Battery Backup
Take steps to ensure your FirstLight Internet and Voice services don’t skip a beat
Protect Your Firstlight Voice and Internet Services From Power Failure
Your FirstLight voice and Internet Services require electrical power from your business to operate. Electricity from your business powers the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), an equipment box where FirstLight’s fiber network terminates and inside wiring for your business originates.
Battery backups are essential to avoid a loss of voice services, including 911 access during a power outage
Important information about battery backups:
- For new service, at the customer’s option and expense, FirstLight is willing to provide at least one technical solution capable of supporting at least 8 hours of uninterrupted 911 services and install a customer-owned battery backup unit. It’s the customer’s obligation to request a technical solution and the customer acknowledges as reasonably necessary Service Schedule A – FirstLight Voice Services.
- For existing service, you are responsible for obtaining, monitoring, replacing and properly disposing of all batteries for the backup unit that FirstLight may have previously installed with your service prior to November 1, 2023.
- FirstLight recommends that you check the battery unit at least twice a year to ensure it is operating and ready to use in case of a power outage.
- In the event of hearing audio beeps or alarms originating from the battery backup unit, the customer should investigate and resolve any problems.
- Certain battery backup unit models that fail will prevent services from operating and require you to either bypass the unit or replace the batteries.
- You can purchase a battery backup unit or replacement batteries from most major electronics suppliers.
A backup battery unit will not function properly if the battery is not charged, or the battery is not replaced periodically. Batteries lose their functionality over time due to a variety of reasons, including age, corrosion, and weather and temperature extremes.
Check the battery level by monitoring the battery level indicator on the battery backup unit itself or use a battery test strip. If the indicator shows a low battery, you should replace the battery/batteries.
Important: Failure to maintain your battery backup unit may result in loss of voice services during a power outage, including a loss of access to Emergency 911 and other services. FirstLight shall have no liability for the failure of your service to function during a power outage, including failure due to the absence or inefficiency of battery backup power.
Options for Battery Failure:
Option A:
The battery can be replaced per the link to this video tutorial:
Option B:
Upon battery failure, unplug CPE (equipment) from the battery protected outlets and plug into the surge protection only outlets. Remove the battery and cover the battery protected outlets to eliminate the possibility of future use.
Option C:
Unplug battery backup from power outlet and unplug equipment from the battery backup unit. Then plug CPE into a ground fault 110 outlet or replace the battery backup with a surge protection strip.
