What Happens To Security System When Power Goes Out?

Security systems are devices commonly installed on property premises to safeguard homes, providing peace of mind to owners that their important assets are secure. The latest security systems boast advanced features such as motion detection, door break detection, and two-way communication, enhancing security comprehensively. Over the years, security system companies have significantly improved their mobile applications, offering complete control, including the management of sensor sensitivity.

While security systems operate effectively with electrical power, the concern arises during sudden power outages. Questions about the system’s functionality under such circumstances and whether it continues to work may disturb your peace of mind. However, there’s no need to worry, as we have conducted thorough research on the functional changes that occur during a power outage. The guide not only addresses these concerns but also explores alternatives and approaches you can employ in the event of a power outage in your local area. Stay with us until the end of the article for comprehensive insights.

What Happens To Security System When Power Goes Out?

The common question that comes to mind is, what happens to a security system during a power outage in your local area? The answer depends on the type or model of your security system. All security devices, including motion sensors, cameras, and alarm systems, will typically shut down during a power outage. However, this isn’t always the case, as modern security systems often have backup solutions. These can include a power source that activates batteries in a power failure.

The duration of the power outage is a crucial factor to consider. Backup power sources are usually designed to last for a few hours. A prolonged power outage will deplete the stored charge in the batteries, rendering the system completely disabled. In such situations, the user’s top priority is replacing or recharging the battery.

Other important considerations include the type of connection the security system uses. Landline phone connections are unaffected by power outages and remain operational. In contrast, Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections require a backup power source to maintain internet connectivity.

How to Use a Security System When Power Goes Out?

1. Using Cellular Connection

Instead of relying on the active power source for your security system, consider our alternative: utilizing the Cellular network connection. This ensures that, in the event of a power outage, your security system remains unaffected and continues to function regardless of the power source. A cellular network provides wireless connectivity, a concept similar to what you experience with your mobile phone. Likewise, you can employ a Cellular network to communicate with your central security system unit through your mobile device.

In contrast to cable or Wi-Fi-based security systems that depend entirely on active power, the prolonged power outage in your local area significantly impacts their functionality as they rely solely on active power. Additionally, using a phone line or wired connection presents a notable drawback: burglars can exploit vulnerabilities by cutting or detaching the wires of the Wi-Fi router or phone lines to gain access to your home or property.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to note that a Cellular connection requires a minimal amount of power supply for basic functionality such as sending and receiving signals and maintaining connectivity. However, this demand is minor, requiring only a few volts. To address this, it’s advisable to have a backup battery installed in your security system.

To fully benefit from these reliable services, ensure your security system is equipped with a cellular communicator. Modern systems come with built-in cellular communicators, while conventional security systems may need external installation of these services. Additionally, you’ll need to purchase a subscription plan to access and enjoy wireless cellular services. The subscription price varies based on the available cellular network in your country. Some security system companies include a cellular plan in their annual monitoring packages, or you can opt to purchase it separately according to your preferences.

So We can say that a Cellular connection provides a reliable and wireless approach to connectivity, enhancing the overall effectiveness and security of the system, even during a power outage in the local area.

2. Using Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP)

A lesser-known service is not widely utilized in the market due to users’ lack of awareness about this technology. We’re referring to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. When your local area frequently experiences power outages and you have a fully wired security system set up to deactivate in the absence of power, we recommend opting for VoIP. VoIP enables individuals to transmit and receive signals in the form of calls over the internet, ensuring that your system doesn’t rely on traditional phone lines or wired connections. Utilizing VoIP for communication between your monitoring center and mobile devices provides a dependable and secure option, offering features such as two-way communication.

Similar to cellular connections, VoIP necessitates a power source and, crucially, an internet connection. However, to fully enjoy these wireless services, it’s essential to have a backup power source in place for both VoIP and the Wi-Fi router providing internet connectivity during power outages. This backup power source can take the form of batteries or a UPS, and for internet access, you can use a cellular connection instead of a Wi-Fi router or establish a hotspot through your mobile phone.

3. Using Wi-Fi or Ethernet

If you are still using a security system reliant on a power supply, power outages may be causing disruptions. We suggest initially checking if your security system supports Wi-Fi connectivity. While most security systems do support Wi-Fi, it’s not a universal feature. Wi-Fi proves beneficial during power outages. Essentially, Wi-Fi or Ethernet services enable users to connect their security systems to the Internet, providing access to features such as real-time streaming, two-way communication, cloud storage, and smart integration capabilities.

You require a power source and a Wi-Fi router to utilize Wi-Fi or Ethernet services. A power backup is essential to charge your router or Ethernet in case of a power outage. You can employ batteries or a UPS system to achieve this goal, ensuring an uninterrupted and reliable security system.

4. Phone Line Systems

We’d like to highlight another option: the traditional approach of utilizing a phone line system. This method typically employs traditional phone landlines to establish communication between security devices and the central control unit. Conventional phone line systems ensure the independence of your security system, regardless of power outages or lack of electrical power. This safeguards against burglars gaining an advantage during power outages, as the alarm system can detect their presence and alert you to any unauthorized activity.

