Power: UPS first, generator second
Every rack we install sits on an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) sized for the equipment in it. A UPS does two jobs: it rides through the daily blips that would otherwise reboot the house, and it keeps the network, cameras and controls running for 30 to 90 minutes in a real outage. For homes with a whole-home generator we put the rack room and key devices on the generator side of the transfer switch, so the system runs indefinitely once the generator starts, and the UPS bridges the gap while it does.
- Size the UPS for at least 30 minutes at the rack's real load, more for homes that are managed remotely.
- Put the gateway, switches, NVR, Control4 processor and lighting panels on protected power. Everything else can wait.
- Test the generator transfer with the system live before the season, not during a storm.
Cameras that keep recording
Cameras powered over PoE from a switch on the UPS keep recording through an outage for as long as the battery or generator lasts. Local recording on an NVR means the footage exists even when the internet is down; cloud-only cameras stop the moment the connection drops. For remote viewing during an outage, a cellular failover on the gateway keeps the app working when the cable or fiber line is out.
Exterior cameras need marine-grade mounts, sealed penetrations and, in exposed positions, housings rated for wind-driven rain. We aim at least one camera at the dock, the seawall and each side of the house so you can assess damage before you can get home.
Shades, lighting and a storm scene
Motorized shades cannot replace impact glass or shutters, but they protect interiors from sun and debris-scattered light and give privacy in a house that may be empty for days. A "Storm" scene we program on many homes closes every shade, sets interior lights to a low vacation pattern, turns off audio and video, locks doors, arms the system and confirms each step in the app. One tap before you leave, from anywhere.
Wired shades on the UPS circuit still move during an outage; battery shades always do.
Surge protection at every layer
Lightning and grid switching produce surges that kill electronics quietly. We protect at three points: a whole-home surge device at the electrical panel (installed by the electrician), surge-protected power distribution in the rack, and surge protection on every copper line that enters the home, including the internet service and any cable to an outbuilding. Between buildings we run fiber, which carries no surge at all.
Remote access and monitoring
Every system we install can be checked and controlled from a phone anywhere: cameras, locks, lighting, shades, climate, water sensors and the network itself. With remote monitoring on the UniFi network, we see outages and device failures as they happen and can often restore service without a visit. For second homes and seasonal residents, leak sensors, temperature alerts and a camera on the utility room are the difference between a claim and a phone call.
Coming back on its own
A well-built system recovers without help. Switches restart, PoE devices restart, the processor reloads its programming, the network reconnects and the app works again, in that order, automatically. If your system needs someone to power-cycle boxes in a particular sequence, that is a design flaw we can fix.
Pre-season checklist
- Test the UPS
Unplug it from the wall with the system live. It should carry the rack for at least 30 minutes and the app should keep working.
- Test the generator transfer
Confirm the rack room and lighting panels are on the generator side, and that everything is running after the switch.
- Check the failover
Pull the primary internet connection and confirm the cellular or second line takes over.
- Walk the exterior
Camera mounts, intercom housings, speaker enclosures and any exterior cable penetrations: tight, sealed, corrosion-free.
- Run the Storm scene
From the app, away from the house. Confirm every shade, lock and light responds.
- Confirm recording
Check the NVR has weeks of storage free and every camera is recording continuously.
- Update the emergency list
Who has app access, who has codes, who to call. We keep a copy on file for service plan clients.
Questions people ask about this
Will my smart home work during a hurricane?
Locally, yes, for as long as the UPS or generator provides power: lights, keypads, remotes, shades and cameras keep working. Remote access depends on an internet connection, which is why we recommend cellular failover for homes that are checked from away.
Do I need a generator for the system?
Not for short outages; a properly sized UPS handles those. For multi-day outages and for second homes, a generator with the rack room on the transfer switch keeps cameras, remote access and climate running.
Can shades be closed automatically when a storm warning is issued?
The system can close shades on a schedule, on a scene, or in response to a weather service, but we recommend a deliberate tap on the Storm scene rather than automatic weather triggers, so the house does not respond to a false alarm while you are in it.
What happens to the cameras if the internet goes down?
They keep recording locally to the NVR. You will not see them from your phone until the connection or the cellular failover comes back, and nothing is lost in the meantime.
Serving Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, Fisher Island and across South Florida.