Moving Stabilisers, UPS Units and Power Backup Equipment Without Damage

The power is off at the old shop, the stabiliser is bolted to the wall behind the freezer, and the electrician who installed it has not answered his phone since Friday. In Nigeria a lot of businesses and homes run on a small stack of power equipment: a stabiliser, a UPS, a change-over switch, an inverter and a bank of batteries. When you move, that stack has to move too, and it can be damaged or dangerous if it is handled badly.

This guide is about the smaller power gear. For bigger items, see our guides on generators and solar panels and inverter batteries.

Step one: switch off and disconnect properly

Never pull a plug or a cable out of live equipment. Turn off every appliance first, then the stabiliser or UPS, then isolate the supply at the main switch. Wait a few minutes, because some units hold charge after they are off.

Follow the manufacturer's guidance for each device. Anything wired into the building, such as a change-over switch or a distribution board, should be disconnected by a qualified electrician. It is not a job for the loading crew.

Photograph the wiring before you touch it

Take clear photos of the connections, the terminals and the label on each unit. Photograph the rating plate too, because it tells the electrician what size to reinstall. Label each cable end with tape and a number that matches the port or terminal. This saves hours at the new site and prevents wrong connections.

Stabilisers and UPS units: heavy for their size

A stabiliser has a transformer inside, and that makes it heavier than it looks. A UPS has batteries inside. Both can be damaged by a hard knock.

• Carry them with two people if they are large, and keep them upright.
• Do not stack anything on top of them.
• Wrap each unit in a blanket or thick cardboard, and keep the ventilation slots clear of tape.
• Keep them away from water. A rain-soaked stabiliser is a risk. Cover the load.

If the unit is in a box, use the original box and padding where you still have them. If you do not, build a snug frame with foam and cartons.

Batteries

Backup batteries are heavy, and they contain acid or other chemicals. Treat them with respect:

1. Disconnect the terminals and cover them with tape or caps.
2. Keep each battery upright and level. Do not tilt, and do not lay it on its side unless the manufacturer says it is fine.
3. Secure them against sliding, low in the truck and as close to the cab as possible, with a strap over the top.
4. Keep them away from sparks and heat, and never carry them in a closed car cabin.
5. Wear gloves when you lift, and wash your hands afterwards.

Where batteries are leaking or swollen, do not move them yourself. Ask a technician for advice first.

Change-over switches, panels and cables

These are usually fixed to a wall. Have the electrician remove them, label the cables and wrap each piece. Coil long cables loosely. Do not kink them, and do not tie them so tight that the insulation is damaged. Pack small parts, screws and terminals in a labelled bag taped to the unit they came from.

Loading and securing on the truck

Heavy items go low, near the cab. Put electrical equipment with fragile contents, such as UPS units and control panels, in the part of the load that moves least. Use blankets, straps and tarpaulins as covered in our guide on securing a load. Keep it dry, and keep the batteries away from the people in the cab.

Reinstalling at the new site

Before anything is plugged in, have the electrician check the wiring, the earthing and the capacity at the new site. If the building has a different supply, the equipment may need a different setting. Reconnect in the right order, using your photos and labels, and test each device one at a time.

Offices and shops with several devices may also read moving CCTV and access control equipment and moving computers and networking equipment as part of the same plan.

How to do this on Sphere

Choose a pickup van for a small set of equipment or a truck for a full shop or office. Add the pickup and drop-off, and describe the load in plain terms: "two stabilisers, one UPS, four batteries, one change-over switch, cables in a labelled bag". Say whether anyone will be on site to reconnect them. Propose a price, and nearby verified drivers will accept or counter. Agree loading and offloading help before you accept an offer.

See also business moves in Lagos and Lagos van hire.