Three UPS's Gone Bad in a Week?

[Anonymous user]

Last year the lights in our apartment were flickering. This had happened for a long time which we had reported it, but the management did nothing. I thought there is no way that it would be harmful to the electronics, since we had the UPS's as the middle man between the wall and the electronics. Almost a year later, the lights started flickering again (two weeks ago) and all of a sudden, this week three UP's go bad within a week.

Can someone please point me in the right direction with this one? All of these UPS's, all different models and bought and different times go bad this week. One is a white tower APC-Chute, I believe it is a 1200 or 1500 W. Now flashes red and will not turn on. The other is a black midsized tower with LCD front screen, I believe this is 1200, and the other is a 500w that has cords which come out the top of it.

I need to get a firm grasp on what I can check for, and what to do, because if I do find its dirty electricity this may go to court due to our managements negligence.

[BillP]

To begin, let's get a specific model and serial number (or just the first six characters of it) from each UPS. This is on a white sticker on the back or bottom of the UPS.

When we have this, please outline the model with the symptoms next to it because that will better help us understand what unit we're working with and we'll know what it looks like and what the symptoms mean per unit.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

I do not have the serials handy, however let me know if this is enough information below.

Model / Symptoms
Back-UPS RS APC BACK-UPS 1200VA 120V - Upon turning on tower, red light will flash, beeping will continually occur until we turn it off.

Back-UPS APC Back-UPS 550 - Short beeps, all electronics will continue to function normally.

Back-UPS APC Back-UPS 1200VA LCD 230V - Short beeps, battery on screen will continually flash; however all electronics will continue to function normally.

Message was edited by: Seth I am not sure if these are the exact models. I am basing these off the picture, but I am hoping someone will be able to let me know if these battery's can be reset, or if the power coming from my outlets may have fried the battery's.

[BillP]

Well, ideally I need the exact models off the sticker where the serial number is to give you accurate answers. I only say that because we have multiple units that could be called Back UPS 1200VA and while they might be similar, some things could be different. I'll tell you what I know based on the information you were able to provide.

I don't think anything is necessarily "fried" and this could all just be a result of needing new batteries on older systems as they are lead acid and die over time, similar to a car battery.

1. I need to know what LED this is - overload or replace battery? It sounds like it could be replace battery solid which when it is also "chirping" means the battery is disconnected. This can happen over time where the unit cannot see the battery because its voltage is below a certain limit so knowing the serial number will be good to see the age of the UPS and battery. Once I know the LEDs for sure and what they are labeled, I can give further testing instructions.
2. No LEDs with this one? Need age here too which serial # can tell me.
3. This sounds very similar to #1 except you have an LCD unit. This could just be the UPS not seeing the battery because the voltage is too low. Need to know the age though to see if this makes sense or its something else.

[Anonymous user]

Angela, thank you for the prompt reply. Each of these units are older than 2010; however, what I am having the most difficult time understanding is them all deciding to go bad within three days of each other.

[BillP]

Yes I can understand that but keep in mind, if these are battery problems and they are all at the same location and all are similar age, then it makes sense they all might need a replacement battery.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hi

when there is Problem with power all ups transfer to battery condition. when ups transfer to battery condition that meat check for battery state and give you alarm if there is any error

thanks