Event-Driven Command Files

If required, PowerChute can be configured to execute a command file after certain events are triggered. Click the  symbol on the event row and select the Enable Command File check box.

Delay: Enter the amount of time in seconds that PowerChute should wait when the event occurs before executing the command file.

If a shutdown command file is also configured, both command files will be executed in parallel.

Full path to command file: You must specify the full path name of the command file, including the disk drive or volume name.

The command file runs using the local system account. PowerChute cannot execute programs that require interaction with the desktop; only command line-enabled programs are supported.

The command file must be located in the user_files folder, or a sub-folder, in the PowerChute installation directory. If the default installation directory was chosen during installation, this location will be:

  • C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\user_files for Windows systems

  • /opt/APC/PowerChute/user_files/ for Linux systems

NOTE: If you are upgrading to PowerChute v5.2, any command files used in a previous version of PowerChute must be manually added to the user_files folder. If the command files are not added to the directory, you will see the below errors/warnings for all events configured to run a command file in the Event Log. For example:

ERROR: Event PowerFailed is enabled for command file execution, but an invalid value for event_PowerFailed_commandFilePath is specified.        

WARNING: Disabling command file execution for event PowerFailed due to bad parameters. Please validate the configuration.

It is strongly recommended you validate your configuration after an upgrade.