Backup Power for Home Phone Service During Power Outages
A backup power supply (battery) is required for your digital voice service to be in service in the event of a power outage. A backup battery, such as what Hamilton Telecommunications has provided and installed, will allow regular corded land line phones to work during a power outage and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services. When a power outage occurs, you should ensure that you have one corded single-line phone connected directly to your in-home wiring or our customer premise equipment. If you connect a cordless phone, it will not function without a separate battery backup.

What Your Battery Can and Can’t Do for You
Our backup battery allows you to continue to use your home voice service during a power outage. Without a backup battery, you will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. Our backup battery does not provide power to any service other than voice. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a home phone backup battery.

Replacing Your Battery
The estimated life expectancy for the battery is 5-8 years depending on power outage frequency and environment. At the end of the expected backup battery duration, Hamilton will provide a backup battery replacement for you. If you have any questions on how to request and obtain a replacement unit as well as instruction on the installation of the replacement unit, please call 402.694.5101 or visit our website at www.HamiltonTel.com.

Expected Backup Power Duration
The battery backup is expected to last up to 8 hours in the event of a power outage depending upon battery age, usage, and environment. Additional battery packs are available to extend backup time to almost three times the standard duration for an additional fee. To extend the duration of your battery backup, contact Hamilton Telecommunications at 402.694.5101.

Instructions for Proper Care and Use of Your Battery
Please follow the instructions included with your battery for proper use, storage, and care. Batteries should be stored in locations at normal room temperatures.

You should periodically remove and test your battery to verify both operation of the backup battery and its condition. The battery backup unit can be tested by unplugging it from the power outlet. If it is working correctly, the Optical Network Terminal will remain powered and corded land line phones will still work in the house. Make sure to plug the unit back in at the end of testing. Battery backup units will display a battery light when the battery needs replaced.