Viking Electronics CTG-1A Clock Controlled Tone Generator
The Viking Electronics CTG-1A is a clock-based scheduling unit designed for facilities that need reliable, timed audio alerts and relay-controlled automation — think school bell systems, factory shift changes, break announcements, or any site where events need to fire on a precise, repeatable schedule without depending on a connected PC. The CTG-1A handles up to 128 programmable events across two independent schedules, making it practical for sites with weekday/weekend or A-shift/B-shift patterns without buying separate hardware for each program.
Overview
At its core, the CTG-1A combines a 24-hour digital clock — synchronized to AC power line frequency for drift-free operation — with a programmable event engine and two discrete outputs: a 600-ohm audio output for driving tones and a DPDT relay for controlling external devices. The unit runs on 120V AC and produces single, double, or triple bong or buzzer alert tones, or it can latch and unlatch two form-C relay contacts to trigger whatever the relay is wired to. That dual-output design is what separates it from a simple timer: you get an audible alert and a dry-contact closure in the same event, or you can assign them independently.
For buyers evaluating the Viking Electronics product line, the CTG-1A sits squarely in the standalone scheduling segment — no network dependency, no software license, no server to maintain.
Key Features
- 128-Event Dual-Schedule Timer: Two independent 128-event schedules mean you can program a weekday sequence and a weekend sequence without overwriting or toggling a single master program. For schools or manufacturers running different bell patterns by day, that's a meaningful operational advantage over single-schedule units.
- AC Line-Synchronized Clock: The time base locks to 50/60Hz AC power frequency — the same reference utilities hold to fractions of a second per day — so the clock stays accurate without manual drift correction. For a scheduling and paging system, timing drift compounds into missed or early events; AC sync eliminates that problem under normal conditions.
- 4-Day Internal Clock Backup: If AC power drops, the internal backup sustains the clock for up to 4 days. When power returns, the unit picks up at the correct time rather than resetting to midnight. Backup accuracy degrades to +/- 5 ppm (roughly 43 seconds per day), so a weekend outage won't leave you with a badly drifted clock on Monday morning.
- DPDT Relay Output (30V DC @ 1A / 125V AC @ 0.5A): The relay is rated for both low-voltage DC and line-voltage AC switching — 30V DC at 1A, 110V DC at 0.3A, or 125V AC at 0.5A. That range covers most common loads: door strikes, indicator lights, HVAC zone controls, or low-voltage signaling circuits, without needing an intermediate relay board. Verify your load against those ratings before wiring directly.
- 600-Ohm Audio Output with Volume Adjust: The audio output matches the 600-ohm impedance standard used in paging amplifiers and telephone systems, so it integrates directly into most commercial paging infrastructures. The onboard volume adjustment lets you set tone level at the unit without going back to the amplifier rack.
- Selectable Tone Patterns (Single, Double, Triple Bong/Buzzer): Different tone sequences carry different meanings in most facilities — single for attention, double for breaks, triple for emergencies. Programming distinct patterns per event lets staff distinguish alert types by sound rather than checking a schedule board.
- Compact Form Factor — 5.25
