Valcom FAQs

What kind of wiring is compatible with Valcom?

Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring com components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

How do I connect Valcom Speakers?

Valcom one-way, self-amplified speakers require two pair of twisted telephone wire for connection. Most Valcom interior speakers have screw terminals labeled "T" (TIP), "R" (RING), -24V (negative 24 volts), and GND (GROUND). Some Valcom speakers include a clip-type connector that you can secure and release with your fingers. Other Valcom speakers and horns provide a leader cable with the green and red wires used for tip and ring connections, and the white and black wires used for -24Vdc and ground, respectively. One matched pair (such as white/blue, blue/white) for the tip and ring audio connections and a second matched pair (such as white/orange, orange/white) for the -24Vdc and ground power connections should be used. The cable gauge, type of speaker or horn, and the cable length will determine how many speakers may be connected to any given cable run. Valcom talkback speakers require only one twisted pair which should be no longer than 800 feet.

What if I have great distances between paging areas?

To provide paging throughout areas that are far apart, such as in separate buildings, campus-type environments, or multi-story buildings, it is often convenient to provide a power supply for each location in order to avoid extra long power runs. This solution is true for most types of network installations (not just paging), plus, it helps to preserve the integrity of each "mini-system" location. For transmission of the audio signal only, it is possible to extend the run for miles with V-1094A Page Port Preamp/Expanders.

What if I have more than one floor?

Often, Valcom recommends treating each floor or group of floors as a separate system. This means you should have a separate power supply for each floor. However, you may be able to use existing spare telephone pairs from riser cables for paging signal distribution. This would result in decreased labor and wiring costs.

Is it possible to restrict access to a limited group of users within my company?

Yes. Since Valcom paging equipment is specifically designed for telephone system access, the same programmable phone system features that allow restriction of trunk or C.O. ports can be used to limit access to the paging system.

I have a small key telephone system, and I would like paging now. I may upgrade to a larger key system or PABX later. Will I be able to use my existing Valcom equipment at that time?

Yes! Valcom page control/interfaces are designed for telephone integration. They work with any telephone system's loop start trunk port (C.O. line port), or with dedicated single line telephone sets. The input to Valcom page controls are designed to act like a telephone line. Your Valcom system will be fully compatible with your future key system or PABX.

Can I use Valcom with my 70 volt paging system?

Yes. Say goodbye to costly additional 70 volt amplifiers and heavy gauge cabling. Simply connect a V-1095 70 Volt Expander to the output of the amplifier or to any point on the 70 volt line. Add Valcom one-way speakers and horns and the appropriate power supply. The V-1095 even provides a master volume control for the added speakers and horns and can be used on 25 volt or 100 volt systems as well.

Just how compatible is Valcom?

Valcom peripheral products enhance a host telephone system to provide a full communications system. Although many Valcom products may be used independent of the phone system; however, they are most often connected to a host telephone system. Valcom equipment is designed to connect to virtually any telephone system... 1A2, electronic key, PABX, hybrids, and even Centrex, Plexar and Essex. Among these enhancements are:

  • one-way or talkback paging
  • single or multi-zone paging solution
  • night ring and common audible ringing
  • message and music-on-hold
  • background music
  • priority alert tones
  • code calling
  • door answering devices, and more.

 

What are dual input speakers?

Valcom offers several styles of dual input speakers: The V-1220 Ceiling Speaker and V-1222 Wall Speaker. Each dual input speaker provides two independent audio inputs with separate volume controls for each. (One volume control is located externally making adjustment very easy and accessible. The second volume control is located internally for less frequent adjustments.) With this feature, the speakers can be used in some very unique applications allowing, for example:

  • separate adjustment of volume of music and volume of voice pages
  • broadcast of different music over every speaker
  • inclusion of a speaker in two different zones
  • dedication of one of the inputs to priority page
  • and much more!
Since the speakers have two audio inputs and also require power, connecting the dual input speaker requires three pair.

 

As an installer, I am interested in any tips you have to make my job easier. What resources are available from Valcom?

If you include Valcom add-on products with your telephone installations, you'll have ample resources. First, as far as tips, helpful hints and information on saving time or money during installations, Valcom provides plenty of material to support your efforts. Valcom’s quarterly newsletter, TalkBack, presents application profiles, technical advice, and problem-solving products and systems. With individual product specification sheets and supporting literature, easy installation instructions, and other technical documentation, manuals and brochures, you'll have access to information to make your next Valcom project successful. Second, Valcom Customer Support is available for the planning, installation, cut-over, and completion stages of every one of your Valcom jobs. Finally, Valcom conducts training seminars that are specifically geared for installers.

I sell communications systems . What will Valcom do for me?

Many salespeople have discovered Valcom to be the secret to selling more telephone systems! Most businesses have problems with internal communications and are willing to spend money to correct them. Often, telephone salespeople know how to identify and solve only the simplest of these problems. They rely on the basic paging and intercom functions built into the telephone systems they sell. Those who know more, beat their competition and sell more telephone systems. Valcom equipment is designed to enhance any telephone system to solve internal communication problems. On your very next sales call or RFP, give Valcom a call. Ask how Valcom paging can make your proposal delight your customers and solve all their communication needs.

I have a customer that wants to provide a lunch bell over their paging speakers. It would need to be on a timer. Their paging system are horns powered by a power supply (no page controller). Do you make a device that can achieve this?

The V-9927A is a Multi-Tone Generator that is activated by dry contact closure. The VP-324 will power the V-9927A Tone Generator. You will also need a time clock that you can program to provide a dry contact closure to the V-9927A Tone Generator. Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

What type of cable should I use when installing a Valcom paging system?

Valcom recommends using standard telephone/datacom low voltage wiring (CAT3 or Cat 5). Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

What is the difference between a linear power supply vs a switching power supply?

