360 Systems 2470SD Time Delay - Manual (Page 11)

Introduction & Features 11
Important Installation Notes
RF Interference by Cell Phones
Many people are not aware that cell phones can attain a very substantial power output, even when
no conversation is taking place. You may have experienced the effect of a cell phone interfering
with a common desk phone placed nearby. Carrying a cell phone into a machine room where it is
in close proximity to broadcast equipment and its associated wiring is unwise. They are able to
interfere with serial control commands, video synchronization, and in some cases can crash the
CPU in equipment.
Some major broadcasters prohibit the carrying of cell phones into certain machine areas. 360
Systems believes that the risk of undesired equipment behavior from their RF fields is very real.
Static Discharge
Static electricity discharge is accepted by most people as an inevitable consequence of living in a
dry area. It is, rather, a result of floor coverings that may enhance appearances, but are
inappropriate for use around critical pieces of broadcast equipment. Static discharge can do two
adverse things:
• Discharge into a connector can—and will—destroy internal circuitry of equipment. The result
will always be difficult to diagnose and repair.
• Discharge to equipment frames or wiring can crash a CPU and take the station off the air. The
event may seem random or unrelated to static, but it is clearly a catastrophic event—and one
that can repeat indefinitely as humidity varies.
Several steps can be taken to protect equipment from static discharge:
• Do not install critical broadcast equipment (video servers) in a room with carpeting.
• Connect equipment racks directly to an earth ground with a heavy copper conductor.
• Do not operate equipment with a lifted safety ground (green frame ground).
• Install a humidifier to reduce the level of static discharge.
About Time Delay Software
The Time Delay is shipped with its application programs and operating system installed.
The first time that it is started, it must be connected to a keyboard, monitor and mouse. The Time
Delay will ask you to accept the Software Licensing Agreement before it will operate. This screen
will only appear during the initial startup.
The CD-ROM drive is intended only for installing software. It may not be used to load video or
audio program content.
If for any reason it becomes necessary to reinstall any software, refer to the Maintenance chapter on
page 36 for instructions.