_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/27/2013

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1) The flashing white LEDs are BUTTONS above the display (speaker off, power and menu). The backlight of the buttons is what flashes. The flash is very brief, about 1/10th of a second. The display backlight does not seem to flash, only the buttons.

2) The unit is not switching to battery power while ON and there doesn't seem to be noise or fluctuations in the line. Currently getting a steady 227 volts according to the UPS (229.0V according to my Fluke multimeter).

Sensitivity is currently set to "medium", current voltage is 227 volts (I'm in a 220V country), and voltage settings are the default (switch on 176 for low and 282 for high).

The 30 seconds clicking is very stable, I can try clocking it if you want, but this is not a surge, it steadily clicks every 30 seconds, not sporadically and not randomly.

I can try setting the sensitivity to LOW, but don't quite like the idea, this UPS is here to protect my PC and I insist, the problem only occurs while the UPS is OFF. The UPS works flawlessly while on.

3) No. Currently there are only 3 things connected to the battery backed outlets: My CPU (Core i5 with high quality Vitsuba 550W PSU), an 18" NEC LCD monitor and a 12V 500mA transformer which powers the PC speakers. The UPS is currently supplying 99 watts according to powerchute.

By the way, I work in IT, design digital circuits and program PICs, so feel free to make any technical questions you want. I do want to pinpoint and fix this problem.

Thank you, Pablo.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 2/27/2013

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Hi Pablo,

I'd recommend contacting Argentina support again and referencing this thread and requesting an RMA. They can put the information from the thread that we've asked you into the incident to justify a replacement. If you have any problems getting that replacement, let me know what your case number or incident number is and I'll follow up on it. I checked with the global technical support lead on this product and he suggested the RMA. It seems like its trying to turn on based on the behavior you described but we know its not normal but I can't tell for sure what the problem is.

Thanks.

[pmonto_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/1/2013

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Hello Angela,

I got through again to Argentina's tech support and after having an argument with a VERY UNPOLITE person called Gaston I finally got an RMA number (C1-4315696232).

Gaston said he didn't know any Angela N. and that he doubted I was making it up because he was not aware of an "APC forum". Needless to say, Gaston felt my ANGER (I don't usually lose my temper) and reluctantly gave me an RMA number.

Thank you very much for your support, I will let you know if this UPS gets repaired or I get it back untouched.

Regards, Pablo.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Peter on APC forums on 12/20/2014

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Just to say I just purchased one and being returned to Amazon - EXACT problem other than mine kept turning my printer off and on too. Definitely not normal in my view.

Interesting to read I was not the only one..