What is an Alarm Dialler or Autodialler and how does it work?

Below is our list of the most Frequently Asked Questions we get on the M60 Autodialler.

What is a Autodialler or Alarm Dialler?
How does a Alarm Dialler work?
How many devices can I connect?
What types of device can i connect?
How many people will the M60 send a message to?
What types of device can the M60 send messages to?
Can the M60 send SMS Text Message as well as Voice?
How do I stop the M60 from calling / acknowledge the alarm?
What happens if no one acknowledges the alarm message?
Can I check the status / interrogate the M60?
What happens if I don’t want/have a PSTN land line to connect the M60 to?
What happens if the phone line fails or is cut?
I can’t see the feature or function I require!
How long have you been making Alarm Diallers?
How and where is the M60 Alarm Dialler currently used?

What is a Autodialler or Alarm Dialler?

It is essentially an electronic device that monitors alarm signals for a problem, when a problem is detected it will instantly communicate the problem to the correct on call personal so it can be quickly rectified.

How does an Alarm Dialler work?

Once the M60 has been set-up & configured it will sit in standby mode until an alarm is detected. While in “standby mode” the M60 will do various things (self diagnostics etc) in the background depending on your software version and the features you have installed. e.g. Auto-Isolate (where the M60 will automatically turns itself on or off during user predefined times & days), Auto-Roster (where the M60 will automatically change the alarm callout list depending on the time or day of the week).

When an alarm is detected the M60 waits 60 seconds to check it is not an intermittent or false alarm, the M60 will then call the first person/device on the list and report all the alarm inputs that are active. The M60 then waits 2 minutes to see if anyone is going to acknowledge the alarm, if no one acknowledges the alarm it then calls the 2nd person/device. This then continues until it reaches the end of the call out list, the M60 then goes into “extended pause” for 5 minutes, again to see if anyone is going to acknowledge the alarm - if the alarm has still not been acknowledged then it will start going though the list again.

The above are standard operations, the timings and delays all are configurable.

We also offer various different software upgrades for alternate operations including Auto-Isolate and Channel to Roster (where each input is linked to a dedicated list of phone numbers).

Please contact us for more information or visit the Optional Features Page.

How many devices can I connect?

The Standard M60 comes in 4, 8, 16 and 56 input versions. Each input allows a separate device to be easily connected with its own user recordable message.

What types of device can I connect?

You can connect anything that provides a NO (Normally Open) or (Normally Closed) volt free alarm signal. e.g. thermostats, generators, fridges, freezers, fan panels, fire panels, intruder alarms etc. - If you cannot supply “volt-free” contacts we can supply a optional relay panel.

You can also connect Analogue Signals e.g. 4-20 ma via the optional ADE Panel.

How many people will the M60 send a message to?

As standard you can program the M60 to call / send an alarm message to 5 separate devices/people, this is upgradable to 8, 10 or 15 people.
If you need to send an alarm message to more people please contact us for the further upgrade options.

What types of device can the M60 send messages to?

The M60 can send an alarm message to;

Standard PSTN Land Line Phones.
GSM Mobiles / Cell Phones. (Voice & Optionally SMS)
Numeric & Alpha Numeric Pagers.

Optionally

Local Pager Systems.
Computers & Laptops.

Can the M60 send SMS Messages as well as voice?

As of 2012 the M60 can now optionally send SMS messages to your mobile or cell phone. Each dial out number can be set as either as a SMS or a voice call allowing you to choose the type of message that is sent to each recipient. Each message is configurable meaning you won’t get a generic “channel 12” message but a useful “Power Failure in room 2” message. For more information contact us or visit the SMS Module page.

How do I stop the M60 from calling / acknowledge the alarm?

To acknowledge that you have received the alarm call and are going to deal with it, you simply phone the M60 on the number it called you on. Optionally we offer ‘0’ key cancellation, where you press the ‘0’ key on your phone while the M60 is reporting the alarm to cancel any further dial outs.

What happens if no one acknowledges the alarm message?

The M60 will send the alarm messages to the pre-programmed people, when it it gets to the end of the list it will wait 5 minutes, and then start again. This will carry on almost indefinitely until the alarm is acknowledged.

Can I check the current status / interrogate the M60?

Yes, you can phone the M60 on the number it is connected to (either PSTN landline or GSM) at any time, and the M60 will speak to you can report the current status of all its inputs.

What happens if I don’t want/have a PSTN land line to connect the M60 to?

With our GSM Alarm Dialer module, you don’t need to have a land line, the GSM Dialer module will allow the M60 to use the Mobile / Cell phone networks to send and receive alarms messages.

What happens if the phone line fails or is cut

We offer two options for phone line protection, the Line Sensing Board and the GSM Dialer Module. The Line Sensing Board simply allows a local warning to be triggered e.g. a siren or strobe, the GSM Dialer will automatically switch the M60 to the GSM Network if the PSTN Network Fails.

I can’t see the feature or function I require!

Because the M60 Alarm Dialler is designed and manufactured by us in the UK, we can tailor the M60 to your exact needs. This includes writing custom software to give you the features and functions you desire.

How long have you been making alarm diallers?

We have have been developing and manufacturing Alarm Diallers since 1958, the M60 is the 10th model we have produced.

How and where is the M60 Alarm Dialler currently used?

The M60 is used in a wide range of industries around the world, ranging from Poultry Farmers in Wales, to Salmon Farms in Scotland, to Power Stations in England, to Skyscrapers in Dubai, to Desalination Plants in Florida.

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A Packs Infotel Designed Product, 1 Broomfield hall buildings, London road, Sunningdale, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 0DP, United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1344 874114 Fax +44 (0)1344 874664