Normal for PSU to make sound when using UPS?

[metroplex]

Is it normal for my Corsair TX750W to make a weird buzzing noise when it is running on the UPS's battery? I cut off the circuit for the 120VAC via the house circuit breaker to test the UPS. It seems like there is a lot of noise/EMI coming from the SMPS or whatever they used to turn 12V DC into 120 VAC.

I am using a CyberPower 1500 VA / 900W UPS.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I have the same issue using an APC UPS with an Ultra 600W PSU. Not sure if it's normal.

 

[terentenet]

Are you sure it's the PSU that's making the sound? The UPS makes alot of sound when running on battery. I know, I have 4 UPS's around. 1 APC, 2 Microdowells and 1 Trust. They all make a buzzing sound when they switch to battery and keep making that sound as long they run on battery.

 

[metroplex]

Yes, it is coming from the PSU/computer and not the UPS.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: metroplex
Yes, it is coming from the PSU/computer and not the UPS.

It's likely the PFC circuitry reacting to the square sine wave from the UPS.

 

[metroplex]

Will this damage the PFC system or the PSU in the long-term?

 

[IEC]

I get a high-pitched whine from my Corsair TX650 when running at 100% load with GPU2 F@H.

It's annoying

Edit: I don't use a UPS

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: metroplex
Will this damage the PFC system or the PSU in the long-term?

I haven't seen a definitive answer to that question, but the consensus usually seems to be for 120V that it won't cause a problem...especially if you don't let it run off of battery for long

 

[Modelworks]

It will not damage the power supply. It is just annoying. If you wanted to stop the noise completely you could open up the PSU and place some hot glue on the large coils. The coils vibrate against the core making the noise. The glue stops that from occurring. Some PSU come with the coils already glued. The power is filtered at the output so the power output looks the same to your pc.

I have seen PSU last for years run off old square wave ups. The newer ups are better since they are somewhat of a cross between square and sine.
If it really bothers you then you can buy a pure sine wave ups.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Spartan Niner
I get a high-pitched whine from my Corsair TX650 when running at 100% load with GPU2 F@H.

It's annoying

Edit: I don't use a UPS

Glue is the answer .

 

[metroplex]

My TX750W Corsair is silent during normal use. It just makes a weird sound when running off the battery in the CyberPower UPS.

 

[Rubycon]

Get a better UPS. If you experience frequent power outages or plan for long run times invest in a true sine wave output UPS. Cheaper ones are outputting distorted "equivalents". This wastes battery capacity. Will it hurt the PSU? Probably more dependent on the PSU filtering and how long you run on battery power. Since most users have a UPS to ride through flickers and brief interruptions they never notice.

 

[cherrytwist]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Get a better UPS. If you experience frequent power outages or plan for long run times invest in a true sine wave output UPS. Cheaper ones are outputting distorted "equivalents". This wastes battery capacity. Will it hurt the PSU? Probably more dependent on the PSU filtering and how long you run on battery power. Since most users have a UPS to ride through flickers and brief interruptions they never notice.

This.

Most consumer level UPSes output a step-approximated sine wave rather than a true sine wave.

 

[metroplex]

I understand why it's not a true sine wave, but I want to know how important it is to pay the extra money for a slightly better approximated sine wave? Even the latest high-end military grade converters are still subject to noise/EMI issues.

Should I worry about damage to the PSU if I run it off the battery for a short period of time?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: metroplex
I understand why it's not a true sine wave, but I want to know how important it is to pay the extra money for a slightly better approximated sine wave? Even the latest high-end military grade converters are still subject to noise/EMI issues.

Should I worry about damage to the PSU if I run it off the battery for a short period of time?

I'm not sure what constitutes "military grade" but our Ferroresonant UPS' have zero break continuous sine wave power and it's impossible to tell if they are running on battery or ship power even with test equipment.

Short periods should not pose a problem. Rigging an APC SOHO office UPS with a couple of car batteries to get you through a hurricane (gotta NEF, right? ) I would not be so sure of!

 

[Modelworks]

You are fine. It is not going to hurt the PSU. Like I said I have seen equipment run perfectly fine on old square wave UPS that were much worse than the modified sine wave UPS sold now.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Mine buzzes too. The nature of using non-pure sine wave on a switching power supply.