Apartment Intercom FAQs

Q: For the AL1027 FLEX system, is the keypad required if I want to use the QR code directory with tenants answering and granting entry via smartphones?
A: Yes, the keypad is required because it serves as the brains of the system, but it can be installed inside a closet. To connect the FLEX to your existing access control for unlocking the door, you need two wires run from the door strike to its relay. Pricing is listed on the website.

Q: Can you supply a custom multi-tenant door intercom panel with six buttons?
A: Yes. The TT1006 custom-made door intercom can be configured with six buttons. Plastic buttons and name panels can be used but are not vandal-proof. Pricing for a six-button configuration requires a custom quote.

Q: What is an affordable intercom and locking system option for a 10-unit apartment building with Wi-Fi at the door but no wired internet, and can it be without a monthly fee?
A: The AL1002 may work, but it requires a hardwired internet connection to the door and an electric door strike with two wires to the intercom. Tenants use smartphones for video, but there is a monthly fee. Wireless video intercoms generally have monthly fees, and only wired systems avoid them. All wireless video systems will have ongoing costs.

Q: Is there an intercom with a buzzer to talk to visitors and let them in for a two-family house where running up and down stairs is difficult?
A: The AP1081 with an electric door strike would work. The correct strike depends on the door type, and installation is not provided. See this page for more info: Electric Door Strikes.

Q: Do you have a large-screen, mobile-ready video intercom with the ability to ring either apartment 1 or apartment 2?
A: No. This requires an apartment intercom like the AP1081, but that model does not have app capability. If you need app functionality, the AL1002 would be required.

Q: What is a good basic multi-tenant intercom for a 5-unit building that uses cellular service without requiring an app for users?
A: The IO1057 cellular intercom is suitable. You can configure it with 5 buttons, requires no video, and users do not need an app (only the admin does). It comes with a SIM card or you can use your own. It works with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Installation is not provided.

Q: Do you provide installation or ongoing service for a condo building intercom system?
A: IntercomsOnline does not offer installation or ongoing service. Our systems include an admin tool so you can make changes yourself, avoiding the need to hire someone each time a tenant moves.

Q: What type of intercom system is recommended for a 6-unit commercial building with a door entry, and does it include door-opening capability?
A: A multi-tenant intercom from the Apartment Intercoms category is recommended. Systems vary by features, so choose based on your needs. Electric door strikes are optional and sold separately.

Q: What is the cost and installation process for a video intercom for a 15-unit apartment building, and are there wireless options?
A: The AL1002 video intercom supports thousands of tenants and requires CAT-5 wiring from an Internet router. Programming is included, but installation is not provided. The system’s cloud service costs $2.50 per apartment per month with a $25 minimum, and each apartment can have up to five users. Equipment cost is listed on the website. A wireless version with the same functionality does not exist. A lower-cost option is a cellular intercom, which calls tenants’ phones and costs about $22 per month for cell service. 

Q: How can I replace an existing apartment building intercom system with a display that is not showing names?
A: The recommended replacement is the 2–20 Button Modular Cellular Apartment Intercom. You could also use the AL1002 or the IO1057.

Q: What equipment should I use for a 4-unit wired intercom system with a 4-button outdoor panel?
A: Consider using the TT1006 door panel, TT1001 apartment amplifier, and TT1004 apartment stations, with wiring from each station to the amplifier. For an all-in-one option, the AP1082 4-Apartment Wired Door Intercom Kit is available. Product pages provide wiring diagrams, pricing, and the option to request a shipping-inclusive quote.

Q: Is there a wireless video intercom system for a 4-unit apartment building?
A: A true wireless multi-tenant video intercom does not exist anymore since they had too many issues. The available video intercom requires a wired internet connection at the front door. Alternatively, an Internet based system like the AL1002 is available, and it only requires one CAT-5 from an Internet router and the door intercom. You can have WiFi monitors in the apartments.

Q: What intercom system works for a private residential development of 10 homes along a 1000-meter roadway?
A: The AL1002 Cat-5 video intercom system is available, requiring hardwired internet (not Wi-Fi). If Wi-Fi is preferred, a Wi-Fi bridge can be used to extend internet to the gate. Alternatively, a cellular-based intercom like the IO1057 with multiple buttons could be used.

Q: What intercom system supports an 8-unit condo with landline audio, one-way video, multiple phone numbers, keypad directory, and internet connectivity?
A: The AL1002 internet-connected video intercom is the suitable option. It can call smartphones via an app and also reach standard phones if residents don’t use smartphones. Tenants need the app for video calls. For further details, IntercomsOnline provides expert support by phone at 888-298-9489.

Q: What wired intercom system can replace a 38-year-old condo system with 9 entrances and multiple apartments per entrance?
A: You can use the TT1006 system with a custom-made button panel to match your specifications. Each door will also require a PK543A amplifier power kit and compatible apartment stations such as the 4-wire surface-mount units with braille.

