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ABSTRACT:
A device failing to alarm can be the result of a number of different things. This is part 2 of a multiple week series and this week we will cover the steps for narrowing down and identifying RF interference.
TECH SUPPORT SUMMARY:
Once you’ve checked the Service Report and the Edit Device screen, you can then begin checking the wireless devices themselves. The first thing you will check is the individual transmitters. If the individual transmitters appear to be functioning then there are a set of steps to take to see if it is an issue with on the 433MHz or 900 MHz side.
Step 1: Does my device work?
Does the red light come on when I activate my transmitter? How old is the device and when is the last time I changed out my batteries? These are the questions you need to ask, particularly after you feel you have ruled out any issue with the wireless network. If you’ve replaced the batteries and the device still isn’t alarming, you may be having an RF interference issue. The easiest and quickest way to differentiate between a faulty device and an RF issue is to swap out the device in questions with a known good or spare device. If that new device begins working, then you have a bad device. If it still doesn’t work, you could be having an RF issue.
Step 2: Is it an RF issue?
Identifying an RF problem is going to require two people that have an open line of two-way communication: one person will test the device and the other will observe the closest locator to see if it receives and re-transmits the signal. If the device flashes red that means a signal is being transmitted at 433 MHz. If the locator does not flash red, this confirms that a 433MHz signal was not received by the Locator. The flash indicates it is receiving and then retransmitting it back out at 900 MHz. If the locator does receive the signal and an incident is not created you could be having a 900 MHz RF interference issue.
SOLUTION:
If you have what you believe to be an RF coverage problem there are several things you can do.
1) If the issue is considered to be 433 MHz: check the potentiometer in the back compartment to increase the range. If it is maxed out already, you may need additional locators for better coverage.
2) If you observe the locator LED’s going off, and no incident is created it doesn’t automatically mean you’re having 900 MHz problem.
a) Is the device learned in to the Cube? It could be as simple as
that.
b) If this is not the case, you may need a repeater or external
master receiver to increase coverage.
c) If there is a repeater or external master receiver in place an
you are still having issues – call the tech support line and we
will discuss a potential upgrade to our G4 products.
- It’s important to remember, just because your locators are all checking in, does not mean you have a good wireless network. You need to verify that all of the wireless devices are able to reach the Cube 100% of the time.