UPS Batteries

[MetalMonkey]

No, the self test just lowers the DC bus so the battery tops up the rectifier output in effect, if the battery fails it won’t even go to bypass, it will stay in dual conversion no problem.

The self test on the APC SmartUPS definitely drops the load if the battery is faulty and puts the alarm on. Run into this issue many, many times.
I have two APC units myself here which do it, and I've been called out to exactly that problem dozens of times on various stand-alone and rack mount versions over the years.
The first you will know of a failing battery is when it drops the server on its backside, and if you go through the logs you will see a pattern of it reoccurring on a ~14 days cycle, although sometimes it will skip and self test OK.
Once the UPS is reset the battery will also show as being fine, until the next time. Replace the battery and it will operate as normal.

The Eaton units I've fitted are the 9PX and 5PX variants, but they do a range.
Very nice systems, although swapping the batteries is fiddly. Couple it with their environmental monitor kit and a bit of scripting and you have full automation without any janky software.
The Eaton software is no better than the APC in that regard. Or wasn't when I last tried it.

 

[J1nx]

I would contact Schneider, that is definitely an additional fault to just battery failure. UPS’s haven’t really been dependent on the DC being present since the 90’s, back then they used the battery to tether the DC bus, without it the rectifier output would rise too high.

This is from Schneider..

By default all Smart-UPS products will perform a Self Test when you initially turn the UPS on, and then once every 2 weeks from that point forward. This can be adjusted via PowerChute, the LCD Screen, or the Network Management Card. The interval will always begin when you last turned the UPS on. There is no way to schedule it to run at a particular time or day.

During a Self-Test the UPS will run on battery for approximately 10 seconds. During this time it will test it's internal subsystems as well as the battery. For a battery test to be valid, it should be charged to 100% before beginning the test. If an issue is encountered the self test will be aborted and the UPS will immediately return on to online operation. If the battery performance indicates a failing battery, the UPS will signal a bad battery via the replace battery LED and/or LCD screen. It will also notify users via PowerChute Business Edition or a Network Management Card if so equipped.

Self Tests can also be manually initiated at any time via PowerChute, The SmartConnect Portal, The Network Management Card, or the front panel of the UPS.

Definitely worth contacting them, they have some very knowledgeable guys, the trick is getting through to the right ones

The only real competition for Schneider these days is ABB, they are the only ones who come close to the range of products. UPS wise they are no where though, they outperform on solar inverters and car chargers. Both are huge in switchgear.