An intercom ("intercommunication device") or interphone is a stand-alone voice communications system for use within a building or small collection of buildings, functioning independently of the public telephone network. Intercoms are generally mounted permanently in buildings and vehicles.
Interact with other individuals by local voice-based communication system.
These units control the whole system. Master stations initiate calls to substations and can be configured to make announcements that are transmitted over the entire intercom system.
Substation:Units that initiate calls with a master station, but are not capable of initiating calls with any other stations. Substations are also known as slave units.
Door station:Like substations, door stations are only capable of initiating a call to a master station. They are typically weather-proof.
Intercom station:A full-featured remote unit that is capable of initiating and receiving party-line conversation, individual conversations, and signaling. May be rack-mounted, wall-mounted or portable.
Wall mount station:Fixed-position intercom station with built-in loudspeaker. May have flush-mounted microphone, hand-held push to talk microphone or telephone-style handset.
Handset:Permanent or portable telephone-style connection to an intercom station. Holds both an earpiece and a push to talk microphone.
Amplifier:An intercom system's main or central component, responsible for switching or connecting communication paths between master and substations. In addition, amplifiers distribute or switch power to auxiliary connected devices, such as door strikes, to allow entry.