The products shown here are particularly well suited for homes,farms and guesthouses. These systems should also be considered for small businesses such as restaurants, shops, medical practices, pharmacies, workshops, etc. where data capture/transfer is not necessarily critical. Individual shops in shopping centres would find these systems ideal as they can basically be installed anywhere unlike generators. Most cost-effective, reliable and ideal back-up systems for traffic lights.

On average these systems need about one sq. meter of space only.

The advantage of these products is that you don't have to install a noisy generator. Generators need constant refilling and maintenance and are not ideal for residential areas or for small businesses where noise and pollution from the exhaust are a problem.

The systems offered here consist of either a modified sinewave or a sinewave inverter; with a built-in battery charger, automatic changeover switch and a large battery bank. Frequently asked questions are answered on this page.

HOW DO THESE SYSTEMS WORK:

The unit is permanently connected to utility power so that while mains is present the extra large 4 stage built-in battery charger recharges the batteries and keeps the batteries fully charged until a power failure occurs. The equipment you want to back up is also permanently connected via the system. In case of a power failure the backup system automatically switches over, via an extra fast transfer switch to the inverter, which will continue to provide power to the equipment within 15 msec. This is extremely fast and standard equipment like TVs, DSTV decoders, microwaves, fans, etc. are unaffected. The sinewave systems can also backup computers but it is possible that a very small percentage of computers could reset during the switchover time.

When utility power returns, the whole procedure is reversed and the unit will switch back to utility power and will automatically start re-charging the batteries. Your equipment remains connected to the system even when power is restored. The whole process is fully automatic.

HOW LONG WILL THE INVERTER SYSTEM RUN WHEN THERE IS A POWER FAILURE :

The amount of backup time is determined by the size of the connected battery bank and the load drawn from the system.The backup time is normally calculated at full load (i.e. if the system is a 2200VA system, full load is 2200VA. If you remove some of the load, then the backup time will extended relative to the power used. For example, if your system is calculated at 6 hours backup at full load and you reduce your load to 25%, you backup time can be extended up to 24 hours.

Click here to view the catalogue which gives an indication of how long each system can run for.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE THE BATTERIES WHEN UTILITY POWER RETURNS :

The recharge time of the batteries depends on how much power was removed from the batteries during a power failure. The recharge times in the catalogues is indicated at full battery discharge.

Click here to view the catalogue which gives an indication of battery recharge time for each system.

Yes, but the system has to be correctly sized to begin with. These systems are capable of bridging power outages from 2 - 24 hours or (e.g. for 2 hours per day twice a day) as the battery chargers are powerful enough to recharge the battery bank to cater for the second outage on the same day (providing there is enough time between the 2 outages - at least 4-6 hours). Again this process if fully automatic.

INSTALLATION :

The smaller systems (CA range) can be used as stand-alone systems or can be wired into your DB board. The larger systems (Studer range) can also be used as stand-alone systems but it is by far more convenient if they are hard-wired into your DB board. Sinetech does not provide support for your electrical installation and will not be held responsible for whatever reason if the user encounters problems with wiring, especially in old houses or dwellings. This has to be resolved between the user and the electrical contractor who is installing the system. As these standby systems do not provide any or very limited protection we recommend that, while you are installing these systems, you also should install lighting, spike and surge protection into your DB board if you have not done so already.

MAINTENANCE :

These systems require minimum maintenance. The batteries are basically maintenance free and have a life span of 3 - 5 years. These are high quality semi-sealed lead calcium standby batteries which, under normal circumstances, do not generate any excessive fumes. It is recommended that the battery sets be installed into a battery cabinet or stand and are locked in a room, with some ventilation, where small children do not have access. As with all batteries, these batteries can be dangerous if tampered with. Automotive batteries should not be used for this type of standby application. These batteries do not have to be re-filled like car batteries.

WARRANTY :

The systems are warranted against faulty workmanship, parts and manufacturing defects for one year which does not apply if the unit is incorrectly installed or tampered with. For the batteries the original manufactures warranty applies. Sinetech does not provide support for your electrical installation and will not be held responsible for whatever reason if the user encounters problems with wiring, especially in old houses or dwellings. This has to be resolved between the user and the electrical contractor who is installing the system.

Please click here to read our Warranty Terms and Conditions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOME LONG BACKUP SYSTEM AND A UPS SYSTEM :

A UPS system is designed to backup sensitive equipment like computers, medical equipment, telecommunications equipment, etc. Standard UPS systems have small internal battery sets and can only provide short backup times of approximately 5 - 10 minutes which cannot be extended as the internal battery chargers are small and can only cater for the internal battery sets they were designed for. Addtional or external batteries cannot be connected to these UPS systems.

There are also long backup UPS systems available which can be supplied with external battery sets to provide backup for, usually not more than 2 hours. The double conversion online UPS systems have no break whatsoever and the sensitive equipment will always run on electronically produced power and is not directly connected to the mains power.

Click here to go to our UPS system page on this website

In contrast,home long backup systems, which do have a small break when they switch over to backup power, incorporate large battery chargers which enables extra large battery sets to be installed, which results in extra long back-up times.This is not possible with UPS systems.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO :

Firstly we recommend you read the Explanation. Then make a list of exactly what appliances you want to provide backup power for. You need the appliance ratings in Watts, Amps or VA (this is usually stated on the back of the appliance on a label or in the manual). When you have this VA ratings, add them all together to come to a total VA rating. This can be done with the help of an electrician or someone who understands these calculations

For example if you need a total of 2000VA, check the catalogue and choose the system that will provide you with this, i.e. the XPC2200-24A, B or C system (the A,B or C determines the number of batteries and therefore the backup time. By the way, the XPC-2200B version is the most popular system at the moment.

You can then look at the different backup times provided by that particular unit and the cost thereof. Please contact us for pricing and availability. We can arrange a trained electrican for installations in the greater Johannesburg and Pretoria areas.