UPS Monitor Driver

Most all storage media will not survive power cycle events across time. It is very important for a myServer 6 control system to be on a UPS for proper graceful shutdown when there is an AC line power outage. Read More. Plugging the system into a UPS is a great first step. But what if the power outage extends beyond the physical storage capacity of the backup battery? It is important to automate a myServer graceful shutdown on all systems. myServer can also be configured to shut down other devices (TVs, AV receivers, video matrix, etc.) This ability greatly reduces the potential for very expensive equipment failures.

Note that Power cycle failures are not covered under Allonis's myServer controller warranty.

This is implemented with a compatible UPS that is USB connected to myServer for monitoring. Note that USB has a limited cable length, so pre-planning the UPS and myServer location is important (should be within approx. 10 ft from each other).

This driver requires that the NUT utilities are installed on the server that is connected to the UPS controller. Please follow the Nut tutorial here. Perform all the steps up to the "reboot (because it’s easy)" line.

Compatible with all APC Uninterruptible Power Backups that supports UPSD technology.

You can also run the APC UPSD software on Windows and relay the message to myServer 6 controller via ethernet.

UPS sends message to myServer via curl command (HTTP push message) to tell myServer to shutdown gracefully (save variables to database and shut process down)

Automation event example

Get the variable name from the list of variables for your UPS device ID (device ID is exposed in the UPS myServer Pi Driver)

Use case:

Control systems like our myServer, can monitor the UPS (highly recommended in any installation). When the UPS battery goes low (power has been out for awhile), then myServer gracefully shuts down. But before it goes offline, it can be configured to send notifications that the UPS advises that the power is out. The network switch / modem etc. is also on a UPS (same one or different ones). And because myServer runs locally in the home with not critical need to see Internet, it can log the power outage, send local (to the home) messages to any connected client (like your phone) without Internet. It can also send an email / text message IF there is Internet. myServer monitors if Internet is available or not so it can be configured on what it's capable of doing.

Installation

Install the UPS driver from myServer Software Updater. Click Discover. Your USB connected UPS should then be found. Select "sensor" as the Family type. Network port is typically 3493.

Data should start to update in the "Sensor" catagory. You can use these variables in your Automation Events and user interfaces.

Meet NUT Server, or Network UPS Tools.It’s an open UPS networking monitoring tool that runs on many different operating systems and processors.This means you can run the server on Linux, MacOS, or BSD and run the client on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and more.It’ perfect for your Pi, server, or desktop.It works with hundreds of UPS devices, PDUs, and many other power management systems.

This is the ultimate guide to configuring Network UPS Tools (NUT).We cover everything from installing and configuring the server on as Raspberry Pi, configuring the client on Windows and Linux, configure a charting and graphing website to visualize NUT data, spin up an additional web site use Docker, and finally set up monitoring and alerting to automate shutdowns of your machine.

https://networkupstools.org

UT UPS Server

plug in ups

lsusb

should see something like

Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 019: ID 09ae:2012 Tripp Lite
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nut nut-client nut-server

sudo nut-scanner -U

should see something like

tripp lite

[nutdev1]
        driver = "usbhid-ups"
        port = "auto"
        vendorid = "09AE"
        productid = "2012"
        product = "Tripp Lite UPS"
        vendor = "Tripp Lite"
        bus = "001"

apc 1500

[nutdev1]
        driver = "usbhid-ups"
        port = "auto"
        vendorid = "051D"
        productid = "0002"
        product = "Back-UPS XS 1500M FW:947.d10 .D USB FW:d10"
        serial = "3xxxxxxxxxxx"
        vendor = "Tripp Lite"
        bus = "001"

apc 850

[nutdev3]
        driver = "usbhid-ups"
        port = "auto"
        vendorid = "051D"
        productid = "0002"
        product = "Back-UPS ES 850G2 FW:931.a10.D USB FW:a"
        serial = "3xxxxxxxxxxx"
        vendor = "American Power Conversion"
        bus = "001"

sudo nano /etc/nut/ups.conf

pollinterval = 1
maxretry = 3

[tripplite]
    driver = usbhid-ups
    port = auto
    desc = "Tripp Lite 1500VA SmartUPS"
    vendorid = 09ae
    productid = 2012

[apc-network]
    driver = usbhid-ups
    port = auto
    desc = "APC Back-UPS XS 1500"
    vendorid = 051d
    productid = 0002
    serial = 3xxxxxxxxx

[apc-modem]
    driver = usbhid-ups
    port = auto
    desc = "APC 850 VA"
    vendorid = 051d
    productid = 0002
    serial = 3xxxxxxxxx

sudo nano /etc/nut/upsmon.conf

MONITOR tripplite@localhost 1 admin secret master
MONITOR apc-modem@localhost 1 admin secret master
MONITOR apc-network@localhost 1 admin secret master

sudo nano /etc/nut/upsd.conf

Change 127.0.0.1

LISTEN 127.0.0.1 3493

to all interface

LISTEN 0.0.0.0 3493

sudo nano /etc/nut/nut.conf

MODE=netserver

sudo nano /etc/nut/upsd.users

[monuser]
  password = secret
  admin master

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-nut-ups.rules

SUBSYSTEM!="usb", GOTO="nut-usbups_rules_end"

