Intercoms: Getting Started

 Introduction

Intercom systems add a level of convenience, comfort, and safety to any home and save labor costs by increasing efficiency in business and commercial applications. You may be replacing or upgrading an old system, or installing a new system in existing or new construction. Sometimes the choices can be confusing and overwhelming, but it is possible to consider your needs and narrow your options.

 Replacing or Upgrading an Existing System

If you already have an intercom system and are replacing or upgrading it, the first thing you will need to determine is how many wires the system has. You can find this by removing one of the speakers and simply counting the wires going to that speaker. You will need to replace your system with a system that operates on the same number of wires as your old system. (Sometimes you can upgrade from a lesser wire system to a greater wire system, but you will lose some functions) Often an upgrade includes changing all the components of your intercom system. If you have a Broan/Nutone or M & S system, use our Upgrade Chart to find your specific model number. Then follow our instructions to make sure you replace the necessary components.

 Installing an Intercom in an Existing Home or Business

Many people do not know that intercom systems can be installed once their house is already built. While slightly challenging, it can be done in most existing homes. The main requirement is an attic or crawl space that will allow you to run the wiring for the intercom system. We recommend you install CAT 5 wire whenever you are running new wire for an intercom system. This will allow you to upgrade in the future, if you should decide you want to. Once you have determined that you can run the wire, then you need to select a system that will meet your needs. Most systems require that you run your wire in a “home run” fashion, which means each speaker is wired directly back to the master. For a less challenging job, look for a system that can be “daisy chained”, which means the wire runs from speaker to speaker and then back to the master station.

 Installing an Intercom in New Construction

If you are installing an intercom in new construction…the sky is the limit. You can choose the exact system you want, based on your needs and desires, not on existing wiring or limitations due to existing construction.

 Intercom Choices

Voice Only:  With a voice only system you will be able to communicate with others in your home, but you will not have the option of playing music through your system. For voice only systems you will want to look at Kocom, Valet, NuTone and Aiphone intercomstructured wiring intercom systems.

Voice and Music:  These systems will come with built in radios, cd players, mp3 interfaces, or all three. Some offer the option of adding a music source. Some offer the option of adding stereo speakers, while most are mono. These systems include M& S, GE Smartcom, Nutone, Valet and Intrasonic.

Select Call Systems.:   If calling specific rooms in your home or office is important to you, you will want to install a select call intercom system. With select call, you will be able to call individual rooms without broadcasting to the entire system. Select call also allows the room you are calling to respond hands free. Nutone, Aiphone, GE Smartcom, and Valet offer this feature. Intrasonic offers a limited select call feature you might want to look at.

Structured Wire Systems: Structured wire intercoms operate on CAT 5 or CAT 6 wire, only, and the wiring is junctioned back to a structured wiring box. M & S DMC10, Valet, and GE Smartcom are all structured wire intercom systems. The GE Smartcom is fully integrated allowing you to connect your stereo music components to the system.

Door Answering Systems: For added security, a door answering system allows you to speak to, or even see who is at your door before answering. Our multiple product offerings include the most basic, one door-one inside station to systems available for multi-unit apartment buildings. Nutone, DoorFon, and Aiphone offer these products.

Video Systems: Combing the security of a video door answering system and the convenience of an intercom, a video intercom system offers the best of both worlds. Look at Kocom, Nutone, and Aiphone systems.

Motion Alert Systems: These wireless systems detect motion of vehicles or pedestrians in their path. Combined with a simple Aiphone intercom system provides 2 way communication. Look at the WMA-3000 Drive Thru Kit.

Business and Commercial Intercoms: While a smaller business may use any of the fine residential products we offer, larger applications require more sophisticated products. We sell the complete line of Aiphone intercoms for applications ranging from schools and doctor’s offices, to warehouses and multi-unit apartment buildings.

 Speakers

Once you have chosen your intercom system, you will need to purchase the right speakers. Each manufacturer sells speakers compatible with their products. Speakers are not interchangeable between brands and are usually not even interchangeable between model numbers of the same brand. You will need to purchase rough-in frames for speakers and possibly update frames if you are replacing older speakers.

Speakers come in a variety of sizes and colors. In addition to inside speakers, you will want to add a door speaker, and possibly patio speakers for outside living areas. If the system you choose has stereo capability, you will want to consider using stereo speakers.