Network UPS Tools (NUT)

S.C.O.R.E. → Resilience → Energy

Overview

Network UPS Tools (NUT) is a powerful capability that enables users to monitor and manage uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) within their home network. By implementing NUT, homeowners can ensure that critical devices remain powered during outages, thereby enhancing overall resilience against energy disruptions.

Benefits

• Increased reliability of home networking equipment during power outages
• Ability to receive alerts and notifications about UPS status
• Automated shutdown of connected devices to prevent data loss

Intent

The purpose of integrating Network UPS Tools is to provide homeowners with a comprehensive solution to monitor UPS systems in real-time. This capability ensures that users can effectively manage their power resources and maintain continuity in critical home operations during unexpected power interruptions.

Preconditions

• A compatible uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device connected to the network.
• Home Assistant installed and configured in the home environment.
• Network connectivity to the UPS for monitoring.
• Home Assistant installed and configured.
• Integration available and authenticated: Zigbee2MQTT.
• Device installed and reachable: HVAC and Climate Control.

Actors

• Homeowner managing the UPS settings
• Family members alerted during power outages
• IT-savvy family member configuring notifications

Trigger

The capability is triggered when a power outage is detected by the UPS, or when the UPS status changes (e.g., battery level drops below a certain threshold).

Workflow Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Power Outage Detected] -->|check| B{{Is UPS Online?}}
    B -->|Yes| C[Send Alert to Homeowner]
    C --> D[Maintain Power to Critical Devices]
    B -->|No| E[Notify User of UPS Offline]

Workflow Description

1. Detect Power Outage

The UPS detects a power outage event and sends a status update to the NUT.

2. Check UPS Status

The NUT integration checks whether the UPS is online and operational.

3. Send Notifications

If the UPS is operational, notifications are sent to the homeowner’s devices informing them of the outage.

4. Power Management

The system ensures that critical devices remain powered during the outage.

5. Shutdown Protocol

If the battery level is low, the NUT initiates a safe shutdown of connected devices to avoid data loss.

Postconditions

After the capability completes, the homeowner receives notifications about the UPS status, and critical devices are either powered or safely shut down based on battery levels.

Optional Enhancements

• Integrate with smart home capability to automatically adjust devices during an outage
• Implement remote monitoring via a mobile app for real-time updates
• Add historical data logging for UPS performance analysis

Recommended Components

Source Examples

• 2026.1: Home is where the dashboard is ?? – Home Assistant (homeassistant)