# TrippLite
#  e.g. TrippLite SMART1500LCD - usbhid-ups
ACTION=="add|change", SUBSYSTEM=="usb|usb_device", SUBSYSTEMS=="usb|usb_device", ATTR{idVendor}=="09ae", ATTR{idProduct}=="2012", MODE="664", GROUP="nut", RUN+="/sbin/upsdrvctl stop; /sbin/upsdrvctl start"

LABEL="nut-usbups_rules_end"

reboot (because it’s easy)

UPS Battery FAQ

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) batteries store energy and provide backup power when the main power source fails. The technology used in UPS batteries has evolved over time and today a variety of options exist depending on budget, environment, desired lifecycle and even safety requirements.

This article explores the pros and cons behind five major battery types: lead acid, lithium iron phosphate, sodium-ion, lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium. All are leveraged by modern UPS systems; however, newer technology (namely lithium iron phosphate and sodium-ion) are rapidly gaining popularity for their cost-to-performance balance, safety ratings and low environmental impact.

Lead Acid (SLA)

Lead acid batteries are one of the most commonly used constructions in UPSs. They are reliable, cost-effective, easy to manufacture and offer a relatively large storage capacity; however, they have a shorter lifespan, heavier weight and occupy a much larger footprint than other battery types. Lead acid UPSs are generally cheaper to purchase upfront, but their short life makes them a much costlier option overtime — especially when used in larger whole-building and mission-critical systems.

Another drawback with lead acid batteries is their environmental impact. Lead is a toxic material that requires specialized handling and disposal, and lead acid batteries tend to recharge inefficiently causing them to draw more power than other UPS options.

Typical Battery Life: 2 – 3 years
Upfront Cost: Low
Long-Term Cost: High
Maintenance: High
Maximum Operating Temperature: 32 – 104 degrees F
Environmental Impact: Medium

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are rapidly gaining popularity with UPS manufacturers due to their long life, low maintenance and ecological benefits. Not to be confused with lithium-ion which we’ll discuss later, lithium iron phosphate technology is also safe and stable even in warm conditions. In fact, they tend to outperform most other battery formats — including lead acid — in high temperature environments.

Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a 3x greater average lifespan (8 – 10 years) than traditional lead acid technology with very little maintenance required. Additionally, they are non-toxic and don’t contain cobalt, a metal with environmental and ethical issues.

The downside to lithium iron phosphate is it’s upfront cost, and UPSs built with lithium iron phosphate batteries tend to have a higher initial cost but a lower overall cost considering their long life, low maintenance need and highly efficient performance.

Typical Battery Life: 8 – 10 years
Upfront Cost: High
Long-Term Cost: Low
Maintenance: Low
Maximum Operating Temperature: 32 – 113 degrees F
Environmental Impact: Medium

Sodium-Ion (Na-Ion / SIB)

Sodium-ion battery technology has seen a resurgence in recent years due to it’s low cost, wide temperature operating range, reliability and low ecological footprint. As their name implies, sodium-ion batteries use sodium ions to store and maintain an electric charge. Sodium, an abundant and low cost mineral, performs extremely well over long periods of time and in extreme conditions, and sodium-ion batteries are typically rated for 10 – 15 years in temperatures up to 140 degrees F.

The downside to sodium-ion technology is its low energy density, resulting in larger and heavier UPSs.

Typical Battery Life: 10 – 15 years
Upfront Cost: Low
Long-Term Cost: Low
Maintenance: Low
Maximum Operating Temperature: -4 – 140 degrees F
Environmental Impact: Low

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

Not to be confused with lithium iron phosphate which we discussed above, lithium-ion technology is being phased out of UPS use due to thermal concerns. As noted with consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries can overheat uncontrollably, releasing gas and potentially causing a fire or explosion when damaged or operated in a hot environment.

That said, lithium-ion technology is still used due to its moderate cost and longer lifespan; however, regular inspection is recommended.

Typical Battery Life: 8 – 10 years
Upfront Cost: Medium
Long-Term Cost: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Maximum Operating Temperature: 32 – 104 degrees F
Environmental Impact: Medium

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)

Nickel-cadmium batteries have largely been phased out of UPS use due to their high overall cost and negative environmental impact. Though they have a long lifespan (15 – 20 years), nickel-cadmium batteries tend cost more than other battery constructions due to required maintenance and difficulties with manufacturing.

Additionally, nickel-cadmium batteries contain both nickel and cadmium — two highly toxic materials — making disposal difficult. Combine this with a large physical footprint and a tendency to loose charge even when not being cycled, and nickel-cadmium has rapidly lost favor with most UPS manufacturers.

Typical Battery Life: 15 – 20 years
Upfront Cost: Medium
Long-Term Cost: High
Maintenance: High
Maximum Operating Temperature: -4 – 104 degrees F
Environmental Impact: High