Abstract:
Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to a system or method for changing power states of an uninterruptible power supply. In one aspect, the present invention features a method of monitoring a power state of a power device. The method may comprise receiving from one of a plurality of sources a request to change the power state of the power device, initiating a change of power state based on the request, logging an identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state, a type of change of power state, and a time of change of power state, and communicating through a user interface the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    At least one example in accordance with the present invention relates generally to systems and methods for providing power and more specifically to control systems and methods for changing power states in power devices. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of power devices, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), to provide regulated, uninterrupted power for sensitive and/or critical loads, such as computer systems and other data processing systems, is known. A number of different UPS products are available including those identified under the trade name SMART-UPS from American Power Conversion Corporation of West Kingston R.I. In a typical UPS, a battery is used to provide backup power for a critical load during blackout or brownout conditions. A user of a typical UPS is able to configure and control the UPS either through a computer coupled to the UPS or using through a user interface of the UPS itself. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to a system or method for changing power states of a power device. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the present invention features a method of monitoring a power state of a UPS. The method may comprise receiving from one of a plurality of sources a request to change the power state of the UPS, initiating a change of power state based on the request, logging an identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state, a type of change of power state, and a time of change of power state, and communicating through a user interface the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include communicating through the user interface the request to change the power state and the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a shutdown of an outlet of the UPS. According to another embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a powering off of the UPS. According to another embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a sleep mode of the UPS. According to another embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a reboot of the UPS. According to another embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a reboot of an outlet of the UPS. According to another embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include initiating a gradual shutdown of loads attached to the UPS. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise communicating through the user interface the type of change of power state. According to another embodiment, the method may further comprise communicating through the user interface the time of change of power state. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise communicating a warning to a load impacted by the change of power state. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, initiating the change of power state may include powering off at least one group of outlets of the UPS after a first time period has elapsed, and powering off the UPS after a second time period has elapsed. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the present invention features an uninterruptible power supply. The uninterruptible power supply may comprise a housing, a first input to receive power from a first power source, a second input to receive power from a second power source, an output operatively coupled to the first input and the second input and configured to provide power, a user interface disposed within the housing, and a controller coupled to the user interface. The controller may be configured to receive from one of a plurality of sources a request to change the power state of the UPS, initiate a change of power state based on the request, log an identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state, a type of change of power state, and a time of change of power state, and communicate through the user interface the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, in initiating the change of power state based on the request, the controller may be further configured to communicate through the user interface the request to change the power state and the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a shutdown of an outlet of the UPS. According to another embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a powering off of the UPS. According to another embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a sleep mode of the UPS. According to another embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a reboot of the UPS. According to another embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a reboot of an outlet of the UPS. According to another embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to initiate a gradual shutdown of loads attached to the UPS. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to communicate through the user interface the type of change of power state. According to another embodiment, the controller may be further configured to communicate through the user interface the time of change of power state. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to communicate a warning to a load impacted by the change of power state. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment, in initiating the change of power state, the controller may be further configured to power off at least one group of outlets of the UPS after a first time period has elapsed, and power off the UPS after a second time period has elapsed. 
         [0018]    According to one embodiment, the second power source may be a battery included in the UPS. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, the present invention features an uninterruptible power supply. The uninterruptible power supply may comprise a housing, a first input to receive power from a first power source, a second input to receive power from a second power source, an output operatively coupled to the first input and the second input and configured to provide power, and a means for identifying a source of a request to change the power state of the UPS. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, the means for identifying the source of the request to change the power state may include means for communicating an identity of the source of the request to change the power state of the UPS. According to another embodiment, the means for identifying the source of the request to change the power state may include means for logging an identity of the source of the request to change the power state of the UPS. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various FIGs. is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an example block diagram of a UPS in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a user interface including a display that is housed in a UPS in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an example of a user interface structure in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a process diagram of a process for changing power states in a UPS in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    At least some examples in accordance with the present invention relate to systems and processes for providing improved control, monitoring and/or configuration of uninterruptible power supplies. 
