A UPS can pass self-tests but still fail during real power flickers
Two Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD UPS units were protecting a rack with several servers and . The power load was split between them, and both units were bought new less than two years ago. During brief power flickers at home, both UPS units failed to protect the equipment.
The failures led to at least one professional drive recovery job and one failed in a system. Battery self-tests still passed on both units, but one UPS recently shut off completely during a flicker and had to be turned back on by pressing its front power button. Because both units failed in a similar way, and not just once, their is now in doubt.
An office APC 800-watt UPS was replaced with a Goldenmate 1-kilowatt model using LiFePO4 batteries, and moving away from UPS batteries is being considered.
Key points
- Two Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD units failed during brief home power flickers.
- Battery self-tests passed, but that did not prove the UPS units would protect gear in real conditions.
- The failures caused drive recovery work and a failed in a system.
- One UPS stayed off until its front power button was pressed manually.
- A Goldenmate 1-kilowatt UPS with LiFePO4 batteries is being considered as an alternative to models.