[Pc_Support] UPS AVR, appliances, activates?

[patrick]

Jason Boxman wrote:

>I hadn't seen this before, but where I live now, apparently, my UPS' AVR kicks 
>in when I'm running several appliances simultaneously that draw a lot of 
>power.  (The UPS makes a loud hum, which it only does under the above 
>circumstance, so I am assuming it is AVR.)
>
>Is there any particular reason why this happens?  Could it be the wiring?  I 
>imagine the washer and drier are on different circuits than my equipment 
>upstairs.
>
>Thanks.
>
>  
>
The UPS senses the AC voltage and kicks in at somewhere around 105 VAC!  
Appliances with large motors and cooling equipment, refrigerators, 
freezers, draw  larger current upon start-up.  The voltage sags from the 
normal 115, 117,120, (I average 125VAC in Central Florida - but, I get 
about 8 sags each day!). 

My dozen UPS's click  over, then back, giving a short alarm,  on 
average, about 8 times each day.  Friday, we all lost power for an 
hour.    That is the strip mall, the huge car dealership ,  thirty other 
local big businesses, and over 1,000 homes! 

The sub-station lost a transformer, and, since it's replacement on 
Friday, the power has stabilized!

I bought a new 'kill-a-watt' that has a computer in it, and 
displays/records the voltages, equipment needs for items plugged into it 
(up to 1500 watts) so I get some clues to all these events. 

I discovered also, that weak circuit breakers can do imicro trips, due 
to heat, and my older panel had two deficits.
One was that it was a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok unit, that is banned in 
some 7 states as a total fire hazard.   Secondly, the breakers were over 
26 years old, and, some were welded shut internally, while others were 
humming... and the breakers cost $37 for a 15 amp single pole, vs. $3.65 
for a GE 15 or 20 amp!  I would guess that FP is paying off the 31 Class 
Action Lawsuits it lost in 31 states and territories.
 
I replaced the panel for $128 in parts, plus, about 4 hours of labor.  
If you have no clue about AC power (I taught it in the Air Force), plus, 
you aren't the OWNER of your home, you will need to pay a certified 
electrical contractor for the work.  Two to four hours is my guess for time.