A Power Failure Alarm Can Protect Important Assets During an Outage

Businesses across all sectors rely on consistent power to maintain operations. Unfortunately, power outages can occur unexpectedly, posing significant risks to critical assets, information and even lives.

Implementing a power failure alarm system can provide immediate alerts in the event of an outage, so you can take swift action to safeguard important inventory, data and property.

Without proper mitigation measures, power disruptions can lead to data and revenue losses, spoiled inventory and equipment damage.

Between 2011 and 2021, power outages increased by 64% compared to the previous decade, with many attributed to weather events. Once considered rare, blackouts now occur with alarming frequency, resulting in prolonged periods without power. A power failure alarm can notify you of any type of power outage, including blackouts causing complete power loss, brownouts resulting in voltage drops or equipment failures.

Financial Impact of Power Failures

Power outages can cost thousands and even millions of dollars in lost revenue. These incidents can lead to irretrievable asset losses. Research by the Uptime Institute indicates that between 2019 and 2022, incidents that resulted in financial losses of at least $100,000 rose by 39%. In the same period, there was also an uptick in events causing losses over $1 million.

The extent of financial damage is influenced by several factors specific to each business, such as:

• The sector in which the business operates
• The duration of the power interruption
• Seasonal timing
• The nature of the products or services provided

For example, manufacturing plants may experience spoilage to goods and damage to equipment, while IT companies with various computer systems can have data loss or corrupted files.

Electricity disruptions in healthcare and research facilities carry severe repercussions. Patients may face critical situations when left in the dark or without essential care because equipment fails to operate or cannot be sterilized. Such facilities also rely on refrigeration for maintaining specific temperature for vaccines, medications and other samples. Even a few hours without power can jeopardize these critical materials and result in significant losses. 

Network and System Issues

Outages stemming from network and system issues are on the rise due to the complexities associated with modern architectures and smart technologies. Without immediate warnings, facilities may be unaware of power outages for extended periods that can affect their inventory and other assets.

Remote monitoring systems can promptly notify designated personnel of power disruptions. Once considered solely as a tool for monitoring environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and water leaks, remote monitoring systems offer the added functionality of a power outage monitoring device.

In the event of a power outage, the remote monitoring system can swiftly dispatch power failure alarms to designated personnel via their mobile devices. This capability proves particularly advantageous for businesses that remain unattended during off-hours, weekends, and holidays, as the system can effectively oversee operations in the absence of physical presence.

When a power outage occurs, the remote monitoring system can immediately send alarms to assigned workers on their mobile devices. Businesses left vacant during evenings, weekends, and holidays can especially benefit from this system that can monitor operations when no one is physically around. The system can also double as a data logger, storing pertinent information in the cloud. This feature allows companies to review the sequence of power outage occurrences and recovery phases.

Power Failure Alarm Options

In some operations, auto dialers still are used to automatically call a database of contacts and connect the recipients with prerecorded message about a power failure. While relying on phone lines to send messages, the devices have on-board battery powered backup. Since analog phone lines almost never go down, the messages are delivered reliably. However, many phone service providers may stop serving traditional landlines as they look to install faster and more advanced technology that doesn’t work with them.

Network-based products like the Sensaphone Web600 Monitoring System receive alarm notifications through a standard Internet connection and send a power failure alarm by email or text. The web-based monitoring system should have a backup battery in case of a power outage. The networks to which the device integrates also must have a battery backup or the power failure alarm will not go out if the network goes down.

Newer cloud-based products such as the Sensaphone Sentinel Monitoring System have the battery backup built into the products and the ability to send alarms if the network goes down. As the server checks the device to ensure the power and network are functioning, it notices if either are down. Users receive alarms on power and network failures.

Monitoring systems with Cellular Modems are battery backed and don’t rely on any network to function. As soon as the power goes out, users receive an alarm. 

Power Failure Alarms Serve in Continuity Plans

In continuity planning, remote monitoring systems that work as a power failure alarm can play a crucial role. Equipped with sensors to detect power disruptions, these telemetry systems like the Sensaphone Sentinel collect data and promptly notify personnel of power failures via phone, text or email. This timely alert allows for swift emergency response.

Additionally, real-time data is securely stored in the cloud, offering unlimited storage and safeguarding against data loss during outages. Operators can access status updates from the cloud to determine if power is on or off in certain areas of a facility using a mobile device.

Also, the Sentinel system doubles as a data logger, maintaining comprehensive records of power outage events, including their onset, alert transmission and receipt times, and other pertinent details for monitoring power failure incidents.

Monitoring power consumption

Beyond merely identifying power outages, remote monitoring systems can help monitor current usage, especially when paired with a Sensaphone Split Core Current Sensor. Adequate power supply is essential for equipment performance; insufficient current flow may impair performance, while inefficient flow canindicate underlying mechanical issues that might lead to outages. On the other hand, too much current can create excessive heat that can destroy equipment components.

The Sensaphone Split Core Current sensors provide precise measurements within the range of 0 – 200A. Users are promptly alerted when current levels deviate from preset high or low limits, with the alarm displaying the current value.

Wired or wireless options

Sensaphone remote monitoring systems are available with hardwired or wireless sensors, depending on your needs. A wireless power failure sensor eliminates the hassle of running wires.

Who Can Benefit from a Monitoring System?

A remote monitoring system that serves as a power failure alarm is ideal for many types of facilities and applications, including:

• Medical refrigerators and freezers
• Food cold storage
• Heating and A/C systems
• Greenhouses
• Data centers and server rooms
• Livestock facilities

A power failure or outage can happen at any time. Be prepared to address them by using a remote monitoring system. Serving as a power failure alarm, the system provides immediate notification so you can address power and electrical failures and stoppages. A remote monitoring system offers peace of mind and helps prevent financial losses and downtime.

To learn more about remote monitoring systems and how they can function as a data logger, read our blog Cloud-Based Data Loggers Offer Freedom to Remotely Monitor Environments.

Contact us to discuss how Sensaphone can serve as part of your power continuity strategy.