UC Advanced - issue #13

ENERGY AND ELECTRONICS

Leave a Light On We love our UC&C devices, they keep up connected and tuned in to one another. And when they are operating they bring us peace of mind. Let’s spare a thought for some of the essential devices that we will be using this festive season, and the plans we make to keep them running with the gift of back up energy.

1 Is the doorbell battery fully charged? When you are miles away up north or down south with the relatives, and the courier or a visitor are outside your door, if your doorbell battery is flat you will wish you had been able to communicate with them. Smart doorbell batteries usually last 6 to 12 months, however this depends on how it is used, as factors such as light brightness and duration, video use and frequency of activations all drain the battery, as well as inclement weather has a negative effect.

Checklist Items before Going Away:

and setting up appropriate schedules or automation can help maintain their reliability and effectiveness during your absence. 3 Does my home/office alarm have back up power? Having backup power for a home or office alarm system is crucial for ensuring continuous security, even during power outages. Without backup power, alarm systems can become nonfunctional, leaving your property vulnerable to intrusions and emergencies. To address this, installing a reliable battery backup or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can keep systems operational during outages. Regular maintenance checks and replacing batteries as needed are also important actions to ensure your alarm system remains reliable when needed most.

2 Smart lights/motion sensors – are they switched on, will I be notified? Checking smart lights and motion sensors before going away is essential to ensure home security and energy efficiency. Ensuring that these devices are functioning correctly can deter potential intruders by simulating occupancy through programmed lighting schedules. Additionally, confirming their proper operation can prevent unnecessary energy consumption, reducing utility bills while you’re away. Actions such as testing their connectivity, updating software,

4 Are my festive lights energy efficient and safe from hazards? Christmas tree lights transformers are used to step down the mains voltage to a safer, lower voltage suitable for the light strings, reducing the risk of electric shocks and fire

46

Powered by