Winter in the Kootenays brings heavy snow, wind and ice on the lines. Power outages that city businesses rarely see are a normal part of the season here, and each one is hard on computers, servers and network equipment.

Most outage damage isn't caused by the outage itself. It comes from equipment shutting off without warning, or from the surge when the power comes back.

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This guide covers what to put in place this fall, before the first storm.

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Battery backup (UPS)

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a battery that sits between the wall and your equipment. When the power drops, it keeps things running long enough to shut down properly.

A UPS is not meant to keep you working through a long outage. Its job is to:

• Ride through short flickers without anything turning off

• Give servers and computers time to save work and shut down safely

• Signal the equipment to shut down on its own when nobody is in the building

What should be on one:

• Servers and network storage

• Your internet modem, router and main network switch

• Phone system equipment

• Door access controllers and security cameras

UPS batteries wear out, usually after three to five years. A unit with a dead battery gives no protection at all, so check the age of the ones you have.

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Surges and brownouts

When power is restored, it often comes back with a spike. A brownout, when the voltage dips without cutting out, can also damage power supplies over time.

• Put every computer, monitor and printer on a surge protector, not a basic power bar. The packaging should list a joule rating.

• Replace surge protectors after a major surge, or every few years. They wear out too, often without any sign.

• During a long outage, switch off or unplug equipment that isn't on a UPS. Turn it back on once power is steady.

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Cold shops, trucks and condensation

Trades shops, warehouses and job trailers often drop well below freezing overnight. Laptops and tablets ride in trucks all day. Cold itself is rarely the problem. Warming up too fast is.

• Let cold devices warm up before switching them on. A laptop brought in from a cold truck collects condensation inside. Leave it closed for 30 to 60 minutes first.

• Don't leave devices in vehicles overnight. Batteries lose charge quickly in the cold and wear out faster when repeatedly frozen.

• Check where network equipment lives. A switch or door controller in an unheated shop should be rated for the cold. Many office-grade products aren't.

• Keep heaters away from equipment. A space heater pointed at a network cabinet causes as many problems as the cold.

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When the internet goes down too

A storm that knocks out power in town often takes the internet with it, even if your office has a UPS. Plan for both.

• Keep working files in the cloud. Staff with power at home can keep working, even when the office is dark.

• Have a backup connection. A cellular backup on your router switches over automatically when the main line drops.

• Make your phones portable. A cloud phone system rings on staff cell phones when the office is closed.

• Know your point-of-sale offline mode. Many payment terminals can take cards offline for a short time. Find out how yours works before you need it.

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After the power comes back

Wait a few minutes for the power to settle. Flickers are common in the first minutes after it's restored.

 

Then start things in this order:

1. Internet modem and router

2. Network switches and Wi-Fi

3. Servers and network storage

4. Phones, printers and door access

5. Workstations

If something doesn't come back, don't keep restarting it. Call your IT provider.

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How Mango IT helps

Mango IT is based in Cranbrook and works with businesses across the East Kootenay. We provide:

• A fall walkthrough of your power protection, backups and internet

• UPS sizing, installation and battery replacement

• Automatic safe shutdown for servers and network storage

• Cellular backup internet and cloud phone systems

• Remote support during outages, and on-site help when it's needed

Contact us to book a walkthrough before the first storm.