Backup Power
A backup battery can keep you connected when the power goes out
Backup Power for Residential Voice Telephone Services during Power Outages
For many years, your home telephone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. However, if your residential voice telephone service is provided using fiber optics rather than the traditional copper-based line, the residential voice telephone service requires backup battery power to continue functioning during an outage. To avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage – and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services – SCTelcom provides you with a battery for the backup power for your residential voice telephone service at the time of the initial installation at no additional cost.
What Your Battery Can – and Can’t – Do for You
The backup battery system that powers the fiber ONTs provided by SCTelcom allow you to continue to use your home voice services during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, customers would not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. No modifications or use of the battery backup system is authorized or permitted.
Replacement Options
As previously noted, a backup battery has been provided by SCTelcom during the initial installation. However, the battery provided by our company may need to be replaced every two or three years or when the battery is no longer functioning.
SCTelcom provided replacement backup batteries – After two years of service, SCTelcom will provide a replacement battery at no cost to you. They’re available at one of our business offices and for customers in remote locations, we’ll arrange to have a battery delivered to your location (just give us a call). If you have any questions, please call 1-877-723-6875.
Additional backup batteries may be purchased for residential – $25.00, business – $75.00.
Installation – Batteries are easy to replace and instructions will be included with your battery. SCTelcom will install the battery for a $35.00 fee, just call the office to arrange a time.
Expected Backup Power Duration
New backup batteries are expected to last up to 8 hours (6 hours of talk time) on standby power. This will decrease as the battery ages. If you feel that is not enough time, you may extend your standby power by purchasing additional spare 8 hour batteries. SCTelcom has an extended battery system available that will provide 24-hours of service available for purchase.
Broadband Usage
Our system is designed to automatically shut off all broadband services to maximize battery life. Customers can request (in writing) that broadband service remain active while operating on battery power, but this will vastly reduce the amount of time that emergency voice calls are possible.
Instructions for Proper Care and Use of Your Battery
Installed batteries require no maintenance; however additional (externally stored) batteries do require attention. If you do not store your battery correctly, it will shorten its useful life. We recommend that you store your battery above 41°F and below 104°F. Batteries require a trickle charge to insure they are ready when needed. They will not last forever and should be replaced every 2 to 3 years.
