Article ID: 102711
Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q102711
The APC Smart-UPS series models 900, 900XL, 1250, and 2000 systems include a standard RS-232 line failure output and UPS shutdown input. The low battery signal, however, is not a standard RS-232 signal and requires special configuration for use with Windows NT.
For RS-232 outputs and inputs, the line failure, low battery, and UPS shutdown signals can be connected from the UPS to one of the computers RS-232 (serial) ports. Because the low battery signal generated by the APC Smart-UPS is an open collector output, it must be pulled up to a common reference voltage by means of a pullup resistor.
Following is the configuration for a cable that can be used with the APC Smart-UPS series, including the implementation of the pullup resistor.
DB9 9 Pin Female Connector DB9 9 Pin Male Connector
(to PC serial port) (to UPS connector)
Pin #5------ Ground ----------Pin #4
Pin #8------ Power Failure--- Pin #2
Pin #4------ UPS Shutdown---- Pin #1
Pin #1------ Low Battery----- Pin #5 --[10k ohm]-- Pin #8
The above diagram indicates that Pin #5 on the PC serial port should be connected directly to pin 4 on the UPS side, pin 8 to pin 2, pin 4 to pin 1, and pin 1 to pin 5. In addition, pins 5 and 8 on the same side (the UPS side) have a 10k ohm (10,000 ohm) resistor connected between them. This resistor serves to pull the voltage on this non-RS-232 output high until an actual low voltage is generated by a low battery condition.
With the above cable, the following polarities should be set in the UPS section of the Control Panel:
Power failure signal: Positive Low battery signal: Negative Remote UPS shutdown: Positive
REFERENCES
American Power Conversion Smart UPS 900, 900XL, 1250 & 2000 Owners Manual
The APC Smart-UPS is manufactured by American Power Conversion, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this products' performance or reliability.
Keywords: kbhardware KB102711
