UPS Power Supply for a WiFi Router
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Is it possible to wire 4 outlets together with 12-2 in 4 separate rooms and instead of the outlets receiving power from the breaker box. © By: Dave Rongey |
Power from a UPS Power Supply
Electrical Project: Is it possible to wire 4 outlets together with 12-2 in 4 separate rooms and instead of the outlets receiving power from the breaker box.
How to use a UPS for a WiFi Router
Trent’s Proposed Home Wiring Project:
- So, I was wondering if its possible to wire 4 outlets together with 12 2 in 4 separate rooms and instead of the outlets receiving power from the breaker box.
- They receive power from a 1500watt APC battery backup ups.I have 4 orange outlets.
- They are all daisy chained together.
In theory what I want to do, is plug my UPS into a white outlet and then plug a male male cord from one of the backup plugs into on of the orange outlets.
The hope is that the UPS will share power to the Orange outlets, and then when the power fails still keep anything plugged into the orange outlets up. - A: Will this work?
- B: Would I need to take a ground from one of the orange outlets and ground it to another outlet?
- C: I want my networking devices on this orange chain so WiFi router, switch, alarm clock. (way less than what my 1500w can cover)
This request came from Trent in Charleston, West Virginia.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your sharing your electrical wiring project Trent.
UPS Power Supply for a WiFi Router
- Application: UPS Power Supply.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Wall Outlet, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Wall Outlet should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in your specific area of West Virginia. A permit and inspections may also be required.
This electrical wiring project is about wanting to share power from a UPS backup power system.
Wall Outlets and a UPS Power Supply
Trent, from what you have described, conceivably, and in theory a system like this would work – BUT I would not repurpose the existing wiring with this type of setup.
- I would not repurpose the existing wiring with this type of setup. If this was a new home being wired then dedicated wiring for a battery backup or generator system would definitely be possible.
- This is basically how emergency power circuits are installed and function in hospitals and other required facilities to the red or orange outlets as required – but these are isolated circuits originating from their own emergency panel, which is also isolated from the Normal Utility Power because of a transfer switch.
- The biggest concern that I have is using the male to male suicide cables – which are extremely dangerous, and also the possibility of back feeding the backup power back into the panel, and all of the other circuits which WILL happen with this type of set up – unless the circuit breaker for this circuit is turned off.
- So to summarize, with this purposed setup there is no provision to prevent the back feeding of power back into the panel system, and the electric utility grid.
- This is a great idea – but full of potential problems and hazards.
- The safe way is to consider obtaining a few smaller UPS’s for each location where you need this type of backup power.
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