Plantronics Wireless FAQs - General
Q. How many wireless Headsets can you have in an office?
A. There are quite a few factors that you would have to consider:
- Number of headset users for wireless connections that work simultaneously
- Design & layout of the office
- The kind of technology for wireless headset to be applied (DECT 6.0 or Bluetooth)For DECT Wireless Headsets (Plantronics CS55, CS70/CS70N & CS351/CS361, Savi Office, Savi 430), the upper most users of simultaneous wireless headset in selected region are seventy, based upon available channel numbers. In a normal office, all phones are not in use simultaneously. Thus if the call consumption is fifty percent, the user numbers nearly doubles. For instance, at 60% to 70% usage, then up to 120 wireless units could be set up in one area.
Office layout such as cubicle dividers, concrete walls and electronic machines may also have an impact on the number of users if they are engaged in calls remote from their desks.
..................................................................................
Q. How does an HL10 Handset Lifter work?
A. An automatic handset lifter is a electronic device that gives you the ability to answer your telephone call away from your phone. Click here for more information.
Q. What is Electronic Hookswitch control?
A. Electronic Hookswitch (EHS), also referred to as Headset Hookswitch Control (HHC), is a feature introduced by several telephone manufacturers which supports electronic control of answering and ending calls. The mechanical HL10 handset lifter is no longer needed for these phones. The Plantronics CSxx series as well as the Savi Office series wireless headsets support EHS with the addition of the appropriate EHS cable for particular telephone models from various manufactures including Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, Polycom, Siemens, ShoreTel and other IP phone systems. Visit the Comfort Canada Plantronics EHS Cables page for compatibility, configuration and part number guides.
Q. Are Wireless Headset Conversations Secure?
A. Plantronics CS-series and Savi Office headsets protect against eavesdropping. Plantronics uses technology that digitally codes and encrypts all voice data; so a casual listener will only ever hear a buzzing noise. The technology also prevents users from using the same frequency as another user at the same time. It does this by automatically switching channels if it experiences outside interference or detects something else using the frequency.
If the headsets are used in a high density environment, where two users have no choice but to use the same frequency at the same time, then they will experience occasional voice muting when transmitting or receiving. Operators will also experience other interference but they will not be able to hear what each other is saying.
Plantronics deliberately used a 64-bit true encryption to code voice data to stop eavesdropping. Plantronics design their products to protect you from eavesdroppers as they understand the importance of telecommunications security. They offer customers this assurance because it uses 64-bit encryption to code voice data as specified by the algorithm standard EN 300 175-7. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute sets out this standard to protect consumer privacy. If you require more information about the algorithm system the contact the Plantronics Service Center directly.
The signals used by Plantronics CS-series headsets frequency hop at a fixed rate while in idle lock. Idle lock is when the CS55 unit is in range but not audio enabled. This adds another level of security which was not intentional. This process compensates for the changes in frequency to improve the quality of the link when multiple users are on line.
For the same reasons, Plantronics CS55 headsets also hop frequencies when the unit is voice is enabled. Instead of changing frequencies at a fixed rate, it frequency hops when it detects another user on the same channel to avoid any interference. This is defined as the adaptive approach and has a higher level of security than headsets that use a single, fixed system to frequency hop.
How CS55 Headsets Pair Up
The Plantronics CS-series units have a unique pairing system for the headset and base. You can only use a unit that has paired up. A new headset can pair with the base system but it will create a new set of credentials specific to the new headset. Only one headset can pair to the base at any one time. Once the user pairs up a new headset, the unit discards the security information of the previous one.
Every unit has a unique identity. A headset and base will only allow a communications link if the security information matches what is stored in the memory. The process of pairing the headset and base is termed a subscription.
When the user subscribes a new wireless headset to the base, the headset you are replacing will flash its Talk LED continually to warn its subscription will be lost. It will no longer be possible for that headset to establish communications until it is resubscribed to that or another base.
Q. Plantronics Wireless Headset Battery & Charging Information
A. CS55 Battery
The Plantronics CS55 headset requires a 20 minute charge for partial functionality and 3 hours for a complete charge. To charge these headsets, simply slide them into the charging base and be sure that the amber light (on the left side of the base) begins flashing. When the amber light becomes solid, the headset is fully charged.
If your headset does not turn on (no green light), then your battery has no charge.
Place your headset on the charging base, and look for the base's amber light. If the amber light blinks, then your headset needs to charge. When the headset is fully charged, the amber light will become solid. If, after a full day, the amber light continues to blink, it may indicate a charging problem with the battery.
If your headset never fully charges, or if your fully charged headset gives less than 8 hours of talk time, then your Plantronics CS55 battery may need to be replaced. Click here for CS55 battery replacement instructions.SupraPlus CS351N/CS361N Battery:
The SupraPlus Wireless headsets, CS351N and CS361N, require a 20 minute charge for partial functionality and 3 hours for a complete charge. To charge these headsets, simply slide them into the charging base and be sure that the amber light (on the left side of the base) begins flashing. When the amber light becomes solid, the headset is fully charged.
