Short answer: without power there is no security, so every recorder, controller and alarm panel needs a UPS. Use a DC Mini 12V (PSDCMIN12-18) for a single 12 V device up to 18 W, a SafeGuard (PSG1000) for a small NVR and PoE switch, a short-depth Defender Rackmount (PSDR1500) or pure sine wave Commander (PSCM1100, PSCRT2000) for a security comms cabinet, and an online Centurion RT (PSCERT2000SB, PSLCERT2000) for critical sites. Add an SNMP card for alerts.
ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
Security system UPS at a glance
| Need | Recommended PowerShield series | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One 12 V camera, alarm panel or access controller (18 W or less) | DC Mini (PSDCMIN12-18) | Plugs into the wall, backs up one 12 V DC device |
| Home or small shop NVR, PoE switch and router | SafeGuard (PSG1000) or Defender (PSD1200) | AVR and battery backup with Australian sockets |
| Wall-mounted security comms cabinet | Defender Rackmount (PSDR800, PSDR1500) | 230 mm and 300 mm deep for shallow cabinets |
| Access control, intercom and NVR rack | Commander (PSCM1100, PSCRT2000) | Pure sine wave; PowerShield lists security as a Commander RT application |
| Critical site, perimeter or control room | Centurion RT (PSCERT2000SB, PSLCERT2000) | True online double conversion, extendable runtime or LiFePO4 |
| Alerts and alarm panel signalling | SNMP V4 (PSSNMPV4), relay card (PSAS400T) | Email and network alerts; volt-free contacts for alarm panels |
ARC IP Networks recommendations, based on PowerShield specifications and the PowerShield security solution page.
No power = no security
PowerShield's security page starts with the point every installer knows: regardless of your set-up, without power, there is no security. A power outage can lead to a security breach: when the mains drops, so do the cameras, recorders, door controllers and alarm panels that run from it. PowerShield UPSs keep sensitive equipment running when the power goes off, and keep it free from the noise, surges and spikes that cause damage.
PowerShield's training deck lists the security systems its UPSs support:
- Fire detection and alarm
- Security access and control
- Digital video (CCTV and NVRs)
- Smoke control
- Intrusion detection
- Perimeter and carpark systems
PowerShield groups mains problems into 9 power problems: power failure, power sag, power surge, under voltage, over voltage, spikes, frequency drift, switching transients and harmonic distortion. Its Shield System then matches each UPS design to how many of the nine it deals with:
| PowerShield Shield System level | Power problems solved | PowerShield series |
|---|---|---|
| Standby (Basic Protection) | 3 of 9: power failure, sag, surge | Ninja Slimline (PSLN600) |
| Line-interactive with AVR (Enhanced Protection) | 5 of 9: adds under voltage and over voltage | SafeGuard, Defender, Commander |
| True online double conversion (Premium Protection) | 9 of 9: adds spikes, frequency drift, switching transients and harmonic distortion | Centurion (tower, rack/tower and LiFePO4); three-phase Centurion Pro and Platinum on project quote |
Source: PowerShield Training Deck 2023 (the 9 power problems and the Shield System).
For most security cabinets on metro power, line-interactive Enhanced Protection (Defender, Commander) is the practical choice. For sites with poor or regional power, generator backup or life-safety systems, choose online Premium Protection with a Centurion.
Choosing a UPS for CCTV, NVRs, access control and alarms
CCTV cameras and NVRs
PoE cameras take their power from the PoE switch or the NVR, so back up the recorder and switch and the cameras stay up with them. Add up the maximum watts of the NVR and PoE switch, then pick a UPS with a watt rating comfortably above it. A SafeGuard 1000VA (600 W, 8 Australian outlets) suits a home or small shop system; a Defender 1200VA (720 W) suits a larger one. Our UPS for NBN, Wi-Fi and CCTV/NVR guide works through a sizing example.
Security comms cabinets
PowerShield's security page features the Defender Rackmount 1500VA: 900 W in 2U and only 300 mm deep, with long-life 12 V 9 Ah batteries. For the shallowest cabinets, the Defender Rackmount 800VA is 230 mm deep. For larger racks the pure sine wave Commander RT 2000VA (1800 W) and the online Centurion RT 2000VA Short Base (1800 W, 480 mm deep) both accept the PSRTBB8 battery bank when you need longer backup.
Access control and alarm panels
Many door controllers, intercoms and alarm panels run from 12 V DC. If one runs from a 12 V plug pack drawing 18 W or less, the DC Mini 12V backs it up directly. For a panel that needs to know when mains has failed, PowerShield's relay comms card provides volt-free contacts that change state on UPS events; PowerShield notes these cards are often used with access control alarm panels and building management systems.
