Backup power and security

Standby vs portable generators: which one fits your home

A plain comparison of permanently installed standby generators and portable units with an inlet, so you can match backup power to how you actually live through an Edmonton outage.

Why backfeeding a generator is dangerous, and what to use instead

Plugging a generator into a house outlet can kill a lineworker and burn out your wiring. Here is how transfer switches and panel interlocks solve the problem safely.

How to size a backup generator for a home or small business

Generator size comes from what must run and how motors start, not from the size of your house. A practical walk-through of loads, surge and coverage choices.

Running a portable generator safely during an outage

Carbon monoxide, cold starts, cords and fuel: practical safety habits for Edmonton homeowners who rely on a portable generator when the power goes out.

Generator maintenance in an Alberta climate

Standby and portable generators fail most often from neglect, not age. Here is what to check, when, and what to leave to a technician, with Edmonton winters in mind.

Home battery backup vs a generator: how to choose

Batteries are quiet and automatic but finite; generators run as long as fuel lasts. How each works, how they suit Edmonton winters, and when a combination makes sense.

UPS systems for businesses: a practical buyer's guide

How uninterruptible power supplies protect servers, point-of-sale and controls, the difference between UPS types, and what to plan for runtime, wiring and batteries.

Powering a server or data room: what to plan for

Dedicated circuits, UPS, redundant feeds, cooling and generator backup for small server rooms and network closets in offices, clinics and light industrial buildings.

Access control basics for commercial buildings

Card readers, electric locks, controllers and credentials explained in plain terms, plus the code and egress points that need early attention when you plan a system.

Backup power and security · 8 min

Planning a CCTV system that actually catches what matters

How to decide where cameras go, how much detail you need, how they are wired and powered, and how long to keep footage, for Edmonton businesses and larger homes.

Fire alarm systems: the basics and what annual inspections involve

How a commercial fire alarm system works, what owners are responsible for under Alberta's fire code, and what to expect when the system is inspected and tested.

Structured cabling basics for offices and commercial spaces

What structured cabling is, how far a cable run can go, which cable to choose, and how to keep data, cameras, Wi-Fi and access control working for the life of the space.

Motion lighting for home and business security

Where to put motion-sensing lights, how sensors work, how to avoid nuisance triggers and glare, and what to know about outdoor wiring in an Edmonton climate.