Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

The Importance of an Autodialler: Choosing GSM or Phone Line, and the i-COM

What is the importance of an autodialler?

A lift’s autodialler is an essential element for passenger lifts. It is an automatic phone call system used in the case of emergencies for Lift users; when used, it sends a call to a programmed phone number for the lift company responsible for the lift’s maintenance. This call is answered by an operator at the company who can then have a two-way conversation with the caller inside the lift, arranging for help should the caller be trapped inside.

The autodialler is required in every passenger lift as of health and safety regulation changes in 1999, given how effective it is at helping users when facing trouble with a lift.

“There has been a requirement to fit alarm devices to lifts since 1 July 1999 under the Lifts Regulations to allow trapped passengers to call for help. Similar alarm devices have also been fitted to many new enclosed lifting platforms and many older lifts as an important improvement for the safety of passengers.

To meet this requirement, many lift companies supply an auto-dialler to BS EN 81-28 (the standard for new alarm systems) designed to work on a “plain old telephone system” line to meet this requirement. Some alarm devices might use the line voltage to power them so avoiding the use of a power supply and backup supply. Some alarm devices might need a dedicated line to allow identification of the lift with the alarm.”

LEIA Quality and Technical Committee Publication (Dec, 2015)

Autodiallers typically come in two types: landline and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) i.e. mobile communications. ACE Lifts introduces a third type: the i-COM system.

Here is a brief summary of the main types before explaining the newer system:

 The landline autodialler works similarly to a telephone in that it is connected via a telephone line. This is considered old-fashioned due to the complexity of the wiring and how easily it is affected by wear-and-tear but is still a valid, trusted option for an autodialler. The downside to this autodialler type is that a BT phone line is required to be installed before autodialler installation, which can be costly.

Alternatively, the GSM autodialler is wireless and thus easier to install. It is also more advanced than landline with its ability to connect via different ports and can be configured by texting alone. This also lets you routinely ensure that the autodialler is set up properly yourself without having to check with an engineer. As a phone line does not need to be installed the set-up cost is much lower, as is the ongoing running costs of the autodialler.


The i-COM

The i-COM is a recent development of ACE Lift’s design created in 2014, made to be an improvement over previous autodialler technology. It runs similarly to a GSM autodialler; contact a lift operative from inside the lift using the wireless communication device at any time, 365 days a year. What makes it advanced is its additional purpose: to monitor lift usage and faults in real-time, preparing for any future lift maintenance before it causes a breakdown.

When contracted for 4 visits a year, your lift is likely visited every three months so that these visits are spaced out well. The i-COM tracks lift usage, errors, levelling difficulties, floor popularity, speed, anything that can quantifiably measure how well a lift is running – all of this is monitored so that you get visited when your lift needs it and not at an arbitrary time in the year. We all use lifts differently after all; a shopping centre lift is going to be used far more than a domestic lift, so why service them at the same intervals? The i-COM aims to advance the lift monitoring service for you and give you the best level of upkeep possible.

The i-COM is designed to:

  • Be available for every type of lift panel
  • Plan condition-based maintenance
  • Have safer and more reliable service by predicting component failure
  • Send and receive real-time information on the lift’s condition
  • Improve your lift’s energy efficiency
  • Be accessible from any internet-enabled device

If you would like to learn more about the i-COM, visit our dedicated page or contact us as [email protected].



This post first appeared on Lift Installation, Maintenance, Repair & Monitorin, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

The Importance of an Autodialler: Choosing GSM or Phone Line, and the i-COM

×

Subscribe to Lift Installation, Maintenance, Repair & Monitorin

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×