3-Ph Charger - O M Manual - NIMAC PDF
3-Ph Charger - O M Manual - NIMAC PDF
3-Ph Charger - O M Manual - NIMAC PDF
MANUAL
NIMAC
BATTERY CHARGER
& RECTIFIER
Three Phase System
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
AN OVERVIEW OF BATTERY CHARGER / RECTIFIER
Basic Elements In The Battery Charger / Rectifier 1
Understanding The Basic Operation 2
Control Printed Circuit Board 3-7
Battery and Charging Operation 8-9
Technical Specifications 10
Chapter 2
WORKING WITH ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Alarms Indicator & What is “Multi Alarm Card” 11-13
How to Adjust the Multi Alarm Card 14
Parallel Operation – Hi-Rate Interlock & Load Sharing control 15
How to Adjust The Regulator Card 16
Battery Current Limit Card 16
Battery Temperature Compensation Card 16
Chapter 3
INSTALLING AND USING THE SYSTEM
Unpack The Battery & Charger / Rectifier 17
Safety Precaution Of Handling The Battery 18-19
Determining Where To Install Battery & Charger/ Rectifier 20
Installing The Battery & Charger/Rectifier 21-23
Commissioning And Start Up 24-27
Chapter 4
MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING
What To Maintain For The Charger/ Rectifier 28-29
Battery Maintenance 30
Basic Troubleshooting & Customer Support 31-34
Charger/Rectifier NIMAC
Thank you for selecting NIMAC Charger/Rectifier, the high reliability and proven
products to meet your needs.
The Operation Manual contains information about the operations of the NIMAC
Charger /Rectifier .
If you have problems with the operation of your battery charger /rectifier, refer to
chapter 4, ”troubleshooting”. If you need additional help, refer to “Customer
support” in chapter 4 for phone numbers to call for help.
1
CHAPTER 1
An Overview Of Battery Charger / Rectifier
This Charger /Rectifier is designed to supply DC power to sensitive equipment at a constant uninterruptible
voltage, free from the usual utility power line disturbances (noise, fluctuations, momentary power
disruption etc...). The rectifier normally float charges the battery in order to maintain the battery to its full
capacity as well as providing the DC power to the load.Upon an AC failure ,the battery charger system,
due to the reserve energy in the battery, continues to supply DC power to the load.
In This Chapter
The basic elements in the Battery Charger / Rectifier system
Understanding the Basic Operation
Learning the Heart of the Battery Charger/ Rectifier--Control & ISO-driver Board
Battery and Charging Operation
Quick view of the Technical Specification
AC Supply Load
Control Unit
V & I Feedback
Float Charge
Hi-rate Charge
Charger Fail
Common Remote
Alarm
Alarm Unit
AC Fail
Charger High Voltage
Charger Low Voltage
DC Earth Fault
Voltage spikes is elimated by Voltage Surge Arrestor which is installed across the primary of the input
transformer.
In the control printed circuit board is designed in independently adjustable modes of charging
Float (Trickle) Charge
Hi-rate (Boost) Charge
Commissioning Charge
Current Limit Setting
Under normal operation ,a battery charger is used to Float (Trickle) charge the battery bank as well
assupplying the required DC current to the load. In this mode a very low current demand is required to
maintain the battery bank at full capacity, as long as the total DC output current does not exceed the output
limit of the rectifier, the output DC voltage is regulated at the constant level.
Under abnormal operation,if the load current is higher than the designed rectifier current limiting value, the
battery charger is self protected by shifting to its current limit operation, whereby the voltage will drop and
the battery bank will start to discharge and provide the additional current required by the load.If the battery
charger is at the current limiting mode for more than 36 seconds, the charger will automatically shift to Hi-
Rate (Boost) charge.
The Commissioning Charge is initiated manually (refer to Chapter 3 – Commissioning and Start Up)
Upon AC failure, the battery is to deliver the required DC power to the load for duration that the battery
bank is selected to perform. When AC supply is restored, the charger shall automatically switch to a Hi-
Rate(Boost) charge condition. This is to speed up the charging time of the discharged battery bank ,as well
as regaining its full capacity.Upon completion of its charging process, the charger will automatically revert
back to its Float (Trickle) charged mode.As the charging process is fully automatic, manual handling of the
charger is NOT required to maintain continuous DC supply to the load.
Chapter 1 An Overview of Battery Charger/ Rectifier 3
DC Output Filter
This important element is designed and incorporated to the NIMAC battery charger. This filtering is
designed is to reduce the ripple current and provided the clean DC output. This filtering increases the life of
the connected battery. Also makes the battery charger possible to operate without the battery connected.
