When we suffer a power cut in our house, logically all the devices that we have connected to the line will stop working. But is this still the case? Today with the advancement of technologies, we can install a connected and intelligent ecosystem in our homes, being able to maintain its operation even in the event of a power outage. In this article we talk about some examples.
In order to continue using most of our devices, the key is to have accumulation systems, such as batteries, or even smart devices with built-in batteries. The Internet connection is essential for many of these devices as well, and there are also ways to avoid being without a network. In addition, it would also be advisable to incorporate a UPS to protect our devices against a power outage and continue using them.
Portable batteries
As we have mentioned, having large capacity batteries on hand to deal with a power outage will save us many problems, especially if we have many smart devices in the home. Some time ago we talked about this system with a particular example from the firm Bluetti. This type of battery allows you to charge all kinds of devices at home.
According to our needs, with this type of system we have the possibility of charging a mobile phone, or even feeding an entire house. They are usually compatible with numerous devices and ports, including electric vehicles, or even solar roof panels. What’s more, depending on which models we can also monitor the energy of these batteries through mobile devices.
ECOFLOW River Portable Power Station, with 2 600W AC Outlets and LED Flashlight, Clean and Quiet Solar Generator for Outdoor Camping, RV Emergencies
What about our smart lighting?
Obviously, without power supply, our bulbs will stop emitting light. However, if we want to avoid this, today there are bulbs with an integrated battery, which they will provide us with a few hours of light in case we suffer a blackout.
In some smart lighting systems, the lights turn back on automatically when power is restored, regardless of their pre-outage state. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers such as Philips integrate a recovery mode to return the light bulb to the state it was in just before the blackout. In this way, if the electricity returns at dawn, the light bulb will not wake us up from our placid sleep.
Philips Hue – Smart Lamp, Hue Go, Smart LED Table Lamp, White and Colored Light, Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, White
What about smart thermostats?
The vast majority of them incorporate a battery so that when there is a power failure, the smart thermostat continues to work. Nevertheless, It will only serve us to save in your memory the state of consumption and other tasks. And is that if together with this device we do not have an accumulation system, such as batteries or photovoltaic systems, ventilation or water temperature control will be null.
The good news is that once the power is back on, all settings will remain the same, saving us time to reset the devices again.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat White, Controlled from the phone, Helps save energy
What about garage doors and smart locks?
Smart garage doors provide a great advantage, since through any device we can interact with them. What’s more, this system usually offers built-in batteries. In this way, when we run out of electricity, the door will continue to work the same way.
In the case of smart locks, the same thing happens. And since it is a system that does not consume too much energy, simply feeding it with batteries will be enough. Thus, its connectivity via WiFi and Bluetooth will continue to work in the same way.
Tesa Assa Abloy ENTRKIT1T603535 Motorized Smart Lock, White, 35 x 35 mm
Smart security cameras are not as lucky
In the event of a power failure, the security cameras will have it complicated to continue working. And it is that those that require VoIP technologies and internet connection, will be deactivated until the supply works again.
In case it is of special urgency to keep these devices active, local recording systems connected to batteries can be used that will do the trick for us.
How to maintain our WiFi connection
If Internet access is interrupted due to a power failure, the vast majority of smart devices will stop working normally. Nevertheless, there are measures to maintain the WiFi connection and protect it from sudden blackouts.
The most common way to ensure that our connection is not interrupted is through a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). Having our router connected to one of these systems will guarantee the Internet connection during the blackout thanks to its integrated batteries. The UPSs also offer additional protection systems to avoid damaging the devices connected to it..
Some routers also offer the ability to switch to 4G or 5G when the connection is lost. In case your router does not support this function, you can always activate an access point through a mobile device. Of course, keep in mind that this may imply additional charges to your mobile data plan.
APC BX700U-GR Back-UPS BX – UPS 700VA Uninterruptible Power Supply (4 “Schuko” sockets, AVR, USB, software shutdown)
Conclusion: we are too dependent on electricity
Given the needs and circumstances of our day to day, it is evident that humans are too dependent on electricity, and when a power failure occurs for a long time, some of us go a little crazy and not knowing what to do.
Luckily thanks to these systems we can power a large part of our devices at home and that the blackout does not catch us by surprise.