 |
|
|
What is the difference between the DualCom 2 and the DualCom Plus? The DualCom Plus has been designed to meet the very latest insurance requirements, and includes 5 minute polling if either the PSTN or the VDN transmission path fails. Furthermore, if both paths fail, then a signal is sent to the ARC to indicate this. To achieve this, the DualCom Plus communicates via PSTN and VDN with computers within the Vodafone network. This computer is called the Polling Server.
When installing DualCom Plus it will automatically register onto the
radio network whenever it is powered-up and when it is Reset, but the
installer MUST start the Polling. To start the Polling, press the A button on the DualCom Plus several times until the display shows the letter ‘P’. Then Press the B button 3 times to start the Polling. The process will take about a minute and a half. You will see the successful displays A2, then A1 and then A0. If any of these are missing or you see other numbers after the A then polling has not started correctly. Refer to the appendix in the manual, correct the problem and start the polling again. Remember, if Polling is not started when DualCom Plus is installed, it may void your security insurance policy.
How does the 5 minute polling work? If one of the transmission paths fail, then the DualCom Plus will send a signal to the ARC using the healthy path, followed by a signal to the Polling Server. The DualCom Plus then sends a message every 5 minutes to the Polling Server until the faulty path is restored. At that point the system reverts to 1 hour polling.
How can the DualCom Plus send a signal to the ARC if both paths have failed? It doesn’t, the Polling Server does it. If a 5 minute poll fails to arrive, the Polling Server will run some checks and then send a signal to the ARC indicating that the PSTN and VDN paths have failed. To do this, it pretends to be the DualCom Plus in question, hence the ARC believes the call to have come from the DualCom Plus itself.
Is this why the ARC receives signals via VDN stating that the VDN path has failed? Precisely. The signal will be part of the ‘dual line failure’ message from the Polling Server, which is always sent via VDN.
Is the DualCom Plus installed differently to the DualCom 2? The basic installation is the same with one major difference. The layout of the product has been kept as similar as possible to the DualCom 2 to make the transition as easy as possible. When the DualCom Plus is powered up, it still does the Paknet registration automatically, but when the aerial and the PSTN line has been connected, it is imperative that the device is logged onto the polling server.
How do I log the DualCom Plus onto the Polling Server? The DualCom Plus has 2 buttons marked [A] and [B], and a 7-segment LED display. To start, repeatedly press the [A] button until the display shows ‘P’ then press the [B] button 3 times. Progress is shown on the LED display, but the most important things to look for are ‘A2’ (showing that the radio calls are successful) followed by ‘A1’ (showing that the PSTN calls are successful) followed by ‘A0’ (showing that the device has logged on OK and is now being polled). If the display shows any other codes, please contact CSL’s Help Desk.
What are the ‘A’ numbers shown on the DualCom Plus? When logging the DualCom Plus onto the Polling Server, Action codes are used to indicate progress. There are 10 action codes as defined below: A0 = the DualCom Plus has been logged onto the Polling
Server and is now working.
What if I forget to log the DualCom Plus onto the Polling Server? Quite simply, it won’t be polled! If an intruder cuts the PSTN line or the VDN aerial the Polling Server will not detect this and 5 minute polling will not commence. Furthermore, if both paths are cut, then the ‘Dual Line Failure’ message will not be sent to the ARC.
When I try to register the DualCom Plus, why does it keep giving me error E5? Error 5 is ‘Comms Timeout’ and is usually a PSTN issue. It will usually be accompanied by A3 (i.e. it will automatically retry). If it eventually shows A8 E5, it has tried the maximum number of times. If this happens please contact Technical Support as it may be you need a 9 to dial out, a broadband filter or your customer has a low cost router and the NVM programming needs to be changed.
The DualCom Plus Fault Output has two terminals. These connect to a 'normally closed' relay contact. When the DualCom Plus needs to tell the Control Panel that there is a telephone line fault or a radio path fault, the relay contacts will open. Your Control Panel may have a special input purely for Digital Communicators or DualCom faults. If a fault is detected then the open contacts should stop the Control Panel from being Set. Some Control Panels have a voltage input for fault indication. Using the fault output terminals with a resistor will provide a rising or falling voltage as required. An End-of-Line resistor between 1 thousand and 10 thousand ohms is ideal. Refer to the input connection diagrams in the Installation Manual.
When I register the DualCom Plus, why does it tell me that the radio signal is poor? As part of the process of logging the DualCom Plus onto the Polling Server, the Polling Server checks various parameters such as radio signal strength in both directions and Bit Error rate (BER), to ensure the best quality installation possible. If any of these fail to meet minimum criteria, the process is abandoned and an error message is given. If this happens, re-site the aerial to improve the signal and try again, this will fix the problem.
I’ve heard that I cannot replace a DualCom Plus with a different unit, is this true? Once a DualCom Plus has been logged onto the Polling Server, a record is kept of the telephone number it is connected to. When the DualCom Plus dials the Polling Server via PSTN, the Polling Server recognises the incoming number and processes the appropriate file before answering the call to minimise the cost of the phone call. If the same DualCom Plus is connected to a different phone line, then the Polling Server sees that the NUA has moved so amends the registered data. If, however, a DualCom Plus is connected to a phone line recorded as being connected to another DualCom Plus, the Polling Server will see that the NUA has changed so will generate an error message.
So how do I replace a DualCom Plus in the field? In the first instance call Technical Support, if diagnosed faulty and in warranty then a FOC replacement will be despatched. Technical Support will also advise you that the NUA will have to be swapped with the one being removed and will advise you of the number to call to process this. Once the NUA swap has been done and signals have been tested on both paths you can will need to contact Technical Support 24hrs later to remotely poll the unit for you.
