JPH0638406A - Detecting and controlling device for abnormality of power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Power failure occurrence and its contents can be output to a computer system, and when a failure or performance deterioration of the uninterruptible power supply unit occurs, it is automatically disconnected and power is supplied from a normal uninterruptible power supply unit. Can be continued and the computer system is reliably protected from power failure. [Configuration] When a plurality of uninterruptible power supply units UPS # 2 to # 5 are connected to a computer system, the detection circuits D1 to D5 detect an abnormality on the primary or secondary side of these uninterruptible power supply units, and a microprocessor is used. At 11, while outputting an abnormality notification signal to the computer system, the switch circuit 10 is operated to disconnect the uninterruptible power supply unit in which the abnormality is detected, and a normal remaining uninterruptible power supply unit or another backup uninterruptible power supply. The configuration is such that the unit UPS # 1 is controlled to continue power supply.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention protects a computer system from an abnormality in the power supply, prevents the influence of the abnormality in the power supply from immediately affecting the computer system, and protects the data in the computer system. The present invention relates to a detection control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In computer systems, as the amount of data increases, the number of peripheral devices connected to a CPU such as an external storage device is increasing. Unless such a computer system is operating in an intelligent building or the like that has a large, large-capacity uninterruptible power supply installed to protect data from momentary power interruptions, power outages, etc. An uninterruptible power supply unit (UPS) was prepared for each device. However, in order to completely protect the data in the computer system by simply using the uninterruptible power supply unit, it was necessary for the operator to immediately respond when an abnormality occurred.

In view of the above points, the present invention makes it possible to output the occurrence of an abnormality and its contents to a computer system so that the data of the computer system can be protected even when unattended.
It also monitors the secondary output of the uninterruptible power supply unit and automatically disconnects it in the event of a failure or reduced capacity, allowing continuous power supply from a normal uninterruptible power supply unit to reliably protect the computer system from power failure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply abnormality detection control device that is made possible.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the power supply abnormality detection control device of the present invention includes (a) a power failure of the primary power supply of a plurality of uninterruptible power supply units connected to a computer system. A first detection circuit for detecting,
(B) A second detection circuit that detects an output voltage drop for each of the output voltages of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units, and (c) is inserted between the computer system and the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units. And (d) receiving an abnormality detection signal from one or both of the first and second detection circuits and outputting an abnormality notification signal indicating the occurrence of a power supply abnormality to the computer system, and If the abnormality detection signal from the detection circuit,
A control circuit that operates the switch circuit to disconnect the uninterruptible power supply unit in which an abnormality is detected, and controls to continue power supply from the normal remaining uninterruptible power supply unit or another backup uninterruptible power supply unit, and It has a configuration with.

[0005]

In the power supply abnormality detection control device of the present invention, the primary power supply (commercial power supply AC1) of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units connected to the computer system by the first detection circuit is used.
00V) power failure can be detected and notified to the host computer in the computer system via the control circuit. The host computer can execute an emergency process for saving the data in response to the abnormality notification signal from the control circuit. At that time, if a timer or the like is provided in the control circuit and the abnormality notification signal is not output immediately, it may be delayed until the output reaches the limit of the operable time of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units and output. If the power failure on the primary side is within the capability range of the uninterruptible power supply unit, it is possible to dispense with emergency processing.

Further, the second detection circuit detects an instantaneous output voltage drop for each of the output voltages of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units, and the control circuit switches the switch circuit, so that the failure or the capability is deteriorated. It is possible to automatically disconnect the uninterruptible power supply unit and continue power supply from the remaining normal uninterruptible power supply unit or another backup uninterruptible power supply unit.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a power supply abnormality detection control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a power supply abnormality detection control device according to the present invention, and shows a case where a computer system to be protected is a host computer HC and three terminal devices # 1 to # 3. In this figure, UPS # 1 to # 5 are uninterruptible power supply units, 10 is a relay switching circuit as a switch circuit, D1 to D5 are detection circuits, 11 is a microprocessor as a control circuit, and 1 is a control circuit.
2 is a ROM (read only memory), 13 is a relay driver controlled by a microprocessor, and 14
Is a power supply for this device.

Each of UPS # 1 to UPS # 5 has a built-in battery and has a primary commercial power supply (AC100).
In the case of a power failure of V), for example, for a few minutes to several tens of minutes, the secondary side has a function of continuously outputting AC 100V. Here, the UPS # 2 has a capacity capable of supplying power to at least the host computer HC of the computer system to be protected and the power supply 14 for this apparatus,
The UPS # 3 has at least a capacity capable of supplying power to the terminal equipment # 1, the UPS # 4 has at least a capacity capable of supplying power to the terminal equipment # 2, and the UPS # 5 has , And has a capacity capable of supplying power to at least the terminal device # 3. UPS # 1 is for backup and has a capacity equal to the sum of the maximum supply capacities of UPS # 2 to UPS # 5, or capable of supplying to the full load. If the switch SW to be described later is set to INT and the backup USP # 1 is not used,
For example, it is necessary to give USP # 2 or the like a supply capacity corresponding to the failure of another USP.

