Customer Reviews

APC 1000VA UPS with Automatic Voltage Regulation (BX1000)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I own two XS-1000 and one XS-1500 Back-UPS units (also use BX1000 designation). Each is in service, with the XS-1000 units loaded to about 250 watts and less than 300 VA and the XS-1500 loaded to 500W/600VA. Each of these units has failed with symptoms like those described by other writers (overload light suddenly comes on and cannot be reset normally). Unlike the other writers, I repaired my units myself. So far, none have failed again.

It is significant that I live in a region experiencing frequent power fluctuations and outages, hence need for a backup UPS. It is also noteworthy that circuit boards and circuit designs are essentially identical for the 1000 and 1500 models, with extra battery connections and a fan being prominent additions for the 1500 model.

In all instances, one or more of the six simulated sine wave switching FET transistors (34N20 or similar 20NQ20) failed shorted. This, incidentally, correctly causes the overload indicator to come on, since the on-battery circuit is then definitely overloaded! This protectective action in fact saves major parts of the unit from further damage, including battery overheating and possible explosion.

Qualitatively, the APC units are very well constructed and seemingly well designed. Additionally, the 34N20 FET transistors are a good choice for this application, and thus the failures are surprising. Several possibilities are suggested: (1) There is a latent quality defect in the transistors. Once one of the six fails, others will fail quickly until the DC/DC inverter stored energy is dissipated; (2) A momentary under or over voltage condition causes the AVR autotransformer circuit to switch in at about the same time the unit attempts to go on battery, possibly resulting in energy stored in the transformer being dumped into the 34N20 switching bank and exceeding a transistor's surge capacity; (3) One of the relays sticks or AVR/backup relay combinations "make before break" during a momentary utility outage or glitch.

Whatever the cause, it seems evident based on my three unit failures and those similar ones reported by other writers, that this defect, though perhaps infrequent for most customers, is nevertheless an issue for potential buyers who most need backup protection.

APC telephone representatives, though friendly, are not very helpful; the company is unwilling to provide a circuit diagram or even a block diagram of their products. Shipping costs are high even if the unit is still in warranty. Until this defect is acknowledged and corrected, these otherwise attractive units may not be suitable for use under the very conditions for which they were designed.

I own many APC UPSes, from the relatively high end to the relatively 'normal' levels (i.e., like this one). All, including the BX1000, seem incredibly well built. Before buying a UPS understand why APC has these various offerings, and try to understand which you might need. I wouldn't want my more critical servers ideally on anything below the Smart UPS series (they tend to have a pure sine wave output, along with a much more tightly regulated output). The Backup Pro series is a minor step down from the Smart UPS, in that it sacrifices pure sine wave output. The Backup series (non-pro) still has a very nicely regulated output, but is not quite as tightly controlled as the Pro series (nor of course does it have pure sine wave output).

APC sells serious stuff, at all levels, for very real reasons.

The BX1000 supports hot-swapping of batteries, along with the powerchute software suite, is extremely well made, etc. Look at it from this perspective: Need UPS power on lights, printers, less critical PCs, etc.? This is an awesome choice. It may even be fine for servers, if you want to play the probability game (I'll still stick with the Smart UPS series for those toys myself).

I experienced the same problem with my APC XS-1000 as noted by several others here.

It worked great then the red OVERLOAD light and alarm went off and it is now completely useless. This is an expensive piece of equipment with a single purpose and it failed to perform past 11 months. I have other Battery Backup UPS's from other makers and they are all over 3 years old and not a single one has failed.

This is obviously a faulty part installed at the factory and it seems they are still pumping them out. I guess they will finally correct the problem when their customer base falls off the page. This will definitely be the last APC product I purchase and I will warn my customers about it as well.

I purchased mine with the highest expectations and it was working great. On the 28th day... the "overload" light began blinking and it would not power up.
The tech support said it was an internal failure "Return for repair". Luckily I was still able to return it to the store where I purchased, without the HUGE shipping fees there would have been to send back to APC. I hope that was a rare occurrence.

It appears that APC has discontinued this model, or at the very least seems to have discontinued the battery. I've been searching for days for someone who has an RBC32 (battery required by this unit) - and no one seems able to obtain one in less than 90 days. The CDW operator told me they have hundreds of these things on back-order and that APC is unable to provide them - without at least a 90 day wait. In fairness I have to say that the unit worked reliably until this point - I just think you need to be very careful about using a unit that's popular enough that replacement batteries will still be available when yours wears out.