The standard DC filter is made out by the DC inductor and electrolytic capacitor as LC filtering
network,and reduce to output voltage ripple to less than 5% of its nominal DC voltage without battery bank
connected (typically 1% with the battery bank connected).Optionally, a 1% or 0.1% DC filter can be
included in the design,for the telecommunication application,by employing two stage DC filtering network,
which consists of two sets of DC inductor and electrolytic capacitor form as LCLC network. This is
normally employed to reduce noise level as required for sensitive electronic instrumention. The filter is also
designed to meet the ripple requirements of the telecom specification 876 type 3
The AC voltage of 20V is applied from a tapping on the input transformer to the control card. This voltage
is rectified, filtered then regulated to +15Vdc for the synchronization and timing circuits. A more stabilised
voltage reference , 5Vdc is also produced to be used as reference voltage for voltage comparison. Function
on the card which is operated in the event of AC failure and supplied from the DC voltage through a
DC/DC converter.
A second AC voltage of 20V is applied to the ISO-Driver card. This power is used to supply the rectifier
gates through a pulse transformer.
Slow-Start
The slow-start function is used to prevent high current surges during powering up the rectifier.This feature
will reduce the power requirement of the AC source upon restoration of power.The circuit only operate
during the start-up of the rectifier. Typically, the design is chosen to give the slow-start ramp of 10seconds
from start up.
The Float and Hi-rate voltage reference levels can be adjusted using the following potentiometers on this
card:
Float voltage adjustment = P4
Hi-rate voltage adjustment = P5
Commissioning voltage adjustment = P6
Place the probes of the voltmeter (0.5% accurancy) at the battery terminals.Always make adjustments to
the Float voltage with the charger in Float mode. Allow the current and voltage to stabilize as you make
this adjustment slowly. Similarly, make adjustments to the Hi-rate voltage after you have completed the
float voltage adjustment and with the charger in Hi-rate mode. If the Hi-rate mode is not required, adjust
the potentiometer P2 to the float charge level. Commissioning Charge is activated by connecting Jumper 9
to ON position.
Note :
Adjustment of these two potentiometers is best conducted without battery connected. Refer to
theFactory Test Report for voltage to be adjusted. A 0.5% accurate voltmeter is required for
this procedure.
Chapter 1 An Overview of Battery Charger/ Rectifier 6
The rectifier output current is protected by the current limit setting potentiometer P7.The preset value is
limited to avoid overload. To make this adjustment, a load in excess of the rectifier current limit
requirement is to be connected at the load side of the equipment.Slowly increase the load until the rectifier
current exceeds the require set point.Then slowly turn the current limit potentiometer until the voltage of the
rectifier begins to drop.
Note : Adjustment of these two potentiometers is best conducted without battery connected.
Refer to the Factory Test Report for current limit value to be adjusted.
Phase Unbalance
When a phase unbalance occurs, the output of the rectifier circuit will contain a 50Hz ripple voltage that is
proportional to the degree of unbalance. (Note : For six pulse systems at 50Hz without a DC filter, the
primary ripple voltage will be + 5% at 150 Hz under normal conditions). The ripple measurement circuit
will trip as a result of this 50Hz ripple and the rectifier output will go to zero after a short delay.
Adjustment of the phase unbalance is made by potentiometer P1 & P2. The standard settings allows for a
maximum unbalance of 20% between the most separate phases.
The Hi-rate charge timer setting is set with Jumper S4 to S7 on Control Card as below:
4 Hours
Preset Period ON
S4 OFF
S5 OFF
S6 OFF
S7
8 Hours OFF ON OFF OFF
The ISO-Driver card is used to galvanically separate and amplify the gate burst current from the control
card. It should be mounted as close to the thyristor bridge as possible. No adjustments are required. There
are six drivers for each thyristor in six pulse bridge configuration. Three resistors R8 to R10 and three
capacitors C2 to C4, connected in parallel, provide power to two pulse transformers each. Since the
switching signal operates at about 9610 Hz, there is no risk of the transformer‟s saturating. The resistors
R8 to R10 make the system short-circuit proof.
This feature is incorporated in the control board ,to detect the overvoltage across the DC filter capacitor, in
the event of possible fault with the charger ,such as loss of voltage feedback sensing cable, the rectifier will
try to raise the output voltage to the maximum level, and this is dangerous for the DC filter capacitor. The
control circuitry is to inhibit the rectifier firing circuit to prevent high voltage generation.
