Installing Time Clocks
Time clock installation is a relatively simple process which can be performed by IT or mechanical personel. The time clock comes with the following included in each box:
- Clock
- Mounting backplate (attached to the clock)
- Backplate tool (for removing the backplate)
- PoE circuit board (attached to the backplate via ribbon cable)
- DC power supply (as a backup in the event PoE is not available)
- Quick Reference Guide (installation instructions)
The installation process is as follows:
- Determine location for the clock
- Run data/PoE networking cable (CAT5+, PoE+) to the mounting location
- Remove backplate from clock, detach PoE ribbon cable from the clock face's main board
- Use the supplied template to mount backplate to the wall
- Bring data/PoE cable inside the backplate
- Hold clock face near backplate and connect data/PoE cable to RJ54 connector on the main board
- Reconnect PoE ribbon cable from the backplate to the white connector on the main board
- Reconnect clock face to the backplate and secure using tool
- Connect other end of data/PoE cable to PoE+ switch
A Quick Start Guide is included inside each time clock box. Refer to this guide for complete details regarding time clock installation.
Location
Choosing clock locations within your facility is likely somewhat pre-determined based on where current legacy clocks are mounted. However, the following should be kept in-mind when considering clock locations:
| Consideration | Notes |
|---|---|
| Network Drops | Each clock requires a network drop which carries the data and PoE+ to the clock. The maximum length of a drop from the nearest switch is approximately 300'. While it usually makes sense to re-use existing drops, we recommend considering new drops if better locations are available for overall system performance and ease of access. However, some locations may not be reachable based on your current network infrastructure. |
| Ease of access | It is important that your workforce can easily reach and use the time clocks. Place the clocks in a position which is near current transport lanes, while still being out of the way of other traffic. It is also important to find a balance between how far a worker walks from entry to your facility to the clock, then from the clock to their work area. |
| Lighting | If using facial biometric, lighting can be an issue, generally too much of it. Ambient light such as through windows or open doors can cause overexposure and washout. If installing clocks in an industrial or warehouse location, it better to place clocks in an area away from direct hi-intensity lighting; perhaps facing away. In those environments it might also be best to choose an alternate biometric such as finger or palm. Office-like lighting is preferred. |
| Load | Transaction time on the clocks varies based on a few factors, such as whether a card is used vs manual badge entry, and if biometric is used for verification. Overall transaction times can vary from 3-10 seconds. The one thing we want to avoid is lines at the clock, so you might consider if the number of clocks is appropriate for your workforce. A good rule-of-thumb is one clock per 30 workers, though this will vary based on distance (how far workers have to walk), shifts (are they coming and going at fixed times) and card/biometric use. |
| Failure | While the clocks are likely not to fail, things could go wrong. You want to consider what will happen if one clock is unusable: is there another within a reasonable distance, what's the business cost if no clock is available, and what is the impact on employee morale. This is a small detail, but one that should be considered. |
Power & Data
Power and data are brought to the clock via your network cabling (CAT5+). While a DC power pack is included with each clock, we recommend using Power-over-Ethernet for a cleaner and more reliable installation.
PoE+
The clocks are equipped with Power-over-Ethernet+ (PoE+) which requires 30W per port (e.g. per clock). The PoE+ circuit board is attached to the clock's backplate and connects to the clock via a ribbon cable (white, red and black). The power arrives via the RJ45 jack on the clock face's main board, then is routed to the PoE circuit board on the backplate, then back to the main board via the same ribbon cable. Therefore it is required that the ribbon cable is connected between the backplate and the clock face in order to utilize PoE+. You can disconnect this cable during installation in order to remove the clock face from the backplate, but will need to reconnect when the clock face is re-attached to the backplate.
Alliteratively, the clock includes a 12V DC power pack which can be used temporarily when testing, or in-lieu of PoE+ if PoE+ is not available (though it is trivial to add PoE+ injectors at a legacy switch so-as to not require the DC power pack). If using the DC power pack, unplug the ribbon cable from the clock face's main board so-as to insure power is drawn from the DC power pack.
Cabling & Punchouts
As the network cable terminates at the RJ45 jack on the clock face's main board, you can bring the cable to the backplate via one of the following:
-
Punchouts on top or bottom if you will run surface conduit to the clock, then remove one of the punchouts on the top or bottom of the backbox and terminate the conduit at the punchout.
-
Preexisting hole in the back if you have a gang box in the wall and the network cable is already in the wall and terminates at the gang box. This assumes the gang box is at the appropriate height. NOTE: do not mount the clock at an incorrect height due to the existing gang box/wiring being at the wrong height; you will need to adjust the installation to meet the required height of the clock; this may require running surface conduit from the existing gang box to one of the punchouts on the clock.
Most importantly, do not let the cabling control the mounting location or height of the clock, instead pick the location and mounting height which provides the best performance and worker experience, then bring the cabling to that location.
Power Backup
A battery backup is normally not included with the clock as the power is being delivered by your network switch, and it is better to provide battery backup at the switch. The clocks are able to collect punches without network connectivity so-long as they have power. Typical power draw of the clocks is 15-22W.
Mounting
Mounting the clock entails attaching the backplate to the wall at the correct height, bringing the cabling into the backplate via a punchout or the existing rear hole, connecting data to the clock's RJ45 and reconnecting the PoE cable, then reattaching the clock face to the backplate.
Height
The mounting height of the clock is proposed based on a few factors, such as whether biometric is used and for ADA compliance. While the heights presented in the table below don't need to be exact, it is important to be consistent across all clocks for the best performance and worker ease-of-use.
If ADA compliance is required, the mounting height listed below is specific and must be adhered to. For non ADA installations, you can adjust the height so-as to be conviennent for your workforce--just be consistent
| Clock Type | Height from floor to bottom mounting screws | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Keypad, Facial, Cardreader | 53" | This positions the clock at a comfortable height for most workers; taller workers can "lean" into the clock when using facial biometric |
| Finger | 43" | The finger biometric is more comfortable at a slightly lower height, with the user's arm at an approximate right-angle bend |
| ADA | 43" | For ADA compliance, the clock should be mounted 43" above the floor to the bottom mounting screes of the backplate. |
Backplate & Template
Once the location and height have been determined, use the template sheet within the clock's Quick Start Guide to position and mark the holes for mounting the backplate.
Installation screws and anchors are not included with the clock. You will need to provide suitable mounting hardware for the target wall type.
After drilling holes, mount the clock as follows:
- attach the backplate to the wall with screws and anchors
- bring the network cable to the backplate via one of the holes or punchouts
- attach the network cable to the RJ45 jack on the clock face's main board
- reattach the PoE+ ribbon cable from the backplate to the white connector on the main board
- attach the clock face to the backplate, sliding down to secure
- tighten the security screws on the backplate using the supplied tool
- lastly, connect the other end of the data drop to a PoE+ switch on your network switch to power up the clock