When a UPS is not maintained or maintained incorrectly; one is taking a very expensive risk with not only the UPS and Batteries but with the operation in general. Below is an example of what can happened with poor maintenance:
This was Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, 2004. At 0400, we received a call from a customer in Memphis. He received an alarm on his 200 kVA UPS. It was a “general alarm” which did not specify the exact problem. He went back to sleep believing the alarm was not “important”.
At 0900 the customer called again requesting I come to the site. Arriving at the scene, fire trucks were everywhere.
Below are pictures of the aftermath:
- What caused the fire is unknown. However, a lot can be learned from this incident:
- Unit was 6 years old and had never been serviced
- Prior to the fire the customer hired a UPS technician to inspect and PM the machine and batteries.
- Technician installed batteries 2 weeks before the incident.
- Technician advised the 70 dB noise which was measured by the company engineer several weeks prior, was simply normal “wear and tear” as a result of aging.
This technician had attended the manufacturers service center for “Training.” He paid $3000.00 for a 5-day “training” class which did not include meals or motels. The “instructor” no on-hands experience with UPS! The training consisted of identifying the visible components inside the unit, the input/output feeds and how to start-up/shutdown, transfer to static switch, to manual bypass. For the $3000.00, he was given a “certificate” certifying he was a “trained” technician to make repairs to this unit!
To conclude:
Five days of training is not enough-especially if you have no electronic background.The technician was a 3rd party servicer. He only worked on a UPS as needed. He was a heating and air technician by trade. Technician admitted that a 5-day training is simply not enough and did not have any more knowledge than he had before his training.
Many of the manufacturers have these training classes set up as a profit center. Having hundreds of technician’s pay a $3000.00 fee; it can provide an astronomical amount of revenue. The manufacturer benefits from a large pool of 3rd parties scattered throughout the country. Usually the manufacturer will dispatch a tech to a site based on the distance from the tech’s location! Oftentimes it is much less expensive than sending a “factory-man” who works for the manufacturer.
Excellent service is as important as the UPS. Obtain qualified servicers – preferably those that are employees of the Company manufacturing the UPS’ – not a “5-day” tech. Certain manufacturers have full time and factory trained techs who service technicians that work for the manufacturer. These folks are excellent and they will never think of a 70 dB noise to be normal due to aging!
Should you need assistance with sizing your UPS and batteries as well as an evaluation of the site as recommending the appropriate UPS for your particular situation; give Critical Power Systems Inc a call. There is no charge for this service other than meals & motel if it requires overnight travel. Please call Demps 662-401-8831 or Annette 662-322-0461 or contact us. We will be happy to help!