A power outage shouldn’t mean a security blackout on construction sites, especially for important things like tower crane CCTV systems in Singapore [[1]]([Shunamite Pte Ltd. Technical Specifications: Tower Crane CCTV Systems]). For compliance and incident investigation, continuous power is a must. This guide gives you useful tips for both primary and backup power so that your CCTV system for construction sites can run 24/7, even when the main power goes out.
The main idea is layered redundancy.
Don’t depend on just one source of power. A resilient system has a main power source, a short-term battery backup (UPS), and sometimes a long-term generator backup [3]. This is especially important for remote sites or critical monitoring, like providing CCTV cameras on tower cranes.
1. Figuring out how big and how much power your uninterruptible power supply (UPS) needs
A UPS gives you power right away during a blackout, so you can shut down your computer or wait for a generator to start. Undersizing is a common mistake [3].
A Guide to Sizing UPS Step by Step:
- Make a list of all the important equipment: For a normal camera cluster:
- Network Video Recorder (NVR): about 60W
- PoE Switch powering cameras: about 150W
- Tower Crane Cameras (2-3): about 30W each
- Network Router/Modem: 15W
- Total Critical Load (W): ~ 300W
- Determine Required Runtime: How long do you need coverage after a power cut?
- Minimum for Site Offices: 1-2 hours to cover short outages and allow for manual intervention.
- For Tower Crane CCTV: Minimum 4+ hours. This includes long outages and gives time for a generator to be set up if it isn’t automated [[1]]([Shunamite Pte Ltd. Technical Specifications: Tower Crane CCTV Systems]).
- Choose the UPS VA Rating: Use the formula “VA = Total Watts / Power Factor” (for IT gear, this is usually 0.8).
- For our 300W load: *”300W / 0.8 = 375 VA”*
- Always round up. For this load, choose a 1000VA or 1500VA UPS, which will give you plenty of time to run and room to grow in the future.
Main Advice: For important systems, use a online double-conversion UPS. It gives the cleanest power, which is important for delicate electronics, and there is no transfer time when you switch [3].
2. Backup power for remote sites and long outages
A UPS alone is not enough for places that don’t have stable grid power or for continuous recording that is critical to the mission [3].
- Portable Solar Generator Kits: Great for setting up cameras around the house, for temporary use, or for monitoring the environment. When paired with solar panels, modern lithium power stations (3kWh+) can power a small camera cluster for days. Make sure the kit comes with a pure sine wave inverter.
- Automatic Standby Generators: An automatic diesel or petrol generator with a Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is the best option for main site offices and control rooms that house the core NVR. The ATS finds a problem with the mains, starts the generator, and switches the load in 30 to 60 seconds, making sure that everything works almost perfectly.
3. Things to Keep in Mind When Using Tower Crane CCTV Systems
Putting CCTV cameras on tower cranes is a unique challenge because the power usually comes from the crane itself, which will be lost if the site mains fail [[1]]([Shunamite Pte Ltd. Technical Specifications: Tower Crane CCTV Systems]).
Plan: Dual-Path Power with Local Backup
- Main Power: Comes from the crane’s own supply.
- Localised UPS at the Camera Pod: Put a small, ruggedized, outdoor-rated UPS (or a dedicated DC power supply with battery backup) in the weatherproof box where the camera is mounted on the crane. This gives the cameras their own power for the needed 4 hours or more [[1]] ([Shunamite Pte Ltd. Technical Specifications: Tower Crane CCTV Systems]).
- Data Transmission: Make sure that the data link, which is usually wireless or PoE over fiber, has backup power on both the crane and the ground receiver ends.
4. Best Practices for Installing and Maintaining
- Location: Put the main UPS and batteries in a safe, cool, and dry place in the site office. Stay away from places that get a lot of sun or dust [3].
- Maintenance Schedule:
- Monthly: Check for strange noise or heat and look for alarm lights.
- Every three months: Test the UPS by unplugging it to see if the equipment stays online and the runtime is what you expect.
- Every six months or every year: professional maintenance and a check of the battery’s health. In tough conditions, lead-acid UPS batteries usually need to be replaced every three to five years [3].
- Documentation: Clearly label all power circuits and make a simple one-page SOP for site staff on what to do if the power goes out for a long time (for example, “Check UPS, tell supervisor if alarm sounds”) [2].
Using a tiered power strategy changes your CCTV system from a weak utility to a strong monitoring tool [2]. You can make sure that your site, assets, and people are always safe by properly sizing a UPS, planning for long backups, and taking care of the special needs of high cameras.
References
[1] Shunamite Pte Ltd. (2023). Technical Specifications: Tower Crane CCTV Systems.
[2] Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore. (2022). Circular on Enhancing Safety at Construction Sites
[3] International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). (2021). IEC 62040-1: Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) – Part 1: Safety requirements
