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TekTip: More Troubleshooting for Intercom Systems

In the majority of our apartment intercom systems, problems can typically be divided into two categories. The first category is a general problem, which is a failure that affects the entire system equally. The cause of the problem usually comes from damage to the trunk cable, close to the amplifier, or a failure inside of the amplifier itself. A good way to determine if it is a cable problem or an amplifier problem is to direct test by connecting an apartment station directly to the amplifier, bypassing the field wiring. If the unit begins to function, then the amplifier should be considered OK and the cable should be suspect. If the unit continues to not function, then the amplifier should be suspect.

The other category of problem is a local problem, which is a failure that only affects one apartment or a small group of apartments. When this occurs, the wiring that serves the local area should be checked, as well as the apartment station. Swapping testing stations from apartment to apartment (it the tenants will agree) is a good way to determine if you have a bad station or not. If the station works in another apartment, then the wiring should be suspect. If the station does not work when moved, then it should be suspect. Rarely does a local problem reflect a failure of trunk cabling or amplifier failure.

(Jan. 1996)

TekTone^® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc.
277 Industrial Park Road Franklin, NC 28734 USA
Phone: (828) 524-9967 Fax: (828) 524-9968
Sales: (800) 327-8466 Tech Support: (800) 332-6608