CyberPower UPS

[Condor]

I have an old house with less than optimal power supply and live in a city where the electrical utility is not very reliable. So several months ago I purchased a CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD to protect my computer. According to the advertising and the CyberPower web site  the automatic voltage regulation corrects minor fluctuations in voltage to a nominal 120V without switching to battery. Recently I have noted that the output voltage constantly fluctuates between 120 and 124 and a couple of nights ago it spiked to 133V for a short time. Believing the unit was faulty I phoned CyberPower and was told that the unit only regulates at 120+/- 5% when on battery power and that the battery only kicks when the input voltage drops below 90 or increases above 140V. I asked if that meant my computer could see voltage from 90-140 and the answer was yes. They claim the unit is functioning properly. I purchased this based on a number of good reviews including positive statements in this forum. Have any of you with CyberPower UPS systems had a similar experience?

[Chalenge]

I'll cut it short without supporting information and tell you that there is probably nothing wrong with your UPS. What you have already provided is a fairly good example of the nature of electricity as it is delivered to your house (especially if there is a high draw near you). I would suggest that you put your UPS behind an actual commercial surge protector, and perhaps even a line conditioner. I think I already provided you with the reasons why (in another thread), but I could be mistaken.

[Condor]

I'll cut it short without supporting information and tell you that there is probably nothing wrong with your UPS. What you have already provided is a fairly good example of the nature of electricity as it is delivered to your house (especially if there is a high draw near you). I would suggest that you put your UPS behind an actual commercial surge protector, and perhaps even a line conditioner. I think I already provided you with the reasons why (in another thread), but I could be mistaken.

You did but after reading the reviews and specs for the CyberPower unit I thought it was supposed to do a better job of regulating voltage. I thought from the description that it was a line conditioner as well as UPS.

I'll add a note to warn anyone from making the same mistake. Devious person that I am, I called the CyberPower sales dept and asked for an explanation of how the automatic voltage regulation works. He described just what I had originally understood, that within 114V and 126V it would regulate the output to 120V and go to battery outside that range. Draw your own conclusions about this company guys. You can guess mine.

[Chalenge]

That's actually normal. You know, if you suspect that the current is fluctuating outside of the norms, then you can call the power company and ask them to survey the situation with a monitoring device at your house. If the voltage transients are out of the limits then they might install a capacitor bank nearby. This is fairly common near industrial areas, some municipal airports, or further out in the country where Bubba has a for-hire body shop. Some power companies also have a contract service of 'cleaning' your power with line conditioners and surge protectors at the curb. If you are a company with sensitive equipment they may even put a capacitor bank at the curb. In other words, you are not the problem to the power company, as they will want to discover the source of the issue and get it taken care of.

[Condor]

Thanks. Fortunately you haven't had to deal with Duke Energy in small town Indiana.

I did look up your other post in which you recommended the Furman M-8X2. It appears it cleans up noise but doesn't regulate voltage. It appears I would need to buy a $500+ unit for that. There may not be a solution I can afford.

On the plus side, the only electronics I've lost prematurely are those that were not connected to surge suppressors during lightning storms.  I now have lots of surge suppressors.

[Chalenge]

I also mentioned the Furman SS6B surge protector.

I would visit their website and send them email through their contact page. It can't hurt.

Our local company has management in the local Kiwanis and American Legion, and that's where I ambushed them when I needed work done.

[Condor]

Unfortunately, it's impossible to reach anyone at Duke energy's local office. 800 number to one of several states.

[SIM]

Call Duke and tell them you are having voltage fluctuations and that youd like to set an appointment to meet a rep/engineer to discuss the issues. A voltage rscorder can be set on your meter box. That device is normally left in place 3-5 days gathering data. Once the data is analyzed corrective steps can be taken .
 
 You could be having issues within the home itself. Loose nuetral connections can cause all sorts of voltage fluctuations. Older homes can be a power quality nightmare..