I bought this unit based on my previous experience with APC products. I've had excellent luck with their UPS's up to this point and I decided to buy this unit for its claimed runtime and the automatic voltage regulation (AVR). I installed the powerchute software and plugged it in to charge the batteries overnight. The next morning I plugged it in and set up my workstation PC. The unit worked perfectly for 11 months then the "overload" light came on and the UPS would not produce AC power in any outlet. I did get power again by unplugging the battery, switching on the power (battery is "hot-swappable") waiting for the green "on-line" LED to light and I plugged in the battery and all seemed well until I decided to run the powerchute software's "self-test" feature, at this point the power to my PC quit instantly. I contacted APC by e-mail and got a response that indicated that perhaps they didn't read my message so I called their customer assistance number. The tech I spoke to was very helpful and he "cross-shipped" me a replacement unit, I did have to pay shipping to send my defective unit back though. I thought all would be well at this point; however, two weeks later I had the same problem!! Again tech support at APC was very helpful, they "cross-shipped" another one, this time they paid the shipping back to APC of my defective (second) unit. This is not the end unfortunately... My third one died after only two days of "service"!!! If I have any warranty left (I'll find out Tuesday) I'll take the fourth one and sell it on ebay! I'm not going to even attempt to use another one of these, it's a real shame because their software (powerchute personal edition) works so nicely and their customer service people are genuinely helpful. A friend of mine suggested that I must have a power problem at my house, all I could say to that is "I thought that's what I bought it for!" I actually don't have a wiring fault and my voltage varies by only about plus or minus 4 volts from 120 volts. I just don't think this unit is a reliable back-up power source-find another device!! The problems I've had with the second and third UPS's are identical to the first one and powerchute software indicated that I could still attach more equipment to this device. My inexpensive ES500 from APC is more reliable than this expensive model, I admit it does not have anywhere near the capacity of the BX1000 but at least it works! I'm going to shop other brands this time... I'm more than a little gun-shy!

Well after having a 900va (BR900) for a few years (on this particular PC), i bought this one to replace it as it complained about the battery age and wouldn't pass the self test.
Hooked this one up on FRIDAY, and it is now SUNDAY morning and this thing is beeping twice every 2-3 seconds. Powerchute shows "Internal Fault". Are you kidding me? Have not had any power fluctuations since installing it as ALL my other 5 units i own (some APC some other brands) have had NO issues. I still have units well over 3 years working fine.
Bad QC really doesnt fly with me. And most of my outlets i wired 4 years ago to get them updated to heavier wire with 20amp CB's. I also ran some for 15amp.
But either way this unit just went bad.
I normally buy batteries local due to weight so this one is going back today and i will most likely buy a competitor model and see if i make out better.

I have a total of four UPSes at home including the BX1000, which I purchased from CompUSA with a hope for high performance. The symptom of frequent switching beween "on-line" and "on battery started" after a month or so, when the replacement peirod at CompUSA had just expired. It beeps every few minutes while it is on. Sometimes, the power dies and my screen becomes blank. I have had good faith in APC's product, thus it is a disappointment.

I've had this unit for a few years. On a recent brown out, I found this completely dropped power instantly, telling me the battery must be completely dead. Of course, there's a battery indicator that SHOULD have alerted me to this so I could change the battery. The bigger issue is now it randomly drops power. I thought it was a problem with my PCs, but this morning I noticed both PCs and the cable modem were all powered off simultaneously. All 3 devices are plugged into this unit. Needless to say, I'm extremely disappointed. I work in the IT field and my computers are rather expensive, which is why I chose to protect them on a UPS. Now the very behavior this is designed to prevent (sudden, unexpected shutdown of PCs) it is the cause of! I'm hesitant to buy another APC product.

I won't waste too much of my time or that of others going over the details of problems I have had with this unit. It's all been said better than I could by others in this review segment, including the intractable overload issue. The unit is overpriced, unreliable and by all indications, if one is to rely on APC, unfixable. My only regret is that Amazon's rating system seems to require that I give it one star. Trust me folks this item is not worth one star. So much for APC. I strongly advise that you not buy any of their products at any cost. Go elsewhere!