UPS query

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xpd

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#24670 30-Jul-2008 14:11

Looking at a Powerware 5110 UPS which supplies 3 battery backed up outlets.... Ideally I want 4 devices running - would there be any issue plugging in a double adaptor into one of those outlets to give me the one extra outlet I want ?

If its bit of a nono then thats fine :)

XPD / Gavin

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rphenix

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#156422 12-Aug-2008 22:10

Hey Gav,

As long as the VA rating can handle the load there isnt a problem. Last job used to plug servers into multiboards connected to an APC UPS all the time this was never once an issue.. its all about load.

If this is for a business I recommend labelling the mutliboard with "UPS - Computer Equipment Only" lots of cleaners like to plug into any old power socket even if its under a server rack :)

A UPS battery will last far longer (both keeping power up, but also lifetime/performance) if you can keep it under 50% load. If its a cheaper UPS try and go higher on the VA rating just for safety.

Rob

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#156426 12-Aug-2008 22:13

I have a Belkin 1200va UPS here powering five external Seagate drives, a router, a switch, the cable modem, a tower running my Windows Home Server 24/7, and my Acer notebook.

The application says it is currently running at 45% load.

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rphenix

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#156447 12-Aug-2008 22:41

freitasm: I have a Belkin 1200va UPS here powering five external Seagate drives, a router, a switch, the cable modem, a tower running my Windows Home Server 24/7, and my Acer notebook.

The application says it is currently running at 45% load.

Yeah thats pretty good :) Although dont always trust your application I've had many instances of a reasonably low load on a UPS only to flick the power swith off and the UPS drops, or barely keeps things up.

xpd

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#156495 13-Aug-2008 08:46

Thanks guys!

(Now..why arent these showing as a new post to me lately... :-/)

XPD / Gavin

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tonyhughes

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#156501 13-Aug-2008 09:07

I swear by Vectek UPS' - the access to local service (they are based in Napier and provide tech/sales advice nationwide) is great.

We have a 3kVA with extended battery back here running 2 meaty servers, 3 Cisco, 1 Allied Telesys, a SAN and a couple of odds and ends.

My main advice is to TEST OFTEN.

SOOOO many people never test their UPS, then 3 years later when the battery is close to dead and they have a power event, they wonder what happened to their investment.

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#156503 13-Aug-2008 09:21

My main advice is to TEST OFTEN.

SOOOO many people never test their UPS, then 3 years later when the battery is close to dead and they have a power event, they wonder what happened to their investment.

Your absolutely right. When I first got my real IT job (IT Tech) I used to test customers UPS by doing the software based testing stopped that when just after I tested it using the software, I then pulled the plug and the UPS dropped oops...a few people were connected to the server at the time as well (didnt make that mistake again). My understanding is the previous guy had tested it every couple of months but obviously never gave it a physical test so therefore nobody realised the UPS battery was dead.

Never bothered with the UPSilon, powerchute (or whatever software your using to manage the UPS) to test the UPS again consider it only a guide to battery condition/time remaining on UPS and eventlog viewer.