My Smart UPS keeps tripping the circuit breaker

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

Hello all - having a problem today. A Smart UPS 1500, changed the battery in August. Has been working flawlessly, suddenly tripped a circuit breaker last night. Tried another circuit, this morning it tripped that circuit's breaker as well, and the battery drained completely before I realized. Removed all plugs, so the UPS was free of any load, plugged it in - it tripped the breaker yet again ! The wall outlets are all surge protected.

I pulled the whole unit, plugged into a non-surge protected outlet, so far it hasn't tripped the breaker.

The unit has been running off the surge protected outlet for many months without a hitch until now.

What is going on ?

Thanks!

JeffB

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

I just moved to a new home that also is using these new arc fault breakers and my brand new APC Back-UPS NS 600 is tripping it. Any feedback or direction to other threads?

Thanks,
-chris

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

I know of a kbase that outlines the reasons for tripping the GFI breakers - I'm not an electrician, and I know GFI and AFI breakers serve different purposes, but maybe they use the same method of detecting problems?

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

Thanks for the reply. I've had the builder over today and he talked to the electrician and suggested we run a dedicate outlet that is not AFCI - arc fault. It sounds like there is an incompatibility between these power protectors / battery backup units on these types of circuits.

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

It's a new circuit, and it's a circuit breaker with a "test" button - meeting the latest code. I can't tell what the rating is, but the electrician who installed it will return in a couple of days, I'll find out when he's here. The surge protection is incorporated into the wall outlet.

Today I llet the Smart UPS charge up on another non-surge protected circuit - no problems, all the lights are on, seems the battery is back up to full power. I'll return with more info when I can find out the breaker's rating.

thanks!

See Answer In Context

Cap1_apc · ‎2021-06-29

Hi,

What are the ratings on the breakers that you are tripping?

How are the wall outlets surge protected?

It might help us to understand your set up a bit better.

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

OK here's more info: The UPS is tripping an ARC Fault Combination Circuit Breaker. There are two circuits, one is a 15 Amp breaker the other a 20 Amp breaker. The UPS tripped them both. Yesterday, the UPS ran all day on one with no problem until the end of the day - with it tripped and I shut down. In frustration, I plugged the UPS into an older circuit, presumably 15 Amps - and it's been running for more than 24 hours with no problem.

I think it may have something to do with the ARC Fault responding to a Voltage regulation action on the part of the UPS - both are doing their jobs, but they are conflicting. Likely to replace the breaker with an old fashioned straight 15 Amp breaker to eliminate the problem, since the UPS seems to run fine on these, and drawing too much power doesn't seem to be the issue. What I find odd is why this problem suddenly popped up after many months of not tripping any breakers.

Thanks for the replies so far !

Jeff B

See Answer In Context

Cap1_apc · ‎2021-06-29

Hi,

I agree with your stance, ARC fault breakers are fairly new, yet there are certainly successful installs with ARC fault breakers and UPS's. Vermont passed code requiring these types of breakers on all new branch circuits built in residential homes since 2001. I'm certain there are some UPS's out there on these types of breakers.

Perhaps you could try a different brand breaker? Or go back to traditional breakers like you suggested.

When the UPS is online (green light only) it isn't doing any voltage conditioning, only when the voltage drops below or above its thresholds will it intervene. However, I have read that arc breakers are sensitive to extension cords, so perhaps for the same reason, the UPS is tripping the circuit.

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

I just moved to a new home that also is using these new arc fault breakers and my brand new APC Back-UPS NS 600 is tripping it. Any feedback or direction to other threads?

Thanks,
-chris

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

I know of a kbase that outlines the reasons for tripping the GFI breakers - I'm not an electrician, and I know GFI and AFI breakers serve different purposes, but maybe they use the same method of detecting problems?

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

Thanks for the reply. I've had the builder over today and he talked to the electrician and suggested we run a dedicate outlet that is not AFCI - arc fault. It sounds like there is an incompatibility between these power protectors / battery backup units on these types of circuits.

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

It's a new circuit, and it's a circuit breaker with a "test" button - meeting the latest code. I can't tell what the rating is, but the electrician who installed it will return in a couple of days, I'll find out when he's here. The surge protection is incorporated into the wall outlet.

Today I llet the Smart UPS charge up on another non-surge protected circuit - no problems, all the lights are on, seems the battery is back up to full power. I'll return with more info when I can find out the breaker's rating.

thanks!

Cap1_apc · ‎2021-06-29

Hi,

What are the ratings on the breakers that you are tripping?

How are the wall outlets surge protected?

It might help us to understand your set up a bit better.

Cap1_apc · ‎2021-06-29

Hmm...

By the process of elimination that you've done there, it appears there may be an issue with the surge protected outlet/breaker/interaction with UPS.

Let us know what you find.

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

OK here's more info: The UPS is tripping an ARC Fault Combination Circuit Breaker. There are two circuits, one is a 15 Amp breaker the other a 20 Amp breaker. The UPS tripped them both. Yesterday, the UPS ran all day on one with no problem until the end of the day - with it tripped and I shut down. In frustration, I plugged the UPS into an older circuit, presumably 15 Amps - and it's been running for more than 24 hours with no problem.

I think it may have something to do with the ARC Fault responding to a Voltage regulation action on the part of the UPS - both are doing their jobs, but they are conflicting. Likely to replace the breaker with an old fashioned straight 15 Amp breaker to eliminate the problem, since the UPS seems to run fine on these, and drawing too much power doesn't seem to be the issue. What I find odd is why this problem suddenly popped up after many months of not tripping any breakers.

Thanks for the replies so far !

Jeff B

Cap1_apc · ‎2021-06-29

Hi,

I agree with your stance, ARC fault breakers are fairly new, yet there are certainly successful installs with ARC fault breakers and UPS's. Vermont passed code requiring these types of breakers on all new branch circuits built in residential homes since 2001. I'm certain there are some UPS's out there on these types of breakers.

Perhaps you could try a different brand breaker? Or go back to traditional breakers like you suggested.

When the UPS is online (green light only) it isn't doing any voltage conditioning, only when the voltage drops below or above its thresholds will it intervene. However, I have read that arc breakers are sensitive to extension cords, so perhaps for the same reason, the UPS is tripping the circuit.

orchetect · ‎2024-07-29

Just wanted to mention, the kbase link no longer works, but this is APC's official FAQ page for GFCI/AFCI breakers and outlets: https://www.apc.com/ca/en/faqs/FA369034/