Alpha Communications MLS Operating instructions

MLSfrom ALPHA COMMUNICATIONS®
ALPHA-PAGE v3.2
Call/Alarm/Fault signal monitoring-paging system
Installation/OwnersManual
TOLL-FREE Technical Line 1-800-666-4800
Alpha Communications®
42 Central Drive - Farmingdale NY 11735-1202
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Website: www.alpha-comm.com Email: [email protected]
AWD049 Rev. 1 (02/97)

*** NOTICE ***
The Alpha-page digital pager interface system is an extremely reliable system
for sending nurse call and other alarm messages to pocket pagers. The system
sends messages to your pager(s) using a relatively high power radio signal.
This signal has considerable range and has the ability to reject radio "noise"
which could corrupt the message being sent.
Although Alpha-page is extremely reliable in communicating messages, it
must only be used as supplemental alarm annunciation in life safety
applications such as fire annunciation and nurse call. Alpha-page should only
be used to enhance the efficiency of life safety systems by providing
additional, immediate alarm notification via wireless paging. Micro Logic
Systems shall not be held liable for incidental or consequential damages
resulting from annunciation failure.

INTRODUCTION
Alpha-page is an call/alarm/fault signal monitoring system designed to instantly send
user programmed messages to alpha-numeric pocket pagers in response to an incoming signal.
The signal can be an AC or DC voltage or a dry contact closure. The system is stand-alone, it
does not require a computer or any other equipment. Alpha-page is designed to interface to
systems utilizing "home run" signal wiring. It is not intended for use in "multiplexed" systems
which do not use individual signal wires.
Alpha-page uses alphanumeric pocket pagers which can receive messages containing
numbers, letters, and punctuation symbols. You program a specific message for each call/
alarm/fault signal using a standard computer keyboard. Therefore, the message on a system
user's pager indicates the exact nature of the event, for example "Security alert-court room 1",
"blower motor 2-overheating", or "John Smith-room 101" (nurse call). The system can be
configured to best meet the needs of the facility. For example, the system can contain several
pagers that can each receive all pages. Or, several pagers may be used but each only receives
selected pages.
User programming is protected from erasure due to power failure with a built-in
lithium battery with a life-span of up to ten years. With the rechargeable 12V, 7Amp-hour
battery option, the entire system operates with battery back-up for up to 36 hours. When main
power is restored, the battery is automatically recharged.
MLS-EC1 ENCLOSURE INSTALLATION
The entire Alpha-page system (except transmitter and pagers) fits in the MLS-EC1
surface-wall mount enclosure. Determine a suitable location for the MLS-EC1. Remember,
wiring from each alarm/fault contact needs to be run to the MLS-EC1. Mount the MLS-EC1
in a location that will allow the most convenient means of running the required wiring
between the contacts being monitored and Alpha-page. Refer to drawings C022397-1 and
C022397-2 for enclosure dimensions and mounting hole locations.
ALARM SIGNAL WIRING
Each signal wire that is to cause a message to be transmitted must be connected to a
MLS-32L signal input board. Refer to the drawings in this manual for basic wiring
information. Note that there must always be a common voltage reference connected to the
"COM" terminal of the MLS-SPU1 board.
Alpha-page can monitor up to 256 alarm/fault signals. Each MLS-32L signal input
board can accommodate 32 call/alarm/fault signal wires. Therefore, more than one MLS-32L
board is required if more than 32 alarm/fault signals are being monitored, up to eight can be
used. The system can be expanded at any time by simply adding additional MLS-32L boards.
Each MLS-32L board is programmed with an "address" (1-8) which identifies it from the
other MLS-32L boards. Programming is accomplished by placing a programming jumper over
stake-pin pair 1-8 on the MLS-32L board (refer to drawing C022397-3). Later, you will
program each input with its own message. When programming messages, inputs are identified
on the liquid crystal display (LCD) as input 001-input 256. These will correspond to terminals
on MLS-32L boards. Terminals 1-32 on the MLS-32L board addressed as #1 will correspond