Chapter 1 An Overview of Battery Charger/ Rectifier 8
Battery
The battery bank is used to provided the back up power to the load in case of AC power failure.The types
of battery to be installed to the systems can be Nickel Cadmium or Lead Acid. The duration of the battery
bank is being able to back up the load is depends on the battery capacity and its state of charge.
Charging Operation
When the AC power is restored, the charger starts to deliver it‟s maximum output current (limited only by
the battery and charger current limit settings) until the battery voltage has risen to the desired level. The
charger is capable of running at the maximum output current continuously. When the desired voltage is
reached, the charger supplies just enough current to feed the load and keep the battery at this voltage. The
float voltage level is selected according to strict battery specifications, so it is important that before any
change is made to these settings, the battery specifications must be checked first. The capacity of the
battery charger is selected to recharge the battery in the required time and simultaneously providing DC
power to the load without damaging itself. The charger will limit it's maximum output current in order to
protect the power components from damage.
As the battery continues to be charged, the voltage across it rises. A point is reached where further
increases in the voltage would cause excessive gassing of the battery and possible battery damage. For this
reason the charger has a circuit which limits the charging rate at a certain voltage level.
Float (trickle) charge--the battery will remain at this voltage for the rest of it's life so it is important that
correct float voltage is selected to take account of long term effects on the battery.
Manual Hi-rate charging is also available on the front panel. If the battery reaches the Hi-rate voltage
within the set time then the charger will revert back to the Float voltage. This is a quick way of checking the
state of the charge of the Battery. The charger can be put back into the Float charge at any time by
depressing the float charge pushbutton.
Chapter 1 An Overview of Battery Charger/ Rectifier 9
2.4 135%
CELL VOLTAGE (V) 120%
2.3
CELL
VOLTAGE 105%
2.2
90 %
2.1
CHARGER (AH%)
2.0 75 %
60 %
CHARGER 0.4 C
CURRENT 45 %
0.3 C
30 %
0.2 C
CHARGER CURRENT (A)
0.1 C 15 %
0%
Chapter 1 An Overview of Battery Charger/ Rectifier 10
General Features:
Input:
AC Input voltage: 3 phase, 3 or 4 wires
380 + 10 % or as specified in the test report
AC input frequency : 50/60 Hz + 6%
Power Factor : Full Load 0.83 lag approx.
1/2 Load 0.93 lag approx.
Output:
Nominal DC voltage : 12, 24, 48, 110, 220V or other (refer to test report)
Float voltage stability : + 1% from no load to full load with AC input
voltage variations of + 10% and frequency variations
of + 6%
Output ripple voltage : Max 5% rms of nominal DC voltage.
Typical 1% rms of nominal DC voltage with
battery connected where Ah capacity 5 times higher than
rectifier rated current.
(refer to as-built drawings and test report)
Current limit : Adjustable 20 - 110% of rated current.
Current stability : + 2% at current limit.
Controls : - Mode selector switch: Manual Float, Auto & Manual Boost
- Reset push-button & LED test
Meters : DC voltmeter, DC ammeter, 1.5% accuracy.
Efficiency 110V : 84%
Operating Environment
Audible Noise : 55 dBA @1.5m
Temperature Range : -10oC to +40oC continuous
from +40oC to +50oC, output to be derated.
Humidity : 0 to 95% @ 25 degrees C
Altitude : Up to 1000m above sea level.
Above 1000m output current to be derated.
Protection : - AC and DC surge suppressers.
- Slow start circuit
- DC output fuse (or circuit breaker) protection
Insulation voltage : 2000 V for 1 minute
Insulation resistance : > 10M at 500 VDC
Earth Leakage : Sensitivity 10mA
11
CHAPTER 2
In This Chapter
Learn the alarms showning the status of Battery Charger /Rectifier
What is “Multi Alarm Card”
How to adjust the alarms on the Multi Alarm Card
Typical system configuration - Battery Chargers/ Rectifiers working in parallel – Hi-Rate
interlocking & Load sharing control
- Limit the output voltage by dropping diodes
Understanding extra feature - Battery Current Limit Card
- Battery Temperature Compensation Card
“Multi-Alarm Card”
The “Multi Alarm Card ” is designed to suit the basic requirement to monitoring the
status of battery charger/ rectifier.
The Multi Alarm Card provides the following alarms:
Low voltage
Charger failure
High voltage
Earth fault
Note : All alarms and indicators are latched to alarms condition, and manually reset by alarms reset
pushbutton. However, automatic reset can also be provided.
