How an Ajax system operates in case of a power outage

Hub operation

Ajax hubs, except Hub Hybrid, have a built-in backup battery that provides system operation during a power outage. A built-in backup battery is rechargeable: once a facility regains power, the hub will automatically recharge it.

Hub Hybrid doesn’t include a built-in backup battery. However, by security standards, connecting and installing a third-party 12 V⎓ backup battery into the hub’s casing is mandatory. A backup battery provides autonomous operation of the hub and connected devices on the Fibra line in case an external power supply is unavailable.

Note that a battery operation time depends on a broad range of factors, making the calculations listed below approximate:

• Number of active communication channels: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular network;
• Stability of internet connection via communication channels;
• Battery capacity;
• Battery leak current;
• Ambient temperature (depends on the type and model of a battery);
• Server polling interval;
• Detector ping interval;
• Number and types of added devices;
• Jeweller/Fibra signal strength between a hub and a detector.

The operation time listed in the table above applies when:

• default server polling interval is set (30 seconds);
• default detector ping interval is set (36 seconds);
• Jeweller hubs have two added wireless devices; Hub Hybrid has thirty added wired devices;
• hub is disarmed;
• no detector triggers;
• only the GSM communication channel is active.

Battery Power Saver

The Battery Power Saver feature extends the backup battery life when an external power supply is unavailable. When this setting is enabled, the hub switches to standby mode once it loses the external power supply.

The Battery Power Saver feature is available for hubs with OS Malevich 2.19 or higher and for Hub 2 Plus Jeweller with OS Malevich 2.20 or higher.

Hub Jeweller does not support the Battery Power Saver feature.

When the Battery Power Saver feature is enabled, your system does not comply with EN 50131 Grade 2, 3.

The hub turns off its communication channels (cellular network, Ethernet, Wi-Fi) when it switches to standby mode to save the backup battery charge. Therefore, the hub in standby mode is not connected to Ajax Cloud and CMS until any system event occurs. In Ajax apps, the hub and devices added to it will be greyed out and unavailable for configuration or control. The hub will be in the Saving Mode state, and the devices added will be shown as Offline.

The standby mode doesn’t affect the system operation. Any detector triggering activates the hub for a specified time configured in the Battery Power Saver settings to transmit the event to users and CMS.

The Battery Power Saver feature allows extending the backup battery life. This duration depends on system configuration and the number of devices added to the hub.

* When using a 12 V⎓ backup battery with a capacity of 7 Ah.

If your system includes at least one range extender communicating with the hub via Ethernet, the hub will not switch to standby mode. This is necessary to keep the connection with devices worked via the range extender.

Range extender operation

Radio signal range extenders (ReX Jeweller, ReX 2 Jeweller) are connected to an external power supply. If any issues with an external power supply occur, range extenders will automatically switch to the built-in backup battery.

Wireless devices operation

The wireless devices continue to operate on pre-installed batteries as before a power outage. Some wireless devices have an optional external power supply to avoid rapid battery discharge. Such devices operate on pre-installed batteries if an external power supply is unavailable.

Automation and smart home devices operation

Automation and smart home devices that require an external power supply stop operating in case of a power loss. Note that devices that run on the pre-installed batteries don’t depend on the external power supply.

Notification about connection loss can be turned on/off in the device settings.

Fibra devices operation

A backup battery of the hub powers Fibra devices in case of a power outage. Some wired devices have an optional external power supply. The hub’s backup battery also powers them if it is unavailable. LineSupply Fibra continues to operate and power connected devices only if a backup battery is provided for the module.

Integration modules

Ajax integration modules allow connecting wired third-party devices to an Ajax system. During a power loss, third-party wired devices are powered by:

• module’s backup battery if connected via MultiTransmitter Jeweller or MultiTransmitter Fibra;
• pre-installed batteries if connected and powered via Transmitter Jeweller;
• hub’s or LineSupply Fibra backup battery if connected via Transmitter Fibra.

Providing a backup power source for wired third-party devices or powering them via the integration module ensures the faultless system operating even during a power loss.

Video surveillance

Ajax NVRs function solely with an external power supply. Cameras can be powered by an external power supply or PoE (Power over Ethernet). It is essential to provide the facility with a backup power source so that the system functions even during a power outage.

Power supply unit for hubs and range extenders

If a facility has no stable electricity or is not provided with a standard 110/230 V~ power supply, you may use a power supply unit (PSU):

• 6V PSU for Hub 2/Hub 2 Plus/ReX 2
• 12V PSU for Hub/Hub Plus/ReX
• 12–24V PSU for Hub 2/Hub 2 Plus/ReX 2

A PSU allows you to connect a hub or radio signal range extender to an alternative power source:

• 6, 12, or 24 V⎓ networks;
• a 6 V⎓ portable battery;
• a 6, 12, or 24 V⎓ uninterruptible power supply (with a backup battery);
• an in-vehicle network.

PSU is incompatible with Hub Hybrid (2G) and Hub Hybrid (4G).

Check this chart to find out which PSU is compatible with your hub.