In detail: do-it-yourself UPS repair schemes from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.
A friend at the company threw out a non-working uninterruptible power supply of the APC 500 model. But before putting it into spare parts, I decided to try to revive it. And as it turned out, it was not in vain. First of all, we measure the voltage on the rechargeable gel battery. For the operation of the uninterruptible power supply, but must be within 10-14V. The voltage is normal, so there is no problem with the battery.
Now let's examine the board itself and measure the power supply at key points in the circuit. I did not find a native circuit diagram of the APC500 uninterruptible power supply, but here is something similar. For better clarity, download the complete schematic here. We check powerful tin transistors - the norm. The power supply to the electronic control part of the uninterruptible power supply comes from a small 15V mains transformer. We measure this voltage before the diode bridge, after, and after the 9V stabilizer.
And here is the first swallow. The voltage 16V after the filter enters the microcircuit - the stabilizer, and the output is only a couple of volts. We replace it with a model similar in voltage and restore the power supply to the control unit circuit.
The uninterruptible power supply began to crack and buzz, but it is still not observed at the 220V output. We continue to carefully examine the printed circuit board.
Another problem - one of the thin tracks burned out and had to be replaced with a thin wire. Now the APC500 uninterruptible power supply unit worked without problems.
Experiencing in real conditions, I came to the conclusion that the built-in sounder signaling the absence of a network screams like a bad one, and it would not hurt to calm it down a little. It is impossible to turn off completely - since the state of the battery in emergency mode will not be heard (determined by the frequency of signals), but you can and should make it quieter.
Video (click to play).
This is achieved by connecting a 500-800 ohm resistor in series with the sounder. And finally, a few tips for owners of uninterruptible power supplies. If it sometimes disconnects the load, the problem may be in the computer's power supply with dried out capacitors. Connect the UPS to the input of a known good computer and see if the operation stops.
An uninterruptible power supply sometimes incorrectly determines the capacity of lead-acid batteries, showing the OK status, but as soon as it switches to them, they suddenly sit down and the load is “knocked out”. Make sure the terminals fit snugly and not loose. Do not disconnect it from the network for a long time, making it impossible to keep the batteries on a constant recharge. Do not allow deep discharges of the batteries, leaving at least 10% of the capacity, after which the UPS should be turned off until the supply voltage is restored. At least once every three months, do a "workout" by discharging the battery to 10% and recharging the battery to full capacity.
Uninterruptible voltage supplies use a closed helium or acid battery. The built-in battery is usually designed for a capacity of 7 to 8 Amperes / hour, voltage - 12 volts. The battery is completely sealed, which allows you to use the device in any condition. In addition to the battery, inside you can see a huge transformer, in this case, 400-500 watts. The transformer operates in two modes -
1) as a step-up transformer for a voltage converter.
2) as a step-down mains transformer for charging the built-in battery.
During normal operation, the load is supplied by the filtered mains voltage. Filters are used to suppress electromagnetic and interference in the input circuits. If the input voltage falls below or above the set value or disappears altogether, the inverter turns on, which is normally off.By converting the DC voltage of the batteries into AC, the inverter supplies the load from the batteries. BACK UPS of the Off-line class operate uneconomically in power grids with frequent and significant voltage deviations from the nominal value, since frequent switching to battery operation reduces the service life of the latter. The power produced by the manufacturers of Back-UPS is in the range of 250-1200 VA. The scheme of the uninterruptible voltage source BACK UPS is rather complicated. In the archive you can download a large collection of schematic diagrams, and below are several reduced copies - click to enlarge.
Here you can find a special controller that is responsible for the correct operation of the device. The controller activates the relay when the mains voltage is absent and if the UPS is on, then it will work as a voltage converter. If the mains voltage reappears, the controller turns off the converter and the device turns into a charger. The capacity of the built-in battery can be enough for up to 10 - 30 minutes, if, of course, the device powers the computer. You can read more about the operation and purpose of UPS nodes in this book.
BACK UPS can be used as a backup power source; in general, it is recommended that every home has an uninterruptible power supply. If the uninterruptible power supply is intended for household needs, then it is advisable to remove the signaling device from the board, it reminds that the device works as a converter, it makes a reminder with a squeak every 5 seconds, and this is boring. The output of the converter is pure 210-240 volts 50 hertz, but as for the pulse shape, there is clearly not a pure sine. BACK UPS can power any household appliances, including active ones, of course, if the power of the device allows it.
APC Off-line UPS includes Back-UPS models. UPSs of this class are distinguished by their low cost and are designed to protect personal computers, workstations, network equipment, trade and point-of-sale terminals. The power of the manufactured Back-UPS models is from 250 to 1250 VA. The main technical data of the most common UPS models are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Main technical data of UPS class Back-UPS
The index "I" (International) in the names of UPS models means that the models are designed for an input voltage of 230 V, the devices are equipped with sealed lead-acid batteries with a service life of 3 ... 5 years according to the Euro Bat standard. All models are equipped with suppressor filters that suppress surges and high-frequency noise in the mains voltage. The devices give appropriate sound signals when the input voltage is lost, the batteries are discharged and overloaded. The utility voltage threshold below which the UPS switches to battery operation is set using the switches on the rear of the unit. Models BK400I and BK600I have an interface port that can be connected to a computer or server for automatic self-closing of the system, a test switch and a beep switch.
