Help CenterIf there is a power outage in your area, the Gen 2 Alarm System will continue to function for 24 hours on the backup battery. Since the sensors are also battery-operated, your Gen 2 Alarm System will continue to monitor your home or business. However, you won’t receive any notifications on your phone if the Wi-Fi is down in your home or business, as your Wi-Fi router would also be affected by the power outage.
If the power outage lasts more than 24 hours, your Gen 2 will shut down unless you have the Gen 2 power adapter plugged into a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), which would prolong the operation of the Alarm System.
If the Gen 2 does shut down completely and the power turns back on, give the Alarm Panel some time for the battery to recharge, and then Gen 2 will turn back on. Remember to check if the back up battery switch has been turned on. Similar to a cell phone, when the battery has been completely drained, it takes time for your phone to power back on.
Here is a more detailed explanation:
Why This Happens:
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Rechargeable Battery Behavior:
- When a device like a Wi-Fi alarm system or cell phone has its battery completely drained, it enters a "deep discharge" state. In this state, the battery's voltage drops below the threshold required for the device to power on.
- When power is restored (like when electricity comes back or the device is plugged in), the battery begins to charge, but it may need to accumulate enough charge to reach the minimum operating voltage of the device.
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Power Management Systems:
- Modern electronic devices, including alarm panels, have built-in power management systems. These systems prevent the device from turning on immediately after being connected to a power source if the battery is critically low. This delay allows the battery to charge to a safer level to ensure stable operation.
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Protection Mechanisms:
- To prevent battery damage or excessive current draw, many devices implement safety mechanisms that delay power-on until the battery is adequately charged. Turning on a device with an undercharged battery could strain the battery and reduce its lifespan.
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Reboot Process:
- For devices with embedded systems (like a Wi-Fi alarm panel), there might also be a brief startup or boot-up process after power is restored. This can add to the apparent delay.
Comparison to a Cell Phone:
This behavior is similar to what you see with cell phones. If a phone battery is completely drained, plugging it in doesn’t immediately turn it back on. Instead, the phone typically waits until the battery has reached a certain charge level, after which it powers on.
Summary:
The delay in the Wi-Fi alarm system turning back on after a power outage and battery drain is a normal and protective behavior. It ensures the battery and device are in a stable condition before resuming operation.