Business processes are increasingly dependent on the presence of camera systems, whether for responding to alarms or reconstructing incidents. But what happens if the power goes out? Will all these processes come to a halt? Will your organization no longer be safe? Or do you have nothing to worry about because you’ve implemented the necessary backup power solutions (UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply, in technical terms)?

Unlike intrusion detection, fire alarm, and access control systems, backup power for camera systems is often overlooked. Depending on the purpose and function of the camera systems , this can have serious or less severe consequences. For instance, if you use your camera system for live monitoring, a system failure would mean no surveillance, and you would need to find an alternative to maintain the same security level. Similarly, if camera footage is used to verify alarm signals, the safety of your organization could be compromised without live camera feeds. Additionally, reconstructing and analyzing incidents or identifying culprits becomes difficult without video footage.

A power outage, or even a power surge caused by a lightning strike, can also damage storage media and electronic devices in general. Power interruptions are bad for hard drives, for example, and can significantly shorten their lifespan. A power surge can lead to a chain reaction of damage to the electronic components of all equipment connected to the power grid.

Which camera system components should be connected to a UPS?

A camera system consists of several components, all of which (directly or indirectly) are connected to the power grid. A power failure or surge can affect any of these components. To assess which components need to be connected to a UPS, the impact of a power interruption or surge on each part must be evaluated. Often, it’s not just the recording equipment and the cameras themselves that need protection. IT components like switches, routers, and servers should not be overlooked. Another often-forgotten element is lighting. If the power goes out in dark areas, not only do the cameras need to stay operational, but there must also be enough light for quality recordings. Alternatively, the cameras themselves could be equipped with infrared lighting. Depending on the system setup, it may not be necessary to connect every individual camera to the UPS. Connecting the switches to the backup power may be sufficient, as this would keep the (LED) infrared lighting of the cameras functioning during a power outage.