During a power outage...what happens
- Thread starter jmed999
- Start date
wuench
Senior Member
It will just continue to chug along. How long it lasts depends on how much stuff you have running on it and how big your battery is. It's good to run it on battery as a test to see how long it lasts so you know if it is long enough for you. As you add more devices or if it is in alarm that time will go down...
tmbrown97
Senior Member
There are a couple way to go... the simplest way is to go into a Fry's or similar and buy the biggest Tripp-Lite or APC you can afford... they'll give you battery backed 120V outlets.
Depending on the input power of your devices however, you might even be able to use an Elk or Altronix or similar DC battery-backed power supply; those can often run substantially longer because they can power your 12V electronics directly, rather than the inefficient process of using a 12/24VDC battery tied to an inverter to power the 120VAC (and fans and electronics) just to step it back down again with a transformer.
Kinda comes down to your knowledge and comfort level.
Depending on the input power of your devices however, you might even be able to use an Elk or Altronix or similar DC battery-backed power supply; those can often run substantially longer because they can power your 12V electronics directly, rather than the inefficient process of using a 12/24VDC battery tied to an inverter to power the 120VAC (and fans and electronics) just to step it back down again with a transformer.
Kinda comes down to your knowledge and comfort level.
wuench
Senior Member
You'll obviously need the XEP, and ISY on UPS as well. (Unless the XEP is powered by the M1). The M1 can email all on it's own using rules. If you get it monitored through NextAlarm, Alarm Relay, etc over a phone line then they can email/text you as well on events and drop the UPS requirement.
More important than the power outage event is low battery, or error conditions. The M1 will run a battery test periodically and will report errors. The battery will not last forever (nor will a UPSs), I think my first one lasted 4-5 years before it had to be replaced. If you get a UPS that you will depend on then you need to get one that tests and reports as well, or you need to test it periodically yourself by unplugging the power. The alternative to a UPS, (like W2P mentioned) is to buy a separate Elk power supply and battery. Something like the Elk P212S will also be monitored by the Elk and report errors etc.
More important than the power outage event is low battery, or error conditions. The M1 will run a battery test periodically and will report errors. The battery will not last forever (nor will a UPSs), I think my first one lasted 4-5 years before it had to be replaced. If you get a UPS that you will depend on then you need to get one that tests and reports as well, or you need to test it periodically yourself by unplugging the power. The alternative to a UPS, (like W2P mentioned) is to buy a separate Elk power supply and battery. Something like the Elk P212S will also be monitored by the Elk and report errors etc.
tmbrown97
Senior Member
Also note that this test isn't totally conclusive; an alarm's power requirements vary greatly depending on what it's doing. For instance, it may have enough power to chug along for another 24 hours in standby, but during a break-in when it tries running the modem and sirens, the voltage requirements spike and it just might crap out before it ever does its job.
It's a good idea to look at everything connected to your M1 and pay attention to the rated current draw and also compare that to actual current draw in standby and during alarm - and calculate what you expect to get out of the system by comparing the loads to the battery's rated power.
There's no simple answer to the question so do the math and over-engineer a little bit for your goals.
It's a good idea to look at everything connected to your M1 and pay attention to the rated current draw and also compare that to actual current draw in standby and during alarm - and calculate what you expect to get out of the system by comparing the loads to the battery's rated power.
There's no simple answer to the question so do the math and over-engineer a little bit for your goals.
jmed999
Active Member
Since the M1EXP is in the Elk cabinet along with the electrical outlet (I had an electrician mount the outlet inside the cabinet so no power wires are exposed) it will be difficult to use a ups there. How can I use the elk power for the M1EXP so that it also uses the Elk battery during a power failure instead of using a dedicated UPS?
Thanks for the help guys!
Thanks for the help guys!
