Alpha PK612A User Manual

APPLICATION

The AlphaStatus™ system allows one or more RSS402,
RSS403, RSS404 and/or RSS405 room status stations to
provide locking push-button registration (of up to 4 differ­ent colors) of the room status to the LI380/LI380LED or
LI382/LI382LED corridor dome status light(s). When
one or more optional master stations are used, the status
registered by each room status station will also be dis­played at each master station and other indicators based
on the system configuration. A number of optional acces­sories are available to provide a complete signaling
system. Models RSS403 and RSS405 also allows for
optional audible signaling from a room location to the
master location(s).

PROCEDURE

1. Read installation instructions for each unit to deter­mine equipment location and installation method.

2. Install housings and wiring.

3. Install equipment.

4. Check wiring and connect. Observe all local and
national electrical and building codes.

5. Apply power and check operation, making sure to
observe polarity where indicated.

HOUSING INSTALLATION AND

EQUIPMENT LOCATION

INSIDE ROOM STATUS STATIONS
Locate stations where needed at a convenient height,
about 4.5 feet (137cm) from the finished floor. Unit can
be flush mounted over a double gang electrical box or
double gang plaster ring, or surface mounted using a
double gang mounting box (with suitable inside clearance
depth).

CORRIDOR DOME STATUS LIGHTS
Locate corridor dome status lights where needed, in the
corridor outside of each room location. Typically, these
dome lights mount right over the doorway to the room.
They can be mounted on the side of the room door, but
please mount them high enough to avoid anyone walking
into the dome light portion that protrudes from the wall.
Unit can be flush mounted over a double (or single) gang
electrical box or double (or single) gang plaster ring, or
surface mounted using a double gang mounting box (with
suitable inside clearance depth). Unless indicated other­wise in this manual, you may substitute the LI382LED for
the LI382 and the LI380LED for the LI380 dome lights.

AlphaStatus™ Room Status System

Installation and Use Instructions

for the RSS400 Series Room Stations

and Optional Master Station(s)

MASTER STATION(S)
If one or more master stations are used, locate at a
convenient viewing height (for wall mounting) or at a
convenient viewing angle for desk or table-top mounting.

PSR-24/6 POWER SUPPLY
The PSR-24/6 power supply is usually located in a
separate equipment location, but can be mounted near the
master station (if used). The PSR-24/6 can be mounted
on a small shelf, or other suitable location. It must be
located away from any source of direct heat or extreme
cold and in an accessible location. Keep at least 3 feet (1
meter) away from transformers, light dimmers or other
electrical devices or wiring or sources of electrical
interference. Plug the PSR-24/6 power supply unit(s)
into a standard 117VAC electrical wall outlet. It is
recommended that one PSR-24/6 power supply be used
for each 18 room status stations (with full lamp lighting
capability) or one for each 36 room stations (with 1/2
lamp lighting capability).

WIRING

INSIDE ROOM STATUS STATIONS
When using a master station, the easiest wiring method
is to home-run a #22AWG multi-conductor cable from
each room status station directly to the master station
location. Run a 5-conductor #22AWG cable from the
room status station to its corresponding LI380 (4-bulb)
corridor dome status light, or 3-conductor #22AWG
cable from the room status station to its corresponding
LI382 (2-bulb) corridor dome status light. For runs
greater than 250 feet, increase the #22AWG cable to
#18AWG cable.

When a master station is not used, the easiest wiring
method is to loop a 2-conductor #22AWG cable from the
PSR-24/6 power supply from one corridor dome status
light to the next, to supply power. Additional power (or
common wires) may be needed as well, depending upon
system options. Run a 5-conductor #22AWG cable from
the room status station to its corresponding LI380 (4­bulb) corridor dome status light, or 3-conductor #22AWG
cable from the room status station to its corresponding
LI382 (2-bulb) corridor dome status light. For runs
greater than 250 feet, increase the #22AWG cable to
#18AWG cable.

Cables may be straight or twisted pair type and may be
solid or stranded conductors. Route cables away from

Copyright© 2005-2012, Alpha Communications®, All Rights Reserved.