         [0027]    The aspects disclosed herein in accordance with the present invention, are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. These aspects are capable of assuming other examples and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, elements and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows an on-line UPS  10  used to provide regulated, uninterrupted power in accordance with one example of the invention. In one example, the UPS  10  is included in a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) which may be a floor-mount PDU or a rack-mount PDU. The UPS  10  includes an input circuit breaker/filter  12 , a rectifier  14 , a control switch  15 , a controller  16 , a battery  18 , an inverter  20 , an isolation transformer  22 , a DC/DC converter  28 , an interface  30 , data storage  32  and external system interface  34 . The UPS  10  also includes an input  24  for coupling to an AC power source, and at least one outlet  26  for coupling to a load. In one example, the outlet  26  may be an unswitched outlet. An unswitched outlet provides power when the UPS  10  is on and does not provide power when the UPS  10  is off. In another example, the UPS  10  may also include at least one switched outlet  27  capable of being operated by the controller  16 . A switched outlet is capable of being turned off when the UPS  10  is still on. Additionally, in another example, the UPS  10  may further include a plurality of outlets configured to be controlled together as an outlet group. The outlets in the outlet group are turned on and off together. A UPS may have multiple outlet groups. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the interface  30  may be a user interface. In one example, the user interface  30  is an alphanumeric user interface. In another example, the UPS  10  exposes the interface functionality discussed herein through the external system interface  34 . In this example, the UPS  10  provides an interface application program interface (API) that includes a set of standards for invoking the interface functionality of the UPS  10 . The specific interface functions that may be invoked using the interface API include any interface functionality provide by the UPS  10 . Thus, using an external system that is configured to interact with the UPS  10  via the interface API, the user can, for example, shutdown the UPS  10 , retrieve or store values for specific operational parameters in the data storage  32 , or display information on the interface display  50  or on the external system. 
         [0030]    It should be appreciated that even though examples in accordance with the present invention are described herein for use with an on-line UPS, some examples may be used with other UPS topologies including off-line and line interactive UPS&#39;s. Further, at least some examples described herein may be used with power devices other than UPS&#39;s including, but not limited to, outlet strips, power converters, line conditioners, surge protectors, power conditioners, Power Distribution Units (PDU) and Rack PDUs. 
         [0031]    The UPS  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , operates as follows. The circuit breaker/filter  12  receives input AC power from the AC power source through the input  24 , filters the input AC power and provides filtered AC power to the rectifier  14 . The rectifier  14  rectifies the input voltage. The DC/DC converter  28  regulates DC power from the battery  18 . The control switch  15  receives the rectified power and also receives the DC power from the DC/DC converter  28 . The controller  16  determines whether the power available from the rectifier  14  is within predetermined tolerances, and if so, controls the control switch  15  to provide the power from the rectifier  14  to the inverter  20 . If the power from the rectifier  14  is not within the predetermined tolerances, which may occur because of “brown out” or “black out” conditions, or due to power surges, then the controller  16  controls the control switch  15  to provide the DC power from the DC/DC Converter  28  to the inverter  20 . 
         [0032]    In an alternative example, the battery  18  is coupled to the rectifier circuit and the rectifier  14  functions as a boost converter in on-line mode of operation and on-battery mode of operation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,402,921, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Providing Uninterruptible Power,” issued Jul. 22, 2008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0033]    The inverter  20  of the UPS  10  receives DC power and converts the DC power to AC power and regulates the AC power to predetermined specifications. The inverter  20  provides the regulated AC power to the isolation transformer  22 . The isolation transformer  22  is used to increase or decrease the voltage of the AC power from the inverter  20  and to provide isolation between a load and the UPS  10 . The isolation transformer  22  is an optional device, the use of which is dependent on UPS output power specifications. Depending on the capacity of the battery  18  and the power requirements of the load, the UPS  10  can provide power to the load during brief power source dropouts or for extended power outages. 
         [0034]    Using data stored in associated memory, the controller  16  performs one or more instructions that may result in manipulated data, and the controller  16  monitors and controls operation of the UPS  10 . In some examples, the controller  16  may include one or more processors or other types of controllers. In one example, the controller  16  is a commercially available, general purpose processor. In another example, the controller  16  performs a portion of the functions disclosed herein on a general purpose processor and performs another portion using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) tailored to perform particular operations. As illustrated by these examples, examples in accordance with the present invention may perform the operations described herein using many specific combinations of hardware and software and the invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software components. 
