Clicking from a new BR550GI whilst turned off

[Anonymous user]

Today I got the RS BR550GI and it said that I should charge it for 16 hours, and that is what I am doing.
But I noticed that it keeps making these clicking sounds every few seconds, while it is turned off.

Nothing is connected to the UPS, only the power for it.

I changed outlet, thinking my main one(where my computer and old UPS is) might be overloaded or something, but still the same.

When I turn it on, the On Line flashes for a bit(then stops flashing but it is still there) afterwards the On Battery icon starts to flash(meaning it's on battery and making that clicking noise when changing) then it goes back to On Line(whitout flashing) and stays like that(no more back and forth from on line to battery).
This happens everytime I turn it on...

Also before the click(when it is off) it makes these weird buzzing noises then stops after the click(maybe after changing from the battery?).

Note: The unit's voltage sensitivity is set on medium, but should this play a role when it is turned off?

Any advice on what to do, or what could be wrong?

Thanks,
Alex.

Message was edited by: alex2005

[Anonymous user]

Today I got the RS BR550GI and it said that I should charge it for 16 hours, and that is what I am doing.
But I noticed that it keeps making these clicking sounds every few seconds, while it is turned off.

Nothing is connected to the UPS, only the power for it.

I changed outlet, thinking my main one(where my computer and old UPS is) might be overloaded or something, but still the same.

When I turn it on, the On Line flashes for a bit(then stops flashing but it is still there) afterwards the On Battery icon starts to flash(meaning it's on battery and making that clicking noise when changing) then it goes back to On Line(whitout flashing) and stays like that(no more back and forth from on line to battery).
This happens everytime I turn it on...

Also before the click(when it is off) it makes these weird buzzing noises then stops after the click(maybe after changing from the battery?).

Note: The unit's voltage sensitivity is set on medium, but should this play a role when it is turned off?

Any advice on what to do, or what could be wrong?

Thanks,
Alex.

Message was edited by: alex2005

[Anonymous user]

Hi

For the benefit of anyone else coming across this thread the noises are completely normal. It will make buzzing noises that will change as the battery becomes fully charge. Once the battery is fully charge it will be quieter, just making a little chirpy buzz once every couple of seconds you can hear if you put your ear near it. When it switches to battery, for a self test or power outage, then goes back online, the buzzing will increase as the battery is topped up again.

It is simply the intelligent charging circuitry regulating the voltage and current to recharge the battery, and it is using a switch mode power supply and some form of Pulse Width Modulation to control voltage which makes it sound different to usual mains hum we are familiar with from transformers.

Hope that saves someone else from needlessly returning their UPS 🙂

Regards

Phil

[Anonymous user]

Here's a video in which you can hear and see it. You'll need to turn your volume a little bit up to hear the buzzing(which sounds a little bit like morse code) but you'll clearly hear the clicks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxB6oBYAdm0

At first is start video -> buzz -> click -> buzz again -> click -> then I turn it on -> self test on the battery -> buzz while on -> turn it off -> buzz -> click -> end video

And this goes on and on(without having to turning it on)...

You'll also see in the video the LCD display, and that it is not connected to anything...

Message was edited by: alex2005

[Anonymous user]

It's the BR550GI, should be this one right here http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR550GI

Edited the title and first post with the model as well.

[BillP]

can you give me the exact model number located on the white sticker on the back or bottom of the UPS? something like BE550G..

thanks!

[BillP]

hmm no this is not normal. i wasnt sure if that unit had master controller outlets or not. which it does. we can try to turn this feature off to see if the clicking stops.

when the unit turns on each time, it does perform a self test which causes the unit to click (the relay inside) and then switches to battery and you hear the humming, which is the inverter. this should last for about 10-20 seconds.

i am not sure why you are hearing noises when the unit is powered off and plugged in with no load attached though. if you unplug it but leave the internal battery connected, does it still click? even after you turn the master outlet feature off?

[Anonymous user]

If I unplug it, yes the clicking stops. And as soon as I plug it back in sure enough they start again(buzzing then click). There seems to be some constant buzzing when the unit is on though(no clicking)...

The master outlet was off(no leaf icon on the display) and then I turned it on. But this had no change whatsoever, so I turned it back off(and still no change).

[BillP · Accepted solution]

ok, i was able to watch the video. i am not sure what it is to be honest with you but it is not normal. you may hear a SLIGHT hum from the unit if you get very close to it but nothing that should really catch your attention constantly.

i would recommend that you contact your local support and use this thread if you need to refer to it and pursue a warranty replacement..