AWD108 Rev. 6 (02/2012)

AC power wiring, transformers, fluorescent lights, dimmers
or other electrical devices. Protect cables from damage.
Shielded cable is not usually required, as this system has no
voice or intercom capabilities, but a strong AC voltage could
cause some system interference or lamp flickering. Shielded
cables may be used (if desired) to prevent this type of
interference.

pulled (activated). When using the SF119/2A pull cords
in a system you need to add the PK612A lamp flasher.

NOTE: When using the optional SF119/2A Emer-

gency Pull Cord(s) the Red color status indicators
are reserved for Emergency only, and should not
be used as one of the room status colors.

CONNECTIONS
Before connecting, make certain wires are free from shorts
or grounds. Make connections as shown on the specific
wiring diagram for your system configuration, in this manual,
and as detailed in the following instructions.

INSIDE ROOM STATUS STATIONS

1. Connect the Common terminal 'C' on Room Status
Station to the (-) from the 24VDC power. Connect the
Common wire (that feeds one side of all of the bulbs) on
the corridor dome status light corresponding to that room
location, in the hallway to the (+) from the 24VDC power.

2. Connect terminal 'R' on Room Status Station to the wire
for the Red bulb, on the corridor dome status light
corresponding to that room location, and to terminal 'R' at
the master station(s) for the Red LED for that room
location.

3. Connect terminal 'W' on Room Status Station to the wire
for the White bulb, on the corridor dome status light
corresponding to that room location, and to terminal 'W'
at the master station(s) for the White LED for that room
location.

4. (On RSS404 and/or RSS405 only) Connect terminal 'G'
on Room Status Station to the wire for the Green bulb, on
the corridor dome status light corresponding to that room
location, and to terminal 'G' at the master station(s) for the
Green LED for that room location.

5. (On RSS404 and/or RSS405 only) Connect terminal 'Y'
on Room Status Station to the wire for the Yellow bulb,
on the corridor dome status light corresponding to that
room location, and to terminal 'Y' at the master station(s)
for the Yellow LED for that room location

6. (On RSS403 and/or RSS405 only) If you wish to be able
to send a tone signal to the master station(s) by depressing
the momentary pushbutton at the room station, connect 1
wire from the pushbutton screw terminals to terminal 'B'
on the TSM tone speaker module at the master station(s).
Connect the other wire from the pushbutton screw
terminals to terminal '1' on the IA543 (or PK543A) tone
generator.

OPTIONAL EMERGENCY PULL CORD(s)

The model SF119/2A Emergency Pull Cords come from
the factory with two (2) sets of two (2) pigtails wires, in
different colors on the two (2) sides of the slide switch.
The colors may vary, but for general wiring purposes we
will refer to them now as Black and White. Each color
represents a separate set of normally-open dry contacts.

POWER SUPPLY UNIT

1. Do not plug connect PSR-24/6 power supply primary to
117VAC until entire installation is complete and checked.

2.

Observe polarity for the 24VDC output terminals.

FINISH INSTALLATION

1. Install stations on housings. Do not overtighten screws.

2. Install power supply and optional accessory devices as
needed.

3. Plug PSR-24/6 power supply primary into 117VAC.

4. If IA543 (or PK543A) tone generator is used, connect
the 16VAC transformer primary to 117VAC.

5. Be careful not to pinch any wires when installing stations
into the wall or modules into the master station(s).

5. Observe all local and national electrical and building
codes.

MASTER STATION LABELLING

1. Each AlphaStatus™ system is provided with a CD-Rom
containing software to easily create and maintain your
Master Station labelling/numbering. If the CD is lost or
misplaced you can download this software free from our
website at: www.AlphaCommunications.com, in the

DOWNLOADS section.

TEST AND CHECKOUT

1. At all inside Room Status Stations, make sure all of the
locking switches are in the UP (out) position with the
center color showing Black. All Dome lights and op­tional Master Station LEDs should be OFF.

2. Individually depress each of the locking switches at each
Room Status Station and make sure the matching
Corridor Dome Status Light color and optional Master
Station matching color LEDs light. Reset all locking
switches to OFF (Black) position.

3. If the Room Status Stations are equipped with the White
momentary pushbutton, depress the button at each
Room Status Station and verify that the tone signal
sounds at each Master Station.

