Eaton/Powerware 9390 UPS

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mshields

mshields

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Boston, MA
I've recently gone with this model of UPS because it was the most compact and it really was the only option based on that alone. We pitted them against Liebert and MGE just to keep them honest and they (Powerware) blew them out of the water on price.

Leaves me wondering about the quality of the product. Why so cheap? Any experiences with these? good or bad?

Thanks,

Mike
 
I've also found Powerware tends to be the lowest price. But no bad experiences so far here.

Steve
 
Be sure to do an extensive specification compliance with all three.
The sales reps often miss battery end of life requirements, AIC ratings, commisioning, bypass requirements, input filter requirements, etc. Those are just the last few projects.
Watch out!
 
I support customer with Powerware UPS in multiple countries. Excellent record thus far. Have only seen 1 problem, and it was a blown breaker bcuz the contractor did not clean up after install and debris caused a short. The units run well, must keep the batts at constant temp. I believe Powerware changed their support structure in the last few years, so their reps had to search out new customers, but the guy I work with is great.
 
mshields said:
I've recently gone with this model of UPS because it was the most compact and it really was the only option based on that alone. We pitted them against Liebert and MGE just to keep them honest and they (Powerware) blew them out of the water on price.

Leaves me wondering about the quality of the product. Why so cheap? Any experiences with these? good or bad?

Thanks,

Mike
Click to expand...

Multiple PowerWare user, specifier. Good experience. SInce your batteries are from different sources than the manufacturer it is useful to price them separately to see what you pay for the electronics. Battery is the weakest point in the system. Use Cellwatch and redundant batteries.

Had an issue back couple of years ago using it on resistance grounded supply. Just sloppy engineering technology transfer from overseas. God bless globalization,,,, NOT!
 
We have had a 160 kVA Powerware 9390 installed for approximately a year now with no operational issues.

We have had a couple of preference issues:
1) It is difficult to get custom alarming out of the unit. We would like to use the auxiliary contacts to turn on a light when the UPS switches to battery. Apparently Powerware doesn;t consider switching to battery a problem "that is what the UPS is meant to do" we were told. We did get more generic alarmin to work though.

2) Using external battery monitoring causes some issues. the unit uses Advanced battery monitoring (ABM) the company calls it to charge the batteries. It allows the batteries to drain slightly and then charge as opposed to a constant float charge. The external hardware has a problem with this technique and can cause nuisance alarms. Once again some accomodations were made.

Otherwise a seemingly reliable unit.
 
I knew APC and MGE were somehow merged, or working together in the US.

Now I find out that Powerware has bought MGE's smaller line of UPS's.

You can buy a large MGE Comet UPS from APC, and you can buy a small MGE Comet UPS from Powerware!!

How weird.

STeve
 
1. Different batteries
2. Hungrier sales force.
3. Unit readily available other manufacturers may not have one on hand.
4. Cancelled sales from other user spare unit (see 3 above).
5. Push by manufacturer to get this product out the door, prompting price cuts.
6. Different spec's

All the major manufactures you mentioned IMO make a decent product. I think the U in UPS stands for a lot one major item to look at is local service (which generally is not an issue with the big guys).
 
i'm a ups tech, the powerware machines that i have worked on aren't that bad, they offer a decent product. they're much better than lieberts or mge. but the best machines out are the mitsubishi and toshiba ups's. the only problems i've had with powerware are the bypass input contactor aux contacts from ABB and the push buttons on the front getting stuck.
 
Mitsubishi and Toshiba

Mitsubishi and Toshiba

I'm very familiar with Mitsu and agree with you on the quality. I'll take your work on the Toshiba.

I always have fun with our Mitsubishi rep by reminding him that his products manufacturer made the engines in the jap zero's that bombed Pearl Harbor - among other things. When he was last in, it somehow came out that the one thing not made in Japan was the very sturdy, albeit lone, cooling fan; That's made in Germany. How perfect for my continued abuse of this very good sales rep.

But I am just kidding. It's a great "box" as they say! Just don't try to selling it to your grandfather!


Mike
 
the toshiba machines are the exact same thing as the mitsubishi's with one small difference. the EPO button is on the other side of the display. they're both made by the same company. from what i understand they buy all the stuff from mistu, then put it together and sell it back to mitsu and toshiba.

another funny thing is, if you ever look inside any UPS you'll find a mitsu made IGBT. mistu and toshiba are the only ones that make power transistors and igbt's that are good enough for aUPS. they might also have their other name PRX stamped on the side.
 
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