Intercoms and paging systems are standard features of most modern industrial settings. Power plants present several unique challenges to any communications system; the wrong type of intercom may be almost completely ineffective, costing the business thousands of dollars and increasing the risk of workplace accidents and mistakes that could have been prevented with clear intercom communication.
Any intercom system intended for use in a power plant must be able to provide crisp, clear, reliable audio in an area with a very high risk of potential electromagnetic interference (EMI). Systems that are unable to compensate for this interference are characterized by garbled, often unintelligible transmissions riddled with screeching feedback sounds, static background noises and dropped words or syllables. Industrial intercoms should be able to quickly and accurately compress vocal sounds, which improves sound quality; the most useful models also feature rapid data processing and may be used as a type of self-contained phone system that will remain operational even if the power source connected to the building’s lighting, phones and computers is compromised or damaged. Most of these models have two power connections: one to the building’s main power line and another to a backup source to prevent service interruption.
Industrial intercoms can be quite expensive, and many companies soon find that they also must pay an electrician to install everything; this significantly increases the overall cost of the system. The ideal industrial intercom has a simple, straightforward setup process that can be accomplished quickly and without hiring a master electrician to do the job. Other desirable features that often reduce the intercom’s cost include non-polarity cable connections and the ability to “plug ‘n’ play” directly out of the packaging.
It’s very important to read the technical specifications before purchasing an intercom system for power plants. One of the most crucial aspects of this is the maximum number of phone stations the intercom can accommodate. Most manufacturers give two figures here: the standard number of stations, and the absolute maximum. Whenever possible, it’s prudent to install a system that offers some flexibility in this area; otherwise the entire intercom will need to be replaced if more stations are added in the future.
An intercom must also be compatible with the surrounding environmental conditions, particularly if all or part of the system is installed outdoors. To avoid costly and time consuming troubleshooting and major repairs, check the system specifications, paying extra attention to the temperature and moisture guidelines recommended by the manufacturer.