CCTV and load shedding: keeping cameras recording when the power goes
A CCTV system with no backup power stops recording the moment the power fails. This guide explains what needs backup, how it is sized and what to ask an installer.
CCTV has no battery of its own
Most wired CCTV systems have no internal battery. The cameras draw power from a power supply or from the recorder, and the recorder runs off mains power. When the power goes, everything goes dark unless there is a UPS or inverter in the circuit. CompareSecurity makes the same point: cameras, the recorder and the router all need mains or backup power to keep working.
Whether the cause is scheduled load shedding, a storm or a fault in the street, the result is the same. An outage is also when many people most want their cameras working.
What needs backup
A common mistake is to back up the recorder but not the router. The system records, but you cannot see it from your phone and receive no alerts until the power comes back.
- The cameras, through their power supply or the PoE switch or recorder that feeds them.
- The recorder, so that it keeps recording and does not have to restart.
- The router and fibre or LTE equipment, if you want phone viewing and alerts during the outage.
- Any network switch between the cameras and the recorder.
- The gate motor and intercom, which usually have their own batteries that should be checked.
UPS or inverter
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a box with a battery that switches over instantly when the power fails. Small units are common for CCTV and routers. An inverter with a larger battery, sometimes part of a whole-home or solar system, can run CCTV for longer and power other things too. Some households already have an inverter, and the CCTV can be put on its backed-up circuit.
Either way, the switch-over should be fast enough that the recorder does not restart. Ask the installer to test this by switching off the mains.
How long it needs to last
How long the backup lasts depends on how much power the system draws and how big the battery is. More cameras, cameras with infrared at night and bigger recorders draw more. The installer should add up the load and choose a battery that covers your longest likely outage with some margin. Ask what run time the system is designed for, and whether that is at night, when infrared lights are on.
Batteries age
Backup batteries lose capacity over time, faster in heat and with frequent use. A UPS that lasted for hours when new may last much less a few years later. Test it now and then by switching off the mains and timing it, and ask your installer to check it during a maintenance visit. Keep UPS units somewhere cool and ventilated, not in a hot roof space or garage.
Power coming back can cause damage too
When the power returns, the supply can spike or fluctuate. Combined with Durban's summer lightning, that is a common cause of damaged power supplies and recorders. A good UPS smooths the supply, and surge protection adds another layer. On the Highway, where storms are frequent, surge protection should be part of the plan. See our guide on why CCTV fails in Durban.
Battery and solar cameras
Some wireless cameras have their own battery or a small solar panel. They keep working in an outage, but the recorder or cloud service and the router they talk to still need power. They also need recharging or sun, and they usually record only when triggered rather than continuously. They suit a few hard-to-reach spots. See our guide to wired versus wireless CCTV.
What to ask your installer
- Which parts of the system will be on backup, including the router?
- What run time is it designed for, at night with infrared on?
- Will the recorder keep running without restarting when the mains drops?
- Is surge protection included?
- How and when should the battery be tested or replaced?
Frequently asked questions
Will my cameras record during load shedding?
Only if the cameras, the recorder and anything between them are on a UPS or inverter.
Why can I not see my cameras on my phone during a power cut?
Usually because the router or fibre equipment is not on backup power, even though the recorder is.
Can my existing home inverter run the CCTV?
Often, if the CCTV is on a backed-up circuit and the inverter has capacity. Ask your installer or electrician.