This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.
To choose a UPS for cameras, add the wattage of what it powers (NVR, PoE switch or power block, router), divide by 0.8 to leave a margin, then verify the rating covers that total in watts and VA. For 8 PoE IP cameras, the calculation gives 206.25 W and 343.75 VA: a 650 VA UPS is sufficient in power. Autonomy depends on the battery.
In short
- Protect the recorder and PoE switch (or power block) from sudden outages.
- Formula: load in W ÷ 0.8 = minimum capacity in W, then ÷ 0.6 for VA, as a precaution.
- The EAST UPS EA265 Pro (650 VA), at 10,500 DA HT, covers the power of 4 HDCVI cameras as 8 PoE IP cameras.
Why protect the recorder and switch
- The recorder writes continuously: a sudden cut can damage the file in progress, even the disk.
- Without power, no images. An UPS on the PoE switch keeps cameras powered via their network cable (Wi‑Fi or wired PoE). In coaxial, it powers the recorder and power block.
- A router on a UPS keeps the remote access during a power cut. Regulation forbids internet connection for public structure video surveillance systems and those whose cameras film open public space (Executive Decree No. 09‑410 amended by Decree No. 16‑61, Art. 20 bis); verify your situation before opening remote access.
Calculating power: watts, VA and margin
The watt (W) is the actual power consumed. VA is the apparent power the UPS can supply. The rating lists both.
- Add the wattage of each connected device (manufacturer spec or wattmeter).
- Divide by 0.8: the UPS should not run at full load. Keeping a 20 % margin is a common precautionary rule, to absorb power spikes and battery aging.
- Divide by 0.6 to obtain VA, as a precaution: this is the ratio between watts and VA for the UPS in the store (650 VA gives 390 W), applied here to the load. Then verify that the UPS datasheet covers both the calculated watts and VA; for another model, read both values.
| Item (in W) | 4 HDCVI cameras | 8 PoE IP cameras |
|---|---|---|
| Camera power supply | 4‑output block: 60 | PoE switch, budget: 120 |
| Recorder, disk and router (assumption) | 30 + 15 = 45 | 30 + 15 = 45 |
| Load | 60 + 45 = 105 | 120 + 45 = 165 |
| Minimum capacity in W (÷ 0,8) | 131,25 | 206,25 |
| Minimum capacity in VA (÷ 0,6) | 218,75 | 343,75 |
The calculation takes the capacity of the ECM block (60 W) and the budget of the 8‑port switch (120 W), higher than the actual camera consumption: it is an over‑estimate. The 30 W and 15 W of the recorder and router are assumptions: replace them with their datasheet value or a watt‑meter measurement.
Desired autonomy
Battery energy required (Wh) = load in W × time in hours ÷ 0.8, the 0.8 accounting for UPS efficiency. For 165 W: 15 minutes require 165 × 0.25 ÷ 0.8 = 51.6 Wh; 1 hour requires 165 × 1 ÷ 0.8 = 206.25 Wh. A datasheet stating 12 V and 7 Ah gives 12 × 7 = 84 Wh: enough for 15 minutes, not for 1 hour (206.25 ÷ 84 ≈ 2.5 batteries). In practice, a lead‑acid battery does not discharge to 100 % and loses capacity with age: count less. For several hours, request a sizing quote.
UPS for cameras: the store’s models
Net price from the asloitech.com store on 06/11/2026, subject to availability. Max load = 80 % of watts (390 × 0.8 = 312).
| Model | Power | Price (DA HT) | Availability | Maximum load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST UPS EA265 Pro | 650 VA, 390 W | 10 500 | in stock | 312 W |
| EAST UPS EA285 Pro | 850 VA, 510 W | 13 500 | in stock | 408 W |
| UPS camera MC 650 VA | 650 VA, watts not specified | 15 500 | in stock | not calculable |
| EAST UPS EA2120P | 1,200 VA, 720 W | 16 000 | in stock | 576 W |
| EAST UPS EA2100 Pro | 1,000 VA, 600 W | 19 500 | in stock | 480 W |
| EAST UPS EA2200 | 2,000 VA, 1,200 W | 24 000 | rupture | 960 W |
| EAST UPS EA2150R, rack | 1,500 VA, 900 W | 35 500 | in stock | 720 W |
The price does not follow the power: the EA2120P (1,200 VA) costs 19,500 − 16,000 = 3,500 DA HT less than the EA2100 Pro (1,000 VA). The MC 650 VA costs 15,500 − 10,500 = 5,000 DA HT more than the EA265 Pro, with 8 outputs instead of 3. With the 24‑port PoE switch (300 W budget), the load rises to 300 + 45 = 345 W, above the 312 W of the EA265 Pro: take the EA285 Pro (408 W). If a watt‑meter shows a real consumption much lower than this budget, a smaller model may suffice. The designations give neither the watts of the MC 650 VA nor the battery of the models: read the manufacturer’s datasheet before buying.
What a UPS does not protect
- What is not plugged into it: a camera with its adapter, a router on the mains.
- Cables: lightning or a surge can arrive via an external network or coaxial cable. Some UPSs protect one network line, not all: read the datasheet and plan a dedicated surge protector for lines that exit the building.
- A long outage: empty battery, the output stops.
- An internet outage: remote access stops even if the site is powered.
- A failed disk or theft of the recorder.
Maintenance and battery replacement
The battery wears out over time and heat: its lifespan depends on the model and room temperature. Place the UPS in a ventilated area, out of direct sunlight. At each maintenance visit, test it: with the UPS’s auto‑test if available, or by unplugging it from mains for a few minutes at a time when a recording interruption is acceptable. The recorder must stay powered on. Replace the battery if autonomy drops significantly or if the UPS reports a fault. Price: by quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is one UPS needed per camera?
No. One UPS powers the recorder, the PoE switch (or power block) and the router: 3 outputs, like the EA265 Pro. A screen requests a 4th: the EA2120P has 4, the MC 650 VA has 8.
Can an printer or air‑conditioner be plugged in?
No. Reserve it for security electronics: motors and laser printers draw a lot at startup.
What happens when the battery is empty?
The UPS cuts the output and the recorder stops, as without a UPS. The saved time allows shutting down the recorder from its menu.
A technician measures your installation’s consumption and selects the UPS: discover our video surveillance CCTV solution or the CCTV store. Cost of a complete installation: PoE and coaxial.