Monitoring, alerts and cyber security
PowerShield's security page promises complete peace of mind from monitoring software, smartphone email alerts, computer alerts, surge protection and battery backup. NetGuard software comes standard with every PowerShield UPS. The SNMP Comms Card V4 adds web management and scheduled shutdowns, and the PSEMD adds temperature and humidity sensing. For high-security sites, PowerShield's Cyber-Secure SNMP card (made in Germany and the USA, with RADIUS and LDAP support) follows Department of Defence and Australian Signals Directorate requirements; it is available on project quote.
Recommended PowerShield solutions for security systems
Three typical Australian security installations. Live Australian pricing (inc. GST) and availability are shown on each product page.
Small: home, shop or small office CCTV
An NVR with a few cameras, the router and an alarm panel.
Backs up one 12 V DC device up to 18 W, such as an alarm panel or controller.
Medium: business CCTV and access control cabinet
NVR, PoE switches and door controllers in a wall-mounted or floor rack.
900 W, 2U and 300 mm deep; featured on PowerShield's security page.
Critical: campus, perimeter or control room
Online power, longer runtime and remote alerts.
How much backup does a security system need?
For security the runtime target is usually set by the site, not the gear: how long until the power is back, a generator takes over, or someone attends. List the watts of the NVR, PoE switches, controllers and panels, then size the UPS and add battery banks for longer runtime.
PowerShield asks five questions before it recommends a UPS: where the site is (metro or regional, and how stable the power is), the electrical load (from the equipment specifications), rackmount or tower, how much backup time you need, and how critical the equipment is. Backup time depends on the UPS capacity, the number of batteries and the load. In PowerShield's own example, a Centurion RT 2000VA carrying a 1500VA load runs for 18 minutes on its internal batteries, 67 minutes with one external battery bank and 101 minutes with two.
Work through the numbers in our UPS sizing guide (VA, watts and runtime) and, if you need longer backup, the battery bank and runtime guide.
PowerShield on Australian security and infrastructure sites
PowerShield's training deck cites the Circular Quay Tower building management system in Sydney, protected by Centurion tower and rack UPSs from 1000VA to 6000VA with external battery packs and SNMP monitoring, and the Myki ticketing network in Victoria, with a Centurion RT LiFePO4 in each comms cabinet. At The Bend Motorsport Park, Centurion RT 3000VA UPSs protect network hubs in racks around the site; read the The Bend case study.
Why buy PowerShield from ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
- Genuine PowerShield stock, supplied new for the Australian market.
- PowerShield Australian warranty: SafeGuard and Defender UPSs carry 24 months with advance replacement; Commander and Centurion UPSs 24 months, or 36 months when registered with PowerShield; Centurion RT LiFePO4 models 60 months; comms cards and accessories 24 months.
- Trade accounts for installers, integrators, electricians and MSPs: apply for a trade account.
- Project quotes for multi-site rollouts, volume orders and lines we supply to order, including three-phase Centurion Pro and Platinum Modular UPSs.
- Australia-wide delivery (shipping details), or pickup from 6 George Street, Blackburn VIC 3130.
- Pre-sales advice on 1300 100 440 or info@arcip.com.au.
Browse the full PowerShield range at ARC IP Networks.
Common questions
Straight answers from the ARC IP Networks team. Last reviewed October 2026.
Add up the maximum watts of the NVR and the PoE switch, which includes the cameras it powers, and choose a UPS with a higher watt rating. A SafeGuard 1000VA (600 W) or Defender 1200VA (720 W) suits most small systems.
Because without power there is no security. A UPS keeps cameras recording, door controllers working and alarm panels online through a blackout, and protects them from surges and spikes.
PowerShield lists fire detection and alarm, security access and control, digital video, smoke control, intrusion detection, and perimeter and carpark systems.
Yes, if the device runs from a 12 V DC plug pack drawing 18 W or less. The DC Mini has one output, so it backs up one device.
The Defender Rackmount range: the 800VA model is 230 mm deep and the 1500VA model is 300 mm deep, both made for shallow wall-mounted cabinets.
Yes. NetGuard software comes with every PowerShield UPS, and the SNMP Comms Card V4 adds web monitoring and alerts. A PSAS400T relay card can signal an alarm panel through volt-free contacts.
Yes. ARC IP Networks offers trade accounts for security installers and integrators, plus project quotes for multi-site jobs. Call 1300 100 440.
Quoting a security job?
Send us the NVR, switch and controller list for the site and we will specify the right genuine PowerShield UPS, battery banks and alert cards, with trade pricing on a project quote.
Related guides and solutions
- UPS for NBN, Wi-Fi and CCTV/NVR
- Best UPS for comms racks and network cabinets
- How to size a UPS: VA, watts and runtime
- PowerShield battery banks and runtime
- UPS for home office, NBN, gaming and home theatre
- UPS for small business: data loss, POS and office servers
- Industrial UPS for PLCs, control systems and manufacturing
- UPS and surge protection for audio visual and events
- Shop the PowerShield range at ARC IP Networks