         [0035]    The data storage  32  stores computer readable and writable information required for the operation of the UPS  10 . This information may include, among other data, data subject to manipulation by the controller  16  and instructions that are executable by the controller  16  to manipulate data. The data storage  32  may be a relatively high performance, volatile, random access memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static memory (SRAM) or may be a nonvolatile storage media such as magnetic disk or flash memory. In one example, the data storage  32  includes both volatile and non-volatile storage. Various examples in accord with the present invention can organize the data storage  32  into particularized and, in some cases, unique structures to perform the aspects and functions disclosed herein. In addition, these data structures may be specifically configured to conserve storage space or increase data exchange performance. 
         [0036]    The external system interface  34  exchanges data with one or more external devices. These external devices may include any device configured to communicate using standards and protocols supported by the UPS  10 . Examples of specific standards and protocols that the external system interface  34  may support include parallel, serial, and USB interfaces. Other examples of these supported protocols and standards include networking technologies such as UDP, TCP/IP and Ethernet technologies. In at least some examples, the external system interface includes a network management card (NMC) and a USB interface. 
         [0037]    The user interface  30  includes a display screen and a set of keys through which a user of the UPS  10  can monitor, control and configure operation of the UPS  10 .  FIG. 2  depicts an external view of the UPS  10  including the user interface  30 . The user interface  30  includes a power button  40 , a replace battery indicator  42 , a warning indicator  44 , an on-battery power indicator  46 , an on-line power indicator  48 , an interface display  50 , a scroll up button  52 , a scroll down button  54 , an enter button  56  and an escape button  58 . 
         [0038]    The user interface  30  functions as follows. The power button  40 , when actuated, will cause the UPS  10  to toggle between power-on and power-off states. According to some examples, the UPS  10  performs a series of accompanying actions to better manage these power state transitions. 
         [0039]    The set of indicators  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  provide various information regarding current and prior states of the UPS  10 . For example, the UPS  10  may determine by running a self-test, that the battery  18  needs to be replaced. In this instance, the UPS  10  illuminates the replace battery indicator  42  to communicate this need. 
         [0040]    The on-line power indicator  48  and the on-battery power indicator  46  signal the current source of power to the load. An active on-line power indicator  48  signals that the UPS  10  is providing power to the load in a normal operating fashion, i.e. the source of the power is the AC received through input  24 . Conversely, an active on-battery power indicator  46  signals that the source of the power to the load is battery  18 . 
         [0041]    In another example, the UPS  10  may determine, for a variety of reasons, that the attention of a user is needed. The reasons may include, among others, detection that the battery  18  is disconnected or that the battery  18  has been depleted by the load. In this case, the UPS  10  signals the need for user attention by activating the warning indicator  44 . In addition, the UPS  10  may provide a description of the reason for the warning in the interface display  50 . 
         [0042]    The interface display  50 , which can be fashioned by a variety of hardware components including Liquid Crystal Displays and Light Emitting Diodes, presents a wide variety of information to a user. This information may include monitoring information, such as the status warnings discussed above. In addition, this information may include configuration information and prompts through which the UPS  10  collects information from the user. Together, the interface display  50  and buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  provide the UPS  10  with more flexibility in exchanging information with the user than is available using conventional UPS technology. 
         [0043]    In one example, UPS  10  includes an interface structure that can be navigated by the user using the interface display  50  and buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58 . This interface structure may include a variety of elements related to one another in various ways. For example, the interface structure may be a hierarchical menu structure. The behavior initiated by actuation of the buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  is dependent upon the current location of the user in the interface structure, as is the information displayed in the interface display  50 . 