Chapter 2 Working With Additional Features 13
Adjust the float voltage (using the main control card) to the low voltage alarm setting required. Adjust the
voltage trimpot R12 until the low voltage LED lights up and the common alarm relay de-energizes. Re-
adjust the float voltage back to the original level.
This alarm has two adjustment settings, one for voltage and one for current. Adjust the float voltage (using
the control card) to the charger fail setting. Adjust the trimpot R32 until the charger fail LED is lit. Check
that the alarm relay de-energizes when the alarm is on. Now increase the load until the charger is in current
limit mode. Adjust R37 until the charger fail LED goes off and the alarm relay energizes. Adjust the float
voltage back to the original setting.
Switch the charger to “Manual Hi-Rate” mode. Adjust the Hi-rate voltage level (using the control card) to
the high voltage alarm setting required. Adjust trimpot R22 until the high voltage alarm LED lights up and
the common alarm relay de-energizes. Reduce the voltage back to the Hi-rate level then press the alarm
reset switch.
Connect a 1/2 watt resistor (resistor value = Float Voltage / 0.01 Ohms) from the negative of the battery
terminal to the chassis ground. With this resistor value, an earth fault current of 10mA will flow. Adjust
R63 until the earth fault LED lights up and the common alarm relay de-energizes. Remove the resistor
then press the alarm reset switch.
Connect a 1/2 watt resistor (resistor value = Float Voltage / 0.01 Ohms) from the positive of the battery
terminal to the chassis ground. With this resistor value, an earth fault current of 10mA will flow. Adjust
R63 until the earth fault LED lights up and the common alarm relay de-energizes. Remove the resistor
then press the alarm reset switch.
The common alarm contact is activated if any of the above alarms become active. The standard system
has no hold function for this relay. Normally-closed or normally-open condition can be selected.
Chapter 2 Working With Additional Features 15
In most industrial applications, it is important for the systems to have a fixed dc output voltage limit at the
load, but still require the battery to be Hi-Rate charged.
The configuration used to limit the voltage at the load side without sacrificing the need to remove the
essential high rate function is :
Parallel operation of chargers with Hi-Rate interlocking feature
How to adjust the Load Sharing of the current output of each chargers
Before proceeding with the adjustment, ensure the Float and Hi-rate voltage settings are correct for each
charger. Load sharing balance is achieved using potentiometer P2 on this card. To make any adjustment,
load the two parallel chargers with equal resistive loads and equal AC input voltage. Adjust P2 until the
current output of each charger is approximately equal. Allow the charger output to stabilize each time an
adjustment is made. The maximum allowed variation in AC input voltage is + 1%.
Chapter 2 Working With Additional Features 16
How to adjust the regulator card –To switch contactor ‘On’ or “Off’
The charger output voltage is sensed via a voltage divider in which a potentiometer R8 is used to set the
required trigger voltage. The potentiometer R11 is used to adjust for hysteresis. The voltage-free contact
of RLY 1 is used to switch the external bypass contactor for the dropper diodes. Whenever the charger
output is below the acceptable maximum load voltage, the dropper diodes will be by-passed so that no
energy is lost in the output circuit.
ADJUSTMENT:
1. Disconnect the battery from the charger and connect a dummy load at the load terminals.
2. Adjust the potentiometers R8 and R11 clockwise until the bypass contactor is energized.
3. Adjust the float voltage (using the control card potentiometer P1) to the maximum load voltage
allowed.
4. Adjust R8 until the contactor de-energizes. The voltmeter will now show the reading which
includes the voltage drop across the diodes. The output voltage should be within the Min/Max
limits.
5. Reduce the float voltage until you reach 1 or 2 volts below the maximum voltage setting.
6. Turn R11 until the contactor de-energizes again. This is the hysteresis adjustment.
7. Adjust the float voltage to a higher level and observe that the contactor de-energizes again and the
load voltage remains within the limits specified by the user.
8. Repeat this procedure for other dropper diode control cards installed in your system.
CHAPTER 3
In This Chapter
How to Unpack Battery Charger /Rectifier
Safety Precautions Of Handling The Battery
Determining Where To Install Battery & Charger /Rectifier
Installing The Battery & Charger/ Rectifier
Commissioning And Start Up The System
Before Unpacking
The charger and battery have been packed to withstand the vibrations that normally occur during
transportation, so as a rule, neither the packing nor the charger will have suffered any damage during
transportation. However, an inspection of the packing upon arrival is recommended. If any damage is
noted on both the packing and the charger, or if it is not received in an upright position, the shipper and the
manufacturer should be notified immediately. Before unpacking the charger, take out the delivery note and
keep it to check that the equipment is in accordance with the specifications on the note.