The switching power supplies have a higher efficiency (90%), less heat dissipation, the switching supplies are much lighter (40%), and also are about 20% smaller. The switching power supplies also have brown out protection and consume less AC power. Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

Can I do talkback on a multi-zone system’s all call page?

No, talkback capability functions on a per zone basis. You cannot use the talkback feature on more than one zone during the same page. Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

How many V-9022 units are needed to cover an office?

Valcom recommends spacing ceiling speakers in an office environment 2x the ceiling height. For example, in an office with an 8’ ceiling the ceiling speakers should be spaced 16’ apart for the best coverage. Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

What type of power supply do I need for your equipment?

Valcom’s products are powered from a -24 Volts DC power source. When installing Valcom products be sure to identify proper polarity. Standard telephone wiring (unshielded, Category 3 or 5, twisted pair) is all that you need for wiring Valcom components. Since each Valcom one-way speaker has its own amplifier and volume control, only low level audio signals are transmitted through the wire. Costly shielded wire is not required because crosstalk is not a problem.

How do I determine the appropriate power supply for a Valcom system?

Valcom has made it easy to determine the right power supply for any application. Products that consume power are assigned a negative Valcom Power Units (VPU). Products that provide power are assigned a positive Valcom Power Units (VPU). Simply add up the total number of Negative VPU’s and locate a power supply or group of power supplies that provides at least that amount of positive VPU’s.

Can the V1048C Speakers be used for paging only without a talk back amp?

The V-1048C Talkback paging horn does require a Valcom Talkback Page Control.

I want to put a 1030C paging horn on a CO port, what do I need from you other than the horn and power supply?

The V-2000A will allow you to access the V-1030C from a C.O. Port. The V-2000A also has a built in power supply that can power 2x V-1030C Horns.

I keep getting a squealing sound every time I page. What do you recommend?

Valcom’s V-9964 is designed specifically to eliminate feedback.

My customer wants paging, but doesn’t have a telephone system. How can I accomplish this?

Almost all Valcom page control units can be accessed with a single line set dedicated for paging.

We have 12 V-1030C Five-Watt Horns and a control unit all powered by one VP-4024C Power Supply. Some of the horns farthest away from the power supply squeal and others sound distorted. What would cause this?

Due to resistance in the wire, you may have line loss that could cause the symptoms you describe. Consult your installation manual for recommended cabling requirements.

I am installing some V-2900 units in elevators. They will connect back to a central Telco system. Usually, the V2900's go in the elevator Cab behind the controls. This time they have mounted the V2900's in the elevator control rooms. Is that OK? I was just worried that there would not be enough signal from the speaker in the cab to the V-2900.

A Talkback speaker can be up to 800' away from the V-2900 when using 24AWG twisted pair cable. A Talkback speaker can be up to 1350’ from the V-2900 when using 24AWG twisted pair cable.

Can you power horns, such as the V-1036C (15W, self Amplified) with "B" Battery, unfiltered?

The talk path is coming from an NEC 2400 Trunk card. Everywhere seems to mention "A" battery, but it seems that I am only using Battery to power the amplifier circuit, not impacting the quality of the "Page". Valcom recommends using a filtered power supply to filter any unwanted noise, such as a 60 Hertz hum.

I need another VP-1024 Power Supply and I can't find it on the site.

The VP-1024 Power Supply has been discontinued. The VP-1124 Power Supply is a comparable power supply for the VP-1024.

What kind of power supply is needed with the install of the 5 watt horns (V-1030C)?

The total number of horns would be necessary information in order to provide an appropriate power supply for your application. For your reference, one V-1030C horn consumes 300 milliamps (-6 VPU).

Is repair service offered for Valcom VP-2048C power supplies? If so where do I ship to?

We do offer a repair service for the VP-2048C.The shipping address is listed below.

Valcom Inc.
Attn: Repair & Return
5614 Hollins Rd.
Roanoke VA 24019

The customer has v-1020c speakers and wants wall volume controls. Do we put the V-1092 on the tip and ring or the 24v power supply?

You will need to connect the audio pair (Tip and Ring) to the V-1092. The V-1092 will attenuate the audio level going to the V-1020C speakers.

I have a V2924A intercom system with V2925A expansion modules. Can I use the V1072A Talkback Door Plate Speaker with this system?

Yes, you may use the V-1072A, Talkback Door Plate Speaker, with the V-2924A/V-2925A Intercom system. Remember to use one speaker per zone/station. You can use any station output for the V-1072A. If you need to control a strike plate with a n/o relay only you will need to use the last 4 stations on the V-2924A.

I have lost my V-2006AHF installation manual. Where can I find another one?

You can download any of Valcom’s installation manuals from our website: www.valcom.com.

I have a customer who has a Valcom V-2006A in his business. He would like to set up announcement/sound for Break times and Lunch times using the system. It would announce both start and end time. Is this possible using his Valcom system?

The V-2006A has a time clock contact closure input on the (violet/green pair) that when enabled will emit a tone over your paging speakers. This contact closure can be provided by an external time clock. Contact Tech Support for Time Clock Recommendations.

Will the led version V-1072A-ST work on a NEC 2000 system as a door box with 2 way communication without the v-2900 answering device. What does it take to make the V-1072 work on an NEC 2000 system?

The V-1072A-ST is a weather-resistant door plate speaker. It needs to connect to a Door Answering Device, such as the V-2900, which in turn connects to a loop start trunk port.

I have a customer that has a FXS output port. No other output ports are available from this system and yet we want to connect his telephone system to the paging. Does Valcom have an interface available?

The V-9970 is a 1 zone one-way station level page control unit. It will connect to your FXS port and then provide line level audio paging to self-amplified speakers.