Telephone Power for LA Businesses | Shaffer Construction

Introduction

In 2025, Los Angeles businesses depend on cloud-based and VoIP telephone systems for constant communication with clients, employees, and partners. But modern telephone systems are only as reliable as the electrical infrastructure supporting them. A power outage or voltage fluctuation can disconnect your business from critical communications, leading to lost revenue, damaged reputation, and frustrated customers. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we help Los Angeles businesses protect their telephone systems with proper electrical design, backup power solutions, and reliable power conditioning. Whether you're upgrading a legacy phone system or installing modern VoIP infrastructure, your business needs a power supply strategy that prevents downtime before it happens.

Understanding Modern Telephone System Power Requirements

Today's telephone systems are fundamentally different from traditional landline phones. Modern VoIP phones, routers, switches, and network equipment require consistent power to function. According to industry data, individual VoIP phones typically draw between 3 to 13 watts of power depending on features and usage patterns. However, the complete telephone infrastructure—including network routers, firewalls, switches, and backup equipment—can require significantly more power. A typical office setup with router, network switch, and VoIP phones combined might draw 15 to 50 watts or more. These seemingly small power requirements underscore why proper infrastructure planning matters in Los Angeles.

Shaffer Construction understands that modern commercial buildings need more than just basic power outlets. Your telephone system infrastructure requires dedicated circuits, proper voltage regulation, and backup power to ensure your business stays connected 24/7. Our team evaluates your current electrical setup and identifies areas where upgrades or improvements can enhance communication system reliability.

Additionally, as discussed in our guide on electrical load studies and infrastructure planning, calculating the total power demand for all critical systems—including communications—is essential for proper building design. A load study helps determine if your current electrical service can handle your telephone infrastructure and other critical systems simultaneously.

Power Problems That Disrupt Los Angeles Businesses

Los Angeles businesses face several power challenges that threaten telephone system reliability. Power surges, caused by lightning strikes, utility switching, or equipment failures, can damage sensitive telecommunications equipment within milliseconds. Power sags and voltage dips—temporary reductions in electrical voltage—are particularly harmful to VoIP systems because they can cause dropped calls, audio distortion, and service interruptions. During California's rolling blackouts or during summer peak demand periods, many Los Angeles businesses experience unexpected power outages that completely shut down unprotected telephone systems.

According to data from commercial electrical service providers, even brief power interruptions (lasting just seconds) can disrupt VoIP systems if there's no backup power. If your internet service provider also experiences a power outage on their end, your VoIP phones won't work even if your on-site equipment has backup power. This dual-layer vulnerability requires comprehensive planning that addresses both your facility and your connectivity options.

Shaffer Construction recognizes that Los Angeles' aging electrical grid, combined with increasing demand from new construction and EV infrastructure, creates real risks for business communication systems. Our electrical team can assess your facility's vulnerability to these power problems and recommend protective measures.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies: Your First Line of Defense

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system is the most practical solution for protecting telephone infrastructure. A UPS provides immediate battery backup when main power fails, allowing your VoIP equipment to continue operating until power is restored or until you safely power down. Unlike generators that require startup time, a UPS provides instantaneous power—there's no gap in protection.

For small office setups, compact UPS systems priced between $50 to $150 can keep one or two phones operational for 45 minutes to an hour. Larger systems designed for commercial environments can support multiple phones, routers, and network switches for several hours. A well-designed UPS can maintain a typical small office phone system for 6 hours or longer, depending on configuration and equipment capacity.

Shaffer Construction recommends sizing your UPS system based on actual power requirements. This means calculating the wattage of your router, network switch, VoIP phone system, and any other critical telecommunications equipment. As we discuss in detail in our guide to Los Angeles infrastructure planning, proper load calculation is essential for any backup power system. The same principles that apply to EV charger infrastructure apply to communications systems—you must know exactly what you're powering before you choose equipment.