         [0044]    For example, the current location of the user may be an intermediate location within the interface structure, i.e. the current location connects to other elements of the interface structure. In this situation, the interface display  50  displays one of a list of the other elements of the interface structure connected to the user&#39;s current location and the buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are configured to provide navigational functions. In this mode, the user can move through, and cause the interface display  50  to display each element of, the list of the elements of the interface structure that are connected to the current location. More precisely, the user can move up the list by actuating the scroll up button  52  and down the list by actuating the scroll down button  54 . Furthermore, the user can navigate to the element of the interface structure currently displayed in interface  50  by actuating the enter button  56 . Conversely, the user can navigate to the user&#39;s previous location in the interface structure by actuating the escape button  58 . 
         [0045]    In another example, the current location of the user in the interface structure may cause the UPS  10  to display review information to the user via the interface display  50 . This review information may be any information stored within the UPS  10  and may include, among other information, configuration information, operational information and information regarding other devices in communication with the UPS  10 , such as devices to which the UPS  10  supplies power. In one example, the interface display  50  displays an element belonging to a list of review information and the buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are configured to provide review functions. Under this configuration, the user can move through, and cause the interface display  50  to display each element of the list of review information. More specifically, and much like the navigational mode discussed above, the user can navigate up or down the list of review information by actuating the scroll up button  52  or the scroll down button  54 . Furthermore, the user can navigate to the user&#39;s previous location in the interface structure by actuating the escape button  58 . In at least some examples, actuation of the enter button  56 , while in this mode, results in an error message explaining that the other keys are the valid keys at the user&#39;s current location within the interface structure. 
         [0046]    According to another example, the current location of the user in the interface structure may cause the UPS  10  to prompt the user for information through the interface display  50 . The information prompted for may be any information stored within the UPS  10  and may include, among other information, configuration information, information regarding the source of power into the UPS  10  and information regarding other devices in communication with the UPS  10 , such as devices to which the UPS  10  supplies power. In this instance, the interface display  50  displays a prompt for information and the buttons  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are configured to provide data entry functions. In this situation, the user can adjust the information displayed in the interface display  50  and enter answers to the prompts. More specifically, the user can change the answer to the prompt using the scroll up button  52  or the scroll down button  54 . For example, a user can toggle a Boolean value from true to false or from yes to no, by actuating either of buttons  52  or  54 . In another example, the user can increase or decrease a numerical answer displayed in the prompt by actuating the scroll up button  52  or the scroll down button  54 . In still another example, the user can scroll up or down a list of answers using the scroll up button  52  or the scroll down button  54 . In addition, the user can enter the currently displayed answer for the prompt by actuating the enter button  56 . The user can also exit the prompt without saving the currently displayed answer by actuating the escape key  58 . Thus, the particular arrangement and function of the user interface  30  provides users with sundry advantages over conventional UPS interfaces. 
         [0047]    The user interface shown in  FIG. 2  may be implemented in other examples using different configurations of buttons, different styles of buttons and using display screens of different sizes. For example, in one example the interface display  50  is a touch screen interface upon which the buttons are rendered for user input. In this example, the sizes, colors and arrangement of the buttons may be altered based on a number of factors including, among others, the level of expertise of the user, the availability of the buttons to accept input and the current status of the UPS. Thus examples of the invention allow the UPS interface to be tailored to the requirements of a variety of users. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a user interface structure  300  in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated example, the main menu  302  provides access to screens  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314 . 
         [0049]    The status screen  304  provides access to various screens that display a variety of information regarding the status of the UPS  10 . The configuration screen  306  provides access to several screens that allow a user to configure a variety of parameters that control the operation of the UPS  10 . The about screen  308  allows users to access a variety of screens that display information concerning components of UPS  10 . The control screen  310  provides users with access to screens that control the operation of the UPS  10 . The logs screen  312  provides access to logged event information. The test and diagnostics screen  314  provides access to screens that allow a user to verify that the UPS  10  is in proper operational condition. 
         [0050]    The various screens depicted in  FIG. 3  function as follows. From the main menu screen  302 , a user can move through any of screens  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  that are active by actuating the scroll up button  52  and the scroll down button  54 . In addition, a user can change position in the interface structure  300  to one of screens  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  by actuating the enter button  56  while the desired screen is displayed. 
