POWER SUPPLIES & UPS
1. What is a UPS??
It is an electronic equipment whose main function is to provide uninterruptible power to equipments, even when there is no energy from power lines. This is possible by using batteries and an electronic circuit that converts battery energy into electrical signals compatible with other electronic equipment.
2. What can I supply with my UPS?
We can supply microcomputers (CPU and monitor), printers, scales, optical readers, calculators, etc., once the loads connected to the UPS do not surpass its power capacity, statedin its manual.
3. What is Autonomy?
The UPS’s autonomy is the time it supplies energy to charge in the absence of electrical network. It is related to the quantity and capacity of theused batteriesand can be computed by MCM’s autonomy calculator. Our calculator is exclusively for use in MCM’s equipment.
4. What is load?
Load is the potency (in Watts) added of the equipments.
5. What is my UPS power?
The nominal potency of the UPS is expressed in VA and is indicated in the UPS identification label, located in the back of the equipment or in the user manual.
6. How do I know the power of my load is compatible with my UPS?
Generally, power consumption is indicated in watts on the back of the equipment or in its manual. The sum of all powers should not exceed the UPS’s power capacity.
7. Can I plug my UPS into any power outlet?
Generally, the UPS shall be manually adjusted through an external outlet in 110 or 220 volts, being selected according to the customer network. In the case of UPS Ultra, UPS Worker and UPS One, input and output are unique, meaning 115 volts input and 115 volts output or 220 volts input and 220 volts output. We still have a UPS Charger line that performs automatic input adjustment and fixed output at 115 volts.
8. Should I have a grounded power outlet?
Yes! UPS plug (supply outlet) consists of 3 pins, one of them is the “ground pin”. It is extremely important to keep the ground pin’s integrity (item not included in the guarantee), as well as to have a ground wire on the outlet pin. This will better protect the equipments connected to UPS.
9. My UPS is not turning on, what should I do?
I. Certify that you have pushed the front button on the equipment;
II. Plug the UPS into the power outlet;
III. Check if the fuse is notbroken;
IV. Certify that the UPS has not been unplugged from the power source for over than 120 days;
V. Contact the technical support.
II. Plug the UPS into the power outlet;
III. Check if the fuse is notbroken;
IV. Certify that the UPS has not been unplugged from the power source for over than 120 days;
V. Contact the technical support.
10. What is a fuse?
It is a component that liesbetween the input phase (network) and the UPS circuit (serial circuit). It is responsible for the protection against power overload or short-circuits in UPS.
11. My UPS turns on, but it beeps even when plugged into power outlet:
I. Certify that there is voltage in the power outlet by using other electronic equipment.
II. Certify that the circuit breaker suppling the outlet is not turned off;
III. Certify that the USP’s input voltage is compatible with the power source;
IV. Plug the UPS into another outlet where other equipment is already running; Check if the fuse is not bloken;
V. Contact the technical support.
II. Certify that the circuit breaker suppling the outlet is not turned off;
III. Certify that the USP’s input voltage is compatible with the power source;
IV. Plug the UPS into another outlet where other equipment is already running; Check if the fuse is not bloken;
V. Contact the technical support.
12. My UPS turns on, but does not supply the load.
I. Certify that UPS turns on and that the power was recognized by a green LED light or graphic display indication in case of the UPS Ultra;
II. Certify that UPS is not indicating a discharged battery.
III. Certify that the power cord is firmly connected to the UPS’s output outlet;
IV. Certify that the UPS’s output voltage (110 volts or 220 volts) is compatible with the load supply voltage.
V. Plug another load which is already running in another outlet into the UPS; VI. Contact the technical support.
II. Certify that UPS is not indicating a discharged battery.
III. Certify that the power cord is firmly connected to the UPS’s output outlet;
IV. Certify that the UPS’s output voltage (110 volts or 220 volts) is compatible with the load supply voltage.
V. Plug another load which is already running in another outlet into the UPS; VI. Contact the technical support.
13. What is overload?
It is the same as connecting a load with excessive power to the UPS. All UPSs have sensors that monitor the load connected to the output outlet and warn when there is excessive load connected. To solve this problem, unplug one or more loads connected to UPS.
14. What is a battery charger?
All MCM UPSs have a SMART battery charger. The battery charger circuit is responsible for recharge the battery power when it is discharged.
15. Can I connect load to the UPS while it is recharging the battery?
Yes, you can normally use the load connected to UPS while it recharges the battery because it does not affect UPS running.
16. After purchasing a new UPS, how long does aUPS needs to recharge the battery?
It is recommended an initialcharge for 8 hours at least. All UPSs are fully charged when leaving the factory, but they can be stocked during re-sale, which causes battery charge loss. Thus, in order to avoid charge absence due to lack of battery voltage, it must be recharged for at least 8 hours.
17. Do UPSs have internal stabilizers?
All models have an internal stabilizer that keepsthe output voltage of the UPS closer to the nominal voltage, except for SG Safe Gate and Worker lines, which have a regulated output when in the battery mode. When working in mains power, output voltage is exactly equal to input voltage, but monitoring undervoltage and overvoltage conditions for load protection.
18. What is the difference between a UPS and a stabilizer?
UPS is equipment that does not allow the load to turn off when there is no energy. The stabilizer only keeps the load supply voltage as close as possible to the nominal voltage (110 volts or 220 volts), but if there is a power interruption, the equipment connected to output will be immediately turned off.
19. If my UPS is mistakenly connected to a wrong input voltage, will it burn up?
In most cases, UPSs have overvoltage protection, which means that even switch- selected UPSs do not suffer any damage when connected to wrong voltage. In extreme situations when there is no protection, the protection fuse will turn the UPS off and protect the user.
20. When do I know that my UPS needs battery replacement?
By simulating energy drop, removing the UPS from the power source and monitoring its time of autonomy. If this process is not satisfactory, battery should be replaced. Remembering that it takes 8 hours to recharge the internal battery, it is recommended to check that UPS has been connected to the power source for no less than 8 hours.
21. Do UPSs have transformers?
Yes. All of them have transformers which can be AUTOTRANSFORMERS or ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS.
22. What is an autotransformer?
It is a component to step up or step down voltages whose derivation tension is across the same winding. When used in UPS, the load (microcomputers and printers) has physical contact with mains power.
23. What is an isolation transformer?
It is a component to step galvanically isolated voltages up or down . This means the transformer’s primary winding is totally isolated from the secondary one where the load is connected and does not have physical contact with the power source. In this type of transformer, the load is more efficiently protected from lightning strikes. It is indicated for critical loads needing more efficient protection.
24. What is a single-phase power system?
It is a system composed of one Phase, Neutral and Ground, which can be 110 volts or 220 volts to be used in UPS supply.
25. What is a two-phase power system?
It is a system composed of two PHASES and ground. UPS can be supplied with this system when voltage between PHASE and PHASE is 220 volts. There is no NEUTRAL in this system.
26. How should I discard UPSs or stabilizers no longer being used?
Equipments no longer used should be properly discarded to avoid environmental damage or harm to people. To properly discard equipments, we recommend you to send them to MCM or to a certified technical service, with a written statement, authorizing disposal of the equipment.
27. What should I do if I need to keep UPS out of use for a long period?
The equipment (UPS) has a sealed or stationary battery. In case of long-term storage with no connection to mains power, batteries may be damaged due to self-discharge. To avoid this problem, equipment should be connected to power for at least 48 hours and in intervals shorter than three months. Batteries will thus be automatically recharged.