Frequently asked questions

It depends on size and type. Grid-tied systems cost least; hybrid and off-grid systems cost more because of batteries and larger inverters. Published Kenyan guides give a very wide range for a 5 kW home system, so request an itemised quote based on your own load. See our guide, <a href="/blog/how-much-does-solar-cost-in-kenya/">How much does solar cost in Kenya?</a>

For most homes and businesses with high or daytime electricity use, yes. Payback depends on your tariff, how much solar power you use directly and the installed cost. Our guide <a href="/blog/is-solar-worth-it-in-kenya/">Is solar worth it in Kenya?</a> shows the calculation step by step.

Only if you want power during outages or at night. A grid-tied system without batteries lowers your bill but switches off when the grid fails. A hybrid system adds batteries so essential circuits keep running.

Only through an approved connection. Net-metering rules apply, with an agreement and a bidirectional meter, and limits on system size. Unapproved export is not allowed. Confirm current rules with Kenya Power before designing for export.

Yes, at reduced output. Panels still generate in diffuse light, but much less than in full sun. We size systems conservatively, and hybrid systems use the grid or a generator as backup in long overcast spells.

A typical home system is installed in one to three days once equipment is on site. Larger commercial systems take longer. The survey, design and equipment lead time come before that.

Panels need occasional cleaning, particularly in dusty areas. Connections, protective devices and batteries should be checked periodically. Lithium batteries need little attention; lead-acid types need more.

Yes. We install solar water heating for homes and hospitality, and solar street and security lighting for estates, roads, schools and compounds.

The usual causes are an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, a short circuit, an earth leakage fault, damp or a loose connection. Do not replace the breaker with a larger one. Read <a href="/blog/why-does-my-breaker-keep-tripping/">Why does my breaker keep tripping?</a> or call us to diagnose it.

Warning signs include frequent tripping, warm or discoloured sockets, burning smells, flickering lights, no earthing, brittle cable insulation and an old board with rewirable fuses. See <a href="/blog/signs-your-house-needs-rewiring/">Signs your house needs rewiring</a>.

Yes. We plan the work in stages, so you can keep using parts of the property, and test each circuit as we go.

Yes. First-fix wiring is done before plastering and second-fix after finishing. We coordinate with your contractor to match the building schedule.

Yes. Earthing, RCD protection and surge protection are part of a correct installation. Read <a href="/blog/earthing-and-rcd-protection-explained/">Earthing and RCD protection explained</a>.

Yes. We can separate essential circuits, install changeover switching and prepare the distribution board so solar or a generator can be added cleanly.

Count entry points first (gates, doors, windows at ground level), then add coverage for the perimeter, parking and any high-value areas. Most homes need 4 to 8 cameras. Our survey sets the exact number. See <a href="/blog/how-to-choose-a-cctv-system/">How to choose a CCTV system</a>.

Yes. We configure remote viewing so you can see live video and playback on your phone. It needs an internet connection at the site.

It depends on the number of cameras, resolution, compression and hard drive size. Use the table above or read <a href="/blog/cctv-storage-how-many-days-will-it-record/">CCTV storage: how many days will it record?</a>

Yes. Cameras use infrared night vision, and many models offer colour night vision with a small light. Typical infrared range is 20 to 30 metres, depending on the model.

Without backup, the system stops. A small UPS or a solar battery keeps cameras and recorder running through short and medium outages.

Analogue HD is cost-effective when coax cable exists or the budget is tight. IP cameras suit larger or growing sites and give higher resolution and flexibility. We recommend after seeing your site.

Yes. We can service existing systems: cleaning lenses, checking cabling and power, replacing drives and fixing recorder or remote access problems.

Add up the load you want to run, convert watts to kVA (kVA = kW ÷ 0.8) and allow extra for motor starting surges. See <a href="/blog/what-size-generator-do-i-need/">What size generator do I need?</a> for a worked example.

Yes, if installed with an automatic transfer switch. The controller detects the outage, starts the set and transfers the load, then switches back when grid power is stable.

Yes. A common design uses solar and batteries for daily use and a generator for long outages or heavy loads. Both connect through one distribution board.

Follow the manufacturer schedule, typically based on running hours and at least annually. Standby sets should also be test-run regularly under load.

Diesel sets suit fixed standby and continuous use because they are durable and economical on fuel. Petrol portables suit light, occasional use.

Outdoors or in a ventilated enclosure, on a level plinth, away from windows and air intakes so exhaust fumes cannot enter buildings. Never run one inside a closed room.

Usual causes are too few or badly placed access points, long or poor cabling, a congested channel, an overloaded switch or router, or a slow internet line. A survey finds which. See <a href="/blog/how-to-set-up-office-wifi-and-lan/">How to set up office Wi-Fi and LAN</a>.

Cat6 costs little more than Cat5e and supports higher speeds and PoE devices with more headroom. We recommend Cat6 for new installations.

It depends on walls, user density and layout, not only floor area. Open offices need fewer than buildings with many partitions. We plan from a survey.

Yes. We often run cabling for CCTV, access points and phones in one project and rack them together neatly.

Yes, with buried cable or a point-to-point wireless link, depending on distance and line of sight.

Yes. A dual-WAN router can use a second line, such as fibre plus 4G or 5G, and switch automatically if the main line fails.

Ultrateq Systems sells electrical products from Bazaar Plaza. Call 0736 293 725 with your list to confirm stock and price.

Yes. We supply solar components for our own installations and for customers who buy separately. Share your load and we will recommend a matching set.

Yes. The right choice depends on the load and the cable run. Tell us the appliance or circuit and we will advise.

Ask us for a quotation for project quantities.

Yes. Our installation teams can fit and test what we supply.

A design makes sure cables, breakers and supply capacity match the real load, gives contractors a common brief and reduces rework on site.

A simplified drawing showing how power flows from supply through boards and protection to each circuit and major load. It is the main document used to understand an installation.

Yes. Our design work can be issued to your own installer or to us.

Yes, including panel layout, string design, inverter and battery sizing, protection and cabling.

Architectural plans if you have them, a list of equipment, and your goals for solar, backup or future expansion.

An energizer sends short high-voltage pulses along the wires. Contact completes a circuit to earth and delivers a brief, unpleasant shock without sustained current. See <a href="/blog/electric-fence-how-it-works-and-what-to-know/">Electric fence: how it works</a>.

A properly installed, pulsed fence using an approved energizer is designed to deter, not to harm. No electric fence is risk-free, so correct installation, earthing and warning signs matter.

Yes. Solar energizers with a battery suit sites without grid power, and are sized to fence length.

Energizers often include a battery backup or can be fed from a solar system, so protection continues during outages.

Yes. Most systems can trigger a siren or alert when the fence is touched, cut or shorted.

Keep vegetation off the wires, check insulators and connections and test the voltage periodically. We can service existing fences.

Yes. We plan shutdown windows and phase work where possible, and follow safe isolation procedures for any work near live equipment.

Yes. This starts with confirming supply availability with Kenya Power and designing the distribution and switchgear needed. See <a href="/blog/single-phase-vs-three-phase-supply/">Single-phase vs three-phase supply</a>.

Motors and similar loads draw reactive power, which can raise charges and load on the supply. Capacitor banks reduce this, improving efficiency and lowering penalties where they apply.

Factories with strong daytime load often make good solar candidates because most generated power is used on site. A load study confirms the size.

Yes. Scheduled maintenance of panels, motors and distribution equipment reduces unplanned downtime.