         [0051]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , each of screens  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  allow a user to navigate to the screens positioned beneath them in the interface structure  300 . For example, a user currently positioned at the control screen  310  can move through any of screens  390 ,  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394 , and  395  that are active by actuating the scroll up button  52  and the scroll down button  54 . Furthermore, a user can change position in the interface structure  300  to any of screens  390 ,  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394 , and  395  that are active by actuating the enter button  56  while the desired screen is displayed. Also, from the control screen  310 , the user can move one level up in the interface structure  300 , i.e. to the main menu screen  302 , by actuating the escape key  58 . Each of screens  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  312  and  314  provide analogous navigation of the active screens positioned beneath them in the interface structure  300 . 
         [0052]    Continuing the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the screens that are accessible via the control screen  310  allow the user to change the operational state of the UPS  10 . In this example, the user can navigate to a particular control screen by using the scroll up button  52  and the scroll down button  54 . The user may change position in the interface structure  300  to the currently displayed control screen by actuating the enter button  56 . Once positioned at a particular control screen, the user may cause the UPS  10  to perform an action associated with the screen by again actuating the enter button  56 . In response, the UPS  10  performs the confirmed action. Conversely, when positioned at a particular control screen, the user may abort the action and return to the control screen  310  by actuating the escape button  56 . 
         [0053]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the control screens that are accessible via the control screen  310  provide access to a variety of actions that change the operational state of the UPS  10 . Operational states may include, but are not limited to, power states such as a power on state, a power off state, a reboot state, a sleep state, an outlet reboot state, or an outlet shutdown state. For example, the turn UPS off screen  390  allows the user to initiate a powering down of the UPS  10 . The reboot UPS screen  391  allows the user to initiate a power cycling of the UPS  10 . The put UPS to sleep screen  392  allows the user to cause the UPS  10  to enter a reduced power consumption mode in which the UPS  10  adjusts the power made available to the load in proportion to the power demanded by the load. The toggle outlet group power screen  393  gives the user the ability to turn power supplied to particular outlet groups on or off. The reboot outlet group screen  394  provides the user with the ability to cycle the power to particular outlet groups. The cancel outlet group reboot  395  provides the user with the ability to cancel a reboot of a particular outlet group. 
         [0054]    A request to change states of the UPS  10  according to any of control screens  390  to  395  may be made by a variety of sources including, but not limited to, a user through the user interface  30 , preprogrammed software in the controller  16 , software from an external device connected to the external system interface  34 , a NMC connected to the external system interface  34 , and a server including an NMC, software or some other entity connected to the external system interface  34  and configured to send control signals to the UPS  10 . Responsive to a request to change states of the UPS  10 , the source of the request is stored in data storage  32 . 
         [0055]    In one example, a request to turn off an outlet group is made by a source responsive to a determination that the UPS  10  can no longer support its required load. Responsive to a determination that the UPS  10  can no longer support its required load, a source may request that the UPS  10  shed (shutdown) certain loads or outlets to make enough power available to the remaining loads. In one example, loads may be assigned priorities and the lower priority loads will be shutdown first resulting in additional power becoming available for the higher priority loads. In another example, responsive to a determination that the UPS is again able to support its entire required load, the previously shutdown loads are powered up. The source of the requests to shed loads and to repower the shed loads is stored. 
         [0056]    Each of screens  390 ,  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394  and  395  allow the user to effect changes in the operational state of the UPS  10  that affect the load. The warn loads screen  396 , which is displayed by the UPS  10  after confirmation of a request facilitated by any of screens  390 - 395 , allows the user to cause the UPS  10  to notify the elements of the load of the imminent operational state change. Also, in one example, during the powering off of the UPS  10 , the different outlet groups may be turned off gradually before the entire UPS  10  is turned off. For example, when a request is made to turn off the UPS  10 , a first outlet group may be turned off first, followed by a second outlet group and finally the entire UPS  10 . 
         [0057]    The countdown screen  397  displays a timed countdown until each element of the requested operational state change is completed by the UPS  10 . For example, responsive to different outlet groups being shut down gradually, a timed countdown will occur individually for the powering down of each group and a final timed countdown will occur for the complete shutdown of the UPS  10 . 
