Intercoms stand for Intercommunication devices intended for private dialogues or announcements. They are either permanently mounted in buildings or are portable. They can incorporated into telephones, walkie talkies, door chimes etc. They allow you the convenience of communicating with anybody at the door without having to open it. You can have a whole conversation, verify the identity of the person and then decide whether to let the person in or disallow entry. The best part is that you can do it from the comfort of your living room or any other part of your home. How many times have you left some urgent chore midway to answer the door and only find that it was a pesky salesman or an unwanted neighbor? Not only does it offer added security, it also enhances the convenience. The intercom comes in handy in both homes as well as office Now you can order for a cup of coffee right from your study. Yes, having an intercom system at your place means that you are now connected to the rest of the rooms via a private phone line that works 24×7. You can also choose a video intercom system to see who you are talking to.
Intercoms are an important part of the home security gadgetry and are widely used around the world. There are different types and models of intercom systems to choose from. The most common types are hardwired and wireless intercom systems.
Hardwired Intercoms
Hardwired installations have always been at the center of a never ending debate but they are always more reliable. Hardwired intercoms provide better and clearer signal. But they are extremely difficult to install and somewhat expensive too. The recent fascination with ‘everything’ wireless has affected the sales of hardwired intercoms, but if it were a matter of reliability, then it will always beat wireless intercom devices. The best time to install a hardwired intercom system is while the building is still being constructed. Once the building is installed, it is extremely difficult to run all the cables throughout the length of the building. It’s not that it cannot be done. It has its own share of benefits as well. But installing an intercom to an existing building is a few times more expensive than installing in the first place.
Features and advantages
A hardwired intercom system is a one time installation that requires minimum or zero maintenance. You can mount the unit anywhere as long as you can run wires to that spot. There will be no loss of signal or interference from other similar devices. You can tailor the hard wired intercom installation to include video surveillance, motion detectors, lights, smoke detectors and even your phone line well before the wall sheeting goes on at the construction stage.
The hardwired intercom system can be used to send and receive pages, answer incoming calls, control doors and windows and even sound a warning alarm follow up. However, these features require the presence of an audio interface module and the technical aspects also need to be sorted out well in advance.
There are three different types of configurations available in the hardwired intercom connections.
- The Daisy system is one of the commonest configurations and features a single common set of wires that runs from the PSTN to all telephones. Most wiremen will install this unless you ask for a more precise configuration. Popular as it is, the daisy system can only handle one line of traffic at one time.
- The Star Connection is another configuration in which all telephones send out a pair of wires to the central hub (punch down box). Alternatively, a path panel may also be used. A star connection offers more options (connectivity of external lines, switch board etc)
- The LAN connection that is used in commercial enterprises is very similar to the set up used in computer networks.
Wireless Intercom Systems
The wireless intercom - easy, flexible and popular. It provides seamless audio communication within a dwelling or a business. It also connects you to any visitor from outside and let you decide from the confines of your home, whether you wish to grant or deny access. You can do it sitting on the couch on your living room without even getting up and going near the door or window. Such systems are not only ideal for improving communication within a home, but can be extremely useful in case of an emergency or a crisis situation. And hey, there are no wires to show.
A typical wireless intercom system has a base unit and one or more console stations or receiver units that can be installed throughout a home or a business area. The communication between these units takes place via a signal on a carrier wave. While ordinary models have a stationary base and receiver units, advanced models allow the receiver unit to be clipped on to a belt making it completely portable. So if you are out in the backyard, gardening, or in the midst of a barbeque party, then you can still monitor any visitors out at the front door. Wireless intercom base units have several features like multiple channel options, call buttons, lock buttons and the ability to monitor conversations. Some intercom systems can also integrate intercom doorbells to it. Voice only intercom models can be operated by voice commands.
Video Intercom Systems/Door Phones
Video intercom systems or door phones are superb security gadgets that allow anyone within a home to screen any visitors at the door. They have cameras mounted outside the door that captures images and videos. The moment a visitor presses the door chime, the camera gets activated and the image is displayed inside on a monitor. The occupant can then control the door remotely and grant or deny access. Some models also offer the option to communicate with the visitor without even lifting a handset (older models).
Automatic shut off, in which the door is automatically locked after a period of 90 seconds and auto release in which the door can be unlocked, are also additional features.
Must have features in video intercom systems
- Both the external camera as well as the external speaker box should be completely weatherproof and vandal proof. One of the best ways to test the strength of the external case against vandal attacks is to hit it hard with a baseball bat. A case that can survive one or two hard blows is usually a good deal.
- The camera should also be equipped with an infrared illuminator. IR technology is used to capture images in low light conditions.
- The lens of the actual camera should be protected by a transparent plastic barrier.
- Not all video intercoms offer audio communication. If that is a feature that you are looking for, then ensure that the model offers it.
- What is the scope of the camera vision? The wider the lens, larger the area covered by it. Fish eye lens gives a 180 degree view.
Tips for buyers
- Wireless intercom systems have varying operational ranges and hence, as a buyer, you should always consider the maximum range that you need to broadcast. For example, if you have a multi storied home and need to install one console station on the terrace, then will it be able to connect to the base unit?
- Other than this, the number of additional stations that a unit offers, the sound clarity (always an issue with wireless intercom models), tone, and the size of the unit and ease of installation are other factors to be considered. Are you looking for a battery operated model or one that runs on direct power?
- Are you looking to hook up the system to your telephone line? Then you might need a model designed for a phone connection.
- Do you want a video intercom system or a plain audio model? In video, you have the option of color as well as black and white monitors.
- Advanced models have features like call transfer to any other call, connect up to 16 phones
- High end video surveillance systems can cost you as much as $200 while lower end models can be purchased under $100.
- If you have installed an intercom system, then learn and teach other members in the family to use it. Always use the door phone whenever any visitor arrives. The maid, the cleaning assistant or anyone at home must be well versed with the new door answering routine.
- You should refrain from answering the door, if the visitor is not using the door phone. Also, if he is hiding something from the view of the camera, then it is best to not open the door and politely request the person to come in full view of the camera.
- Take special care to train the kids to use this. It will help their security when you are not around at home.
