load-shedding-business-continuity-guide

Load-shedding doesn’t have to stop work. This plan keeps internet + Wi-Fi + 1–2 laptops running each cycle, with clean failover and a light backup routine.

1) Prioritise the essentials#

• Keep ONT (fibre modem) + router + Wi-Fi AP + small switch + 1–2 laptops powered.

• Target 2–4 hours per cycle. Desktops, printers, kettles, heaters = not on backup.

2) UPS / inverter sizing (quick method)#

Formula
Battery (Wh) = (Total Watts × Hours) × 1.3 (30% headroom)
For 12.8 V LiFePO₄: Amp-hours (Ah) ≈ Wh ÷ 12.8

Sizing outcome

• Target runtime: 3 h → Wh = 82 × 3 = 246 Wh
• With headroom (×1.3) → 320 Wh
• LiFePO₄ size ≈ 320 ÷ 12.8 = 25 Ah → choose a 12.8 V 50 Ah LiFePO₄ (comfortable margin).
• Inverter rating: ≥300 W pure-sine (500–1000 W if you may add devices).

Rules of thumb

• Internet-only (ONT+router+AP): 25–40 W → 4 h ≈ 200 Wh.
• +1 laptop: aim 320–400 Wh.
• + mini-PC/NUC: plan 600–800 Wh.

3) Internet failover (keep calls & docs online)#

• Router with dual-WAN or LTE/5G USB backup.
• Business APN if available; confirm DNS, VoIP/SIP, VPN on failover.
• Policy-based routing to deprioritise non-critical apps on LTE (streaming, big updates).

Test monthly

1. Pull WAN1; confirm auto-failover in <10 s.
2. Place a call (Teams/Meet) on LTE/5G.
3. Fail back by restoring WAN1; confirm routes.

4) Wi-Fi & cabling hygiene#

• Place AP centrally; enable band-steering (5 GHz preferred).
• Create a Guest VLAN; block access to servers/printers.
• Label PoE injectors and keep 2 spare patch leads in the kit.

5) Data protection that survives load-shedding#

• SaaS backups for M365/Google Workspace (mail, Drive/SharePoint/OneDrive).
• 2-tier: local image + cloud copy (immutable bucket if possible).
• Monthly restore test: one mailbox, one SharePoint doc-set, one endpoint image.

6) People & drills#

• Printed contact sheet (ISP, fibre NOC, electrician, IT).
• WhatsApp/email templates for “Power out, switch to LTE.”
• Quarterly 30-minute drill: cut mains, time RTO/RPO, fix gaps.

7) A simple wiring pattern#

[ Mains ]──[ Charger ]──( LiFePO₄ )──[ Pure-sine inverter ]───┬─ ONT
                                                               ├─ Router
                                                               ├─ Switch
                                                               └─ AP

(Laptops can stay on their own chargers or run on internal batteries.)

8) Quick “buy list” (no brands)#

• Internet-only path: mini-UPS (≥200 Wh) with 12 V/9 V/5 V rails for ONT+router+AP.
• Mixed path: 12.8 V LiFePO₄ 50–100 Ah, 300–1000 W pure-sine inverter, 10–20 A LiFePO₄ charger.
• Cabling: labelled IEC leads, DC tips, PoE injector (if needed), 2× spare patch cables.
• Protection: surge protector, DC fuse, insulated lugs, battery box.

9) ZA-specific notes#

• Expect 2–4 h slots; some areas see back-to-back cycles.
• Budget for surge and brown-out protection—some restorations are noisy.
• For fixed circuits, follow SANS wiring and update your CoC via a qualified electrician.

Runbook: the 10-minute handover#

1. Power drops → confirm mini-UPS/inverter online.
2. Router failover engages → verify internet (1.1.1.1 + a SaaS app).
3. Notify team (template): “On LTE failover. Large uploads paused.”
4. Pause non-critical tasks (OneDrive/Drive sync throttled, OS updates deferred).
5. Carry on; log issues for the drill worksheet.

Need help spec’ing your kit?
Networking • Backup & Recovery • Cloud Productivity.