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The short answer
Put your router, fibre box and smart hub on backup power, choose devices that work locally (Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread) rather than relying on the cloud, and set lights and plugs to a safe state when power returns. If the internet drops, a local system keeps working.
| Layer | What happens in an outage | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi devices | Disconnect when the router loses power, and cloud-only control stops | A UPS for the router and fibre box |
| Hub-based devices (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread) | Keep working locally if the hub has power | A UPS for the hub |
| Voice assistants | Need internet to answer | Backup for the router |
| Schedules and automations | Run only if the device or hub that holds them has power and, for cloud automations, internet | Choose automations that run on the hub |
| Clocks | Some devices lose the time | Choose devices that restore time from the hub |
Our guide to CCTV and load shedding shows how to size a UPS for your load.
A device that depends on a company’s server stops working when your internet does, even if the lights have power. A hub-based system keeps automations and switches working inside your home without the internet. Matter is a newer standard that aims to make local control more common, but support and behaviour vary by device. Ask what keeps working with the internet off before you buy.
Automating heavy loads can save electricity, but mains-level switching must be done properly. Have a qualified electrician wire any contactor or switch that controls a geyser or pump. Gate motors should keep a battery backup and a manual release, so people are never trapped inside or outside. This is safety equipment first and convenience second.
See also: cutting electricity use · Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter or Wi-Fi · lights going offline.
Only if their circuit has power. If the lights are off at the supply, a bulb can’t come on. Circuits on an inverter or backup will work.
It depends where they run. Local hub automations usually do. Cloud automations don’t.
A small UPS usually keeps a router and fibre box running for a few hours, depending on the battery. Check the load and runtime.
Yes, but mains-level switching should be done by a qualified electrician. Ask us about it.
A standard that lets devices from different brands work together. Support and local control vary by device.
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