Severely damaged packing or equipment should be left untouched until the shippers and the insurance
company have inspected it.
Unpacking
Unpack the charger in a clean, dry storage area.
Remove the screws which keep the lid of the packing in place.
Open the front sheet at the cabinet door and pull off the other sheets.
Remove the plastic bag and the polystyrene plates.
If the charger is not going to be used right away, leave the bags with moisture absorbing material
inside the cubicle and put the plastic bag over the charger again.
Store the charger in a dry and clean storage room free from aggressive gases. The temperature in the
storage room must be between -25 and +70 oC. The storage room should be free from rodents and bugs
and well ventilated.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 18
Some explosive gas may be present in the battery cells even during storage or shipment. The battery cells
may also release flammable gas during Hi-rate charging. Therefore:-
Keep flames away from battery cells and out of the battery room.
Never smoke near the battery.
Do not adjust connections while charging or within an hour after charging.
Discharge any static electricity from your clothing by touching a part connected to
earth before entering the battery room.
Remove metal parts from your body and clothing which may come into contact with
battery terminals.
Never disconnect the battery when it is on load or charge.
B. VENTILATION
Ventilate the battery room at all times to prevent the accumulation of explosive gases.
C. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
If it is necessary to mix electrolyte for the battery cells, follow the safety precautions below:-
1. Nickel-Cadmium Battery:
Never use equipment designed for Lead-Acid battery. Use plastic or steel made
containers to mix the electrolyte. Never use containers made of copper,
aluminum or galvanized iron. Pour water into the mixing vessel before carefully
adding solid electrolyte to avoid splashing and gas emission.
E. HANDLING
Ensure battery cells are always in upright position whenever transporting or shifting
from one place to another. Never lift a battery by its terminals.
Lifting equipment used for carrying the battery must have capacity that exceeds the
weight of the battery.
Do not place or drop metal objects on the top of the battery cells.
Never disconnect the battery when it is on load.
F. WASTE DISPOSAL
Neutralize all shipping caps, used vents etc. with a baking soda solution before disposing them.
G. EMERGENCY MEASURES
Ensure clean running (tap) water for washing is easily available around the battery
area.
Wash immediately if electrolyte is splashed on skin or clothing.
Wash with running water if electrolyte enters eyes and quickly send for medical aid.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 20
Be careful not to obstruct the natural air flow through the cabinet, leaving at least 500 mm clearance at
front, rear, top and at louvers at side This is to ensure compliance with the heat removal required for the
reliable operation of internal power electronic and magnetic devices. It is also to ensure compliance
regarding safe hydrogen dispersion into the ambient air when the rectifier enclosure contains battery cells.
Hydrogen is a gas which may be released by charging battery cells. It is non-corrosive and not harmful if
inhaled, but a high concentration of hydrogen in the air forms an explosive mixture.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 21
Do not connect any external power cables or load to the system, until completing the installation
procedure in this chapter.
A. BATTERY INSTALLATION
It is recommended that a tray be placed under the battery rack to catch any electrolyte which
may be spilled from the battery cells.
Place the heaviest battery tray at the bottom and lightest at the top. Be sure to:
a) Alternate the (+) and (-) poles,
Use the accessories supplied by the battery manufacturer,
Tighten all connections to the torque values specified by the battery manufacturer.
The battery set consists of a series of battery cells where the negative (-) polarity of cell number 1
is connected to the negative (-) polarity output of the charger and where the positive (+) polarity
of last cell is connected to the positive (+) polarity output of the charger. The positive (+) polarity
of cell number 1 is connected to the negative (-) polarity of cell number 2, and so on. This is called
a battery string.
B. CABLE SIZING
The cable sizing must comply with the applicable wiring rules.
The maximum current demand from the charger will normally occur after the battery has been
discharged.It is important to avoid unneccessary loss of regulation due to the voltage drop between
the battery and the DC load.
We recommend that the voltage drop in all DC cables should not exceed 2% of the output voltage,
although in some applications this % of the value is reduced. Include the voltage drop in both the
(+) and (-) cables, and calculate it at the maximum output current.
If the resistance of the cable is unknown it can be approximated with the formula below:
D. FUSE DISCRIMINATION
You may have fuses or circuit breakers on the output of the rectifier. When sizing these circuit
breakers or fuses it is necessary to ensure that the fuse or circuit breaker down stream of the
distribution breaker/fuse opens before the one upstream of it.
