How do you test a UPS?

[Evgeny]

Is there a proper test you can run on a UPS to make sure it works OK? Like you can write to an HD and read the data back or you can play 3D games to test a video card, but what can you do for a UPS? I saw a cheap APC SmartUPS 1400 at a local swap meet at a nice price. But it was about 5 years old, so I wasn't quite sure it would still be OK. Can anyone advise if it's a good idea to buy a 5 year-old UPS at all?

Thanks for your help,

Evgeny

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I just shut the breaker off to this room. Easy enough

 

[arcas]

APC SmartUPSen have a self-test feature that can be invoked manually (button on the front panel). The firmware will also perform the self-test every 2 weeks or so unless you disable that feature. I would assume most high quality UPSes include some sort of self-test feature.

APC's self-test is kind of braindead, though, since if your battery is dead the self-test will cause anything plugged in to lose power just like if there was a power outage and the battery failed. You'd think the UPS would test the battery to make sure it's okay before trying to switch over during the test.

Alternatively, you could just unplug the UPS and see if everything continues working

At 5 years old, the battery is probably ready to be replaced but they're not terribly expensive if you don't buy them from APC. I think batteries.com sells replacements for around $25 each. Keep in mind that the APC 1400 requires 2 batteries so you're looking at around $50 before disposal fees.

 

[Evgeny]

Thanks, arcas! The guy selling it pressed the test button, the lights flashed and went back to green, so that looked OK, but it's not totally convincing. I guess I'll have to plug a PC in and see. Does their software have some kind of a test feature? Thanks for the info on batteries, too, I'll check that out.

Evgeny

 

[arcas]

'fraid I'm not very familiar with the PowerChute software APC ships so don't know what sorts of features it provides. There is an open-source
program called "apcupsd" that works rather well with it too. In fact, that's what I'm using around here.

Another thing to be aware of is the serial port on the back of the SmartUPS requires a special cable. You'll need to either buy or build one if
your unit doesn't come with it. There are plenty of websites that'll show how to build your own smart cable.

 

[Don66]

With the computer pluged into the UPS.
Unplug the UPS see if it keeps the computer running.

 

[thorin]

"With the computer pluged into the UPS.
Unplug the UPS see if it keeps the computer running. "

If you just want to test that the battery actually kicks in then yes this will work, but you don't have to use a computer .... plug anything in a test it.

Thorin

 

[Mavrick007]

If it's a great deal that you're getting, the test it and get it if it works. If it's just a few bucks or not close to half of the orig price, then don't get it cause for whatever it's worth, it's 5 years old and probably doesn't have that many minutes of standby time anyway. UPS's have dropped in price over the past few years and you could probably get one for a better deal now. It's your call.

 

[Evgeny]

Yes, it was a pretty good deal if the UPS was OK. I'm in Australia and the guy was selling it for $A250. These things cost over $A1000 from what I've seen.

Evgeny

 

[Challenger]

Plug it into a switched outlet and turn the switch off

 

[Lorne]

Plug a couple lights into it, Maybe about 2+ 100 watt bulbs, This will give you a estimated time of drainage if there not dead already.
This also keeps you from trashing any puter you plug into it for the sake of testing it.

Your monitor draws a substantual amount of power too boot, Dont for get to include it in your calculations.