Thanks in advance for any info. I have a customer who would like to have an entry system at an external door where certain extensions (a total of three I am told) would ring when someone is at the door, and they could trigger an electric strike to open from inside the offices. Does the Definity switch have this type of capability? They have a decent sized Definity with an "A" and a "B" box. They also want video of the entrance but I can easily put that on a separate system either IP based or a normal analog camera. I am a low-voltage contractor for 25 years but I just know enough about phone switches to be dangerous, and I usually just provide structured wiring systems to support voice/data/video/control etc.

As we have a second floor reception desk with no elevator, I have a "hotline" phone set up in the first floor lobby. The keypad is inoperable, but when someone picks up the phone, it automatically dials the receptionist and speak with the visitor. The receptionist can also dial that phone extension to talk to the visitor. I'll have to look at the exact programming I have on the phone when I am back at work.

I'm sure there is some kind of unit that would intercom back and forth that wouldn't hook up to the telephone system.

As for the door release, I'll have to let the others add their ideas.

Liquidvw would be the one to talk to. No reason you couldn't use a Partner doorphone and a hotline as Rhonda suggests. The contact closure for the door strike is another matter however that I know nothing about on the Definity.

If there are POTS line ports you certainly could use a door controller and doorbox from Viking that would take care of everything.

That said, you really need to keep in mind that the Definity is a very difficult system and something you shouldn't be mucking around with unless you have had considerable experience and training with it. So what I'm suggesting is that you handle the CCTV and refer the rest to their dealer.

-Hal

A single Viking C-2000A with perhaps a Viking E-35-EWP at each entrance should do the trick. The manufacturer offers similar products that accomodate proximity fobs as well.

Adams Rite has a variety of electric strikes that you might want to look into. I've used their 5192 and AC-7140 models successfully.

You've got a starting point and some basic answers, which should satisfy your original question. But for completeness, I'd like to underscore Hal's assertion that your scope of work be limited to your skilset (and/or license). The local wiring, door strike and entry pad may be right up your alley...so go for it! But you definately want to leave the PBX connections and programming to a local guru; a point that I cannot stress enough here.

you know no one every asked me to install a door strike, but the viking products should work just fine.

The Viking C 2000A will do what you want!! They work well with the Definity, then you can set up a "call answer group" with your 3 extensions so they all ring at the same time..works like a charm. We have a couple locations set up that way with no problems.. Good luck !!

...bob...

Thanks Rhonda, Hal, Dagwood, liquidvw, and Wellco. What a consulting group! Let's see, at your respective billing rates, I guess I owe the board $600 for this question alone!!!! The Viking unit should work nicely. Again, I appreciate having ther ability to consult with experts like yourselves. It is totally awesome. It's one thing to look at products that are out there, it's totally another thing to have someone say "yeah, I installed that and it works well with your system". Excellent.

Tim (dagwoodsystems) - That E-35-EWP is very cool - I would never have found that on my own. Excellent and thank you again.