To ensure this, two aspects of the fuses and circuit breakers need to be considered.
The rating of the breakers/fuses, and
The time response of the breakers/fuses
It must also be remembered that it takes time for this fuse or circuit breaker to trip. When the load
is a switching application, power to the load may only be applied for a very short period, maybe
only milliseconds. In this case, the breaker/fuses can be rated lower than the full load current.
This also means that the cable sizes feeding the breakers/fuses can be smaller. To work out the
rating of the breaker or fuse, use the time response curves obtainable from the supplier.
E. CABLE INSTALLATION
The recommended cable sizes for installation of the battery & charger are shown on the single line
drawing(s) in chapter 5.
NOTE :All AC and DC cables must be sized to allow for the maximum current capacity as
indicated by the rating of the input fuse or circuit breaker. Pass the battery cables through the
openings in the cabinet provided for this purpose. Always use cable glands to prevent dust and
dangerous vapors from passing through the cable entry to the electronics. The input transformer
has several tapping points to suit your mains voltage. The correct supply voltage is marked on the
transformer.
The AC input, battery, and output cables should be run separately to minimize mutual interactions
in the event of a fault. It is recommended that the positive and negative wires of DC circuits be run
in the same cable harness to avoid electrical interference with other circuits. The same principle
applies to wiring groups of AC cables.
The alarm and indication cables must be kept separate from power cables. A suitable distance
would be 100-300 mm. Signal cables which cross other cables that could cause electrical
interference must be placed at right angles.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 23
Do not connect power to the system until instructions are given in “Initial Checks with power on”.
NOTE : Leave all external switches and circuit breakers in the OFF position and remove the battery fuse
before making the following connections:
Connect the battery cables to the BATT (+) and (-) termination points at the front of the
cubicle.
Connect the earth cable to the earth terminal bar inside the cubicle.
Connect the AC power cables to the relevant input terminals in the charger. Observe phase
sequence.
Check that the rating of the load protection and disconnect devices are adequate.
Connect the cables from the load to the charger output terminal block.
The temperature probe consists of a precision transducer housed in a small isolating plastic module. A two
wire or a three wire transducer could be used (refer to section 4 engineering drawings). These wires should
NOT be connected to any battery terminal.
Attach the isolated temperature probe externally to the front of a cell that is located in the middle of the
Battery set. Clean and lightly roughten the cell surface with emery or sandpaper (in a position below the
"low electrolyte" mark, if possible). Use a two-part epoxy adhesive to ensure permanent fitting.
Warning : Do not leave the probe disconnected or open if the temperature compensation card has been
installed. This could cause random voltage variation at the charger DC output which may activate the over-
voltage/under-voltage detectors and affect the battery life and performance.
Note: Special considerations may be necessary where the battery is located more than 30 meters from the
charger since the temperature compensation cable may not give a true indication of the battery
temperature. Consult our Customer Service Centre ( listed in chapter 4 ) for any
clarification/advise if required.
Check that an Earth potential wire (1.5 mm2) is connected to one of the earth leakage connections on the
control card (refer to chapter 5 engineering drawings). Do not use this option if one of the polarities of the
battery or the DC load is intentionally grounded (Earthed).
Connect a 1.5 mm2 wire to the low electrolyte terminal block on the control card (refer chapter 5
engineering drawings). Connect the other end of the wire to the electrolytic probe which must be inserted
into the first positive vented battery cell. The probe must touch the electrolyte only when the level is equal
to or above the "Min Level" indicated on the cell container.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 24
DO NOT SWITCH ON POWER UNTIL THE NECESSARY INITIAL CHECKS HAVE BEEN
PERFORMED
Refer to the schematic drawings in chapter 5 for the location and numbering of all components.
Ensure the following before turning on the power:
Check that the charger characteristics (Voltage, Frequency, Power) match those of the main
supply, battery, and load.
Check that the information on the nameplate and test report are correct.
Check that the input transformer tap is suitable for your mains voltage. The correct supply
voltage is marked on the transformer.
Check any foreign objects and loose parts inside the cubicle.
Check that all connections are firmly secured.
Check for correct earthing and cabinet ground continuity.
Check that all fuses and circuit breakers are installed and correctly sized:-
a) AC input circuit breaker is in the OFF position.
b) Battery circuit breaker or battery fuse is in the OFF position.
c) Fan On/Off switch (if installed) is in the OFF position, and
d) All load output breakers and fuses are in the OFF position.
Using an Ohmmeter, check for short-circuit connections from phase-to-neutral.
