FAQs & Glossary of Terms

FAQs & Glossary of Terms

Read below answers to RATH® Elevator and Emergency Phone FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) or
see the Glossary of Terms specific to the Elevator Communication industry

RATH® FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is the RATH® speakerphone not hanging up when the call is ended?
This often occurs when the phone is connected to a Ringdown line which is not providing a proper CPC (WINC) signal to hang up the phone. We recommend the phone be connected to a standard analog line or a POTS line. If the PBX cannot provide a proper CPC signal, the RATH® phone will hang up if it detects a dial tone after the call is ended.


What is a CPC Signal?
A CPC Signal, also called a WINC signal, tells an automated phone device such as a speakerphone or an answering machine to hang up. The CPC signal is generally in the form of an Open Loop Disconnect where the voltage on the line is held to 0 volts DC for approximately a half a second. The RATH® phone will also hang up if it detects dial tone after the call has ended.



What wires in the telephone cable do I connect to the phone?
Connect the middle two wires of the telephone cable. These are typically the red and green wires. If it is being used with our SmartRescue unit, you must connect all four wires.



Can multiple RATH® phones be connected to one phone line?
Yes, up to 10 phones can be connected on one line. See the RATH® Consolidator.



What is the RATH® Consolidator feature?
The RATH® consolidator, is a built-in feature of our 2100 series phones, that allows up to 10 phones to be connected to one line and still allow an outside party to call into and control each individual phone. Unlike RATH’s competitors, our consolidator is built into the software of our phones and does not require extra, expensive hardware.



Why does it take several seconds before the called party is able to hear me talk after they answer the call?
The message feature is likely enabled in the phone, but a message is not recorded. Or, the RATH® phone is connected to a ring down line and the phone has not been properly configured. If a message is not recorded in the phone, messaging should be turned off. If the phone is connected to a ringdown line, the phone should be programmed for ringdown operation. For both issues, see the programming instructions for your specific model.



Is there a timer on the phone that can be adjusted so that the phone will hang up after a specific period of time?
Yes, the timer can be adjusted. This timer controls the total amount of time that the phone will stay active after it has been activated. Please contact RATH® technical support for specific instructions for your product.



Is there a command that I can use to tell the RATH® speakerphone to hang up?
Yes, pressing * then # will hang up the speakerphone.



My phone does not have a keypad, what can I do to program it?
You can program the phone remotely (See the programming instructions for your particular product) or you can purchase a keypad from RATH®.



What options can I program into the phone using Remote Programming?
Almost all the programming options that can be programmed through a keypad can also be programmed remotely. See the programming instructions for your particular product.


RATH® Glossary of Elevator Terms
ATA – Analog Telephone Adaptor – A device that allows analog telephone devices to operate on VoIP/Digital system


Consolidator – This proprietary feature is built-in to all of our 2100 series phones. It allows you to install up to (10) phones on a single phone line without any additional, costly equipment. It allows multiple phones to call out and speak to emergency personnel without any intentional delay. Emergency personnel can speak to all phones on the line or speak to them individually with just a couple key strokes.


CPC Signal - (Also called a WINC signal), tells an automated phone device such as a speakerphone or an answering machine to hang up. The CPC signal is generally in the form of an Open Loop Disconnect where the voltage on the line is held to 0 volts DC for approximately a half a second. The RATH® phone will also hang up if it detects dial tone after the call has ended


Line Powered Phone – A phone which runs off the power of the telephone line. RATH® offers a line of line powered phones


Location Message – A message recorded into the phone which provides the called party with the location of emergency phone


PBX – Private Branch Exchange – A telephone system generally used in a place of business. A PBX connects all the internal phones to one location and provides a connection between internal phones and outside phone lines. Often, phones on a PBX require a digit such as 9 to be dialed in order for a phone to place a call to an outside number


POTS Line – Plain Old Telephone Service – A standard analog telephone line


Ringdown – A telephone line which automatically rings a phone when the originating phone goes off hook. No dial tone is provided on the ringdown line. Often, ring down lines do not provide CPC signals to tell the emergency phone that the call is ended.


VoIP – Voice over IP – A telephone system that uses internet protocol to deliver voice service. Often, VoIP system are tightly integrated with an IT system (computer network). RATH® phones can operate on a VoIP system through the use of an ATA Device


WINC – See CPC Signal



FAQs & Glossary of Terms