Power help · Singapore
Planned power shutdown? How to keep your home, condo or office running
Quick answer
Building power shutdowns for electrical maintenance are announced in advance by your MCST, managing agent or building owner. They can last from a few hours to a full day. List what must stay on (fridge, Wi-Fi, CCTV, aquarium, servers), book a backup battery delivered the day before, and charge your devices beforehand. Anything wired into the building's board must be connected by a licensed electrical worker (LEW).
Power shutdown checklist
Read the shutdown notice
Note the date, start and end times, and what is affected: the whole building, common areas only, lifts or water pumps. Add an hour either side, since works can start early or overrun.
List what must stay on
Typical essentials are the fridge and freezer, Wi-Fi, CCTV and door access, an aquarium pump, laptops, and for businesses the POS, servers and chillers. The power planner works out the battery size from this list.
Book backup power early
Many units in a building share the same shutdown date, so book as soon as you get the notice. We deliver the day before and collect afterwards, including weekends and public holidays.
The day before
Charge phones, power banks and laptops. Turn the fridge to its coldest setting and freeze some bottles of water. Save your work and shut down computers and servers properly.
During the shutdown
Plug the essentials into the battery and keep the fridge closed. Lifts may not run and water pressure can drop on higher floors, so store some water and plan deliveries around the stairs.
When the power comes back
Switch appliances back on one at a time to avoid tripping your DB box, starting with the fridge and the router.
Who to contact about a shutdown
Questions about the date or what is affected
Your MCST or managing agent
Number on the shutdown notice
Connecting backup power to your DB box
A licensed electrical worker (LEW)
Required for any board connection
How much battery will I need for the shutdown?
Multiply the hours of the shutdown by what you need to keep on. Each 1 kWh of battery runs roughly:
| Appliance | Typical draw | Hours per 1 kWh battery |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router | 10–15 W | about 55 h |
| Phone charging | 10 W | about 80 h |
| LED lights, one room | 20 W | about 40 h |
| Standing fan | 50 W | about 16 h |
| CCTV recorder + 4 cameras | 50 W | about 16 h |
| Fridge (cycles on and off) | 150 W rated, about 60 W averaged | about 13 h |
| Laptop | 65 W | about 12 h |
| TV | 120 W | about 7 h |
| Aircon, 9,000 BTU | about 900 W | about 1.5 h |
Estimates using about 82% of the battery's rated capacity. Fridges cycle on and off, so they use less than their rated watts over a day. Work out your exact setup in the power planner.
Power shutdown questions
Does the MCST have to provide backup power during a shutdown?
The MCST must engage a licensed electrical worker (LEW) for the works and inform residents in advance. EMA suggests discussing backup power or an alternative date with your MCST or managing agent. Many residents and businesses arrange their own backup for the essentials.
How long does a condo power shutdown last?
It depends on the works. Many take a few hours, and some run for most of the day. Check the notice and book backup power for the full window plus a buffer. We hire by the day.
Can I run my aircon during a power shutdown?
Yes, with a large enough battery, but aircon uses a lot of energy: a 9,000 BTU unit uses about 0.9 kW, so each 1 kWh of battery runs it for roughly an hour and a half. For a long shutdown, fans are far more efficient. Our 6 to 30 kWh systems can run aircon for longer.
Will the food in my fridge be OK?
A closed fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours and a full freezer for about 48 hours. For longer shutdowns, run the fridge on a battery: a 2 kWh unit keeps a fridge going for about a day.
Can you deliver on a Sunday or public holiday?
Yes. We deliver and collect 24/7, every day of the year, anywhere in Singapore. You can also self-collect from our Tampines office.
Can the battery be connected to my DB board?
Only by a licensed electrical worker (LEW). Without one, plug your appliances straight into the battery's sockets, which is how most customers use it.