Power Conditioning Fundamentals
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The Replace Battery indicator (Red LED) is designed as an early warning signal to the Smart-UPS user.
If the LED is illuminated, that does not necessarily mean that the UPS is incapable of supporting the load.
In a true replace-battery scenario, the indicator may light 1 to 2 months prior to complete battery degradation.
It is important to identify whether or not battery replacement is immediately required.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Valid self-test prerequisites | Battery capacity must be greater than 75% (or) the Smart-UPS must have been charging for at least 8 hours since the last low-battery condition (low battery = battery almost fully discharged). |
| Ways to initiate a self-test |
|
| If prerequisites aren’t satisfied | If a power failure is simulated, a runtime calibration is initiated, or the UPS plug is pulled from the outlet, the Replace Battery LED state will not change. |
| Voltage check (non-XL) | Using PowerChute Plus, after charging for 3 hours, battery voltage should be around 27.6V or 55.6V depending on the Smart-UPS model. If not, the battery charger may be broken and the unit may need replacement (RMA if in warranty). You can also verify this if the battery capacity bar graph does not reach 100% after 3 hours. |
| LED/alarm sanity check | Confirm all battery LEDs are working by clicking “Test UPS Alarm” through PowerChute Plus or the SmartSlot accessory. |
| After charging | If possible, charge the unit for 24 hours. The Smart-UPS will charge whether it is on or off, and whether a load is present or not. In poor power-quality situations, it is recommended the unit be shut down during this charging period. |
| Run the self-test | Run a self-test. The Replace Battery LED should clear. If it fails the self-test, turn the unit off and restart it (Smart-UPS initiates a self-test on power-up). If the unit fails the self-test, then assume the battery is bad. |
| Common causes of battery failure | Age, high temperature, improper ventilation, over-usage due to poor power quality, a non-APC battery in use, or a fault charging system. After addressing these issues, determine whether an RBC should be purchased or the entire Smart-UPS should be replaced. |
These checks help you determine whether you need a battery cartridge (RBC) replacement or whether the UPS has a
charging system fault that warrants repair or unit replacement.
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Web Tutorial – Surge and Transient Voltage Suppression A practical, visual walkthrough of how to protect facilities and sensitive electronics
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How to Initiate the Battery Self-Test in Smart-UPS Applies to currently produced Smart-UPS (in or out of warranty) The Replace
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⚡ Tutorial: The History of Batteries From the mysterious Baghdad Battery to the lithium-ion powerhouses of today, this tutorial dives
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