to input 001-input 032. Terminals 1-32 on the MLS-32L board addressed as #2 will
correspond to input 033-input 064, respectively. Refer to the hart Relationship between
MLS-32L terminal number, MLS-32L board number and programming input number for a
complete reference guide. Installer: make note of what device, call station, etc. is connected
to each input on the sheets included at the end of this manual. This information will be useful
when messages are programmed for each input.
Signal wiring is connected to pluggable terminal blocks on the MLS-32L boards, refer
to drawing C030497-1. MLS-32L boards are plugged into the MLS-32L sockets of the
MLS-SPU1 board, refer to drawings C022397-4 and C030297-1. Any MLS-32L board
number (address) may be plugged into any of the eight sockets on the MLS-SPU1, the order
does not matter. MLS-32L boards are held securely in place by #6-32 mounting screws
going through the "L" brackets of the MLS-32L and into the MLS-32L mounting studs
located in the MLS-EC1 enclosure.
CONNECTING PT-400 TRANSMITTER
The PT-400 is a relatively high power radio transmitter that receives messages from
the MLS-SPU1 board via the RS-232 data port then transmits them to the pagers in the
facility. The transmitter uses a special frequency band and, therefore, will not send messages
to "regular" pagers not associated with Alpha-page. Because the transmitter has significant
power output, it can send messages to pagers from any point in most buildings to any point in
most buildings. The transmitter can thus be plugged directly into the RS-232 data port of the
MLS-SPU1 board regardless of where the system in installed in the building. The transmitter
can then be placed on top of the MLS-EC1 enclosure. Use the data cable access hole
provided in the MLS-EC1 enclosure to get the data and power cord into the enclosure to the
MLS-SPU1 board. Refer to drawing C051398-1 for connecting the PT-400 to Alpha-page.
Be sure to observe power polarity for transmitter. The positive wire of the power cord is
identified by a white stripe and must be connected to the "12V" terminal of the MLS-SPU1
board. If unusual circumstances (for example, very large, multi-story building) require the
PT-400 transmitter to be located remotely from the Alpha-page system, MLS-232 serial port
extenders must be used. The transmitter can then be located in a more centralized location to
provide better coverage. MLS-232's are used in pairs, one as a transmitter of data (at Alpha-
page) and one as a receiver of data (at the PT-400). With MLS-232's, the PT-400 transmitter
may be placed more than 1000' from the Alpha-page system. Refer to drawing C051398-2 for
guidance in connecting the PT-400 remotely. Be sure to observe power polarity for
transmitter, and MLS-232's The positive wire of the PT-400 power cord is identified by a
white stripe.

Relationship between MLS-32L terminal number, MLS-32L board number
and programming input number
MLS-32L board number
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
terminal:
1 001 033 065 097 129 161 193 225
2 002 034 066 098 130 162 194 226
3 003 035 067 099 131 163 195 227
4 004 036 068 100 132 164 196 228
5 005 037 069 101 133 165 197 229
6 006 038 070 102 134 166 198 230
7 007 039 071 103 135 167 199 231
8 008 040 072 104 136 168 200 232
9 009 041 073 105 137 169 201 233
10 010 042 074 106 138 170 202 234
11 011 043 075 107 139 171 203 235
12 012 044 076 108 140 172 204 236
13 013 045 077 109 141 173 205 237
14 014 046 078 110 142 174 206 238
15 015 047 079 111 143 175 207 239
16 016 048 080 112 144 176 208 240
17 017 049 081 113 145 177 209 241
18 018 050 082 114 146 178 210 242
19 019 051 083 115 147 179 211 243
20 020 052 084 116 148 180 212 244
21 021 053 085 117 149 181 213 245
22 022 054 086 118 150 182 214 246
23 023 055 087 119 151 183 215 247
24 024 056 088 120 152 184 216 248
25 025 057 089 121 153 185 217 249
26 026 058 090 122 154 186 218 250
27 027 059 091 123 155 187 219 251
28 028 060 092 124 156 188 220 252
29 029 061 093 125 157 189 221 253
30 030 062 094 126 158 190 222 254
31 031 063 095 127 159 191 223 255
32 032 064 096 128 160 192 224 256

CONNECTING POWER TO ALPHA-PAGE
Alpha-page receives primary power from a 12VAC, 20VA power transformer. DO
NOT use any power transformer with a secondary voltage rating of anything other than
12VAC. Connect the transformer secondary terminals to the two "AC" terminals on the
MLS-SPU1 board, polarity does not matter. Use 18 AWG wire. Refer to drawing
C022397-5. If the 12V, 7 amp-hour battery is to be used (for power back-up) it should be
connected according to drawing C022397-5. Make sure the red wire of the MLS-H1
battery cord (included with battery) is connected to the positive (+) terminal of the battery
via the quick-disconnect connector. The black wire of the MLS-H1 battery cord must be
connected to the negative (-) terminal of the battery. The other end of the MLS-H1 cord is
connected to the MLS-SPU1 board. Connect the red wire to the "B+" terminal. Connect
the black wire to the "B-" terminal. Place the battery in the battery tray located in the
bottom, center of the MLS-EC1 enclosure.
MESSAGE PROGRAMMING
A paging system would be of little use if the messages being sent to pagers could
not be user programmed to include information such as the source and exact location of the
alarm/fault signal. Alpha-page allows you to program a specific message for each call/
alarm/fault signal that will be sent to your pagers when the alarm/fault occurs.
Before the user does any custom message programming, the system contains
generic programming which allows the system to function immediately without needing to
be programmed. Input 1 is programmed as "Input 001", input 2 as "Input 002", etc. The
system will be much more useful with your custom programming.
To enter the programming mode, simply plug a standard PS/2 type computer
keyboard into the keyboard receptacle located on the MLS-SPU1 board (see drawing
C022397-4). The programming screen appears on the LCD display automatically. The top
two rows comprises the message field. This is where messages (up to 40 characters) will be
entered. You may enter any number, any letter (upper and lower case, use shift for upper
case), and most punctuation symbols. Some keys on the keyboard will not function. To
update a message, simply type over the old message. Use the <backspace> key to move the
cursor back one position. Use the <space bar> to erase the character located at the cursor
position.
Enter your message in top 2
lines
PGR 01,00 INPUT 001
Pager field Input Number field
Message field

