Valcom Clocks




Wireless FAQ

 

  1. How much area will a V-WMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver service? 

  2. How frequently do the batteries need to be replaced in the battery operated wireless clocks? 

  3. How often do the wireless clocks update?

  4. How far can the clocks be spaced from each other for successful transceiver operation?

  5. Can the clocks correct via a GPS signal?

  6. How can I determine if the wireless clock is receiving signal?

  7. Will the wireless clock system cause interference with any of my other wireless devices?

  8. Is there a cost advantage over wired clocks?

  9. How is Valcom's wireless technology unique?

  10. Why is Valcom's wireless system so accurate?

  11. What is the quality of the Valcom clocks?

  12. Why should I purchase wireless clocks from Valcom?

  13. What makes the system so easy to install?

  14. Why is the Valcom wireless system so reliable?

  15. How do power failures affect the operation of the Valcom wireless clocks?

  16. Are there provisions for Daylight Saving Time adjustment?

  17. What can be expected as far as battery life is concerned?

  18. Where do I buy Valcom clocks?

  19. How many clocks can be on a wireless system?

  20. Can analog and digital wireless clocks work on the same system?

  21. What if I have a long distance from one clock to another?

  22. Do I need to have a lot of repeaters?

  23. A minimum of one V-VMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver or V-WMCR Wireless Master Clock Repeater
    is required per wireless clock system. Why would I use one rather than the other?

  24. Valcom wireless clocks use "frequency hopping". What is frequency hopping?

  25. Can Valcom wireless clocks be used with any other master clock system?

  26. What about compatibility with other wireless clock systems ?

  27. What are the options for correcting Valcom wireless clocks?

  1. How much area will a V-WMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver service? 
    With Valcom’s unique mesh transmission design, the area covered by the actual transceiver is not important. Each Valcom wireless clock added to your system provides an additional broadcast point. In an actual installation, by maintaining no more than 60 feet of spacing between clocks, coverage can easily be provided to any size facility. As far as transmission through open space, between buildings for example, users can expect up to 6000 feet of coverage.

  2. How frequently do the batteries need to be replaced in the battery operated wireless clocks? 
    Battery life of up to 5 years may be expected in ideal conditions. Factors contributing to battery life include the grade of battery used (Duracell Procell batteries are recommended) and the correction signal strength in the area where the clock is mounted.

  3. How often do the wireless clocks update?
    110V and 24V clocks update every minute. The battery-operated clocks receive for 30 minutes following initial power up and then for 5 seconds each 4 hours (12, 4 and 8 o’clock). Upon successful reception, they retransmit the correction signal to adjacent clocks. If signal is not received, the battery operated clocks increment their receive time with each attempt until successful reception occurs. 

  4. How far can the clocks be spaced from each other for successful transceiver operation?
    Although many factors contribute to the effective range of transmission, successful transceiver operation may occur at up to 150 foot direct, or 60 foot adverse, spacing.

  5. Can the clocks correct via a GPS signal?
    Our wireless clocks synchronize to our master clocks – not directly to GPS. We do offer a GPS master clock that may be used as a time base. The clocks simply display the time reported by the master clock.

  6. How can I determine if the wireless clock is receiving signal?
    Built in diagnostics allow users to determine both the presence and quality of signal available in the clock’s location.

  7. Will the wireless clock system cause interference with any of my other wireless devices?
    No. The clock’s use of frequency hopping technology eliminates any possible interference.

  8. Is there a cost advantage over wired clocks?
    The cost savings of not having run wire to the clocks can be very significant     – savings typically in excess of $10,000. In addition, adds and moves simply involve moving and adding clocks.

  9. How is Valcom's wireless technology unique?
    Our mesh network technology allows each clock to repeat time signals; therefore, as you add clocks to your system, you are simultaneously increasing the extent of the time transmission network.

  10. Why is Valcom's wireless system so accurate?
    Our V-WMC wireless master clock transceiver automatically synchronizes to an atomic time source via the Ethernet.

  11. What is the quality of the Valcom clocks?
    All Valcom clocks are designed to the highest standards and are routinely used in all types of environments, from office buildings to K12 facilities to harsh industrial environments.

