APC SMART UPS

[marvin]

Hi guys

 

One of the schools i work at is having an issue! Basically everytime there is a powercut, the server cuts off staright away without the UPS actually kicking in!

 

The battery is showing as fully charge and i am wondering the reason as to why this could be happening?

 

I can't get to the UPS console as it has a password and no one has a log of this!

[danrhodes]

The server is plugged into the ups isnt it?

[marvin]

Yes its plugged in!

[danrhodes]

What source is the UPS plugged into, its not one of them daft clean cleaners plugs is it?

[marvin]

It's using the same plugs as the ones that are used in the ICT Suite!

I have asked for a different mains plug to be installed totally on a different line as there is quite a lot of load on that circuit!

 

Would it be anything to do with the fact that it isnt getting enough power?

[DMcCoy]

A dead battery or overloading will cause this. I change our UPS batteries at least every 3 years.

[marvin]

Only changed the battery 5weeks ago, don't understand what could be causing this!

[ricki]

Have you plugged the server into the surge protection socket of the ups or the battery socket.

 

Richard

[K.C.Leblanc]

What rating is the UPS, is there a CRT monitor attached?

[timzim]

Have you calibrated the UPS? Use APC's PowerChute to do this.

[maark]

If you have a powerchute disk - uninstall it then reinstall so you know password- you can then look at state of ups from powercute console

[timzim]

Or you can download it from APC - Software / Firmware

[marvin]

Its a smart UPS 1500. The UPS is plugged in to the mains and the only powered from the UPS is the server, there are 2 power cables going into the server!

 

Had a look at the back of the UPS and there are 8 outputs and 2 of them are used to power the server, thats all!

 

The only thing i can find on the server is the powerchute web interface and obviously i cant get to this as it needs a ussername and password that i dont have"!

[ricki]

Hi

 

There should also be a usb cable that plugs into the server. this is the cable that talks to the software to tell it to shut down.

 

Richard

[ricki]

 

The only thing i can find on the server is the powerchute web interface and obviously i cant get to this as it needs a ussername and password that i dont have"!

 

Try administrator and the default password for the school or leave it blank.

 

Richard

[ricki]

If that does not work have a look at this post

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows/1486-apc-powerchute-buisness-ed-reset-password.html

 

Richard

[marvin]

Did forget to mention.... There is a USB cable plugged in to the server!

[broc]

On the left hand side of the front panel of the UPS there is a column of LEDs which show the load on the UPS, are they mostly on or off? The fewer lit, the longer the UPS will last.

 

Sorting out PowerChute would be your next step. Also be aware there are well documented issues on the APC Discussion forum with USB on some APC Smart UPS 1500, which means the server forgets it has a connection with the UPS.

 

We swapped over to good old fashioned serial cables to bypass this issue.

Edited February 26, 2010 by broc