Intermittent Restart

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I have an APC 550G. I have only my computer, and a door bell plugged into it. I have been using it for about 2 years with no problems until about a month ago.

All of a sudden, sometimes when someone sends a file to a printer that is not even in my area or connected to the APC in any way, the APC unit sounds 1 beep and re-boots my computer. Sometimes it will happen when the central heat kicks on. My boss thought I was crazy until it happened when they were standing there.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Heidi

[mitsmith_apc]

Hi Heidi,

That is strange behavior. The only thing that I can see that would cause those devices to affect the UPS is the inrush of current when they turn on. The inrush can create a sag of input power. Similar to how you might see lights in your living room dim for a brief second when your refrigerator motor kicks on.

I would test the UPS's ability  to transfer on to battery. You can do this by just unplugging it from the wall while it is on. It should keep your equipment up and still supply power.

You might also try what we call a brain dead. Turn the unit off, unplug from the wall, and disconnect the battery. Wait about 15-20 seconds and then re-attach everything and see if the unit exhibits the same behavior.

Lastly, Are you using powerchute personal edition to shutdown your computer gracefully? If so I would make sure that you do not have it set to shut down your computer at a runtime that is greater than the available runtime. For example, if the unit has 10 minuts of runtime (amount of time it can run on battery power) and you have the software set to turn of your computer at 11 minutes of runtime your computer will turn off the second the UPS transfer to battery. 

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks Michael,

I'll try that and let you know. Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have to find out about the Powerchute stuff.