It is crucial, however, to guarantee that you have a reliable backup power source, such as a battery or UPS arrangement, for the components of the phone line system. It’s advisable to confirm the compatibility of your security system with the phone line system beforehand. Investing in such a system without compatibility could result in a wasteful expenditure of your money and resources. This caution is necessary because contemporary security systems are typically designed exclusively for Internet or cellular-based communication services.

5. Use Battery Powered Cameras

Batteries, known devices for storing charges, serve as substitutes for electrical power where such provision is absent. In scenarios lacking electrical supply, batteries emerge as a wireless solution to power devices. Relying on battery-operated cameras and security systems eliminates dependence on electricity. Importantly, this approach does not compromise the performance of the security system. Battery-powered devices exhibit various capabilities, including detecting individual movement, storing footage in cloud storage, and triggering alarms responding to any unwarranted activity on your property. Utilizing batteries for security systems offers enhanced flexibility and convenience, ensuring system reliability during power outages.

When operating a security system, attending to certain aspects is crucial. Regularly checking the battery’s health is necessary. If the battery is devoid of charge, recharging or replacing it with a new one is sometimes required.

6. Use DIY or Solar Powered Cameras

The latest trend in security systems is those that operate independently of electrical power. Many countries have implemented various policies and subsidies to encourage solar-powered devices. The sources generating electrical power are predominantly non-renewable and diminishing over time. Therefore, adopting solar power devices is the optimal approach to conserving these resources.

Solar-powered cameras offer customization options; you can assemble them manually using various components. Equipped with solar panels, these cameras harness solar energy, converting it into usable electrical power. This eliminates the reliance on conventional electrical sources, ensuring the cameras function independently. They continue to operate effectively even during power outages.

However, a drawback of solar-based security systems is their dependency on sunlight. During nighttime, cloudy, or rainy conditions, electricity generation is adversely affected. Backup provisions are necessary to mitigate this. Despite this limitation, employing solar power remains a commendable strategy for sustainable energy use in security systems.

7. Use Back Up Power Supply

In all our discussions, the emphasis consistently revolves around backup power. Therefore, it becomes imperative to implement a backup power plan during a power outage. Given that the security system plays a vital role in safeguarding your property from burglars, even a brief interruption or halt could result in substantial losses. A backup power source can substitute your utility’s electrical power, ensuring a continuous electricity supply for the operation of your security devices. Regarding security devices, we encompass all their components, such as control panels, sensors, cameras, and alarm systems. Additionally, it is highly recommended to supply backup power to your Wi-Fi router to enable remote features and internet services, such as accessing devices from your smartphone.

The available options for backup power supplies are as follows:

• Electrical Generator: An electrical generator is a device that utilizes various fuel sources, such as diesel, kerosene, and gasoline, depending on the type of generator. It processes the fuel to generate electricity, providing a viable option to power your security devices and other essential equipment. The runtime of a generator can extend for hours, days, or even months, contingent on the generator type and fuel availability.
• UPS Driven Power Source: UPS stands for Uninterrupted Power Supply, a device equipped with an internal battery. The UPS is typically connected to a wall socket, with the security devices linked to it. During a consistent power supply, the UPS maintains its charge, automatically initiating the charging process upon detecting a power interruption or outage. The seamless transition from the main supply to the UPS ensures that your security system remains operational, enhancing overall reliability. Moreover, a UPS possesses the capability to regulate the voltage and frequency of the main power source, safeguarding your security devices from voltage fluctuations and power surges. However, a notable limitation of UPS usage is its ability to endure only a few minutes or, at most, a few hours, depending on its capacity.

In short, incorporating a power backup supply for the security system and other critical equipment enhances the reliability and security of the entire system.

8. Using Smart Home Devices

Utilizing Smart Home devices represents a method of implementing a security system during power outages. Smart home devices encompass those reliant on internet services, accessible remotely via your mobile phone or managed through Voice commands. They can be programmed in diverse ways to intercommunicate with other devices, intelligently executing specific actions. For example, smart lights adjust based on the presence of individuals. Smart locks and speakers exemplify additional Smart home devices. Notably, these devices predominantly rely on battery power, ensuring continuous functionality even in the absence of electricity. By integrating your home security system with these smart home devices, you enhance its resilience and security, providing greater flexibility in safeguarding your home.

Security System When Power Goes Out – FAQs

Conclusion

Let’s conclude our discussion by noting that we’ve explored two types of security systems. One type shuts down the entire security system, including the motion sensor and alarm unit, during a power outage. The other type remains operational, thanks to backup batteries that take over when the main power supply is interrupted. It’s important to understand that these backup batteries can only last a few hours or, at most, a day, depending on their capacity. In cases of prolonged power outages, a more reliable solution is necessary.

This guide has comprehensively addressed alternatives to ensure your security system remains functional. Examples include utilizing a cellular network for internet connection, employing VoIP services, using solar-powered cameras, and having a backup power supply like a generator to provide electricity to essential devices at home. By incorporating any of these techniques into your existing security system, you can confidently maintain its functionality during power outages. We trust that this guide has effectively addressed any concerns you may have regarding the condition of your security system during power interruptions.