an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured to provide backup electrical power during a power-loss event;

an electrical power line connected to the UPS and configured to distribute the backup electrical power from the UPS during the power-loss event; and

a plurality of intelligent electronic devices connected to the electrical power line and configured to receive the backup electrical power provided by the UPS during the power-loss event;

wherein the UPS is operable to send a backup power signal indicative of an operational state of the UPS to the plurality of intelligent electronic devices during the power-loss event;

wherein the plurality of intelligent electronic devices is operable to perform one or more predefined backup power handling actions in response to receiving the backup power signal, the one or more predefined backup power handling actions decreasing an amount of power consumed by at least one electronic device of the plurality of intelligent electronic devices, at least two of the electronic devices of the plurality of intelligent electronic devices performing different predefined backup power handling actions relative to one another that decrease the amount of power consumed by different amounts relative to one another for a given operational state of the UPS;

wherein the one or more predefined backup power handling actions are defined on an individual device basis via a graphical user interface that allows a user to interact with the electronic devices to configure the one or more predefined backup power handling actions; and

wherein the UPS is further operable to send the backup power signal over the electrical power line.