TIPS for Broadband During Power Outages
During widespread power outage ShutesburyNET will stay active. The power lines are above our fiber optic cable on the utility poles, and so in many cases the power lines get taken out by falling trees but our lines will remain intact. Fiber optic cable is very sturdy and continues to work when it's on the ground, buried or even immersed in water. We have a 24/7 backup generator to run our network during power outages but if you want your equipment to continue running in your home, here are some important things to know:
If you got the CyberPower battery backup unit during installation your phone connection will stay active for about 8 hours. However, wireless telephones that require AC power to function will not work, but older analogue (Ma Bell) telephones will continue to work as they always have, provided they are plugged into your ONT. (The ONT is the little black box about the size of a deck of cards). Remember to plug the phone plug back into the ONT after the power comes back. The more you use your phone during a power outage, the more it will drain the UPS so be conservative!
If you didn't buy a UPS during installation and now want one, look for "UPS" or "Uninterruptible Power Supply" for computers and networks. You will need a UPS unit to power BOTH the ONT and the Linksys router if you want your whole home network to continue working because the router is what distributes the signal throughout your home to all your devices. See more below about how to replace or buy a new UPS.
So, when you buy a UPS consider how many devices you'll be planning to plug into it and how long you want the stored up power to last. Bigger can be better if you want continuous temporary power for your in-home network - especially if you plan on doing things like recharging your phone or other device as well! Unless you get a very robust UPS you likely won't be able to run the whole network in your home for more than a few hours.
And remember, we have a generator running our electronics hut at the town hall so even if power goes out townwide, our network will stay active as long as the network connection to your home is intact. There is also another generator that powers essential services in the town hall building. And so, you can always use the WiFi guest network in the Town Hall parking lot if you get desperate for internet (provided our mainline connection to the wider internet has not been damaged during the outage).
Can you explain the battery backup? What is it and why do I need it?
Unlike traditional copper analogue phone wires ShutesburyNET phone service requires powered electronics to run. So in the case of a power outage you will not have a dial tone on your phones unless you have backup power going to your ONT (optical network terminal). This is the small black box about the size of a deck of cards that your router and phone (and/or your whole home phone wiring) will connect into. The optional battery backup will keep the ONT powered up for about 8 hours if you have no electricity in your home.
If there is not cell phone coverage at your home and you rely solely on your cell phone to make and receive calls you will have NO phone service in the case of a power outage. This is because your cell phone relies on the wireless signal distributed by the router - which won't have power going to it. If you want to continue making calls using your cell phone and keep using the internet during a power outage, you will need to get a battery backup both the ONT and the router.
If you didn't buy a UPS during installation and now want one, look for "UPS" or "Uninterruptible Power Supply" for computers and networks. When you buy, consider how many devices you'll be planning to plug into it and how long you want the stored up power to last. Search online for "uninterruptible power source" and look for a unit that provides at least 300-500 watts of power.
Remember, providing backup power to the ONT will only give you a working traditional telephone connection.
If you want your home WiFi network to continue to provide internet during power outages, you must supply power to the router as well. Buy a UPS that has multiple sockets so you can supply power to not only the ONT, but your router, cordless phone and other electronic devices. Bigger can be better here if you want a temporary power for your in-home network - especially if you plan on doing things like recharging your phone or other devices as well!
It may go without saying, but you do not need any battery backups if you have a whole-home generator that will power the outlets that run your ShutesburyNET equipment.
Finally, if phone service is critical for your household for medical devices or alarm systems or other devices you may want to consider continuing using Verizon for phone service because analog phone service is possible during power outages.
My battery backup is dead and no longer works. How do I replace it?
The Cyberpower unit offered during our initial installation period is a commercial version, and so this same model isn't available for retail purchase. But according to the CyberPower user manual, the battery in this unit is replaceable. Alternatively you might choose to buy a new and different type of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source) to provide more backup power during power outages for not just the ONT but your router and other devices.
To replace the battery in the Cyberpower unit search online for part number “djw12-7.2” or “12v7.2ah”. As with all rechargeable battery replacements only use batteries that are compatible with the manufacturer’s guidelines for battery replacement. The manufacturer website is https://www.cyberpowersystems.com. This website for the Cyberpower DTC36U12V also contains a copy of the user's manual which will provide instructions for battery replacement.
Many people have asked, but as a municipality we cannot endorse a specific product for purchase. This is not allowed by Massachusetts State Law. The best we can do is provide some general purchasing guidance.
My battery backup (UPS) is beeping. It's really annoying. What's wrong with it?
When your UPS battery backup beeps, it means it operating from battery (ie. your power is out). To stop the beeping, press and hold the Alarm Silence (mute) button for about a half second until you hear one beep then release. The light next to the Alarm Silence will flash, indicating it has been turned to silent mode for 24 hours. For extended power outages press and hold the Alarm Silence button for 15 seconds until you hear one beep. This will silence the alarm permanently. If the fourth LED light next to the image of the battery continues to be red in color even when the power returns after an outage, this indicates your battery may be completely dead and need replacement (see above).
I need a power cord for the ONT because I've removed the battery backup device. Where can I get one?
Please visit the Shutesbury town library during their open hours and ask at the circulation desk for a broadband power supply cord. This will be given to you free of charge and will allow you to replace your existing Cyberpower battery unit and plug the ONT into a conventional 120 volt wall socket or power strip.
How much electricity gets used by the broadband equipment in my home?
The ONT draws about 10 watts of power (12.2 volts at .8 amps) and the Linksys router draws slightly more depending on wireless activity. So to run both units you will need to provide about 20-25 watts per hour from an uninterruptible power source(UPS). And so you would think a 300 watt UPS might provide you with 12 hours of backup, but in reality the backup power provided by your UPS is likely to be much less. UPS performance declines with age, and some are not very efficient. But generally speaking, the bigger the UPS is in both cost and capacity, the longer it will last during a power outage.
Customer Service: 855-415-7592