On 10 July 2020, we returned to a whole-home AV installation to add dedicated backup power for its network and Wi-Fi equipment. The aim was to keep the equipment used for working from home running through local power interruptions.
Why the network needed its own backup
The home already had a solar and battery backup system. It also had a multiroom Sonos audio system, an Araknis network and Wi-Fi installation, and Crestron handheld control in the rooms. We added a separate UPS for the critical network equipment and used the opportunity to clean up and rewire the equipment installation.
The installation
For this project, we selected a 2 kVA online UPS. The capacity and configuration were chosen for this installation; they should not be treated as a standard specification for every home. The equipment that needs backup, its electrical load and the required runtime all need to be considered for each project.
The video below shows the work carried out during the visit.
The result
At the time this report was written, the installation had been through two load-shedding events and the UPS had performed as expected. That was a useful real-world check of the backup arrangement for the equipment connected to it.
A UPS does not, by itself, guarantee that an internet service will remain available: the router, switching, wireless access points and any service-provider equipment all need to be considered, as does the upstream connection. Our home networks and Wi-Fi service covers the wider infrastructure, and our AV rack build diary shows how we organise equipment and cabling.
If you would like us to assess backup power for your home network, contact Mirror Edge Networks to discuss your requirements.