SCOM-100 GSM / GPRS, Alarming & remote control

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is SCOM-100?
A: SCOM-100 is a remote alarming & control device. The device is rail mount, and incorporates 2 analog inputs, 4 digital inputs, 4 digital outputs. SCOM-100 is expandable with additional I/O modules.

Q: How many extensions can be put on an SCOM-100?
A: Up to 8 GE-DIO-42 and 4 GE-AI4 extensions can be connected on a bus with the main SCOM-100 device.
The total of I/Os can be,
DI: 36
DO: 20
AI: 18
Any lesser extensions configuration is possible eg. SCOM-100 with 2 DI/O and 3 AI/O extensions.

Q: Do I need a special power supply for powering SCOM-100?
A: No, any 12VDC (+/-10%) power supply can be applied.

Q: What are the GSM frequencies SCOM-100 can be used with ?
A: SCOM-100 is quadband. 800/900/1800/1900 Mhz bands are supported.

Q: Can a GSM antenna create EMC interference? Should it be placed inside an electric panel?
A:It is recommended to connect an external antenna to SCOM-100 for reception reasons in most cases. However It is not recommended to place a GSM antenna within a metallic electric panel.

Q: Is GPRS SMS messaging supported by SCOM-100?
A: GPRS messaging is not supported yet. It is planned to support it in the next firmware version (1.1).

Q: Is SCOM-100 low power?
A: Yes, when in idle mode (all output relays in off state) it consumes about 30 mA. SCOM-100 can be powered by a rechargable battery or a photovoltaic cell. A special configuration command is available (Firmware version 1.1), which puts the device in ‘Monitor mode’ according to the state of a power fail contact externally wired to a digital input. During ‘Monitor mode’, alarm messaging is fully running, while the relay outputs are powered off to save power.

Q: Can I connect a power load direct to the SCOM-100 device digital outputs?
A: SCOM-100 incorporates power relay outputs. The relay outputs are capable of switching resistive loads up to 10A at 250V (2.5KW, AC1). However it is reasonable to use external power relays to drive DC loads or heavy inductive AC loads.

Q: How can be sure that a DO has really turned ON/OFF (e.g. Start/stop a motor)?
A: If execution confirmation in the form of an SMS is not enough, in order to know if a DO has really turned ON/OFF it has to be externally loop wired at an appropriate feedback point (e.g. a dry contact from the motor power switch) to a DI to receive a relative confirmation SMS message.

Q: Does SCOM perform datalogging functions?
A: No, SCOM is an SMS based alarming and remote control system. It does not support data logging.

Q: Can SCOM-100 be programmed to undertake automation tasks?
A: SCOM100 is designed to serve as alarming and remote control unit in automation installations. Outputs are commonly controlled by user SMS commands. Output programming is limited to daytime scheduling and multivibrator functions.
A combinatorial logic programming capability is wittingly not supported because of the following two reasons:
1. The unit complexity would cut down the applicability of the device on the commercial market.
2. The remote control capabilities would be shrinked by bounding the digital outputs to local combinatorial tasks.

Q: Is SCOM-100 applicable in industrial environment?
A: SCOM-100 operability is based on the latest GSM technology of WAVECOM (Wireless CPU) involving an ARM9 processor. The SCOM-100 units are operating in ambient temperatures of –30 ° to 70 °C. All SCOM-100 units are tested for conformity to the EN-55024 standard and undergo immunity tests for industrial EMC environment.

Q: Do I need a computer to configurate the SCOM-100 unit for alarming?
A: No, all configuration tasks can be accomplished using your mobile phone. However it is more convenient to configurate SCOM-100 with the SCOM configurator software on a PC.

Q: Is the device firmware upgradeable?
A: Yes. The SCOM Configurator will soon support convenient firmware upgrading.

Q: Does SCOM-100 support discrete alarming for different users?
A: SCOM-100 supports up to 20 users with 3 priviledge levels. Complete discrete alarming for each user will be supported in the next firmware version (1.1).

Q: Which is the easiest way to get familiar with SCOM-100?
A: The easiest way is to purchase a sample unit and setup an application in your home environment. You will get familiar to the SCOM-100 and you will enjoy it.