DPI System Staging Checklist

All the equipment can be pulled for repairs or replacement without hindrance, equipment without IEC removable power cords are not tie-wrapped to the cabinet, and there are no obstructions to the item being pulled from the front of the rack. Further, terminations are such that it is relatively easy to find their proper terminating points when the item is re-installed.

Further, if there are obstructions prohibiting the disconnection of terminations on the back of the unit, there must be sufficient cabling to permit the equipment to be pulled from the front, and disconnected there.

All cables are identified in a consistent, permanent, non-slipping manner, and all cable identification tags are visible (not hidden in forms). All cables have clearly legible, unambiguous identifying labels, and labels are oriented and positioned consistently.

Tie wraps are not too tight as to deform the cable. UTP cables are formed with Velcro ties.

Terminations are free from stress due to gravity acting on the form.

Cable supports are used when unsupported cable lengths exceed 12 inches (depending on size and stiffness of cables).

Terminations have sufficient service loop, allowing a re-termination or two without having to open a form to lay in a new cable.

Screw terminals have spade lugs on wires.

Cables have "signal separation"; that is, cables carrying voltages varying by 20 dB or more are in different forms separated by at least 4 inches to prevent cross talk.

RJ terminations are solid in their connectors.

Coax cables respect a bend radius of at least 5x the cable’s radii, or as recommend by the manufacturer.

All unbalanced and balanced terminations are in agreement with the equipment manufacturer's recommendations.

There is perfect agreement between the "paper model" documentation (drawings), the control system user interface (i.e., touch panel screens, push button labels, panel engravings, etc.), the device labels, any patch panels/designation strips, the physical wiring and labeling, and any label associated with the system.

All inputs and outputs of switchers are labeled (wherever possible), so that users can easily make manual routes quickly, without having to refer to the system drawings.

All channels on amplifiers, especially on multi-channel amplifiers are properly labeled, so users can make quick adjustments without having to refer to the system drawings.

All equipment in the rack is labeled, and the labels match those on the drawings (equipment symbols and/or description). This will allow for easy serviceability, as well as prevent confusion in systems with multiples of similar equipment.

All connectors on input and output plates are identified in a discernable, consistent manner (i.e., there is only one "MIC 1" in the system), and in agreement with all other labels in the system.

In short, equipment must be able to be serviced indefinitely; designed with the maintenance technician in mind (he or she will "own it" longer than the person who fabricated the system initially). Follow Giddings and Davis for specific details.

List all equipment in system NOT present, and why.

Racks have temporary labels indicating the building and room where they are being installed.

I/O Panels are easily accessible.

All equipment installed. All mounts for all rack and field equipment (rack mounts, ceiling mounts, wall mounts, loudspeaker mounts, etc.) have been verified and tested

Racks are "clean" - grease markings removed, etc.

All blanks installed.

All engravings fastened.

ALL Peripheral equipment hooked up as per flow diagram: microphones, loudspeakers, video monitors, projectors, PC’s, USB switchers, etc.

Audio Tested (all lines marked).

Video tested (all lines marked).

Inspect each, leaving the signal on for three minutes (no "sparklies" or other artifacts).

Control tested (all lines marked - emulate closures for screens, motors, etc.)

IP information provided by client and loaded into system, including IP address, subnet mask, gateway, timeserver, Gatekeeper, etc.

Any web-based system control or monitoring features, and other IP functionality of system (time servers, system-generated e-mail, etc) thoroughly tested

Confirm IP information on all devices with a NIC card have IP address, DHCP enabled, or can otherwise be accessed over a LAN before leaving the shop.  List IP settings for each piece of equipment on the network at the bottom of the this report, or attached as a separate document.

All serial controlled equipment properly configured and communications established.

All equipment on subnets have the intended network ID's or hostnames.

All programming installed (control system, DSP devices), and properly communicating with the equipment intended. If a control specification is present, it has been thoroughly tested

Thermal gradient inspected; all equipment operating within manufacturers’ guidelines.

THD < __(0.5)%? Record results for all sources

S/N > __(60) dB? Record results for all sources

Video levels 1 v P-P +/- 10%? (or 700 mV for computer video) for all sources.

Inspect camera(s) image quality.

No lost pixels when Full White Test signal is displayed (7 pixels maximum per quadrant, or follow manufacturer’s spec). Note number and location of lost pixels, if any.

Small racks have carpet tiles or sliders on bottom to avoid scratching credenzas.

Confirm control system functions not obvious from the control flow diagrams (i.e., lighting presets that are activated when the control system enters a videoconferencing mode).

Video – record or photograpgh any non-conformances, anomalies, etc.

Sanity Check: Is there any reason why this system should NOT be released for installation? Is everything plumb and square, clean and blemish-free?

Prepare document report, certifying the product, performance, and practices are in compliance, and noting any exceptions below. Distribute accordingly.