A battery backup (also known as an uninterruptible power supply, or UPS) provides temporary power to your devices during an outage. When the power goes out, it automatically kicks in — giving you time to save your work, finish your video meeting, or shut down your devices safely. Most battery backups also keep your devices safe from power surges (which can damage them).
Below, you’ll find more information about battery backups and how to choose the right model for your home.
What battery backups do
Battery backups protect your internet connection and devices in two main ways:
- By helping to make sure that your router, Fiber Jack, and devices continue to receive power seamlessly when the electricity goes out.
- By acting as a surge protector and keeping your devices safe from voltage spikes.
Keep in mind that your battery backup will only last for a certain period of time, depending on its capacity and how much power your devices consume.
How battery backups work with GFiber
GFiber’s fiber optic technology uses light, rather than electrical impulses, to bring internet to your home (which means it’s built to stay up — even in circumstances like a power outage).
And while our fiber network doesn’t need electricity to transmit internet signals, the router and Fiber Jack in your home need power to operate. So if you don’t already have a generator or battery backup, a power outage may knock you offline, even though the GFiber network is still up and running.
It’s worth noting that a battery backup can also keep your home phone line active during a power outage (although Google Fiber Phone customers can still make calls on their mobile phones during an outage, even if they don’t have a battery backup).
What to look for when choosing a battery backup
If you’re planning to buy a battery backup, consider the factors below to make sure you get the best option for what you need:
- Capacity: Choose a model with enough capacity to power your devices (not all battery backups can power all kinds of electronic devices).
- Number of outlets: Make sure the battery backup has enough outlets for all of the devices you’d like to plug in.
- Features: Consider a battery backup with features like voltage regulation, USB charging ports, or remote monitoring.
In order to help keep your Wi-Fi up and running when your electricity goes out, we recommend purchasing one of these battery backups.
Have questions? We’re here to help — feel free to contact us anytime.