         [0058]    In one example, before the timed countdown is displayed, the countdown screen  396  may also display information regarding the source and manner of the request to change states of the UPS  10 . For example, if a request to turn off an outlet group is made by software in an attempt to shed loads, before the timed countdowns began, “Group 1 shutdown by software initiated” would be displayed. Also, if a request to reboot the UPS  10  is made by a NMC, before the timed countdown began, “UPS reboot by NMC started” would be displayed. 
         [0059]    In another example, after the requested state changes have been completed, the information regarding the source and manner of the request, displayed before the timed countdowns started, is displayed again on the user interface  30 . For example, if a request to turn off the UPS  10  is made by a user through the user interface  30 , “UPS turned off by user” would be displayed. Also, if a request to turn off the UPS is made by the controller  16  of the UPS  10  as a result of an error, “UPS turn off by fault” would be displayed. 
         [0060]    Also, in other examples in which the UPS  10  has been powered off, the information regarding the source and manner of the request may be available to view on the user interface  30  until the UPS  10  is powered up again. In one example, after a certain amount of time has elapsed, the information regarding the source and manner of the request is removed from the user interface  30 ; however, responsive to a user pressing any one of the buttons on the user interface  30  except the power button  40 , the information regarding the source and manner of the request is displayed again. 
         [0061]    In one example, once the UPS  10  is completely turned off, it may only be powered up again by a user pressing the power button  40 . In another example, the UPS  10  may be powered up again by a request from any one of the sources previously discussed. 
         [0062]    In another example, the turn UPS off screen  390  may be transitioned to immediately upon a user pressing the power button  40 . In one example, a continued pressing of the power button  40  in response to inquiries on the user interface  30  will automatically select a default or recommended decision in response to the inquiries. In another example, in response to the power button  40  being held down, no inquiries will be asked of the user and the UPS  10  will automatically begin to power down. 
         [0063]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the operation of the UPS  10  with regard to the pressing of the power button  40  will now be described. At block  402 , the power button  40  is pressed by a user. At block  404 , the user either selects “yes” to confirm the turn off request, or “no” to cancel the turn off request. At block  406 , the user either selects “yes” to warn connecting loads of the impending turn off process, or “no” not to warn connecting loads of the impending turn off process. At block  408 , responsive to a “yes” selection at block  406 , the loads are warned of the impending turn off process. At block  410 , either responsive to a “no” selection at block  406  or after the loads were warned at block  408 , the UPS turn off is acknowledged on the user interface  30  along with state change request source information. In this example, the user interface  30  would display “UPS turned off by user.” At block  412 , a first outlet group is powered down after the expiration of a first timer. At block  414 , a second outlet group is powered down after the expiration of a second timer. At block  416 , the UPS  10  is completely powered down after the expiration of a final timer. At block  428 , the state change request source information is displayed on the user interface  30 . In this example, “UPS turned off by user” would be displayed. 
         [0064]    In one example, information regarding a change of state request (e.g. type of state change, source of request, and time of request) may be logged for future use. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the log screens that are accessible via the logs screen  312  provide access to historical performance information related to the UPS  10 . In one example, the historical performance information may include state change request source information (e.g. by software, NMC, user, UPS). In another example, the historical performance information may include types of state changes (e.g. turn off, shutdown, reboot) that have been requested. In another example, the historical performance information may include times at which state change requests were made. According to the example shown in  FIG. 3 , once the logs screen  312  is selected via the enter button  56 , the user can navigate to screens  381  and  383  using the scroll up button  52  and the scroll down button  54 . The transfer log screen  381  displays the reason for the last ten transfers of power from on-line power to on-battery power. The fault log screen  383  displays the reason for the last ten instances when the UPS  10  was powered down. It should be appreciated that the log screens accessible via the logs screen  312  are not limited to a transfer log screen and a fault log screen and may be configured to display any historical performance information that has been previously saved. 
         [0065]    It should be appreciated that the interface structure  300  may include a different configuration of screens used to operate the UPS. It should also be appreciated that blocks of method  400  may be performed in a different order than that depicted in  FIG. 4 , as the present invention is not limited to the specific order shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0066]    Having thus described several aspects of at least one example of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.