Q: How can I install a 4-wire intercom system with three apartment stations for voice communication only?
A: Use the TT1001 apartment amplifier with TT1004 apartment stations, wiring each station back to the amplifier. For the entrance, add the TT1006 door panel connected to the same amplifier. This configuration supports voice communication without door strike functions.

Q: Who installs the AL1002 system?
A: Installation does not require a specific company. IntercomsOnline handles all programming. You need an internet connection at the door and two wires running from the intercom to the electric door strike. An electrician can run the CAT-5 from your router and install the AL1002.

Q: What intercom solution is suitable for multiple buildings with several entry doors and tenants, potentially with video capability?
A: For a complex setup involving multiple buildings and doors, an Internet-based system or a cellular system (with a separate line per door) is required. The Virtual Intercom Keypad with Proximity Card Reader is the most cost-effective option for this configuration.

Q: Can I order the TT1002 and TT1006, and what are the differences?
A: The TT1002 is not recommended because it is not vandal-proof and its plastic name caps are easily damaged. The improved custom TT1006 is the same price, ships faster, and is the preferred option.

Q: We have a small five-unit condo with an old, non-working intercom system. Is there an inexpensive replacement?
A: If existing wiring runs from the door to each apartment, a custom multi-button door panel such as the  TT1006 can be used, along with an amplifier and apartment stations. Pricing for the custom panel requires a quote based on your requirements, and installation should be handled by someone technically experienced. 

Q: How can I order a custom door intercom button panel for a 6-apartment building?  
A: To order a custom door intercom panel, go to the TT1006 product page, follow the instructions there, answer the listed questions about your requirements, and then email those answers to [email protected] so a custom quote can be prepared for you.

Q: What is a cost-effective buzzer entry system for three 12-unit buildings on the same property, and is there a better option than the TT1002?

A: For a multi-tenant application with three separate 12-unit buildings, the best solution depends on whether you can use existing wiring. If you can run multi-pair wiring to each apartment—or already have it—you can replace your current system with a custom-made door intercom: https://www.intercomsonline.com/custom-made-door-intercom

. You would add the TT1001 apartment amplifier, the TT1004 per apartment station, and approximately the TT1006 custom door panel. While the TT1002 is available, it is not recommended due to its lightweight aluminum construction and plastic button caps, which can break or be lost. It is not vandal-proof. The TT1006 Custom-Made Door Intercom is a better choice, is vandal-proof, typically built in 3–4 business days, and is priced comparably to the TT1002. If wiring is not suitable, an alternative IP-based option is the Opyn Multi-Tenant IP Video Intercom: https://www.intercomsonline.com/Opyn-Multi-Multi-Tenant-IP-Video-Intercom-Surface-Mount_p_1908.html .

Q: Is there a multi-tenant cellular intercom system similar to the AL1027 that does not require an internet connection?
A: The AL1027 Virtual Door or Gate Intercom Keypad Proximity Card requires an internet connection and cloud service, which is part of what keeps its cost relatively low. There is not a comparable model with the same features that operates without internet connectivity. However, cellular-based alternatives are available, though they are generally more expensive. Two options include the apartment cellular intercom at https://www.intercomsonline.com/1000-family-cell-phone-network-door-intercom and the Opyn 4G video intercom at https://www.intercomsonline.com/opyn-multi-ip-4g-video-intercom-surface-mount

Q: What cellular gate intercom can call about 20 residents in a gated community and allow them to open the gate?
A: A cellular gate intercom such as the IO1036 Cellular Network Unit Apartment Intercom is a good option. It allows a visitor to select and call a specific resident, and the resident can then grant access by opening the gate remotely from their phone. Another option is the IO1147 Opyn Multi IP 4G Video Intercom Surface Mount. You can learn more about these systems here: https://www.intercomsonline.com/cellular-network-unit-apartment-intercom
 and https://www.intercomsonline.com/opyn-multi-ip-4g-video-intercom-surface-mount . While these systems include an LCD display, visitors can still enter the apartment number on the keypad instead of selecting it from the screen.

Q: Does the AL1002 multi-tenant touchscreen video intercom include a card reader, and can it work with city-issued access cards?
A: Yes, the AL1002 multi-tenant touchscreen video intercom supports 125 kHz proximity cards and key fobs. The cards or fobs themselves must be purchased separately, and compatible fobs are listed in the “Related Items” section on the product page. Another option is the IO1148 system, which also supports access cards but uses a different card technology and offers additional features such as QR code access and facial recognition: https://www.intercomsonline.com/Opyn-Multi-Multi-Tenant-IP-Video-Intercom-Surface-Mount. If you want to use existing city-issued access cards, you will need to determine the exact card technology they use, since different systems support different card types.

Q: Can I replace just the outside intercom panel on my apartment intercom, and is it difficult to install?
A: Yes, you most likely can replace only the outside panel. If your existing panel is simply a button panel without internal electronics, a custom replacement can be made to your specifications. Installation is typically straightforward—you would transfer the existing wiring from your current panel to the new one, using the old panel as a reference. To order, follow the instructions on the TT1006 product page and submit your requirements for a quote. Custom panels are competitively priced, usually ship quickly, and are designed to be more vandal-resistant than standard options.

