Custom Thresholds

For this configuration step, proceed to the following menus:

In some cases, UPS models allow you to customize the limits for some UPS-specific events.

The CS141 supports these features if the UPS provides such an option. Otherwise, you will be informed by a corresponding system message.

The configuration is done via two menus:

• Custom Thresholds to define and customize settings
• vent menu to assign jobs

Differences between Warning and Alarm Levels

The Custom Thresholds are identical for Warning and Alarm Levels, but they are listed separately in the UPS event menu. They will also appear in log files as either a Warning or an Alarm.

This separation allows you to configure warning and alarm behavior with different values.

The following conditions can be set:

Out of range:              The event — regardless of alarm or warning—is triggered if the measured value falls                                               below or exceeds the entered values.

Less than:                    The event — regardless of alarm or warning—is triggered if the measured value falls                                                below the configured values.

Greater than:               The event — regardless of alarm or warning—is triggered if the measured value exceeds                                        the configured values.

Example: How to configure UPS temperature Custom Thresholds

Electrical devices operate safely within a specific temperature range. Running a device that exceeds this range can cause problems, from minor defects to acute fire hazards.

To intervene in time, a predetermined temperature value should be compared with the measured temperatures. For example, a manufacturer might specify a safe operating temperature between +5 °C and +39 °C. The CS141 can be configured to issue a warning if these values are exceeded. The “out of range” condition first defines the safe temperature range.

As mentioned, two menus are required to configure Custom Thresholds:

1. Custom Thresholds

2. UPS events

The first setting is made under Custom Thresholds where the appropriate values are set.

Enabling the checkbox UPS Temperature will include measuring values according to the UPS. For the argument out of range you need to specify both - the lowest temperature value and the highest temperature value.

Note:
Since this is a warning, it should be issued before the critical values are reached. Because the minimum of +5 °C and the maximum of +39 °C are predefined by the manufacturer, the warning level values must be adjusted accordingly. In this example, the decision is made to use +5 °C:

Save your entries and move to the next menu:

• UPS event

Search for temperature threshold entries in the UPS events. Unlike in the Custom Thresholds menu, each threshold is displayed as a regular system event and it shows all possible states.

Since Custom Thresholds can be configured like regular UPS events, all jobs are available. If necessary, counter jobs can be defined according to temperature.

Setting up Alarm Levels

The alarm levels represent an escalation level and, if necessary, should trigger emergency measures, the values ​​must be adjusted accordingly to warning levels.

🔵Note: 

Since the condition for an alarm is fulfilled in addition to existing warning levels, configured jobs can be executed in parallel, overlap or even contradict or cancel each other out.

Exemplary excerpt: Custom Thresholds

This excerpt is an example. Depending on the UPS model and manufacturer, the list may vary in both naming and functionality. The sample list below displays the custom threshold list of the XANTO 2000R from the manufacturer Online.

Note:
Pay close attention to the arguments associated with each threshold: Greater than, less than, in range, out of range. Since these arguments are interpreted literally, the warning and alarm behavior will operate exactly as configured.

For example, if the output load warning is set to less than 67%, a warning will also be issued if the load drops to 43%. However, exactly 67% will not trigger a warning because the value must be below 67% to meet the condition.

Tutorial: Custom Thresholds

Although the CS141 recognizes the UPS correctly, contactors are to be activated via potential-free contacts. This shall switch off external devices as soon as the charge of the batteries drops below a configured value.

This configuration can be realized indirectly:

If a CON_R_AUX4 is connected to a CS141, its potential-free outputs can be used to control contactors, allowing them to be switched on (ON) or blocked (OFF). This enables contactor control without additional complexity.

However, this becomes challenging if the UPS does not provide suitable events, as these will not appear in the UPS event menu. In such cases, the configuration can be achieved by using Custom Thresholds.

The key to this configuration is the fact this function depicts a user definable job as a UPS event:

Setting 71% for Warning Levels and 61% for Alarm Levels, you can subsequently assign appropriate behavior in the UPS events:

• If the battery charge drops to 70%, the first devices are switched off.

• If the battery charge drops to 60%, the next devices are turned off. The counter events are set to Warning OFF or Alarm OFF.

As the batteries are charging, the devices should start after battery charge reaches similar values for shutdown.

• From 61% the first device list will be switched on.

• From 71% the second device list will be switched on.

Since there is no AND connection to the Power Fail, there are basically two possibilities to run these jobs:

1. Once

2. Repeat as long as the event is active

Note you have a difference of 1% between ON and OFF. Due to the fact the value needs to drop below the values, it is technically not possible to switch exactly ON and OFF at 70% or 60%. A decision is needed whether you wish to switch ON the devices at 60/70% or OFF.

You need to define your jobs exactly:

Turning off the same devices at 70% and to ON position at 61% could cause conflicts between events and jobs, devices should therefore be consistently configured separately.

What will happen between 0% – 71%

Depending on the configuration, independent to any power fail the devices will stay off, shutdown or restart between 0% and 71% battery charge. Above 71% the devices will run as long as no power fail will cause the battery charge to drop to 70%. Since the current load has no influence on the percentage of battery load, the flexible remaining time does not affect this setting. The percentages of the current battery charge are basically used.

Note:
A detailed description of the CON_R_AUX4 can be found at chapter Sensors.