Our electrical team at Shaffer Construction has extensive experience selecting and installing appropriate UPS systems for Los Angeles businesses of all sizes. We consider your specific equipment, expected runtime needs, and growth plans when recommending solutions.

Voltage Regulation and Power Conditioning

Even when main power doesn't fail completely, voltage fluctuations can damage telephone equipment or cause intermittent failures that are difficult to diagnose. Voltage regulators automatically adjust incoming power to maintain consistent voltage levels, protecting sensitive telecommunications equipment from damage. Power conditioning units go further by filtering electrical noise, suppressing harmonic distortion, and providing surge protection—creating clean, stable power that telephone systems need.

According to industry research from 2025, the global power conditioning market is growing substantially as businesses recognize the value of power quality. In commercial buildings, voltage instability can cause outages in critical systems, with recent field data showing that voltage irregularities account for a significant percentage of communication system failures. In Los Angeles' urban environment with high electrical demand, voltage regulation is particularly important for maintaining reliable telephone service.

Shaffer Construction can evaluate your building's electrical supply and recommend appropriate power conditioning solutions. For some businesses, a simple surge protector and voltage regulator are sufficient. Others require more sophisticated power conditioning systems integrated into their building electrical infrastructure. Our team assesses your specific situation and recommends cost-effective solutions that match your actual needs.

Generators and Redundant Power Systems

For businesses that require absolute communication reliability, backup generators provide extended power protection beyond what UPS systems alone can offer. A generator that automatically starts when main power fails can keep your entire telephone system operational indefinitely (or until fuel runs out). Combined with a UPS to bridge the gap between power loss and generator startup, this two-tier approach provides comprehensive protection.

Modern generators sized for office environments typically require professional installation and ongoing maintenance to ensure reliability. The average lifespan of a quality generator spans 3 to 10 years, but this depends heavily on maintenance. Annual servicing is recommended to maintain peak performance and prevent failures when you actually need backup power.

For Los Angeles businesses in critical industries—healthcare, emergency services, financial institutions, or 24/7 operations—generator backup may be essential. Shaffer Construction can evaluate whether your business requires generator backup and help with design, installation, and maintenance planning. We ensure generators are positioned away from flood risks and integrated properly with your electrical system.

Building a Complete Power Protection Strategy

Protecting your telephone system requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses immediate power loss, voltage fluctuations, and extended outages. Start by auditing your current electrical setup and telecommunications infrastructure. Calculate the actual power requirements of your VoIP system, including all routers, switches, and phones. Identify single points of failure—like relying on a single internet connection or having no backup power at all.

Next, implement layered protection: first, surge protectors and power conditioning equipment to guard against daily voltage fluctuations; second, a properly sized UPS system to handle immediate power loss; and finally, a generator backup system if your business requires extended operation during major outages. Shaffer Construction can guide you through this entire process, ensuring your telephone system stays reliable and your business maintains communication with customers and partners.

As we explain in our comprehensive guide on preparing Los Angeles buildings for modern infrastructure, power planning has become essential as buildings incorporate more electrical systems. Your telephone infrastructure is just one piece of a larger power ecosystem that now includes EV chargers, LED systems, and increasingly sophisticated building controls. Planning comprehensively saves money and prevents future problems.

Conclusion

Reliable telephone service depends on reliable power. Los Angeles businesses cannot afford to overlook this critical infrastructure element. By understanding your power requirements, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing appropriate protection measures—from UPS systems to voltage regulation to generator backup—you can ensure your business stays connected during any power challenge.

Shaffer Construction, Inc. has extensive experience designing and installing electrical infrastructure that keeps communication systems reliable. We understand Los Angeles' unique electrical challenges and help businesses of all sizes protect their telephone systems. Our team can assess your current setup, calculate your power requirements, recommend appropriate backup power solutions, and ensure proper installation and ongoing maintenance. Contact us today to discuss your telephone power needs and experience the difference working with experienced Los Angeles electrical professionals. Call 323-642-8509, email hello@shaffercon.com, or visit shaffercon.com to schedule a consultation with our team.