PC Peripherals APC UPS in smoke!

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teche

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Hi guys, I was using an APC 500VA UPS with my laptop & wifi router, suddenly today when I changed over from Generator to Power, smoke started coming out of the UPS. I rushed to the spot & shut of the power supply. Had I not switched it of, it could have probably burnt down.

This is disgusting, I buy the supposedly best UPS & run my expensive gadgetery on it & just save it from turning into tar!
I used to keep the machine on overnight for downloading trusting the UPS, but this is dangerous & can even cause a fire.

The UPS was only a month old & on calling the technical helpline, the chap asks me to connect it to the power supply again & check. I tell him it was in smoke earlier but he insists I do that. I thought this would be some checking mechanism & I plugged it on, just to see sparks flying in all directions!

Now, guide me on what to do to safeguard my equipment from such situations.
Should I use a regular inverter at the back & connect a stablizer/transformer through which power should be drawn?
Or are there some better alternatives/options?

Also can a UPS & Inverter be connected in series?

If Stablizers are good, which brand should I opt for?
 
U could've also checked ur UPS by unplugging all ur PC's connections and inserting a bulb. If anything will happen, then u'll loose just a bulb, instead of checking it with ur PC.

Another thing, many inverter claims that it supports UPS also. First of all check that ur UPS is still working fine. If it is, then I think in future u should use a stabilizer.

First connect ur stabilizer to the mains, then connect ur UPS to stabilizer. However, wait for other's advise also.
 
its hard to tell why it went up in smoke but even a ups or a stabilizer can withstand only upto a certain voltage,most will go kaput anything above 320v including some realy good stabilizers.so u might have had a high power surge from the mains when ur apc went kaput,so u need a servo based power conditioner which can withstand voltage of even 400v.
 
That was my thought as well, there was a temporary surge. To verify this was other electronic equipment also affected. Forget lights & fans, they can withstand the surge.

I also connect my UPS in series to a stabiliser despite APC telling me not to do it. But have never had any problems.

You did not mention at what time this happened or where you are located ?
 
I have Shriram Honda EM650 model generator. This is what I checked it. When you start the generator and give it full accelerator, it gives output of 415 volts without any load. As you give it load, its voltage go down to normal. When you give near to 400 watts load, it gives output of near to 200 volts. Here is all the problem, when you connect any equipment which is sensitive to such a high voltage, it will be burnt. I tried to check it with a 100 watts bulb and a 200 watts bulb. 200 watts bulb was glowing while the 100 watts burnt away as soon I switched on the on/off switch, so to use such a generator with sensitive equipment, you have to order a special stabilizer from manufacturer of stabilizers to make a special stabilizer for your generator use from 415 volts to 174 volt range.
 
robertjohn said:
I have Shriram Honda EM650 model generator. This is what I checked it. When you start the generator and give it full accelerator, it gives output of 415 volts without any load. As you give it load, its voltage go down to normal. When you give near to 400 watts load, it gives output of near to 200 volts. Here is all the problem, when you connect any equipment which is sensitive to such a high voltage, it will be burnt. I tried to check it with a 100 watts bulb and a 200 watts bulb. 200 watts bulb was glowing while the 100 watts burnt away as soon I switched on the on/off switch, so to use such a generator with sensitive equipment, you have to order a special stabilizer from manufacturer of stabilizers to make a special stabilizer for your generator use from 415 volts to 174 volt range.
Click to expand...

yea Servo-based Stabilizers i.e.
 
prandi said:
dude use a stabilizer b4 ups
Click to expand...

not just any stabilizer ,all the electronic based ones like V-Guard digital ones which costs around 3k+ can only tolerate upto 320v,the manual clearly says it will go kaput at any higher then 320v.so he needs to get a servo based stabilzer a 2kv capacity like Vertex will costs around 14k.
 
adder said:
its hard to tell why it went up in smoke but even a ups or a stabilizer can withstand only upto a certain voltage,most will go kaput anything above 320v including some realy good stabilizers.so u might have had a high power surge from the mains when ur apc went kaput,so u need a servo based power conditioner which can withstand voltage of even 400v.
Click to expand...

This is the best possible explanation & came to mind too.
Are there any good company made(standardized) stablizers available or do we have to do with locally made ones?

blr_p said:
That was my thought as well, there was a temporary surge. To verify this was other electronic equipment also affected. Forget lights & fans, they can withstand the surge.

I also connect my UPS in series to a stabiliser despite APC telling me not to do it. But have never had any problems.

You did not mention at what time this happened or where you are located ?
Click to expand...

Most probably it must have been high power surge because othe equipment like refrigerators/A.C. also made strange noises but nothing else went caput.

I think the problem occurs during changeover ie. when power from genset is changed to main.

Strangely APC UPS never used to work fine with the generator & would make strange (chirp) noises.
robertjohn said:
I have Shriram Honda EM650 model generator. This is what I checked it. When you start the generator and give it full accelerator, it gives output of 415 volts without any load. As you give it load, its voltage go down to normal. When you give near to 400 watts load, it gives output of near to 200 volts. Here is all the problem, when you connect any equipment which is sensitive to such a high voltage, it will be burnt. I tried to check it with a 100 watts bulb and a 200 watts bulb. 200 watts bulb was glowing while the 100 watts burnt away as soon I switched on the on/off switch, so to use such a generator with sensitive equipment, you have to order a special stabilizer from manufacturer of stabilizers to make a special stabilizer for your generator use from 415 volts to 174 volt range.
Click to expand...

I face a similar situation. The generator is Cummins but a really old/trusty one! It does give a spike of over 400/415V & load decreases the output.

Any ideas on stablizer brands?
sato1986 said:
yea Servo-based Stabilizers i.e.
Click to expand...

