This section is provided to aid in the use of the Emergency Wall Station 4 (EWS-4). Please see the EWS-4 Manual for further information on installation of the device.
Please review Paging Station Status Messages, Paging Screen General Operation, Store & Forward Operation and Role of Priority Levels sections for more details.
The EWS-4 is equipped with a handheld noise-canceling microphone. The frequency response and pickup pattern have been tailored for clear speech reproduction and cancelation of ambient noise. This microphone must be used at very close proximity, rather than at a distance as is common with most other microphone types. It is imperative that the microphone is placed close to the user’s mouth. A lip rest is located on the front of the microphone. For correct operation, the lip rest should contact the user’s face above the upper lip. The unit will not function correctly if the user is at a distance greater than 0.75 inch (20mm).
Two soft key buttons are located to the right of the display. These soft key buttons will perform different tasks depending on the state the paging station is in. In the default state they are used as “Next” and “Previous” to browse through the Page Codes assigned to the EWS-4. If PIN security is enabled, the soft key buttons are used to accept or cancel PIN entries. During a delayed release page, the soft key buttons are used to cancel the Page if required. During a Delayed Release Page, the soft key buttons are used to cancel the Paging event if required.
Four buttons located below the display enable the user to select from one of four predetermined Page Codes. The destination buttons are set up using the Vocia software. For paging stations that are restricted with PIN code access these buttons are also used for PIN entry (see Pin Groups).
The Push-to-Talk (PTT) button, located on the side of the hand-held microphone, triggers the action associated with the selected Page Code (a Live Page, Delayed Page, or Recorded Message).
The status LEDs are located to the left of the LCD screen and inform the user of the current state of the paging station once the PTT button is pressed. The left amber LED “Wait” indicator illuminates while the system establishes audio paths, checks for Zone availability, and plays the chime (if selected). The right green LED “Please Talk Now” indicator illuminates once the audio path is live.
The EWS-4 can be configured for PIN security protection. If PIN security is enabled via the Vocia software, the four Page Code buttons may be used to enter the required four-digit PIN. To enter a number, the operator may need to press a button multiple times (as in SMS messaging). During PIN entry, the two soft key buttons on the right side of the display act as an “Enter” key and a “Clear” key respectively. Input the four-digit PIN sequentially, followed by the “Enter” key. Each digit will be shown briefly on the display and subsequently replaced by an asterisk for security purposes. If the entered PIN is correct, the station will unlock and be available for use.
After a period of inactivity (no pages made and no buttons pressed), the EWS-4 will revert back to a locked state. This length of time (at a default of 180 seconds) is set using the Vocia software in the Universe Properties window. To lock the station instantly, the user can press and hold down the “Next” and “Previous” buttons at the same time.
Please note: PIN functionality is OPTIONAL and is turned OFF by default.
**Please note: PIN functionality is not disabled when the system enters Emergency mode - the operator is required to still be validated
The EWS-4 has two RJ45 connectors located on the inside of the unit that are labeled Audio Network and Auxiliary. The Audio Network connector should be wired using shielded CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 cable to interface the EWS-4 to a Vocia system via a PoE-compliant network switch. If no PoE power source is available the EWS-4 paging station can be powered using a 24V DC supply. Refer to the hardware Manual for more information. The Audio Network RJ45 connector provides two LEDs to indicate Ethernet link and network activity (see table below).
| Left LED | Right LED | Description |
| None | None | No power or data connectivity. Please check the Device power and network connection. |
| Amber | Flashing Green | Link established and CobraNet activity detected; the unit is acting as a CobraNet performer (normal operation). |
| Flashing Amber | Flashing Green | Link established and CobraNet activity detected; the unit is operating as a CobraNet conductor (normal operation). |
| Flashing Amber | None | CobraNet fault. Check cabling and configuration for errors. |
Any device attached to the Auxiliary port will operate as a slave to the host and will rely on it for power and/or control. If the host device fails to respond the slave device functionality cannot be relied on. The Auxiliary connection should be wired with shielded CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 cabling to interface the paging station to the slave device. RJ45 physical connectors are used and straight-through wiring is required.
The Auxiliary port on the EWS-4 provides support for a Vocia Paging Station Interface 1 (VPSI-1) connection.
The VPSI-1 supports the Remote Control mode of operation only and will only reference Emergency Paging functions. The VPSI-1 section of this help file should be consulted for further information. Only one VPSI-1 can be used per host device.
A VPSI-1 device attached to the Auxiliary port is monitored for connectivity and will report under the host devices Alarms and Logs section if it becomes unavailable.
This two-way connector may be used to power the EWS-4 from an auxiliary 24V DC power supply. When this connector is used, Links CN11 and CN12 must be removed. Conversely, when PoE is used, links CN11 and CN12 must be installed (default configuration). Please see the EWS-4 Installation Manual for further details.