The relay switching circuit 10 includes K1 to K11.
And a changeover switch SW. Normally, UPS # 2 is connected to the host computer HC via relay K1, and UPS # 3 is relay K.
2, K9 is connected to the terminal device # 1, UPS # 4 is connected to the terminal device # 2 via the relays K3 and K10, and U
PS # 5 is connected to terminal device # 3 via relays K4 and K11. These relays K1 to K11 are relay drivers 13 controlled by the microprocessor 11.
Are driven by the drive signals S1 to S11.

The relays K9, K10 and K11 are normally on (connected to the UPS side), and can be turned off via the microprocessor 11 and the relay driver 13 according to an instruction from the host computer HC.

Each of the detection circuits D1 to D5 includes an AC voltage detector 20 for detecting an output voltage drop and an insulating photocoupler 21. The detection circuit D1 is
Primary side of S # 1 to # 5, that is, commercial power supply AC100
For detecting power failure of V, detection circuits D2 to D5
Is the output voltage of secondary side of UPS # 2 to # 5 (AC100
V) instantaneous output voltage drop (for example, power supply frequency 50Hz-
At 60 Hz, the level is lowered for one cycle or more).

Microprocessor (including input port, output port and communication port) 11 as a control circuit
Are connected to the host computer HC of the computer system to be protected by a communication line such as RS-232C. In addition, the microprocessor 11 uses the detection circuits D
ROM with receiving the abnormality detection signal of 1 to D5
It has a function of executing the software stored in the (read-only memory) 12.

The ROM 12 stores software having the following functions. a. A function of determining an abnormality on the primary side of the UPS based on the duration of the voltage drop detected by the detection circuit D1. b. A function that informs the host computer, etc. through a communication line that the commercial power supply on the primary side of the UPS is abnormal, the instantaneous level on the secondary side of the UPS has dropped, or the commercial power supply is in a normal state or recovered. c. A function of disconnecting the UPS whose secondary output has decreased and controlling to continue supplying power from another normal UPS or backup UPS # 1. d. Terminal equipment according to instructions from the host computer #
A function for turning on / off the power supplies 1 to # 3.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has two modes of operation. One is
Set the changeover switch SW in the relay changeover circuit 10 to I
UPS for backup when connected to NT side
This is an operation that does not use (does not need) # 1. In this case, when the detection circuit D1 detects a power failure of the UPS primary side, that is, the commercial power supply AC100V, the abnormality detection signal is sent to the microprocessor 11 as a control circuit. Specifically, when the power supply frequency is 50 Hz to 60 Hz, if there is a level drop of one cycle or more, the AC voltage detector 2 in the detection circuit D1
0 operates to send an abnormality detection signal to the microprocessor 11 via the photocoupler 21. The microprocessor 11 receives the abnormality detection signal from the detection circuit D1, recognizes the abnormality of the commercial power supply, and counts the duration of the abnormality detection signal. Commercial power outages are U
When the PS # 2 to # 5 is restored in a time considerably shorter than the operable time (when the duration of the abnormality detection signal is considerably shorter than the UPS operable time), the microprocessor 11 is the host of the computer system to be protected. No abnormality notification signal is output to the computer HC. Therefore,
The host computer HC does not perform emergency processing for saving the data.

When the abnormality detection signal from the detection circuit D1 continues to the vicinity of the operable time limit of each of UPS # 2 to # 5, the timer function set in the microprocessor 11 causes the time before the operable time limit to be reached. RS signal an abnormality notification signal to the host computer HC at the timing of
-Output via a communication line such as 232C. The host computer HC receives the abnormality notification signal from the microprocessor 11 and executes an emergency process for storing data. For example, if the UPS operable time is 5 minutes and the emergency processing time is 2 minutes or less, the abnormality notification signal is not issued within 3 minutes of the power failure, and the abnormality notification signal is output when the UPS exceeds 3 minutes. To perform emergency processing.

