Products > Dodgy Technology

APC UPS, now with aluminum wire

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coppice:
So were they relying on a crimp to connect to the CCA wire, or were they relying on the copper coating being a suitable layer to solder to? There is nothing wrong with CCA wound transformers, but this seems a very dodgy way to terminate them. With the windings brought out to a termination strip, with robust aiuminium to non-aluminium connections on the strip, it could have been perfectly good transformer. Even with a copper wound transformer I worry about these single strand to insulated stranded transitions taking place under a bit of yellow tape. They never look very robust.

johansen:

--- Quote from: coppice on March 10, 2024, 02:39:38 pm ---So were they relying on a crimp to connect to the CCA wire, or were they relying on the copper coating being a suitable layer to solder to? There is nothing wrong with CCA wound transformers, but this seems a very dodgy way to terminate them. With the windings brought out to a termination strip, with robust aiuminium to non-aluminium connections on the strip, it could have been perfectly good transformer. Even with a copper wound transformer I worry about these single strand to insulated stranded transitions taking place under a bit of yellow tape. They never look very robust.

--- End quote ---

I dont know what they are doing but heat pump manuf and microwave oven manufs have been soldering aluminum wound emi chokes to circuit boards for 15 years now.

fmashockie:

--- Quote from: coppice on March 10, 2024, 02:39:38 pm ---So were they relying on a crimp to connect to the CCA wire, or were they relying on the copper coating being a suitable layer to solder to? There is nothing wrong with CCA wound transformers, but this seems a very dodgy way to terminate them. With the windings brought out to a termination strip, with robust aiuminium to non-aluminium connections on the strip, it could have been perfectly good transformer. Even with a copper wound transformer I worry about these single strand to insulated stranded transitions taking place under a bit of yellow tape. They never look very robust.


--- End quote ---

I disagree.  The problem with these transformers aren't just bad connections.  These transformers clearly have multiple issues.  If you watch my videos where I HI-POT test two separate transformers from the BR1500MS models (one brand new, the other ~5 years old), they both fail miserably (my comments are above).  And neither of them had poor connections to the lead wires like Dr. Carlson's.  My point is, Dr. Carlson misses the mark with his explanation.  Al-winded transformers are not inherently bad like he tries to claim.  There are many examples of Al-winded transformers that work just fine.  Sometimes they are more advantegous to use than Cu depending on the application.

lunix:
FWIW: I bought a Cyberpower pure-sine wave UPS (1500VA) from Costco.  I plugged it in, and nothing happened.  I moved the line cord and heard relays clicking.  I left it plugged in (like a dummy would) for a few hours, even though it said it was 100% charged from the outset.  I turned it on, and when I lifted the front to check the display, I heard the relays again.  And I brought it back to the store (though purchased online), and bought another one.  That one had the power plug slightly smashed, but I bent the prongs back and it works fine.

I guess I am going to have to start paying $400-$500 for a better brand.  After watching these videos, I will never trust APC.

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