  12. Why should I purchase wireless clocks from Valcom?
    Valcom is one of the industry's leaders in industrial and K12 clock systems.  We have long provided time solutions for managing medium to large groups of people.

  13. What makes the system so easy to install?
    The installation of Valcom wireless clocks is as easy as powering the clock and hanging it on the wall.

  14. Why is the Valcom wireless system so reliable?
    Synchronization to a National Bureau of Standard reference assures accuracy, while the mesh network design inherently adds wireless coverage with each clock added to the system.

  15. How do power failures affect the operation of the Valcom wireless clocks?
    Battery operated clocks will continue to operate and provide accurate time.  24V and 110Vac wireless clocks will update shortly after power is restored.

  16. Are there provisions for Daylight Saving Time adjustment?
    Our Master Clocks inherently have provisions for Daily Saving Time adjustment. The wireless clocks simply display the time reported by the master clock.

  17. What can be expected as far as battery life is concerned?
    With premium D Cells (like Duracell Procells) and good reception, battery life should meet or exceed a 5-year life.

  18. Where do I buy Valcom clocks?
    Valcom Clocks are available from Valcom Class Connection Dealers or from any Valcom Distributor.

  19. How many clocks can be on a wireless system?
    An unlimited amount of clocks can be put on a wireless system.

  20. Can analog and digital wireless clocks work on the same system?
    Yes, the Valcom wireless digital clocks and the Valcom wireless analog clocks are fully compatible to be used with each other.

  21. What if I have a long distance from one clock to another?
    A repeater can be installed if the distance is too far between one clock to another.

  22. Do I need to have a lot of repeaters?
    Since every clock in the system acts as a transmitter/receiver, there is no need for a high volume of repeaters. Repeaters will be used if the distances between one clock to another is significantly far.

  23. A minimum of one V-VMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver or V-WMCR Wireless Master Clock Repeater is required per wireless clock system. Why would I use one rather than the other?
    The V-WMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver can get time correction info from a TCP/IP Internet connection, 59 minute correction, 58 minute correction, National Time, Rauland and Dukane correction protocol or, when used with certain Valcom communications Systems, from a Valcom V-DCPI Digital Clock Protocol Interface. It can also act as a repeater to increase the correction signal coverage. The V-WMCR Wireless Master Clock Repeater, when used with certain Valcom Communications Systems, can get time correction info from Valcom digital (from a V-DCPI Digital Clock Protocol Interface or V-GPS GPS Master Clock) or via wireless signal reception (i.e. from a V-WMC). It can also act as a repeater to increase the correction signal coverage.

  24. Valcom wireless clocks use "frequency hopping". What is frequency hopping?
    Frequency Hopping (FHSS) is derived from military radio technology where it was designed to be inherently secure and reliable under adverse battle conditions. The V-WMC divides the available spectrum into multiple discrete channels. Correction broadcasts then hop around these channels in a 'pseudo-random' sequence only using any single frequency for a max. of 400 milliseconds. Hopping out-and-into a continuous range of frequencies gives the communications link a better chance to remedy any transmission errors that may be caused by interference.

  25. Can Valcom wireless clocks be used with any other master clock system?
    Valcom wireless clocks are compatible with many existing 3-wire synch wire corrected clock systems. Contact technical support for details.

  26. What about compatibility with other wireless clock systems ?
    Other wireless clock systems on the market are not compatible with our advanced wireless mesh transmission technology.

  27. What are the options for correcting Valcom wireless clocks?
    Valcom wireless clocks are compatible with many 3-wire synch corrected systems and may be used to add on to an existing clock system. Additionally, the wireless clocks are a perfect compliment to Valcom MultiPath or V-2924A products or may be used for new stand alone clock systems. In the case of stand alone clock systems, our V-D110xx clocks, V-GPS GPS master clock and V-WMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver all feature the capability to serve as master clocks. The V-GPS GPS Master Clock obtains its correct time from Global Positioning Satellites and the V-WMC Wireless Master Clock Transceiver features the capability to synchronize to and Internet time server. When using the V-GPS or V-D110xx options simply add one or more V-WMCRs as a broadcast point. Refer to the product selection guides for equipment selection.