RS 800 showing overload during a power fluctuation.

[Anonymous user]

I have an RS 800 that signaled an overload and abruptly shut down my pc during a power fluctuation. There wasn't a power outage because everything such tvs, clocks and an unprotected pc stayed on. Lights flickered.  I reset the RS 800, turned the pc back on then unplugged the apc unit from the wall and it functioned properly. The building wiring fault indicator on the back is not on. I have several other different model units in my home that did not exhibit the same issue. The other models are an ES 550, ES 650, ES 750, and a RS 1200.  The attached load is 210 watts measured using a killawatt meter. The battery is six weeks old(since I installed the new battery pack). The estimated runtime seems correct and it passes the self test. Any ideas what caused this? It's something I can't replicate since pulling the plug didn't result in anything negative. I did lose faith in its ability to work as it should though and it will probably be relieved of its duties. Just realized this is likely the wrong area to post this...My bad.

[BillP]

Mike,

The watt capacity on the RS800 is 540w so crossing that threshold can cause an overload shutdown like you explained.  I know you mentioned your load is 210w, but is it possible you had anything else plugged in at that time or had equipment drawing more power than normal for more tasking processing?  All other indications you have given appear to indicate a healthy unit besides this issue.  Are you using any PowerChute software with this unit?

[Anonymous user]

Jordan,

  During the initial incident the load on the ups was fairly light(web surfing). I did perform an additional test today by unplugging the ups unit with the cpu and graphics card loaded(365 watts) and experienced no issues. I'm currently not using the Powerchute software with that unit. The reasoning for replacing the batteries several weeks ago was because I would get an overload with as little as 25 watts. The RS 800 was primarily used to keep a modem, router and voip adapter powered during power interuptions. After replacing the battery pack I decided to use it to backup a pc and monitor since it was well within its power load range and use one of my smaller ups units for the low power devices (modem, router, etc.). I had an RS 1200 dedicated to that system (pc and monitor) originally but moved it to another location. The RS 800 seems to be working as it should so maybe it was just startled by its first test on a real load.

[BillP]

Hi Mike,

Interesting that this happened before with an even lighter load.  The battery health should not have a direct impact with an overload shutdown (unless it occured when the unit was on battery).  I am glad the unit is running fine now, but as a further precaution, I would run what is called a braindead procedure during downtime.

1)Turn the unit off

2)Unplug any equipment attached to the unit and unplug the unit itself from utility

3)Disconnect the internal battery

4)Hold the power button the unit for 20 solid seconds

5)Reconnect everything and boot up the unit

Sometimes the braindead can reset the intelligence and fix erroneous issues like you saw and sometimes it will bring to light an actual fault.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Jordan,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The light load(25 watts) that was setting off the overload originally was on the battery. I could replicate those results so I replaced the battery pack. I went ahead and followed the steps you suggested. Everything seems to work fine right now.  Thanks