UPS repair by own hands: advice of the master

Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) have long taken the place of the necessary component in modern computer systems and sets of other devices used both at enterprises and at home. Many consumers are familiar with the features of the operation and the types of UPS. For them, a regular uninterruptible power supply for a computer or, for example, specialized uninterruptible power supplies for boilers is not something new and unfamiliar. Especially in the territory of our country, where the power grid, what to say, are not characterized by the stability of the indicators given to end users. And the supply of electricity is not a secret for anybody, it can be suddenly stopped, albeit for a short time, but at any moment.

Such useful and necessary UPS

Before proceeding to consider the possibilities of repairing the UPS with one's own hands, and this is what will be discussed below, it should be noted once again the importance of these devices. Non-breakers are a kind of barrier between devices - consumers of electricity and those troubles that instability of electric power supplied to the equipment can bring. Developers constantly improve their products and make them more versatile.

Thus, the UPS device allows you to organize in most cases quite reliable protection of not only valuable user information in the case of a PC with unexpected light shutdown, but also hardware components of other devices that are sensitive to voltage drops or its disappearance. But even the device, designed to protect other devices from breakages, itself can sometimes fail. Let's consider the main components of which the uninterruptible device consists, as well as relatively easily eliminated UPS malfunctions.

UPS device

In essence, uninterruptible power supplies are quite complex electronic devices, consisting of many components. If we consider the UPS scheme, and almost any, you can find that the device consists of components represented by:

• Converters;
• Switches;
• Devices for storing electrical energy (in most cases - a rechargeable battery).

Why there are breakages

It is known that the more complex the system, the greater the probability that it will fail because of the breakdown of one or more individual components. In general, the complexity of the UPS device is due to a fairly wide range of functions that the device must perform. This includes not only the possibility of supplying power to electrical apparatus at the time of the loss of voltage in the network, but also stabilizing, protective functions. There are devices that are even more demanding. For example, uninterruptible power supplies for boilers should, in addition to the above, have at their output the correct sinusoid. This complexity of the system causes the possibility of some malfunctions, although this happens infrequently. What to do in this case? How to repair the UPS yourself?

Precautionary measures

Before proceeding to the manipulations with the device, it should be borne in mind that the UPS is a complex electronic device and when carrying out repairs, it is necessary to observe precautions. All operations with the fail-safe can be performed only after making sure that the device is de-energized. No tips and secrets of UPS repair, heard from acquaintances or found on the Internet, will not save you from electric shock in case of ill-considered actions and inaccurate handling of live components!

Where to begin?

Of course, the UPS, like any other electronic device, requires some elementary rules in its operation. Very often, the cause of the apparent malfunction of the user is the incorrectly connected wires, the attenuation or oxidation of their connection terminals over time, etc. Before considering a serious repair of the device, it is necessary to carefully inspect the connection of the wires, check their operability, the absence of fractures and cable ruptures, Feeding the UPS, finally, make sure the power supply in the outlet.

Support of working capacity

In most cases, the device in question serves its owner for many years and without any problems. At the same time to achieve this state of things requires regular maintenance of the UPS, which consists in replacing the battery (about every two years) and general control of the health of electronic components. If to monitor the properties of capacitors, resistors and other electronic components, you need a very deep knowledge of electronics and circuitry or a trip to the service center, then almost every one can replace the UPS battery that failed or lost its properties with time. Such repair of the UPS itself has to be carried out almost to every owner of the device at least once for the life cycle of the uninterrupted system.

Fuse

If the uninterruptible power supply does not turn on after a voltage drop or as a result of a short circuit in the power supply network, it is likely that even to disassemble the device, it will not be necessary to restore the device. The first thing that needs to be done by repairing the UPS with one's own hands is to check the integrity of the fuse and replace it if necessary. As this component breaks down quite often, UPS manufacturers design their devices in such a way that the user can perform the procedure on their own. The spare fuses themselves are often included in the delivery of an uninterruptible power supply. If they are not there, a protective element similar to the one removed from the device can be purchased at any store where radio parts are sold. To replace the fuse, you need to find on the body of a special tray containing it and remove / unscrew - depending on the design - the contents. After replacing, install the tray in its place. The procedure is described in more detail in the instruction manual for the UPS, but in general any house master will understand without it.

Battery Replacement

To replace the battery, it will take quite a bit of time and the only tool is a Phillips screwdriver. Initially, it is required to unscrew a few screws that fasten the parts of the case and located below the UPS in special holes. This will remove the top cover and gain access to the battery. The battery in most cases is not fixed in any particular way inside the case and is extracted quite easily. It is only necessary to disconnect the two wires that are connected to the battery using the terminals. After removing the source of energy conservation from the UPS housing it is necessary to determine its labeling and purchase a similar battery in a specialized store. The UPS is assembled in reverse order:

1. Installing the battery.
2. Connect the wires observing the polarity.
3. Installation and interconnection of parts of the device body.

Complex repair

If the above tips are fulfilled, that is, the UPS is correctly connected, the fuse in the device is intact and the battery is OK, and the uninterruptible device still does not work properly, probably the most correct solution will be a call to repair the device to a service center. The fact is that the UPS layout is quite complicated for the average user, diagnostics and replacement of individual electronic components in case of need without special tools and skills of the master at home are often simply impracticable. Thus, trying to fix a non-working device without certain knowledge and skills, and also without the availability of appropriate equipment, the home-master can only aggravate the situation.

In general, having decided to fix the faulty UPS yourself, you first need to weigh your strengths and capabilities. From the average user, most often it is required to carry out the simplest manipulations, which it would be more correct to attribute to the maintenance of the device, rather than repair it. Elimination of complex breakdowns is better to entrust to professionals.