A schematic diagram of the Back-UPS 250I, 400I and 600I is shown almost completely in Fig. 2-4. The multi-tier power supply noise suppression filter consists of varistors MOV2, MOV5, chokes L1 and L2, capacitors C38 and C40 (Fig. 2). Transformer T1 (Fig. 3) is an input voltage sensor.
Its output voltage is used for battery charging (this circuit uses D4 ... D8, IC1, R9 ... R11, C3 and VR1) and analysis of the mains voltage.
If it disappears, then the circuit on the elements IC2 ... IC4 and IC7 connects a powerful inverter, powered by a battery. The ACFAIL command to turn on the inverter is generated by IC3 and IC4. The circuit, consisting of comparator IC4 (pins 6, 7, 1) and electronic key IC6 (pins 10, 11, 12), enables the operation of the inverter with a log signal. "1" going to pins 1 and 13 of IC2.
The divider, consisting of resistors R55, R122, R1 23 and switch SW1 (pins 2, 7 and 3, 6), located on the rear side of the UPS, determines the mains voltage below which the UPS switches to battery power. The factory setting for this voltage is 196 V. In areas with frequent fluctuations in the mains voltage resulting in frequent UPS switches to battery power, the threshold voltage should be set to a lower level. The fine adjustment of the threshold voltage is performed by the VR2 resistor.
All Back-UPS models, with the exception of the BK250I, have a bi-directional communication port for communication with a PC. Power Chute Plus software allows the computer to both monitor the UPS and safely shutdown the operating system (Novell, Netware, Windows NT, IBM OS / 2, Lan Server, Scounix and UnixWare, Windows 95/98) while saving user files. In fig. 4 this port is designated as J14. Purpose of its findings:
1 - UPS SHUTDOWN. The UPS shuts down if a log appears on this pin. "1" for 0.5 s.
2 - AC FAIL. When switching to battery power, the UPS generates a log on this output. "one".
3 - CC AC FAIL. When switching to battery power, the UPS generates a log on this output. "0". Open collector output.
4, 9 - DB-9 GROUND. Common wire for signal input / output. The terminal has a resistance of 20 ohms with respect to the common wire of the UPS.
5 - CC LOW BATTERY. In the event of a battery discharge, the UPS generates a log on this output. "0". Open collector output.
6 - OS AC FAIL When switching to battery power, the UPS generates a log on this output. "one". Open collector output.
Open collector outputs can be connected to TTL circuits. Their load capacity is up to 50 mA, 40 V. If you need to connect a relay to them, then the winding should be shunted with a diode.
A normal "null modem" cable is not suitable for this port, the corresponding RS-232 interface cable with a 9-pin connector is supplied with the software.
To set the frequency of the output voltage, connect an oscilloscope or frequency meter to the UPS output. Turn the UPS into battery mode. When measuring the frequency at the UPS output, adjust the VR4 resistor to set 50 ± 0.6 Hz.
Turn the UPS into battery mode without load. Connect a voltmeter to the UPS output to measure the effective voltage value. By adjusting the VR3 resistor, set the voltage at the UPS output to 208 ± 2 V.
Set switches 2 and 3 on the rear of the UPS to OFF. Connect the UPS to a LATR-type transformer with continuously variable output voltage. Set the voltage at the LATR output to 196 V. Turn the VR2 resistor counterclockwise until it stops, then slowly turn the VR2 resistor clockwise until the UPS switches to battery power.
Set the UPS input to 230 V. Disconnect the red wire to the positive battery terminal. Using a digital voltmeter, adjust the VR1 resistor to set the voltage on this wire to 13.76 ± 0.2 V relative to the common point of the circuit, then restore the connection to the battery.
Typical malfunctions and methods for their elimination are given in table. 2, and in table. 3 - analogs of the most frequently failing components.
Table 2. Typical Back-UPS 250I, 400I and 600I Faults
The function performed by the uninterruptible power supply (abbreviated - UPS, or UPS - from the English Uninterruptible Power Supply) is fully reflected in its very name. As an intermediate link between the mains and the consumer, the UPS must maintain the power supply to the consumer for a certain time.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies indispensable in cases where the consequences of a power outage can be extremely unpleasant: for backup power supply of computers, video surveillance systems, circulation pumps of heating systems.
More about UPS
The principle of operation of any uninterruptible power supply is simple: as long as the mains voltage is within the specified limits, it is supplied to the UPS output, while the charge of the built-in battery is maintained from an external power supply by the charging circuit.In the event of a power failure or a strong deviation from the rating, the UPS output is connected to its built-in inverter, which converts direct current from the battery into alternating current to supply the load. Naturally, UPS runtime is limited by battery capacity, inverter efficiency and load capacity.
There are three design types of uninterruptible power supplies:
We offer you to familiarize yourself with the UPS device using the example of the APC Back-UPS RS800 model