"Servo" based, more info. please!

prandi said:
dude use a stabilizer b4 ups
Click to expand...

Some don't recomend this!
 
saqib_khan said:
U could've also checked ur UPS by unplugging all ur PC's connections and inserting a bulb. If anything will happen, then u'll loose just a bulb, instead of checking it with ur PC.

Another thing, many inverter claims that it supports UPS also. First of all check that ur UPS is still working fine. If it is, then I think in future u should use a stabilizer.

First connect ur stabilizer to the mains, then connect ur UPS to stabilizer. However, wait for other's advise also.
Click to expand...

Oops, I guess you got me wrong, the UPS WAS ON FIRE!
Imagine had it been during night, the fire could have easily spread!

clown_abhi said:
I think here is what went wrong. :cool2:
Though some guys have already faced this issue and will guide u better.
Click to expand...

Yes, people seem to have a fair idea about the problem. Already there are some important/useful inputs.

adder said:
not just any stabilizer ,all the electronic based ones like V-Guard digital ones which costs around 3k+ can only tolerate upto 320v,the manual clearly says it will go kaput at any higher then 320v.so he needs to get a servo based stabilzer a 2kv capacity like Vertex will costs around 14k.
Click to expand...

14k, would be way OTT!

manu1991 said:
I also used to face similar voltage surges , get a good quality power conditioner .
Click to expand...

Stablizer seems to be the only savior here!
 
Most important aspect in the whole episode was the sparking/fire/smoke. This rattled me completely. I mean you invest in the otherwise known as the best in business APC & it can potentially cause a fire.
There should have been some fuse or cutout that goes off instead of the whole device burning down! This shows that APC products are not properly caliberated for India & therefore not suited to our environment.
Our other Luminous/Genus inverters have worked without hitch for longer duration of times. Im really wary of APC now.

Above all APC asks not to connect the UPS to any surge protector, extention cable & maybe invertor & stablizer also. In such case, what choice is one left with!
 
teche said:
Most important aspect in the whole episode was the sparking/fire/smoke. This rattled me completely. I mean you invest in the otherwise known as the best in business APC & it can potentially cause a fire.

There should have been some fuse or cutout that goes off instead of the whole device burning down! This shows that APC products are not properly caliberated for India & therefore not suited to our environment.

Our other Luminous/Genus inverters have worked without hitch for longer duration of times. Im really wary of APC now.

Above all APC asks not to connect the UPS to any surge protector, extention cable & maybe invertor & stablizer also. In such case, what choice is one left with!
Click to expand...

Are you serious ? :(

My PC is supported by an APC 500VA UPS which at the end of the line is backed up by the APC 800VA Inverter.

When there is a power cut my UPS switches to battery backup for a split second before it gets back to normal(running from the Inverter's supply).

I do shutdown my PC asap.

@OP

Sorry for hijacking your thread.
 
Thanks Adder for the important links to Stablizers.
I will try & locate some good ones in my City in Punjab.

@Toxic, well this is what I have heard off that APC UPS should not be connected in line with Inverter, etc. Will try & confirm though!
Actually I bought the UPS from Reliance digital & the staff there had 0 knowledge about its usage!

Im still jinxed because in a month I have lost 2 laptop adaptors, 1 wifi modem adapter & now the UPS! Now, Im going to do whatever it takes to set the power supply right & on the suggestions of fellow members I would check out Servo assisted stablizers & also see the possibilities of connecting UPS with Inverter.
 
I dont blame APC but i DO blame the person that sold you that generator.

Unless they had no way of knowing you would power expensive quipment with it :(

Of course you need some sort of stabiliser with it otherwise its positively lethal !!!
 
teche said:
Thanks Adder for the important links to Stablizers.
I will try & locate some good ones in my City in Punjab.

@Toxic, well this is what I have heard off that APC UPS should not be connected in line with Inverter, etc. Will try & confirm though!
Actually I bought the UPS from Reliance digital & the staff there had 0 knowledge about its usage!

Im still jinxed because in a month I have lost 2 laptop adaptors, 1 wifi modem adapter & now the UPS! Now, Im going to do whatever it takes to set the power supply right & on the suggestions of fellow members I would check out Servo assisted stablizers & also see the possibilities of connecting UPS with Inverter.
Click to expand...

Please do that and let us know.(For APC branded UPS & Inverter)
Appreciate the help.

I'll post here if I come across something.

Thnx.
 
UPS and Inverter cant be connected in series. I had 2 500 VA APC UPS. During the poer cuts, the UPS worked in Industrial Gen Set of 82.5 KVA. Also my system used be left on in the nights, when the power could fail and lead to deep discharge. But One of my UPS got the components burnt while the other is still working fine. But it happened out of warranty, so I replaced it with a Luminous which is working fine.
 
@Blrp, I guess its not about the blame game! Moreover my genset has worked marvelously for the last ~25yrs, without a hitch & touchwood for future. During this long tenure we have used a lot of sensitive equipment on it & everything worked fine. Its just now that the APC UPS got reduced to ashes. My grouse is with APC for supplying below par equipment not properly caliberated to Indian needs & conditions.
The UPS also states to have a surge protector built in, what bloody use is it of, if it can't safeguard itself leave alone the attached equipment.

@Toxic, my pleasure!
I bought a new Inverter+Battery setup today & asked the owner of the shop about the technical details. Though I do not believe in him totally because of relative lack of knowledge among masses! Still, he told me that its not much of use connecting a UPS-Inverter in line/series because the the 2nd device would drain the 1st in no time (recharging) during power cut & drain the 1st device in no time.
I will try further to clear my doubts from some technical person & give inputs.
 
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