[Apcupsd-users] Source of the confusion about SMC APC UPSes supporting MODBUS protocol

Discussion:

Daniel Born

2017-03-10 02:21:23 UTC

There has been a recurring source of confusion about the lower-cost SMC
line of UPSes supporting the MODBUS protocol where in fact, it has been
denied by Schneider tech support personnel directly.

I think I have found the source of this confusion which seems to emanate
from apcupsd's documentation itself:

In section http://www.apcupsd.org/manual/manual.html#modbus-driver of
the manual, it is stated:
"/...That said, APC knowledge base article FA164737 indicates MODBUS
support is available for the majority of the //*SMC*//, SMT, and SMX
model lines.../"

However, in the referenced knowledge base article FA164737, it is in
fact stated:
"/The following Smart-UPS models have Modbus//
//support://
//â¢ *SMT* models with firmware UPS9.0 or//
//higher//
//â¢ *SMX* models with firmware UPS10.0 or//
//higher//
//â¢ All versions of *SRT* models//
//<...>//
//For more information on firmware updates,//
//please consult the Knowledge Base Article//
//FA164737 (âHow do I update the firmware of//
//my *SMT*, *SMX*, SMC or *SRT* series Smart-//
//UPS?â) in the Support section of APC.com//
//(http://www.apc.com/site/support/index.cf//
//m/faq/ /)"

Although Schneider talks about /updating/ the firmware on models SMT,
SMX, SMC and SRT, it only mentions /support/ for MODBUS on all _but_ the
SMC series UPSes.

I believe this is where the confusion starts and it was sufficiently
unclear (or sufficiently promising) for me to get an SMC1000, believing
it would be possible to make it work with the MODBUS protocol with
nothing more than a firmware upgrade.

Without blaming the apcupsd documentation itself, I believe it should
still be clarified concerning the SMC line, to remove any confusion and
avoid people being disappointed after purchasing an SMC line UPS.

Thanks,
Daniel

Ted Mittelstaedt

2017-03-12 00:03:54 UTC

Permalink

On the other hand if enough people buy SMC UPSes and then return them
the resulting costs and blowback to APC might stimulate them to fix the
issue.

(In the US under the UCC you have 30 days to return a purchase no
questions asked)

Ted

Post by Daniel Born
There has been a recurring source of confusion about the lower-cost SMC
line of UPSes supporting the MODBUS protocol where in fact, it has been
denied by Schneider tech support personnel directly.
I think I have found the source of this confusion which seems to emanate
In section http://www.apcupsd.org/manual/manual.html#modbus-driver of
"/...That said, APC knowledge base article FA164737 indicates MODBUS
support is available for the majority of the //*SMC*//, SMT, and SMX
model lines.../"
However, in the referenced knowledge base article FA164737, it is in
"/The following Smart-UPS models have Modbus//
//support://
//• *SMT* models with firmware UPS9.0 or//
//higher//
//• *SMX* models with firmware UPS10.0 or//
//higher//
//• All versions of *SRT* models//
//<...>//
//For more information on firmware updates,//
//please consult the Knowledge Base Article//
//FA164737 (“How do I update the firmware of//
//my *SMT*, *SMX*, SMC or *SRT* series Smart-//
//UPS?”) in the Support section of APC.com//
//(http://www.apc.com/site/support/index.cf//
//m/faq/ /)"
Although Schneider talks about /updating/ the firmware on models SMT,
SMX, SMC and SRT, it only mentions /support/ for MODBUS on all _but_ the
SMC series UPSes.
I believe this is where the confusion starts and it was sufficiently
unclear (or sufficiently promising) for me to get an SMC1000, believing
it would be possible to make it work with the MODBUS protocol with
nothing more than a firmware upgrade.
Without blaming the apcupsd documentation itself, I believe it should
still be clarified concerning the SMC line, to remove any confusion and
avoid people being disappointed after purchasing an SMC line UPS.
Thanks,
Daniel
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Daniel Born

2017-03-13 13:23:29 UTC

Permalink

As much as I would love for my SMC model UPS to support the MODBUS
protocol, I can't really blame APC for any false advertising or a
"defective" unit.

I will keep the UPS as it does the job it is intended for. I blame
myself for not doing my homework properly before the purchase.

I'd like it if the apcupsd documentation was corrected so it doesn't
lead people to believe certain incorrect informations but in the end,
it's my responsibility to make sure before buying.

My current setup doesn't give me any extra "nice to have" information
but it does get the computers connected to the UPS, shut down in the
event of a power failure.

Daniel

Post by Ted Mittelstaedt
On the other hand if enough people buy SMC UPSes and then return them
the resulting costs and blowback to APC might stimulate them to fix the
issue.
(In the US under the UCC you have 30 days to return a purchase no
questions asked)
Ted

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
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http://sdm.link/oxford
_______________________________________________
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