October 2024 Update: Emergency Backup Testing

When the Power Goes Out, the Network Stays Up

What happens when the lights go out? At ITGuys, we do not wait to find out the hard way, we test it.

In October, our team performed Emergency Backup Testing across client locations. That meant pulling the plug on purpose, watching the lights flicker, and making sure battery backups kept critical systems alive long enough to ride out a blip or shut down gracefully.

Because in a power outage, even a few extra minutes can mean the difference between a smooth recovery and a messy crash.

Why We Do It

Battery backups (also called UPS units) are like seatbelts. You hope you never need them, but when you do, you want them working perfectly.

Without testing, customers risk:

• Backups that are overloaded and shut down instantly.
• Undersized units that cannot support the network long enough.
• Expired batteries that no longer hold a charge.
• Sudden crashes that corrupt files, damage hardware, or bring business to a halt.

By testing backups regularly, we find the weak spots before a real outage does.

How It Works

Here is what we did this October:

• Pulled power cords to simulate a real outage.
• Monitored how long the network ran on battery before shutting down.
• Checked for overloaded or undersized units.
• Recommended replacements where capacity was not enough.
• Placed “replace after 3 years” stickers on each battery backup to keep customers on a proactive replacement schedule.

It is a simple but effective way to confirm that when the lights go out, the systems do not go down with them.

What We Found

Every location was different, but common findings included:

• Backups supporting more equipment than they were designed for.
• Older batteries that were long past their prime.
• Some units performing flawlessly, giving networks plenty of runtime.

The test provided clarity: which backups could be trusted, and which needed attention.

What We Did About It

For backups that failed the test, we provided recommendations:

• Replace overloaded or undersized units with models that match the demand.
• Swap out aging units that no longer hold reliable power.
• Tag all units with “replace after 3 years” stickers so nothing slips through the cracks.

That way, customers always know the status of their emergency power systems at a glance.

The Results

By the end of October, every ITGuys customer had:

• Confirmed, tested battery backups that work under pressure.
• A clear replacement plan for undersized or aging units.
• A visible sticker-based reminder system to keep backups up to date.

The result: networks that stay alive when the power does not.

Why It Matters for You

Power outages are unpredictable. With tested backups in place, customers gain:

• Protection: Critical systems stay online long enough to save work or shut down safely.
• Reliability: Equipment avoids sudden, damaging crashes.
• Clarity: Easy-to-read stickers make replacement simple and proactive.

It is one less thing to worry about when everything else goes dark.

Looking Ahead

Emergency backup testing is not a one-time drill. Batteries age, loads change, and equipment evolves. We will keep pulling cords, testing runtimes, and making sure backups are ready for the moment they are needed most.

Final Word

October’s project was all about resilience. By testing and tagging emergency backups, ITGuys ensured our customers can weather outages without chaos.