Troubleshooting Poor Quality on Your Comelit Intercom System
A Comelit intercom system is designed to provide clear audio and video for secure access to your property. When the quality of the video or audio degrades, it can defeat the purpose of the system, making it difficult to identify visitors or communicate effectively. Poor quality issues are often related to wiring, power, or environmental factors.
This guide, written in British English, will help you diagnose and troubleshoot the common causes of poor audio-visual quality on your Comelit system.
## Common Symptoms of Poor Quality
First, identify the specific issue you are facing. This will help narrow down the potential causes.
- Blurry or Fuzzy Video: The image on your monitor is not sharp, making it hard to see details.
- Distorted or Rolling Video: The video feed is unstable, with lines running through it or the image rolling.
- No Video (Black Screen): The monitor activates, but the screen remains black.
- Poor Night Vision: The picture is clear during the day but becomes dark or "snowy" at night.
- Crackling or Humming Audio: The sound from the door station is filled with static, humming, or is completely unintelligible.
- Low Audio Volume: You can barely hear the person at the door, or they cannot hear you.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Work through these steps to isolate and fix the problem. Safety First: If you need to check wiring, it's always best to power down the system first. If you're not comfortable with this, contact a professional installer.
### 1. Inspect the External Door Station
The outdoor unit is exposed to the elements, which can take a toll.
- Clean the Camera Lens: The most common cause of a blurry image is simply a dirty lens. Use a soft, clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe away any dust, water spots, or spider webs from the camera lens.
- Check for Obstructions: Ensure the microphone and speaker holes are not blocked with dirt or debris.
- Look for Condensation: Moisture can sometimes get trapped behind the lens cover, causing a foggy image. If this is the case, the unit's seal may be compromised, and it might need servicing.
### 2. Check System Wiring and Connections
The vast majority of quality issues stem from problems with the wiring.
- Loose Connections: Over time, vibrations can cause wires to become loose in their screw terminals. Check the connections at the back of your indoor monitor and, if accessible, at the door station. Ensure each wire is securely fastened.
- Corrosion: On the outdoor unit, check the terminals for any signs of green or white corrosion, which can impede the signal.
- Cable Type: Comelit systems, especially video systems, require a specific type and gauge of cable to function correctly over certain distances. If the incorrect cable was used during installation, you might experience signal loss, resulting in poor quality.
- Electrical Interference: Intercom wiring should not be run right next to high-voltage AC power cables. This can induce a humming sound in the audio and lines on the video.
### 3. Address Night Vision Problems
If the quality issue is only present at night, the problem is with the infrared (IR) illumination.
- Check the IR LEDs: In complete darkness, look at the door station. You should see a faint red glow from the small IR LEDs surrounding the camera lens.
- No Glow: If the LEDs are not glowing, the illuminator circuit may have failed.
- Reflections: Ensure there are no nearby surfaces (like a wall or a plant) that could be reflecting the IR light back into the lens, causing glare and washing out the image.
### 4. Verify the Power Supply
An unstable or insufficient power supply can cause all sorts of quality problems.
- Check the PSU: The Power Supply Unit (PSU) for the system should be the correct model specified by Comelit. An underpowered PSU can lead to flickering video or audio cutting out.
- Stable Voltage: A qualified technician can test the voltage output of the PSU to ensure it is stable and within the required range.
## When to Call a Professional Technician
If you've performed these basic checks and the quality remains poor, it's time to call a Comelit-certified installer. They have the specialised test equipment to diagnose more complex issues, such as:
- A failing camera module or microphone in the door station.
- A faulty screen or circuit board in the indoor monitor.
- Signal loss issues that require a signal booster.
- Internal faults within the power supply.
By following these steps, you can resolve many common quality issues and restore the clear communication your Comelit system was designed for.