If the march of time means progress, then it is only fitting that the devices that track time are also subject to innovations along the way.
In a world that becomes more connected every day, so are the synchronized clock systems that coordinate our lives. At the heart of such a system is the master system controller, also known as the master clock. This device ties together all the clocks throughout a facility.
The master clock sends the time signal to the secondary clocks, making sure they all tick as one, but newer versions synchronize time in truer fashion and are easier to use.
Here, we'll explain how the latest master controllers differ from the models of yesteryear.
National Standard Time Sync
Older master clocks make sure all of a facility’s clocks are in sync, but if the master itself falls off pace, so do all of the other clocks in the system. These older masters aren't connected to an outside time source, so they rely on the user to make sure they are on schedule.
This problem is solved in newer masters, like our SiteSync IQ® and AllSync IQ®, by using the national time standard provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These controllers connect to the NIST servers via the internet, ensuring that all of the clocks are receiving the correct time signal.
Also, for those interested in wireless options, SiteSync IQ is able to transmit the time signal wirelessly. It also has multiple time sync options for receiving the NIST time signal.
Remote Access
Older master clocks require you to interface with the master itself to check bell schedules and make changes. But newer master clocks allow you to do this from a web browser, as long as the browser is connected to the same network as the master.
On top of remote access, manipulating the master from a computer screen means you're able to see more information in an easier-to-use format. For instance, an entire bell schedule can appear on the screen at once, meaning you don't have to scroll through the schedule one line at a time.
Larger Screen, Smaller Form Factor
Perhaps, you still wish to access the master the old-fashioned way. That's easier to do now, too, since the newest masters have larger screens and bigger keypads.
The larger display shows more programming options, meaning you don't have to scroll through the settings one by one. Meanwhile, the enhanced keypad makes for easier inputs.
Despite the larger screen and keypad, the latest master clocks are slimmed down compared to their predecessors, so it's easier to find a suitable location for them.
Reduced Signal “Noise”
While the newer masters are compact, they still manage to provide a more robust level of service. That's because of a feature called a snubber.
Snubbers protect against the phenomenon known as “noise” — disturbances in an electrical signal. By cleaning up the signal received by the clocks, the snubber allows for a potentially longer lifespan for devices connected to the master.
Increased Efficiency
While providing truer synchronized time, enhanced ease of use, and better protection from rogue voltages, new master clocks are also less expensive to operate than older versions.
That's because they consume less energy. The increased efficiency brings cost savings and also gets you bonus points for being more eco-friendly.
