APC Trivia

From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.sco.misc
Subject: APC UPS Cable wiring
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 16:48:18 -0700

--------------------------------
Smart UPS 940-0024B (black cable)
Use with "advanced" signaling.

	DE9S            DE9P
	  PC             UPS
     /--1      /--->------1
     \--2--------<--------2
        3----/            3
        4                 4
        5----\            5
        6     \           6
        7--\   \          7
        8--/    \         8
        9        \--------9 gnd

--------------------------------
BackUPS 940-0023A  (grey cable)
Use with "basic" signaling.

	DE9S            DE9P
	  PC             UPS
        1------\          1
        2       \---------2
        3                 3
        4             /---4
        5-------------*   5
        6             |   6
        7             |   7
        8             |   8
        9             \---9 gnd

--------------------------------

Note that with the black "advanced" cable, and a Smart UPS, and the overpriced SNMP management adapter, you can configure and upgrade the adapter from a serial port and a terminal emulator. The trick is to start at 2400 baud N81. You can change the baud rate from the menus, but 2400 is the starting default.

From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.sco.misc
Subject: Re: APC UPS Cable wiring
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 19:52:07 -0700

Interface cables used with PowerChute for UNIX

However, I've been getting email indicating that things are not as simple as things appear. Various luminaries insist that there are transistors or FET's inside the cable. Since I had a spare black cable, I chewed it apart with wire cutters and found no active or passive components. Yet, the Linux UPS HowTo at:

http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/UPS-HOWTO-8.html#ss8.13

shows cables with all manner of strange internal devices. I think they're refering to the 940-1524C "smart cable".

Articles on APC web site (www.apcc.com) relating to UPS's and Unix

• T20 The APC Computer Interface Port

• Frequently Asked Questions of PowerChute plus and PowerChute v/s for UNIX

• Using the 940-1524C smart signaling cable and UPS interface extension cables properly

• Correct cable connection to various APC accessories.

• Testing communication between a UPS and a UNIX machine.

• Unable to communicate on UNIX systems

• PowerChute for UNIX commonly used commands and scripts

Comments and suggestions always welcome - tom@tkrh.demon.co.uk