Q: Can you help me figure out which wires go where on my existing wired intercom system?
A: We're sorry, but we don't provide support for systems we didn't sell. However, if you're looking to replace a 4-unit intercom system, you might consider using the TT1006 door panel along with the TT1001 apartment amplifier and TT1004 apartment stations. The stations will require wiring back to the apartment amplifier.

Q: Is there an installation guide for the TT1006 custom made door intercom, and is it available in Spanish?
A: The TT1006 does not have its own dedicated installation guide — you would use the guide for your specific controller instead. A helpful wiring diagram is also available on this page: https://www.intercomsonline.com/pk543a-apartment-amplifier-power-kit. A Spanish version is not available at this time.

Q: What wired intercom system would work for an 8-unit and 12-unit apartment building with door buzzer capability, and can it use existing 4-conductor wiring?
A: Since your existing wiring is 4-conductor, you can reuse it with the TT1006 plus the appropriate accessories, available here: https://www.intercomsonline.com/custom-made-door-intercom. If your old controller is no longer working, you may also need the TT1001 controller. For the individual apartment stations, these surface-mount units with Braille are a compatible option: https://www.intercomsonline.com/4-wire-apartment-surface-mount-station-with-braille.

Q: Our 10-unit condo needs to upgrade our video intercom so residents can open the door from their cell phones using an app — what do you recommend?
A: For a two-door setup with app-based entry, we recommend the IO1147: https://www.intercomsonline.com/opyn-multi-ip-4g-video-intercom-surface-mount

Q: I have a Mircom 401B apartment intercom with disconnected wires — can you help me reconnect just the door?
A: We're sorry, but we don't sell or support Mircom equipment and aren't able to assist with that system.

Q: Is there anything compatible with my old Nutone 8-button intercom system, or can you replace it?
A: We don't carry anything that works with a Nutone system. However, you can replace it entirely using the TT1006, TT1001, and TT1004 stations.

Q: Can I buy a USPS key cylinder for post office building access that works with an electric door strike?
A: We cannot sell the USPS lock directly, as those must be obtained from the post office itself. However, we do sell the release box that it goes into — search for the TT1008. You can find it here along with instructions on how to obtain the USPS lock: https://www.intercomsonline.com/usps-postal-lock-box

Q: How can tenants buzz a door from their smartphones?
A: There are two ways to do this. The first option is a multi-tenant cell intercom such as the IO1147, AE1006, IO1075, or IO1057. These systems require cell phone service at the door and can call any landline or mobile phone. The second option is an internet-based system like the IO1148, which communicates through a smartphone app and includes video communication.

Q: How do I splice CAT5 cable for a Butterfly intercom?
A: We don't carry or support Butterfly intercom products, so we don't have specific wiring information for them. Please contact Butterfly directly for assistance with their systems.

Q: How can I set up your company as a vendor and get a W-9?
A: You can download our signed W-9 here: https://tawk.link/5647bf67458b0ebc5e6bfb91/a/5647be14a1162e680cc31929/3cbd27d6bea58cfdc8d58f69cfbbba3b28c02d88/w9-Signed.jpg. Please note that we do not offer payment terms. We accept credit cards or checks by mail, both of which can be selected at checkout.

Q: Do you provide installation and service of intercom systems for jails?
A: No, we do not offer installation or service for jail intercom systems.

Q: Can a wall-mounted intercom be used by a wheelchair-bound person with only forward approach clearance in California?
A: Yes, you do not need to meet both forward and side approach clearance requirements — satisfying one or the other is sufficient. The applicable standard in California is the ADA requirements. As long as you comply with the forward reach diagram, your installation should be appropriate.

Q: What is the cost of a 2-wire video intercom system for 12 apartment units?
A: For a 12-unit 2-wire video intercom system, the recommended product is the AL1032: https://www.intercomsonline.com/multi-tenant-2-wire-wired-video-intercom-kits. However, standard kits are only available for up to 8 units, so a custom quote is required for a 12-unit installation. Please email your requirements to [email protected] and a custom quote can be prepared for you.

Q: Does the AL1032 intercom system require a licensed electrician to install, and how complicated is the wiring?
A: The AL1032 does not necessarily require a licensed electrician. If your building already has wiring in place, a technically inclined handyman should be able to handle the installation — no specialized electrical credentials are needed. The main power requirement is a low-voltage power supply that simply plugs into a standard outlet, so there is no hardwired electrical work involved on the power side. You will need someone who is comfortable following the installation guide, which is available here: https://intercomsonline.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/AlphaTouch/2-wire-Install.pdf. Instructions may not be physically included in the box, but you should receive information on where to download them.

Q: Can you quote an IO1057 configured for 8 apartments?
A: For 8 apartments, you'll need two 4-button modules to cover all the call buttons. If you also want PIN code and proximity card access, you'll need to add a keypad module. To house all the components — the main cell module, keypad module, and two button modules — you'll need a 4-module housing.