Within how many seconds must the secondary power supply automatically supply power to the system?

The requirement for a secondary power supply to automatically supply power to a system is commonly set at a timeframe of 30 seconds, which aligns with many industry standards regarding backup power systems. This duration is critical for ensuring that essential operations continue seamlessly during a temporary loss of the primary power source.

The rationale behind this timeframe includes allowing adequate time for the primary source to stabilize or recover, while also minimizing disruption to the equipment and services that depend on continuous power. A secondary supply that kicks in within 30 seconds ensures that systems, especially critical ones like fire alarms or emergency medical equipment, remain operational without significant interruption, thus providing maximum reliability and safety during power outages.