GT Series

Often after the installation of a new system, the programming portion of the setup is forgotten or incomplete. For the programming steps of a new system, click here to view the GT Series Quick Start Guide and refer to page 14.

To correct this problem, you will need to clear the existing “handshake” programming between the Entrance Panel and the tenant, then reprogram the connection. The following steps will not delete the name or room number information, or the handshake between the Entrance Panel and any other tenant.

1. Putting the Entrance Panel in Programming Mode.

2. Erasing the tenant station’s programming.

3. Erasing the Entrance Panel’s programming.

4. Reprogramming a tenant station.

With a newly installed system, tenant stations will not function, outside of illuminated LED lights (depending on the station model), until the system has been programmed. Click here to view the GT Series Quick Start Guide and refer to page 14 for these steps. If this is an existing install with stations that are not properly functioning, use the following steps to troubleshoot the issue.

1. For experienced technicians and low-voltage electricians, use a voltmeter to measure the wires connected to the terminals labeled “R1/R2 In” on the tenant station. 24v DC should be present at all times, even on standby. If there is no power or an extreme drop in voltage, the issue may be this station’s R1/R2 connection somewhere in-line.
2. An easier test is a “station swap”. Take the station in question and swap positions with another working station, and perform a call-in. Keep in mind, the link between the Entrance Panel and the tenant station is digital, so the connection will follow the station no matter where it is placed. If the station begins to work, that can lead us to assume that the station’s original wiring is suspect. If the station continues to have issues, try suggestion 3.
3. If the tenant station does not work in its new testing location, try to reprogram the unit using the “handshake” programming method, found on page 14 of the GT Series Quick Start Guide linked here.

Note that if audio and video are completely absent across the entire system stations will be unresponsive to call-in and monitoring attempts until programmed. Refer to page 14 of the GT Series Quick Start Guide for these steps.

• Call-in with video but without audio. The call-in function is carried with the audio signal, so a connection issue is most likely not the cause of this uncommon problem. Typically, in this situation:
  • The tenant station’s audio has been lowered to a setting that cannot be heard or is muted. The location of the volume dial varies by model but is most commonly found on the side of the station.
  • The tenant station is in push-to-talk mode. This is initiated by holding the talk button down when answering a call from the Entrance Panel. Attempt to answer a call-in by quickly pressing and releasing the talk button to see if the audio can now be heard.
  • In some rare circumstances, the ambient noise levels at the Entrance Panel are so loud that the VOX circuit is constantly tripped and will keep the Entrance Panel constantly sending audio to the tenant station, preventing the tenant station from replying. The best test for this is to bring the Entrance Panel somewhere quiet (preferably inside, in a bench test right at the GT-BC/VBC).
• Call-in with audio but without video. Audio, station power, and the digital handshake between the Entrance Panel and the tenant station are carried over the R1/R2 wires. Video is carried from the Entrance Panel to the GT-VBC on the A1/A2 connections, and from the GT-VBC to the tenant stations on the B1/B2 connections.
  • Ensure the connections between the Entrance Panel, GT-VBC, and the tenant station are all secure.
  • Using a voltmeter, 24v DC should be present on these connections while the stations are in communication. In standby mode, there should be little to no voltage.
  • A “bench test” bringing the Entrance Panel camera and a tenant station to the GT-VBC can clarify if the issue is found in the wire connections or with the hardware themselves.

For situations where some or all audio and video is “working” however the signal/incoming audio/video is distorted, refer to the following notes.

• Ensure there is 24v DC at all times on the R1/R2 audio connections, and 24v DC on the A1/A2 and B1/B2 video connections while in communication (little to no voltage in standby).
• The recommended wire for the GT Series is a solid core, non-shielded 18/22awg 2-conductor wire. Issues may arise when using stranded, shielded, or multi-conductor wire. Testing the Entrance Panel and a tenant station in close proximity with one another and the system’s bus controllers may give better insight into if wire may be a cause of these issues. Note that Aiphone never recommends replacing wire without conclusive testing, and contacting the Aiphone Technical Support team first.
• A wire ran near the source of alternating current (AC) voltage, like a light source, or another high voltage power source may cause issues with both audio and video on the system.

On a modular entry panel, the door release contacts are located on the back of the speaker module (either a GT-DB or a GT-DA-L). On the GT-DM/DMB-N, these will be on the back of the Entrance Panel.

The door release connections are labeled ELM/ ELC/ and ELB. ELM is a normally open contact (Typically used with a strike), ELB is a normally closed contact (Typically used with a magnetic lock), and ELC is the common. Click here to view the GT Series Quick Start Guide and refer to page 3 for a wiring diagram for each example.

Note that each of these contacts is dry and will not provide direct power to your lock, which will need its own power source separate from the Aiphone equipment.

For that information, you need to call the manufacturer of the door strike or magnetic lock. Aiphone cannot answer that question and cannot provide you with an acceptable alternative.

This will happen when there are multiple entry panels set to the same ID. By default, all entry panels will be set to be ID #1. To fix this, power down the entire system, then make changes to the dip switches on the back of the entry panel(s). The locations of these dipswitches, and what position they should be set to, can be found in the GT Series Quick Start Guide here on page 6 or seen below.

The GT-RY provides a normally open, dry contact when a tenant station receives a call. A GT-RY is required for every tenant station needing this option. The connections vary by tenant station model, click here to view page 35 of the GT Installation Manual for a wiring diagram.

See Chart Below:

Yes, it is recommended that if the building has more than one entrance panel that all the panels be replaced at the same time.

Replacing a tenant station is a two-step process, after replacing the station you do need to put the entrance in program mode and assign the entrance panel to call that replacement tenant station.