Are the Radio and PSTN LEDs the same as DualCom 2? Yes. The Radio LED shows activity via the VDN path and the PSTN LED shows activity via the phone line. If the two LEDs alternate quickly, then the NVM chip is missing or incorrectly programmed.
What do the Yellow ‘Service’, Green ‘OK’ and Red ‘LO’ LEDs do? These LEDs operate as described below:
The OK and LO LEDs do not indicate signal strength as on the DualCom 2, but show the following:
How do I tell what the RSSI is? There are 2 ways of doing this. Ring Vodafone Direct Check on 08700-700600 and follow the voice prompts given. Alternatively, RSSI can be checked at the DualCom Plus itself, using the [A] and [B] buttons and the 7-segment LED display. Repeatedly press the [A] button until the display shows ‘F’, the display will then show the FSSI reading. To show the RSSI reading, press the [B] button. The FSSI and RSSI readings are displayed as a single digit between 0 (no signal) and 9 (maximum signal). To convert this to conventional readings, see page 43 in the DualCom Plus manual. Note that an RSSI reading will only be available following Power-up or a Reset after two Test Calls have been made.
Why is there no earth terminal on the DualCom Plus? There is no earth terminal on the PSTN connections for DualCom Plus as the latest regulations adopted across Europe (CTR21) allows for product designs without earth terminals thus minimising PCB damage following an electrical storm.
Why does the DualCom Plus use 16 channel reporting rather than 8 channel? Quite simply, to free up as many channels as possible for you to use. By implementing 16 channel reporting, Radio Fault and PSTN Fault have moved to channels 15 and 16, so you can now use channels 5 and 6 for other purposes.
How much power does the DualCom Plus need to operate? The DualCom Plus runs from a normal 12v supply, and requires a minimum of 230mA. After a power failure, up to 450mA will be required for a few minutes to recharge the internal standby battery.
When I power up the DualCom Plus what are the numbers it flashes at me? This is the software version number. Each time a digit is shown the unit will beep, so if you see 4 <beep> 4 <beep> 3 <beep> 0 <beep>, the software is at v44.30.
What do I do if I want to change ARCs? How will this affect existing devices? You MUST inform CSL in advance of making the change, we can then organise a reassignment procedure for each of your installed devices. On the day you swap over, fit an NVM chip programmed by the new ARC (or get them to reprogramme it remotely) and re-register the DualCom Plus. If CSL have not been informed, or if the reassignment procedure is not complete, the re-registration will fail. It is the responsibility of both the installer and the new ARC to inform CSL well in advance of the required changeover date. Forms are available on request by calling CSL on 01895 474474.
A Radio Signal Strength Prediction should be done before every installation to ensure that there is sufficient radio signal at the site. For a Radio Signal Strength Prediction relating to a site or a Postcode in the UK, you can click the link on the CSL homepage.
To obtain a signal strength test for a DualCom that is installed, you can call the Direct Check service at any time. This is an automatic service and requires you to enter the DualCom's NUA number using your telephone keypad. Direct Check service, dial 08700 700 600.
Are some of the channels on your DualCom inverted? Is the Alarm receiving Centre reporting Open when you have Set the system? Do they report Restore when you have sent an Alarm? Your DualCom has Self Learning Inputs and this can correct this problem in less than 5 seconds. Ensure that the DualCom is powered, with all of its inputs connected to the Control Panel and with the Control Panel Unset or in the Day state (and not in Engineering Mode). All of DualCom's inputs are now in the normal or Quiescent state. On the DualCom, short the Test pins and keep them shorted. Then briefly short the Reset pins (one second is sufficient). This will put the DualCom in the Learn State. You will see it in the Learn state because the Red & Yellow LEDs will be flashing 4 Red flashes followed by 4 yellow flashes. When you see this, remove the short from the Test pins. All calls that DualCom makes from now on will report Open, Close, Alarm and Restore correctly.
If the DualCom aerial is not assembled correctly it will pickup a weak signal and this can stop the DualCom from functioning at its best. The aerial's metal whip section is about 20 inches long. This is supplied unscrewed from the aerial bracket. Ensure that it has been removed from the packaging and screwed into the bracket. When installed, this should point straight up. The short stubby section, about 6 inches long should point straight down. Please note that the metal whip section should be straight, it should not be bent to fit into small places.
If the DualCom aerial is not installed correctly, it may pick up no signal or a weak signal which can affect DualCom's reliability and may stop the DualCom working at all. Before installation always obtain a Signal Strength prediction to ensure that there is sufficient radio signal at the installation site by following the link on the CSL Homepage. The aerial should be installed at the highest point in the building, which is where the strongest radio signals will normally be found. Installing an aerial in a cellar is unlikely to give good results. Ensure that the aerial has been assembled correctly and is mounted vertically. Install the aerial away from fluorescent lighting, computer and other electronic equipment because these radiate interference and this can stop the aerial receiving the correct radio signal. Remember that radio signals CANNOT pass through metal sheeting. If the building is covered in metal sheeting this may prevent radio signals getting to the aerial. To overcome this, install the aerial in a secure area outside the metal covered buildings or roof. The best position for an aerial is high up inside the protected area and against an outside wall. Keep away from power and lighting cables, large metal structures and areas with metal sheeting.
Telephone Line Earth Connection Some Digital Communicators and other telephone line equipment require an Earth connection to meet the telephone line safety standards. These have an Earth terminal next to the telephone line terminals. This earth terminal must be connected to a good earth point or to the mains earth. Recent equipment designs and most telephones provide electrical safety and meet the pan-European telephone line safety standard TBR21, with no Earth connection. DualCom Plus is of this type.
|
|
