UPS & Backup Power for Your Network During Load-Shedding
When the power drops, a business does not just lose lights — it loses the router, the switch, the server and the Wi-Fi that keep it trading. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) keeps critical IT alive. Here is how to size one properly.
What a UPS actually protects
A UPS does two jobs: it carries your equipment instantly when the grid drops (no reboot, no lost work), and it protects against surges and dips that damage electronics. For most offices, the priority load is the network gear — router, switches, access points — plus any on-site server or point-of-sale.
Sizing: capacity and runtime
Two things decide the UPS you need:
- Capacity (VA/W) — add up the wattage of the equipment it must carry, with headroom
- Runtime — how long it must hold up; a router and switch draw little, so a modest UPS can run them for hours
- Battery type and replaceability — for long or frequent outages, larger or expandable batteries pay off
When to step up to solar backup
A UPS is ideal for short outages and clean shutdowns. If load-shedding is taking your site down for hours at a time, every day, a solar-and-battery system is the better long-term answer — and it can power far more than just the network rack. Because SST does both ICT and solar, we can start you with the right UPS and scale into full backup when it makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a UPS keep my network running?
It depends on the load and battery size. Network gear (router, switch, access point) draws little power, so a modest UPS can keep it online for a few hours; a server draws far more and needs a larger unit or a solar-backed system.
UPS or solar — which do I need?
A UPS suits short outages and safe shutdowns. If load-shedding takes you down for hours daily, a solar-and-battery system is the better investment and powers much more than the network rack. We can advise on both.
Do you supply UPS units and power hardware?
Yes — we stock Huawei UPS, power modules and cabling, and support them with proper documentation.
Ready to take the next step?
Talk to the SST team — survey, quote and support, end to end.