Technical Support Bulletin (TSB46): Using the CT160 2-Wire to CAT5 Converter

Mar 10, 2021 | Tech Support Bulletins

Converting 2-wire bus to CAT5 on the Tek-CARE120 and Tek-CARE160 Systems
Two new products are now available to simplify and expedite the installation of Tek-CARE120 and Tek-CARE160 systems, the CT160 and the CT160K. The only difference between the two part numbers is the CT160K includes a complete plastic mounting housing. The CT160 is a small board provided with standoffs designed to be mounted directly to the back of an LI122-series room controller.

The CT160 and CT160K include a two-wire pigtail and two pass-through 8P8C female jacks.

There are two scenarios where these devices may be used.

First is converting the two-wire data bus on the Tek-CARE120 and Tek-CARE160 systems to CAT5 or better cabling. In this scenario, a CT160K is installed near the NC120 or NC160 module for each run to be converted to CAT5. An 18/2 cable is run from the module to the CT160K. The positive data bus wire is connected to the red wire on the CT160K header, and the negative data bus wire is connected to the black wire on the CT160K header.

CAT5 or better cabling terminated to the T568B standard is then run from the CT160K to the location of the first LI122 on the run. A CT160 is installed on the back of the LI122, and the data bus wires from the header on the LI122 are connected to the pigtail on the CT160, white to red, and black to black. This essentially creates a very short T-tap from the CT160 to the LI122. The CAT5 from the module is plugged into either 8P8C jack, and the CAT5 cable continues down the run to the next LI122 with a CT160 attached to the back.

See Figure 1 for a simplified diagram of this option.

The second method of utilizing the CT160K is for the audio cabling on the Tek-CARE160 system. Due to availability of the recommended Belden 5300UP twisted unshielded cable, TekTone encourages integrators to use the CT160K and CAT5 or better cabling for the audio bus on Tek-CARE160 systems.

In this scenario, a CT160K is installed near the NC160 module. A length of 18/2 twisted non-shielded wire is used to connect an NC160 audio bus port to the CT160K header. Connect the positive audio bus wire to the red wire of the CT160K and the negative audio bus wire to the black wire of the CT160K.

From the CT160K, run CAT5 or better cabling to the first IR160 Audio Station on the run. Terminate the cabling to the T568B standard, and connect it to either 8P8C female jack on the IR160 station. Continue connecting each IR160 on the run using CAT5 or better cabling.

See Figure 2 for an IR160 connection diagram.

Note that connections of stations to room controllers is not affected by the use of CT160s and CT160Ks. Stations must still be wired to their room controller using 2-conductor cable.

Use of CAT5 or better cabling for the data and/or audio bus also does not change the maximum allowable distances for data and audio bus runs. Refer to the documentation for your system for cabling distance specifications.

If you have questions about this notification, please contact us at 800.327.8466, option 2, or fill out our contact us webform.

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Please use this form to request a return authorization (RMA) number. If you have any questions, please contact our Sales Department at 800.327.8466, option 2.

All RMA's issued will be processed per our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If not a direct TekTone customer, please contact the company that the system was purchased from.

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Please use this form to contact Technical Support for help with your existing TekTone system.

Or you can call 800.327.8466, option 3, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday to speak with a member of our Technical Support department.

Before you call us, you need to know:

  • The product's model number. (Model numbers don't begin with CBnnn or LBnnn. Those are part numbers for circuit boards and labels.)
  • Is this a new installation, or are you servicing existing equipment?
  • When did the issues begin?
  • Were there any incidents prior to the current issue(s)?
  • Your name, phone number and company name.
  • The job site name and address.

When you call us, also tell us:

  • Tech Call Log Numbers: A Tech Call Log Number is a 5-digit number. This is not a return authorization (RMA) number. For RMAs, please fill out an online RMA Request Form.

TekTone offers assistance in layout and design of healthcare communications systems. Many system options are available, including:

  • Combine alerts display and reporting from nurse call, fire, security and other life safety systems.
  • Combine alerts reporting from multiple facilities.
  • Integrating a wireless nurse/emergency call system with any of our UL1069 Listed hard-wired nurse call systems.
  • Add monitoring, reporting, paging and email output to any TekTone nurse call system.
  • Add wireless phones, ADT Interface using the HL7 Standard, tracking and wandering interface to the Tek-CARE400 GEN3 nurse call system.

For project design assistance, provide the following:

TekTone's National Accounts Program is specifically structured for organizations that have multiple facilities. Whether you are a local, regional or national organization, our national account program provides you with high quality healthcare communications and a world-class service network.

We offer:

  • Around-the-clock system support by our TekTone Elite Partners (TEPs)
  • Consistent pricing structure
  • Nationwide world-class service network
  • System training and free software updates
  • Project management by a dedicated sales staff

National accounts have access to our Tek-CARE400 GEN3 nurse call system — rich with features, including:

  • Touchscreen master station
  • CAT5 wiring
  • Management Monitoring and Reporting
  • Pager and wireless phone integration
  • Interchangeable stations with simplified wiring
  • Email output
  • ADT Interface using the HL7 Standard
  • Interface with Real-Time Location Systems
  • UL® 1069 Listed

 

  • The request for proposal or information (RFP or RFI), or a description of the project, including:
    • Type of nurse call system required: tone/visual or audio/visual.
    • Ancillary systems required, such as pocket paging, smart phone integration, ADT interface, tracking interface, or wandering interface.
    • Whether management reporting is required.
    • Brand and model of external systems that will be integrated.
  • Blueprints (including the legend page). Details required include:
    • Number and location of single-patient rooms and associated bathrooms.
    • Number and location of dual-patient rooms and associated bathrooms.
    • Location of additional bathrooms, tub rooms and shower rooms.

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The provided design configuration will not include cable layout and cable distances. TekTone will advise the type of cable necessary and will provide some general guidelines. The distributor must lay out the cable runs.

(Model numbers don't begin with CBnnn or LBnnn. Those are part numbers for circuit boards and labels.)

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