The pager field is located at the lower left of the LCD. Use the <tab> key to move
the cursor from the message field to the pager field. Pagers are factory programmed with
one or more 7 digit capcodes. The back of each pager is labeled with the capcodes it
contains. A capcode is similar to a phone number. Capcodes give pagers a unique identity.
This allows you to select which pagers (or pagers) receives a message. The "pager
number" is the last two digits of the capcode. Alpha-Page allows you to select one or
two pager numbers for each message. This determines which pager(s) receives the message.
A message with assigned pager number 01 will only go to pagers programmed with pager
number 01. A message with assigned pager numbers 01 and 02 will go the pagers
programmed with pager numbers 01 and 02. In the pager field on the LCD, there is space
for two 2-digit pager numbers (separated by a comma). Alpha-Page accepts pager numbers
in the range of 00-99. If pager number 00 is specified, no page is sent. To send the message
to one pager number, enter that pager number in one of the two pager number spaces and
enter 00 in the other space. To erase or change pager numbers, simply type over the
incorrect numbers. The default pager numbers of all messages are 01 and 00.
To program the message and/or pager number for another input, use the <tab> key
to move the cursor to the input number field located at the lower right of the LCD. Type the
number of the input that you wish to program/edit. Only input numbers in the range 001-256
will be accepted. Once a valid input number is entered, the current message and pager
numbers for that input immediately appear on the LCD display. Use the <tab> key to move
the cursor to the message field. You can then edit the message.
When all programming/editing is complete, unplug the computer keyboard. The
system will resume monitoring for alarm/fault signals and sending appropriate messages to
pagers. Programming can be edited at any time by again plugging in a keyboard and
following to procedure above. Your programming is protected from erasure due to power
failure by a built-in lithium battery.
PAGER MEMORY
Messages sent to pagers are stored in the memory of the pager. This memory can
become full. When this occurs, older messages are overwritten by new massages. You may
wish to erase messages right after they have been viewed or erase all messages occasionally.
Follow the directions included with the pager.
MAINTENANCE
Alpha-page is virtually maintenance free. The optional 12V, 7 amp-hour battery used
for power back-up may loose some of its capacity after approximately five years of use. It
may be required at that time to replace the battery to maintain the full 36 hour power back-
up capacity. It is recommended that the 3V lithium battery used for memory back-up (see
drawing C022397-4) be replaced every five years to ensure proper system operation. The
battery is contained in a battery holder and is easily replaceable. Replace with Panasonic
type BR 2020 or equivalent (3V, 100mAh, 20 mm diameter).

TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom:
System is dead, LCD screen is blank.
Possible causes:
Blown fuse in 12VAC transformer-replace transformer, do not short circuit secondary
terminals together.
Thermal fuse on MLS-SPU1 board triggered-check for and remove short circuit between
"+12" and "GND" terminals of MLS-SPU1 board.
Symptom:
Call/alarm/fault has occurred, but no message sent to pagers.
Possible causes:
"COM" terminal of MLS-SPU1 board not connected, or not properly connected-refer to
the drawings included in this manual for wiring assistance.
The pager number(s) assigned to the message does not match pager capcodes-pager
number is last two digits of a capcode. Pager capcodes are labeled on back of pager. See
MESSAGE PROGRAMMING.
Both pager numbers assigned to the message are 00. Messages assigned with pager number
00 are not transmitted to any pager.
Make sure power and data cable for PT-400 transmitter are properly connected to MLS-
SPU1 board. Refer to drawing in this manual.
Programming keyboard is plugged in, when keyboard is plugged in, system is in
programming mode and is not monitoring for calls/alarms/faults-when finished
programming, unplug keyboard.
PT-400 transmitter is too far away from pagers-use MLS-232 port extenders and relocate
transmitter centrally in building (see drawing C051398-2)

input number wired to:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
input number wired to:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64

input number wired to:
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
input number wired to:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128

input number wired to:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
input number wired to:
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192

input number wired to:
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
input number wired to:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256

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Alpha Communications

Alpha Communications