So, what happens to your Security System and Security Cameras when the power goes out?

The type of Security System or Security Cameras you have installed determines what happens when the power goes out in your home.

Security System

Battery Backup

If you’re a Simpson Security customer, your security system has a battery backup. And when the power goes out, your system can run on those batteries for several hours. It is important to change the backup batteries in your security panel every 1-2 years to make sure they last as long as possible in case of a power outage. If you’d like to find out if your batteries are due to be changed, give us a call using the number listed at the top of our website.

Communication with our Monitoring Station

Another thing you need to consider is how your Security System communicates with our Monitoring Station.

Traditional Phone Lines: If your Security System operates over traditional phone lines, it will continue to communicate with our Monitoring Station in the event of a power outage. The phone lines remain operational and the main security control panel in your home will likely continue to operate on backup power for a specified amount of time.

Cellular Radio Backup: This type of wireless home security system continues to work during power outages, drawing their power from battery backup for several hours. Like a cellular phone, communication is unaffected by localized power outages.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Security Systems communicating via VoIP, are vulnerable to power outages, as they draw their power from home phone lines. While they do include battery backup, if a power outage also results in an Internet outage, these types of systems can stop communicating with our Monitoring Station. We always recommend installing a Cellular Radio Backup, just in case your other means of communicating with our Monitoring station is compromised. 

Internet: These types of home security alarm systems are the most vulnerable in power outages as a loss of power usually results in an Internet outage as well. Without an Internet connection to a Monitoring Station, these types of systems stop communication until power is restored and the Internet is up and running. As we said, we always recommend installing a Cellular Radio Backup, just in case your other means of communicating with our Monitoring station is compromised. 

There are a lot of different types of Security Systems out there, so if you often fall victim to power outages, you’ll want to make sure you get a system that will keep you protected during those times.

For Simpson Security customers that use our mobile apps, you’ll get notified right away. And when the power is restored, you’ll get notified about that too.

If you don’t have our mobile apps, our Monitoring Station will notify you after we’ve received a Power Outage alert.

Rest assured that if you’re a Simpson Security customer, your system comes with battery backup.

If you would like to verify that your system will continue to work during a power outage, visit our Contact Us page and send us a message or give us a call at (318) 443-3391.

Security Cameras

A home security camera is an excellent way to stay connected with and protect your home, your belongings, and the people that you care about.

However, it’s important to choose a security camera that helps minimize security downtimes and keep you protected, even during circumstances that are beyond your control, such as a power failure or internet outage.

A video security camera that doesn’t have a backup battery will fail when your electricity goes out, leaving you with no protection at all. This risk can be fixed by choosing the right security company and camera.

When Simpson Security installs Security Cameras, we offer the option of battery backup to our customers. A battery backup unit will keep your Security Cameras functioning for as long as the batteries last.

If you have any questions at all or would like to learn more about the systems we offer, visit our Contact Us page for questions, our Request a Quote page for system information, or give us a call at (318) 443-3391.