The detection circuits D2 to D5 are UPS # 2 to #.
Each of the 5 secondary outputs is monitored. Then, when the secondary side output has decreased (or an abnormality has occurred), an abnormality detection signal is sent to the microprocessor 11. Specifically, when the power supply frequency is 50 Hz to 60 Hz and the level drops for one cycle or more, the AC voltage detector 20 in the detection circuits D2 to D5 is activated, and an abnormality detection signal is sent to the microprocessor 11 via the photocoupler 21. I will send it. The microprocessor 11 is a relay driver 13
The UPS in which the abnormality is detected is disconnected via the relay, and the connection of each relay is controlled so that the power supply is continued from the remaining normal UPS. For example, when the voltage of UPS # 2 is low (abnormal), the detection circuit D2 detects it and outputs an abnormality detection signal to the microprocessor 11, and the microprocessor 11 causes the relay switching circuit 10 to operate via the relay driver 13. The relay K1 is operated to disconnect the UPS # 2 from the host computer HC, and at the same time, any one of the relays K6, K7 and K8 is operated to connect one of the UPS # 3 to # 5 to the host computer HC. The opening and closing time of these relay contacts is 50Hz.
Approximately equal to or less than one cycle of ~ 60Hz,
It does not hinder the operation of the computer system.

The above description of the operation is based on the relay switching circuit 1
When the changeover switch SW in 0 is connected to the INT side and the backup UPS # 1 is not used (is not necessary), but there is no margin in the power capacity of each UPS # 2 to # 5. Need to provide backup UPS # 1.

The operation when the changeover switch SW is connected to the EXT side will be described below. The operation of outputting the abnormality notification signal to the host computer HC at the time of a power failure of the UPS primary side, that is, the commercial power supply AC100V is the same, but the UPS output reduction or the UPS switching method at the time of abnormality is different. That is, the detection circuits D2 to D5 are UPS
Secondary side output drop (or abnormality) in any of # 2 to # 5
When it detects that the abnormality detection signal is sent to the microprocessor 11, the microprocessor 11 disconnects the UPS in which the abnormality is detected through the relay driver 13 and continues the immediate power supply from the backup UPS # 1. , Control the connection of each relay. For example, UP
When the voltage of S # 2 is low (abnormal), the detection circuit D2 detects it and outputs an abnormality detection signal to the microprocessor 11, and the microprocessor 11 causes the relay K1 in the relay switching circuit 10 via the relay driver 13. To disconnect UPS # 2 from the host computer HC. At this time, since the switch SW is set to the EXT side, immediate power supply is executed from the backup UPS # 1.

After executing the emergency processing for data storage, the host computer HC turns off the terminal devices # 1 to # 3 in a predetermined order (disconnects from the UPS). This operation is performed by the microprocessor 11 receiving the instruction from the host computer HC and the relay driver 1
This is done by turning off the relays K9 to K11 via 3. Such an operation is also effective for protecting the built-in battery due to over discharge of UPS.

In the above embodiment, the computer system to be protected has three terminal devices, but the present invention is applicable to a computer system having an arbitrary number of terminal devices. it is obvious.

[0022]

As described above, according to the power supply abnormality detection control device of the present invention, the power failure of the primary power supply (commercial power supply AC100V) of the uninterruptible power supply unit is detected, and the abnormality notification signal is sent via the control circuit. Can be output to a computer system, and as a result, emergency processing for saving data can be executed in the computer system. At that time, if a timer or the like is provided in the control circuit so that the abnormality notification signal is not immediately output, but is output with a delay within the operable time range of the uninterruptible power supply unit, the uninterruptible power supply unit If it is within the capability range of, it is possible not to execute emergency processing. Also,
For each output voltage of each uninterruptible power supply unit,
By detecting the instantaneous output voltage drop and switching the switch circuit by the control circuit, the uninterruptible power supply unit that has failed or has reduced capacity is automatically disconnected, and the remaining normal uninterruptible power supply unit or another uninterruptible power supply for backup. It is possible to continue the power supply from the unit and realize perfect uninterruption. Also, since the above operation is automatically executed,
You can protect the data of your computer system even when it is unattended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a power supply abnormality detection control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Relay Switching Circuit 11 Microprocessor 12 ROM 13 Relay Driver 14 Power Supply for This Device D1 to D5 Detection Circuit UPS # 1 to # 5 Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit HC Host Computer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first detection circuit for detecting a power failure of a primary side power supply of a plurality of uninterruptible power supply units connected to a computer system, and an output for each output voltage of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units. A second detection circuit for detecting a voltage drop, a switch circuit inserted between the computer system and the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units, and abnormality detection from one or both of the first and second detection circuits. In response to the signal, the abnormality notification signal indicating the occurrence of power abnormality is output to the computer system, and the second
If it is an abnormality detection signal from the detection circuit, the switch circuit is activated to disconnect the uninterruptible power supply unit in which the abnormality is detected, and the normal remaining uninterruptible power supply unit or another backup uninterruptible power supply unit A power supply abnormality detection control device, comprising: a control circuit for controlling to continue power supply. 2. The control circuit does not immediately output the abnormality notification signal of the primary-side power supply, but delays and outputs it within the operable time range of the plurality of uninterruptible power supply units. The power supply abnormality detection control device according to claim 1.