Use the multimeter to check that the DC voltage at the battery input terminals is correct in both
value and polarity.
ONCE THE CHARGER HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND POWER ON, THE EQUIPMENT
WILL ALWAYS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY LETHAL VOLTAGES. TAKE
RELEVANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, AND AS A MINIMUM, FOLLOW THE
LOCAL LEGAL AND SAFETY PROVISIONS.
Check that the load is ready to be powered up. Switch on the Charger/ Rectifier by turning the
input breaker „ON‟.
Observe that the voltage shown on the voltmeter shall slowly swing to its float voltage.
Check that the battery polarity is correct. Close battery isolator (circuit breaker or fuses).
Press the “LED Test” button on the front panel and observe that all LED‟s are ON.
Observe the battery voltage reading .If the charger output current is equal to the battery current
limit, the battery is recharging. Therefore, the battery voltage reading will be less than the preset
value and will rise slowly as the battery recharges.
Observe the charger current display and load current display. Check that they are within the limits
specified on the nameplate and test report.
Check that the load is ready to be powered up. Switch the load output circuit breaker (or fuse) to
the ON position. This will energize the DC Load.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 25
During the following functional test the battery must be fully charged and operating at the float
voltage level. If you cannot afford to disconnect the DC load while testing the unit, do not open the
load circuit breaker or battery circuit breaker. Otherwise, switch these two circuit breakers off
now, and connect a dummy load to the load terminals. Then switch the two circuit breakers on
again.
Current Limit
After the battery voltage has stabilized, increase the DC load until the charger current reaches
the preset current limit and the battery voltage starts to drop.
If the charger mode is in the “Hi-rate” position, the charger will remain on for 8 hours and will
return to float level after the Hi-rate timer has counted down. To reset the Hi-rate timer,
switch the mode back to the float position.
Hi-rate Charging
With the charger still operating normally, move the charger mode to “Manual Hi-Rate”
position. The current should immediately rise and the voltage should also start to rise. After a
while, depending on the state of charge of the battery, the voltage will stabilize. To reset the
Hi-rate timer, switch the mode to float position.
NOTE: 1. Certain battery (e.g. sealed lead acid and some other models) are not intended to
be submitted to Hi-rate charging. In this case the Hi-rate voltage is set to the
same level as the float voltage.
2. Some DC systems are equipped with a load sensing device or interlocks which
will inhibit the Hi-rate voltage. In this case the interlocks must be disconnected
to verify the Hi-rate voltage.
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 26
If this alarm setting is below the Hi-rate voltage level (refer to test report), it is easy to check
the condition of this alarm circuitry. Simply by activating to the “Manual Hi-Rate”. As the
voltage goes above the alarm value, the high DC voltage alarm output is activated. This
alarm level is specified in the test report.
Disconnecting the gate leads to the SCR‟s on the Thyristor Bridge can activate this alarm.
To bring up this alarm, turn off the charger, and allow the battery to discharge through the
load. After a while (depending on the size and state of charge of the battery), the battery
voltage will drop to a point where the low battery voltage alarm will operate. When this
occurs compare the voltage with that in the test report. If the discharge is going to take too
long, disconnect a number of cells on the battery block. The setting for this alarm is specified
in the test report.
To activate this alarm an Earth leakage wire must be fitted. Check that the earth leakage
alarm LED on the front panel is not ON. If it is, push the RESET button. If the LED is still
ON then there is a fault in the battery circuit. If the LED is OFF, connect an impedance (e.g.
100 W, 240V lamp from the negative of the battery to the chassis) and the LED will come
ON. Remove the lamp and push the RESET button. Now connect the lamp from the battery
positive to the chassis and again the LED will come ON. Push the RESET button after
disconnecting the lamp.
To activate this alarm a low electrolyte probe must be fitted. Pull the low electrolyte sensor
out of the most positive cell of the battery (or disconnect it) and the low electrolyte alarm
should turn on.
For dual (parallel) systems, check that the load is being equally shared between the two
chargers at 30% load and at 100% load. Check the response of the chargers when operating at
current limit. Some parallel system are installed with Hi-rate charge interlocks. Verify that
these interlocks work to prevent either charger going into Hi-rate mode (refer to the test
report).
Chapter 3 Installing And Using The System 27
Activate the charger in Hi-Rate position and run the charger for 12 hours to ensure the battery
set is fully charged before taking the charger out of commission.
Open the output load circuit breaker(s) and fuses.
Open the charger AC input circuit breaker .
Open the battery circuit breaker (or battery fuses).
CAUTION !
