Intercom System 101: Defining Jargons in the Simplest Way

Using an intercom system in Dubai provides big help in surveillance, communication, security and productivity, especially for businesses and households. We see them hanged on doors and walls but many of us are not familiar with intercom system jargons. We simplified the jargons below to help you better understand how intercom (intercommunication) systems, popularly known as door phones, work.

Master Station

Just like a computer’s CPU, this is the central control panel of an intercom system. This element, also called “base station,” sends commands to all the units of the system.

Substation

This unit has three other names: door station, slave unit and speaker. It initiates the call to the master station but it can’t initiate calls with other intercom stations. Since substations are normally attached on doors, most of them are weatherproof.

Power Supply

As its name suggests, this is the power source of the entire intercom system. Without the power supply, all the units won’t function.

Wall Mount Station

This is a kind of intercom that is installed on a specific wall and is integrated with loud speakers. It could also have its own push-to-talk microphone or mounted microphone. Some wall mount stations also look like telephones.

Handset

Just like a mobile phone, this feature of an intercom system has an earpiece. It also has a handheld push-to-talk microphone. Not all intercom systems permanently have this element. Some that contain handsets are portable which gives users the option to use the handset or detach them if they prefer to use a built-in microphone.

Amplifier

This component either switches or connects the communication paths in the middle of the master station and substations. It also distributes power to supplementary connected devices such as lights or recorders.

Intercom Station

This remote unit is either mounted on the wall, rack-mounted or portable. It both initiates multiple conversations and individual talks. It also receives signals.

Paging Signal

This feature gives either audio or visual signal to the user that someone from the other station would like to talk.

Telephonic

Similar to a telephone, this term refers to intercom systems that use a sender (talk) and receiver (listen) to interact.

Amplified

This term describes intercom systems that use only one speaker to send and receive messages.

Belt Pack

This component looks like a belt wallet. It’s a portable unit worn on the belt while talking to the person on the other station. It also comes with an earpiece.

Headset

As mentioned above, this is usually connected to the belt pack of portable intercom systems. Some also come with a microphone.

You can go to our website if you have questions or if you want to learn more about intercom systems and their benefits.