Back UPS Network 40 Not Working

[Anonymous user]

On May 27th the Back UPS that was in our receptionist's office started beeping evidently as a result of a power surge.  The unit was a few years old so I went and bought a new Back UPS Network 40 on May 27th and connected it.  All went well until yesterday and now evidently due to another power surge her Back UPS is beeping continually and the green light is flashing.  We have several APC back up units and have had no problems over the years, but now we cannot keep one operating for very long in our receptionist's office.  What can be causing these frequent problems with this one office's power back-up?  The APC unit that is in my office is a Back UPS NS and it has worked for two or three years or more with no problems.

[BillP]

Gary,

Try to reset the unit. 

To do this, follow the below procedure;
 

1: Disconnect any attached load.

2: Unplug the UPS from the wall socket.

3: Disconnect the UPS' internal battery.

4: Push and hold the "On" button on the UPS for 5 seconds

5: Reconnect internal battery.

6: Plug UPS in to known good power source.

7: Turn UPS on.

If after the reset the unit is not functioning properly call local technical support at 1-800-890-4272. They will walk you through a few troubleshooting steps and if necessary will send you a replacement. 

On 6/24/2016 1:51 PM, Gary said:

What can be causing these frequent problems with this one office's power back-up?  The APC unit that is in my office is a Back UPS NS and it has worked for two or three years or more with no problems.

Back-UPS are designed to pass surges to ground however if a surge is to large the UPS may sacrifice itself to prevent damage to the attached load. I am not sure that is the issue here but it may be. 

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Bill I'll try to reset it.  My only question is that if the UPS sacrificed itself during the power surge why didn't the other three power back-ups face the same fate as the back-up in our receptionist's office.  Wouldn't the power surge affect every one's office and therefore affect those back-ups as well?

[prince213_apc]

UPS is not usually meant for surge protection so can't say if it will sustain or not during surge events. Best thing you can do is add a dedicated surge protector having high joule and spike ampere ratings and plug the UPS on it rather than connecting directly to the power line. Also worth to add extra MCB's on distribution line so reduce the impact effect.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

On 6/24/2016 1:10 PM, Gary said:

Wouldn't the power surge affect every one's office and therefore affect those back-ups as well?

Not necessarily. Electricity always "wants" to get back to a grounding point, and it will take the path of least resistance to do so. Perhaps that one circuit presented slightly less resistance and that's where the surge was dissipated. Or the surge or spike may have only entered on one "leg" of the electrical supply feeding the building. The other circuits may have been on a different leg of power and would have never seen the surge or spike as a result.