Testing a UPS system??

[marco86]

Looking for a bit if info and advice? Firstly like to say I have never tested on of these systems before but have been asked to do a job with one installed?
Am I right in saying that I need the correct software on a laptop to start with??

 

[Marvo]

Depends on what tests you need to do and exactly what UPS you're dealing with. Have you got test paperwork you need to complete or has somebody just requested you test the functionality of their UPS because it's been sitting there for several years and they're getting skittish because they've not been periodically maintaining it?

 

[bigdavs83]

We had a ups that tested out fine whilst it was sitting there, all the cells were intact and showing the correct voltage. It wasnt until we tested it under load that it just died on its arse. We then found out that that's the only way to truly test a ups is putting the battery cells under a load.

 

[Engineer54]

A word of good advice for you, ...Unless you are fully conversant with UPS systems, don't go mucking around testing them, you can quite easily destroy them or at the very least, some very expensive components. ...Far better to get the manufactures (or their designated agents) in that know their systems inside out and backwards. I'm taking it that this UPS system is of a fair old size, and not just a simple small single module unit affair... lol!!

 

[Knobhead]

What sort of UPS?
Software?

Our central control room had its own dedicated 250KVA 11/.433KV transformer. The UPS was rated at 100KVA 0.5 Hrs, more than enough time to fire the generators up. (E54 may laugh at this, the generators were manual control). Once every 3 months one of us would open the OCB to simulate a power outage.
The battery rooms were about the size of my flat.

There’s only way to test a UPS, that is to put it under load.

 

[tazz]

Always get the manufacturing company in to test and commission, your dealing with a good bank of batteries possibly totaling 200 volts dc plus. So there is special test equipment need here, to measure load current....your average ac clamp meter will not work on a dc system.....each guy to there specialist field as they say..

 

[Nipex83]

Hi does anybody here got experience in ups servicing and working with ups software

any info would be great

 

[jQuantum]

You might find this helpful:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z0bb4syst83tgly/BS EN 62040-3 2011 UPS Method of Specifying.pdf

 

[Engineer54]

Perhaps you haven't got the message being given here. .....Don't mess with things that you don't understand!! Messing around with software, even if the manufacturers entry codes are available (which i doubt) can seriously damage components if you get things wrong, the same goes for servicing. Leave this type of kit to the manufacturers or their specified agents...

 

[moospark]

Built about 50, 2 years ago. Big buggers for a bank in Norway, so they left us before cells fitted, 100 x 12v d.c. batteries if I remember. Anyway did R1R2 and sent them off. This was an M.O.D. accredited firm. As said previous they will be tested / comissioned on install by people who know how to.

 

[Nipex83]

Yes I understand what your saying engineer 54 but your entitled to learn about them.. I'm actually starting a job with a ups company and will be trained up to a competent level to service and maintain them...

 

[Engineer54]

Yes I understand what your saying engineer 54 but your entitled to learn about them.. I'm actually starting a job with a ups company and will be trained up to a competent level to service and maintain them...

Then be patient, and learn from those you will be working with and mentoring you, rather than asking for information from a forum. There are far too many different UPS configurations to realistically help anyone understand servicing requirements and software set-ups, via a forum...

Anyway best of luck in the new UPS servicing job. Maybe you can come back in a couple of years as the forum spokesperson on UPS system queries...