UPS fails scheduled tests, passes initiated tests

ElectricAvenue · ‎2022-10-13

Hi, we have a Smart-UPS X 1500 with an external battery module.

08/30/2022 01:42:35 Device UPS: Self-Test started by automatic timer.

08/30/2022 01:42:45 Device UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.

And today (6 weeks later) we got the same fault.

1. Problem is, I can reproduce it. Whenever I initiate a self-test, it passes. I tried 4 times already.

2. "At least one faulty battery exists." Okay, great. Which one? Do I really have to disconnect the external battery just to test? And of course I can't, because the test passes…

3. We also saw self-test event "started by front panel". Except that the room is locked, and no one touched the UPS. (After inquiring with staff and surveying the room, I have no reason to believe anybody was near the UPS.)

This unit runs our core switch, internet, firewall etc. So I hope there are some ways to take care of this instead of scheduling a major maintenance window to take the unit down.

Thanks

JonPro · ‎2022-10-13

Hi @ElectricAvenue

Thank you for reaching out to the SE Community, my name is Jon and I will assist you with this query. Apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

Aside from doing a self-test while the external battery pack is disconnected, my other recommendations are as follows:

Reseat the connector of the external battery pack.
Reseat the internal batteries of both the UPS and external battery packs.

Those are the procedures that can be done without disrupting the operations. The recommendations below would require you to schedule downtime.

Brain dead the UPS.
Upgrade the UPS to the latest firmware

I have provided the FAQ articles below for you to review.