If your headset does not fully charge, or if your fully charged headset gives less than 8 hours of talk time, then your Plantronics CS351/CS361 battery may need to be replaced.CS70N Battery:
The Plantronics CS70N headset needs 20 minutes for a partial charge and 3 hours for a complete charge. To charge the Plantronics CS70/CS70N, simply slide it into the charging base with the microphone pointing towards the right (you're right when you're facing the base). The amber light will flash while charging and become solid after a full charge.
The CS70N has no replacement battery. You need to replace the complete earpiece.
Voyager 510S Battery:
The Plantronics 510S headsets must be charged for one hour to receive a partial charge and 3 hours
for a full charge. T he light on the Voyager 510 headset (located near the microphone) will flash
red while charging and become solid blue when the headset is fully charged.
When the headset battery is running low, an audible warning will be heard through the headset as a
single beep repeating every 20 seconds. The headset Status Indicator will also flash red when the
battery needs to be recharged. You should charge the headset immediately..
*The CS-series wireless headsets use rechargeable lithium ion batteries that last for up to 500 full charging cycles. Batteries for the CS55 and CS351N/CS361N models can be ordered individually and replaced, but the CS70N and Voyager 510 battery is built into the ear piece and cannot be replaced.
Q. Can I use two Plantronics wireless headsets on one base?
A. No. You can only have one active Plantronics wireless headset connected to a base unit at anytime. However you can use the active wireless headset connected with the base, and have an inactive wireless headset charging on that same base at the same time if you have a telephone used in a multiple shift (telephone operator) environment. You must note that when the inactive wireless headset is placed on the base for charging, the active headset in use will be temporarily disconnected from its paired base unit. You will need to push the Call Control button on the headset so that it will reconnect with the base.
For the SupraPlus CS351N/CS361N, the separate charger is available. See the CS351N product page for the re-syncing instructions.
Q. What causes a buzz sound in my Plantronics Headset?
For CS-series and Voyager 510S, try these solutions:
- The headset could be too close to the telephone. Try moving it further away from the phone if possible.
- Intermittent buzzing can be caused by electrical equipment located in the immediate area of the telephone and headset system, such as fluorescent lights, computers, fax machines, typewriters, and power strips (surge protectors). Frequently, power cords and cables that are bundled together will cause buzzing. The best solution is to keep this type of equipment separated from the headset, amplifier and telephone whenever possible.
- Try changing the configuration dial (wheel on the left side of the charging base) to a different setting. The recommended setting for most phones is 1.
- The unit may be picking up radio frequency. Call Plantronics Technical Support @ 1-800-544-4660 for information on a RFI filter.
Q. I hear an echo/side tone on my wireless unit. What should I do?
A. Echo is usually caused by the transmit (speak) level on the unit being set too high. First, try lowering the volume of the telephone. If you still hear an echo, adjust the volume of the headset itself. The master transmit controls of the headset are the ABCD switch settings on the bottom of the base. A is the lowest and D is the highest setting. You can fine tune this setting with the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons on the back of the charging base. If this doesn't fix the echo, try moving the configuration dial on the left side of the charging base. The recommended setting for most phones is 1.
Q. Does my telephone's hand receiver have to be off of the hook to use a headset?
A. Yes, it does have to be off of the hook. The reason you have to lift your hand held receiver on and off the hook, when you are using the headset, is because the headset only replaces the hand held receiver of the telephone. It does not change how the phone functions. If you do not take the hand receiver off the hook when placing or answering a call, then the call will not come through. If you do not hang it back up when done with the call, the phone will be left off hook, and will appear busy. In order to not have to lift your hand held receiver on and off the hook when you use a headset, is if the telephone has what is called an "On-Hook Dialing" feature. To have this feature, your telephone would either have a dedicated headset jack, so that you may bypass the hand held receiver jack. Or the telephone would have some type of headset programming feature, where you program the telephone for Headset use, then press a designated button on the telephone to answer and hang up calls, when using the headset. You can look in your telephone's manual or contact the telephone's manufacturer to see if that phone has either of these features.
Q. How can I eliminate interference from a radio station?
A. Try to re-position the unit, preferably away from other electric devices. Also, try plugging it directly into the wall outlet, rather than a power strip. You may have to purchase a Plantronics RFI noise filter.
..................................................................................
Contact Us:
Please contact us at the Calgary, Alberta or Brampton, Ontario offices for further information. (click the phone number to send an email)
Calgary, Alberta @ (403) 239-8414 ... or ... Toll Free: 1-877-244-8414
Brampton Ontario @ (905) 458-9507 ... or ... Toll free: 1-800-822-8613
••• Comfort Telecommunications Canada Inc. is your one-stop shopping point for Plantronics, and Jabra/GN Netcom telephone headsets, Bluetooth and DECT wireless headset systems, Polycom conference room phones and EnGenius long range cordless phone equipment. We ship country wide to Canadian and USA destinations.
For product, repairs and pricing information, phone us at our Brampton, Ontario (1-905-458-9507) or Calgary, Alberta (1-403-239-8414) offices,
or email us at ProductEnquiry@ComfortCanada.com.