Calculate how long your surveillance system will run on UPS power during an outage. Input your total load, battery capacity, and UPS efficiency to get accurate backup time estimates.
Use these reference values to estimate your total system load before calculating UPS backup time.
| Device Type | Typical Power (W) | Typical Qty | Total (W) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP Camera (2MP) | 5–8W | 16 | 80–128W | PoE powered, varies with IR |
| PTZ Camera | 15–25W | 4 | 60–100W | Higher when moving |
| NVR (16-channel) | 30–60W | 1 | 30–60W | Depends on HDD count |
| PoE Switch (24-port) | 20–40W | 2 | 40–80W | Base power without PoE load |
| Monitor (24") | 20–35W | 2 | 40–70W | LED monitors are more efficient |
| AI Server | 200–500W | 1 | 200–500W | GPU-based inference servers |
| Access Control Panel | 10–20W | 4 | 40–80W | Including door locks |
Always size your UPS 20–30% larger than your calculated load. This accounts for startup surges, future expansion, and battery aging over time.
Lead-acid batteries lose 20–30% capacity after 3–5 years. Lithium batteries maintain 80%+ capacity for 8–10 years. Factor this into your backup time calculations.
Separate critical devices (cameras, NVR, network switches) from non-critical ones (monitors, workstations). Use a smaller UPS for critical loads to maximize backup time.
Battery capacity decreases significantly in cold environments. At 0°C, lead-acid batteries may only deliver 70–80% of rated capacity. Consider heated battery enclosures for outdoor installations.
Online (double-conversion) UPS provides the cleanest power and zero transfer time, ideal for NVRs and servers. Line-interactive UPS is more cost-effective for cameras and switches.
For extended backup requirements, use external battery packs or generator integration. Many enterprise UPS systems support modular battery expansion without replacing the entire unit.
Our engineers will design the complete power backup solution for your surveillance system, including UPS sizing, battery selection, and generator integration.