Clean, stable supply of electricity is essential for businesses in any industry to be able to continue operating, a challenge for industries in Kenya due to the current energy situation. Irregular supply of energy in Kenya is detrimental to the economy as a whole.
Security companies in particular require 100% power availability to ensure they are able to deliver their services. Without stable power, cameras and surveillance solutions, electric fencing, access control and other security features cannot function.
Every time the power goes down, security is compromised, ultimately defeating its purpose. Security equipment is highly sensitive to power fluctuations, which can cause damage and dramatically decrease operating lifespan. Unstable power can also place strain on the sensitive equipment. Lightning, Voltage fluctuations and harmonics on the power supply all have serious impact on the longevity of the products such as cameras. Unstable power may cause equipment to fail prematurely, without warning. At the very least, these equipment require a controlled shutdown, which requires a UPS with(Simple Network Management Protocol) SNMP interface. Nevertheless, security companies require more than just the ability to switch equipment off safely during power outages, they need to be able to continue operating through failures and load shedding.
An online double conversion UPS with an extended battery life will ensure the best possible quality of supply at all times. These UPS solutions along with voltage stabilizers provide continuous supply of clean power even when utility power is available, preventing voltage fluctuations from reaching the end point devices and damaging them. When utility power is not available, the batteries deliver backup power to keep cameras, Digital Video Recorders(DVRs) and other essential equipment operational. They can be used in conjunction with a generator to provide extended backup power.
Given the critical nature of power management solutions, security companies should work with reliable power providers who have solid reputations in their respective markets. Partnering with experienced service providers will ensure that a more technical solution is implemented. Solutions should also be backed by a comprehensive service agreement (SLA) to ensure equipment is proactively serviced and maintained effectively. Security companies should also consider implementing online power monitoring that will enable an improved understanding of the power quality, up times, down times, energy consumption, load demands etc. This will enable them gauge this information to ensure best solutions are applied.
The current power challenges seem set to continue for the foreseen future and power management technologies will only escalate in cost. Thus it is sound strategy for security companies/contractors to take a proactive stance now and implement a solution that will benefit them now and in the future.
