April 2009 Tech Talk Online Q & A
Q: I ran across someone on an CCTV installation the other day using a device called a Balun. What is it?
A: The word Balun is actually an acronym that stands for BALanced / UNbalanced. It is a device that will allow you to connect cameras with a coaxial output to CAT network twisted pair cabling. The older coaxial cabling is considered electrically unbalance and the new CAT cabling is considered balanced.
Q: My customer just converted to a VoIP phone service and they stated that the cable service provider states alarm signals will work over their VoIP phone circuit. Should I be concerned?
A: As the customer’s alarm provider I would be concerned for several reasons. Trying to get alarm signals to transmit CONTISISTANTLY over a VoIP phone circuit is a gamble. Secondly, many VoIP connections are not at the same demarcation point as the original phone land line. This can often affects how your phone line seizure works, or in this case doesn’t work. If you are going to use VoIP for alarm signals make sure you have the customer upgrade to equipment that is designed for IP connectivity.
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