Testing UPS Device?

computerman2

Hello All

Thinking maybe soon to perform a test of the devices battery, would just unplugging it from the wall outfit be enough for a little test of it, as rarely any power outages where live now, versus old place years ago, back then i relied on Self Test to test it more, and never bothered with a manual test.

These days hardly a power outage happens, if one does, its very very brief lol

((Outlet is behind my PC 2 Gaming Laptop desk, not that easy to get to, but is a switch that controls that outlet–would just flipping the switch off at some point be fine to do))

Figured i’d ask here before i attempted it, don’t wanna mess anything up with the UPS or Computer system

urbanriot

computerman2 well first off, if the battery is over 5 years old it should be replaced. Most batteries that are adequately sized for the equipment they’re powering fail sometime between 5 to 6 years.

What make UPS is it? If the unit doesn’t have a self test function then there may be software that does.

However if you have a PC hooked up to it, what I’d probably do is put the PC in BIOS and then pull the plug to test it so you don’t crash your PC while it’s running. You want to test it with the PC on so the UPS has a load.

JanJ

computerman2

UPS’s can have a subtle failure:
AC fails, battery(s) can’t handle load. Computer program crashes, AC CEASES. Shore AC returns, batteries and shore AC now restart Computer program. ALL APPEARS FINE, but it ISN’T!! Computer program doesn’t know, and has no way of warning you it had just failed, and ‘healed’ itself!! It’s a time bomb ready to fail sgain, and again, and mask the problem!!

There is no way you will avoid this happening once (even with testing).

But- With my SERVICE UPS NOW plug-in on each UPS, it will only happen once!

Flashes an LED whenever AC power is lost and then recovers.

Even if you walk around and test Monthly, it will fail at least once connected to loads. This plug-in product makes testing un-necessary — it will monitor your system 24/7/365, and warn you after a failure happens the FIRST TIME, even if the UPS itself Won’t!!!

Free Schematic already posted in another thread.

I have 11 of these installed on 11 different UPS’s, multiple UPS MFG’s, at 5 different locations.
Yes, it will let UPS Fail ONCE, But once failed, it reports a failure occurred with a flashing LED!
It prompts you to: SERVICE UPS NOW!

It is a simple to make afternoon project with just a few parts.

david3

Yes, I sometimes pull the power on the UPS for 20 seconds or so, to test it. You’ll want to have your computer on so it’s under load. To be cautious, you might want to close all the applications on the computer in case it loses power.

My APC Smart-UPS also has an automatic self test; I think it’s every two weeks. Sometimes it’s during this self test that everything shuts down and I know the batteries need to be replaced. If the computer is off, the batteries may still function if there’s little load on them, though. I find the batteries last 2-3 years.

computerman2

UPS was purchased in 2018

Battery Replaced last summer

Though never really tested it much after replacing the battery, except the softwares little quick self tests it does

Yes i’d do it either in the bios, or all applications closed when i’m ready to

But for tonight about to goto bed here, so will tackle other tasks when im more awake lol
Ups is APC 1350M2 I think is full model, i can look at it closer tomorrow, i think I’m still using the discontinued software

APC PowerPanel 3.1 I think it is, will check for sure in morning

urbanriot

computerman2

Battery Replaced last summer

I’m sure you’ll be fine however if you want to do self test, you’ll find the option in the menu. Self tests also occur in that model when you turn the unit off and back on.

computerman2

I’d use the newer software that is replacing PowerChute Personal Edition.

But i’m not sure if this UPS supports the newer software

Supposely my ups device might be end of Life or discontinued from what i read on APC’s own site eariler on phone

It did pass the software self test though

Guess i can check it out more in coming days i suppose

computerman2

Went ahead and installed the Powerchute serial shutdown software, replacement for powerchute personal edition.

Did make a system backup first just in case didn’t go well, but so far seems to be working fine

Looks like replacement software is more web based sorta

sempergoofy

One thing to consider is that if you pull the UPS cord from the outlet, you lose the path to ground. Those who are more versed in such matters can explain dangers that presents.

Edit to add: Consider flipping the circuit breaker for the circuit providing power to the UPS to maintain ground. Of course, all outlets on the circuit will lose power when you do that. You can also put a grounded switched outlet in place for less than $10.

computerman2

Yea i believe this is a grounded switch outlet in place currently. As if i flip the only switch in the room, it will cut power to the Outlet this device and my Lamp is plugged into.

So think i’m ok there lol i hope lol.

Think i should be all set if i do go thru with testing this Powerchute Serial shutdown software lol once i have all programs closed or loaded into UEFI bios depending on what i fully decide to do lol when i’m ready lol.

Been working on backups for time being lol prior to deciding if i wanna go thru with a manual test fully in coming hour or day lol. Also will make sure all external drives unplugged before i do the full test lol.

Edit Test Completed
**I suppose sometime in the future i can do a full test, and let it handle a shutdown to see how that works fully with this replacement ups management software that APC recommended folks run on APC’s site. Honestly i never had the software handle a shutdown as im always here, and in occasions i had to shutdown–i handled that myself

Flipped the switch and it stayed on for entire time i ran the test

new software that APC recommends people run, didn’t popup any notification it was on battery power

Device itself beeped just fine

Had Run time of over 70 minutes, so more than enough time to shutdown safely if had been a scenario that i needed to shut down the system

So seems all is good!

sempergoofy

computerman2

computerman2 Yea i believe this is a grounded switch outlet in place currently. As if i flip the only switch in the room, it will cut power to the Outlet this device and my Lamp is plugged into.

Sounds like you have it all under control then. I was actually thinking you would need to add an inexpensive single-switch outlet that would go between the UPS power cord and the actual power outlet. Like one of these:
Example add in switched outlet

wdunwoody

When testing and commissioning (much larger) commercial UPS systems or generators, we frequently brought in dummy loads to verify they would run at rated load and UPS’s for the rated time. Absolutely no reason you cannot do that with the typical small UPS. Find several 100 watt incandescent lamps or maybe a 500 watt space heater. Shut off all the computer equipment and substitute these for the load. Shut down the input to the UPS and start your stopwatch…

computerman2

Well i do have 1 Lamp up here, sadly i don’t have a space heater available, do have my Tower Fan also in the room

Other than that just Desktop PC, and Gaming Laptop

Typically i get no where near the full rated wattage of the UPS with this equipment, think i really oversized it for future upgrades when bought in 2018 lol. 810 Watts and typically pull around 130-200watts most of the time, may pull more when actively gaming, but not sure how much exactly there lol.

Right now with PC and all running load right now 25 percent accoding to PowerChute software