STRICTLY OBSERVE THE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS (TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY,
TIME ETC.) DEFINED BY THE BATTERY MANUFACTURER.
DO NOT LEAVE LEAD-ACID BATTERY OFF-CHARGE FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH
AS THIS COULD CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE BATTERY
28
CHAPTER 4
In This Chapter
The purpose of this operation is to check the battery capacity by discharging it and checking the
measurements against the performance characteristics specified by the battery manufacturer.
This Maintenance test should be conducted at least once every 12 months.
First of all, evaluate the normal backup time required for the system.
Check that the normal load is connected to the charger and is in service.
Press the “Test” button to test all LED‟s.
Connect a millivoltmeter across the battery shunt.
Connect a multimeter across the battery.
Turn off the rectifier using the input circuit breaker . Start a stop-watch.
Check that the charger output voltage measured across the load terminals is equal to the rated
voltage + 1% as indicated on the nameplate
When the battery voltage is at 85% of the rated value (Example: 93.5V for a 110V battery)
or at its end voltage, record the following:
a) The millivoltmeter reading across the battery shunt, US
b) The discharge time in seconds, T
c) Battery shunt current rating (Amps), IS
d) Battery shunt voltage (mV), UM
Use the following formula to determine the average battery current discharge, ID = (IS x
UM)/US
From the discharge current and time, check that the battery capacity still conforms to the
manufacturer‟s specifications.
Turn on the rectifier and allow the battery to charge for at least 10 minutes.
Press the “Reset” button if there are any red alarm LED‟s on. If any of these LED‟s remain
on after the reset button is pressed, refer to the troubleshooting section in this manual for
assistance.
Chapter 4 Maintenance And Troubleshooting 30
Use a multimeter to measure the voltages of the battery cells. The difference in voltage in
open battery cells must not exceed + 50 mV per cell. If the difference exceeds this value,
contact the battery manufacturer.
Chapter 4 Maintenance And Troubleshooting 31
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Basic Troubleshooting
CAUTION !
LETHAL VOLTAGES EXIST PERMANENTLY INSIDE THE UPS AND ACROSS THE
BATTERY TERMINALS. NEVER MAKE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO THE PRESENCE OR
ABSENCE OF A VOLTAGE, CHECK USING A VOLTMETER.
WARNING !
When using an oscilloscope to measure the charger output voltage, the following precautions
must be taken:
If the oscilloscope is Grounded, use the probe(s) only on the hot side of the charger output and
not the ground lead.
If the oscilloscope is Not Grounded, use both probe leads on the hot and neutral sides.
However, be very careful not to touch the oscilloscope and the charger cabinet and/or
components.
Before replacing any modules, switch the charger completely off. (i.e. AC input and battery).
Wait for at least 2 minutes to let the DC capacitor bank discharge.
This trouble shooting guide covers the causes of disturbance most likely to appear. In our experience,
loose connections are the most common cause of failures.
In cases of malfunction, check the following first :-
Ensure all internal and external connections are securely tightened.
Verify all fuses and/or circuit breakers are operational.
Ensure proper polarity of the DC source. Connections should be positive to positive, negative
to negative, and must be securely tightened.
Verify that proper input voltage, output voltage, frequency and load current are present as
indicated on the nameplate.
If a battery set is part of the system, ensure that all inter-cell and inter-tray connections are
correct and securely tightened.
If all the above checks are correct, use the following pages to locate the applicable symptom and
perform the corrective action as indicated.
Chapter 4 Maintenance And Troubleshooting 32
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Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Cause Solution
AC & DC Circuit breaker Wrong battery connection Check battery cell to cell
(or Fuses) trips, when polarity connection is correct.
Charger/ Rectifier is Replace blown fuse or turn
switched ON and battery is ON the breakers.
connected
Replaced defective
semiconductors
Thyristor Bridge Fail
Wrong output voltage and Load current exceeded the The charger is undersized for
Charger output current in Charger output current the load application.
current limit mode Please contact Customer
Support Department.
TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART
NO
YES
NO
NO
Press “LED Test” button. Is the ripple voltage Check thyristor bridge and
All LED‟s should go on. less than 5% NO DC filter for short circuit
Replace if required.
Refer to voltage
adjustment procedure
Chapter 4 Maintenance And Troubleshooting 34
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Basic Troubleshooting
If the cause of a fault cannot be directly determined from the basic
troubleshooting guide,
For Help!
Consult your local NIMAC Customer Support Team for phone
numbers.
Repairs
Technical Support
Supply of Spare Parts
Preventative Maintenance
User Training