AFX-160 Fax Switch (430-1241) Connections Faxback Doc # 17316 As it seems there is some confusion as to the proper operation of this fax switch, here is what is hoped will serve as clarification as to it's proper use and setup. The AFX-160 has three connectors, labeled "Fax", "Line", "TAD". "Fax" - is the connection where the fax device is connected. Whatever in the system is serving the purpose of a fax machine, whether an actual fax machine, or a fax card in a computer, or some other device, as yet unforeseen, which acts as a fax machine, it plugs in here. "Line" - is the connection where the phone line from the wall is connected. "TAD" - is where an answering machine or a modem is to be connected. The combination of devices plugged in here will determine how the switches of the AFX-160 are to be set. These settings will be discussed in the next section. SETTINGS There are no switches on the AFX-160. The functions and appropriate settings are as follows: Pickup the handset of an extension phone or one plugged into the "TAD" port of your AFX-160. On your touchtone phone press "1", "*", "9", "9". The AFX-160 will sound one long beep. Then, on your touchtone phone, press "*", "3", then the number of rings that you want it to answer in. The AFX-160 is now programmed. NOTES: If you hear the telephone recording "... Please hang up and try your call again", while programming IGNORE it. The condition when the ring count is set to "0" rings is known as "infinite ring". If the ring count of the AFX-160 is set to anything else the AFX-160 will answer after that many rings and route the call to the fax machine. IF NOTHING ELSE ANSWERS, the AFX-160 will not answer the call. When the power to the unit is cycled the ringer defaults back to it's original setting of 5 rings. EXAMPLES For all the following examples: 1. Refer to the CONNECTIONS section of this document for proper connection of devices. 2. Refer to the Settings section of this document for proper programming of dip switches. 3. The fax device thinks that the line is 'on hook' until the AFX-160 switches to the fax port. It is not aware of any ringing or other activity until the fax port is activated. For this reason, it does not ring until the fax port is activated, and should be set to answer in as few rings as possible, to avoid possible time-out problems. This goes for all the examples to follow. That is, the fax device should be set for as few rings as possible, no matter what. #1 PHONE AND FAX This is the simplest of uses of the AFX-160. Here, the user must decide whether it is desirable to have the switch automatically change to the fax machine or not. The process goes as follows: The line begins to ring. If the customer picks up the phone and it is a fax call, they enter "1", "#", "1" to force the AFX-160 to switch the call to the "FAX" port. If it is voice call, they take it as they normally would. If the customer does not pick up the line, what happens next is determined by the ring count. If the ring count is set to "infinite ring", the line simply rings until whoever is on the other end hangs up. If the ring count is set to switch to the fax port after a specified number of rings, the line will ring until that number of rings has been reached, and then the AFX-160 will switch the call to the "FAX" port. If the calling party hangs up before the specified number of rings, the line is disconnected, the ring counter is reset and no action is taken. #2 ANSWERING MACHINE AND FAX In this example, it is necessary to decide how many rings are allowed before automatically changing to the fax port, and what manual code will be used should someone on an extension pick up the line on a fax call. The number of rings before changing to the fax port should be at least two more than the answering machine will pick up on. If this is not possible, then use the "infinite ring" setting on switches #1 and #2. (ie. If TAD ring = 4, set AFX-160 = 6). The process goes this way: The line begins to ring. The AFX-160 will start to count the number of rings. The TAD (Answering Machine) will answer the call first. The switch will then monitor the line for the transfer code ("#", "1", "#") or a CNG tone. If none of the above are detected the TAD is allowed to continue the call and record a message. If a CNG tone is detected the AFX-160 will switch the call to the fax port. The switch will then generate ring signals to the Fax machine so it can answer the call and receive the fax. If a transfer code is detected on the phone line from either the caller or an extension phone the AFX-160 will switch the call to the fax port. The switch will then generate ring signals to the Fax machine so it can answer the call and receive the fax. If the TAD is turned off or setup to not answer the call, then all calls are routed to the "FAX" port. It has been found that the operation goes through smoother and more consistently if the OGM (Out Going Message) of the TAD is amended as follows: 1. Allow @ 2-3 seconds of silence at the beginning of the OGM for better tone detection. The CNG cycles every 2.5 seconds. 2. Vocalize your manual transfer code for those persons using a manual FAX transmission. (ie.. If you wish to send a fax press "#", "1", "#" now, on your touch tone phone. If you wish to leave a message wait for the beep.) NOTES: AUTOMATIC versus MANUAL SENDING - fax machines Put simply, an Automatic Fax machine is one that sends a CNG tone prior to establishing a connection. If your fax machine is one that allows you to load a document, dial a number and walk away without any further button pressing, you have an automatic sending FAX machine. If your machine requires you to press a start/copy or send button then you most likely have a manual sending FAX machine. As things stand currently approximately 60 % of new fax machines and approximately 85% of new FAX/modem cards are automatic. However, most of the older (G-2 and early G-3 types) FAX machines were manual sending units. To be sure of the type your unit is consult the your FAX machine's owners manual or simply listen to the sound over the phone line for the following sounds. CNG tone - This is a single tone that keeps cycling. The cycle is (CalliNG) an 1100 Hz tone that sounds for 1/2 second then is off for 2 seconds. FAX tones - This is a multi-frequency sound that sends information (Carrier tone) as to the type of communication and other parameters between the two fax machines. This also sounds (to the untrained ear) similar to the tones generated by modems. In all situations above set the FAX machine to auto-answer or answer in as few rings as possible. The AFX-160 will generate a ring signal that will support a REN (Ringer Equivalency Number) of 2.00 or less. This fax switch was NOT designed to be used with modems. The AFX-160 will NOT work with call features such as Message Waiting, Call Forwarding, or some other type of phone company services. The reason for this is that once the phone company answers the call so that the phone line will no longer ring at the location of the switch. Therefore, when the phone company answers the call, the service takes over the call and can not route it back to the home / office until the service is turned off. Some of the advanced calling features from the phone company (ie. Call Waiting) can generate sufficient errors during transmission to cause the call to be terminated by one of the two fax machines.