4. If the rooms are equipped with the SF119 series Emer­gency Pull stations, pull the cord at each room and verify
that the Red bulb flashes on the corridor dome status
light, and the corresponding Red LED flashes at each
Master Station. Verify that the tone signal sounds (and
pulsates) at each of the Master Stations (if so equipped).

Both sets of contacts are closed when the pull cord is

2

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

ROOM STATUS STATION
TO SET STATUS (ON): Individually depress any of the
round locking switches at the Room Status Station that you
wish to activate/light. The center of the switch will depress
and lock in the 'down' position, and the center of the switch
will turn from Black to Red color. The color associated with
that switch (Red, White, Yellow or Green) will light at the
corridor dome status light outside that room. If the system
also has one or more Master Stations, the LED color
associated with that switch (Red, White, Yellow or Green)
will light at the Master Station(s).

TO SET STATUS (OFF): Individually depress any of the
round locking switches at the Room Status Station that are
Red color and the switch will pop back up and change to
Black color. All lights and LEDs associated with that station
and that switch color will turn off.

continuity, or swap with a different color's bulb to see if
the problem is the bulb or the power going to the bulb, or
wiring. You can also try swapping the wiring going to this
bulb and another bulb to see if the wiring is the problem.
The problem could also be the individual locking switch
for that color at the Room Status Station. Swap out the
wiring for that switch (terminal 'R', 'W', 'Y', or 'G') with
a different switch, or momentarily jump the common
terminal 'C' to the color terminal ('R', 'W', 'Y', or 'G'). If
the light activates, replace the switch or the Room Status
Station.

4. NO LED LIGHT AT MASTER STATION: If a

particular color LED does not activate on the Master
Station, swap with a different color's LED terminal to
see if the problem is the LED or the power going to the
LED, or wiring. If the LED is bad you can replace it
individually or replace the entire RSM404 LED module
with a new one.

TO SEND TONE TO MASTER(S): On Room Status
Stations so equipped (models RSS403 and/or RSS405), you
can send a tone signal to the master station(s) by depressing
the White rectangular pushbutton at the bottom of the
station. The tone signal will sound for as long as you depress
the White pushbutton. The tone volume can be set on the
IA543 (or PK543A) unit.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the system fails to operate as required, review operating
instructions again. If the equipment fails to operate as
indicated in the instructions, check the following points:

1. ENTIRE SYSTEM DEAD: Check for 24VDC output

at PSR-24/6 power supply unit(s) and at 16VAC trans­former secondary (if used). Check connections for 117
VAC primary power at PSR-24/6 and transformer (if
used).

2. NO TONE AT MASTER STATION: First check

for 16VAC power going to IA543 (or PK543A) termi­nals 'C' and 'K'. Depress the White tone buttons at
several room locations to see if it is a system-wide
problem or just for that room location. If it is just for that
room location only, short out the 2 terminals in the back
of the White tone button. If the tone sounds, the
pushbutton is likely bad, so replace it with a new one.
Remove wires from TSM module terminal 'L' and 'B'
and check for approx. 45 ohms (using an ohmmeter)
across terminals 'L' and 'B'. if the speaker shows 'open'
replace the TSM tone speaker module. If speaker
shows approx. 45 ohms of continuity, replace IA543 (or
PK543A) tone generator.

5. LIGHT FLICKER: Check system wiring installed too

close to power wiring or electrical devices or transform­ers; check transformer(s) installed too close to control
equipment (should be at least three (3) feet away).
Wiring is being run next to wiring for other systems and/
or devices. Check to make sure you haven't exceeded
the station capacity on the PSR-24/6 power supply
unit(s).

If these checkpoints fail to indicate the problem, there may
be an equipment fault. Contact the factory or qualified
service representative.

NOTE: The Alpha Communications® warranty is void if this
system is installed or used in any manner other than de­scribed in this manual.

PLEASE SEE NOTE ON PAGE 8 CONCERNING THE MOMEN­TARY SWITCHES FOR THESE SIGNALING PUSHBUTTONS
ON THE RSM404 MASTER LED MODULES, WHEN A MASTER
STATION IS USED.

RSM404 Master LED Module

3. NO LIGHT AT CORRIDOR DOME STATUS
LIGHT: If a particular color light does not activate on

the corridor dome status light, check that bulb for

3