Viking E-40SS Stainless Steel Entry Phone Handsfree PoT

Viking Electronics E-40SS Stainless Steel Entry Phone with Automatic Disconnect

Overview

The Viking Electronics E-40SS is a compact, telephone line powered entry phone built for single gang rough-in box installations where durability and weather resistance are non-negotiable. Designed as a two-way handsfree speaker phone, the E-40SS (often searched as E 40SS) fits flush into a standard single gang electrical box or surface mounts using Viking's optional VE-3X5 enclosure — giving installers flexibility for new construction or retrofit jobs without running separate power circuits. The 18 gauge 304 stainless steel faceplate handles vandal attempts and harsh weather better than painted or plastic alternatives, making it a credible choice for apartment entries, industrial access points, and commercial building perimeters.

Browse the full Viking Electronics entry phone and intercom line for companion products and accessories.

Key Features

• Telephone Line Powered (18V DC / 20mA minimum): The E-40SS draws power directly from the phone line — no separate power supply, no transformer wiring, no additional circuit. If you have a POTS or compatible line at the entry point, you're done. Minimum 18V DC at 20mA keeps it running on virtually any standard telephone circuit.
• Two-Way Handsfree Audio at 62dB maximum: Speaker output reaches 62dB at 1 meter — loud enough for a busy lobby entrance or a noisy loading dock without requiring the visitor to shout. No handset means nothing to grab, vandalize, or rip off the wall.
• -30°F to 150°F Operating Range: From deep-freeze Minnesota winters to a sun-baked Texas loading dock, the E-40SS stays operational across a 180-degree temperature span. Most entry phones fail in extreme cold or direct-sun heat; this range covers essentially any North American outdoor installation. Humidity tolerance runs 5% to 95% non-condensing.
• 18 Gauge 304 Stainless Steel Faceplate (4.875" x 3.125"): 304 stainless resists corrosion, graffiti, and moderate physical impact. The thin 0.18" profile sits nearly flush against the wall, reducing the grab surface that makes thicker housings a vandalism target.
• Automatic Disconnect via CPC (300ms minimum): The unit detects CPC (Calling Party Control) disconnect signals and drops the call automatically — no need for the inside party to manually hang up or send a flash. In multi-tenant or high-traffic applications, this prevents calls from staying open and tying up the line.
• REN 0.8A: With a Ringer Equivalence Number of 0.8A, the E-40SS fits comfortably on phone lines already carrying other devices. You're well under the typical 5-REN line limit even with additional endpoints on the same circuit.
• Single Gang Flush Mount (2.25" deep x 3.65" wide x 2.84" tall rough-in minimum): Drops into the same rough-in box used for standard electrical devices — no custom cutout, no specialty enclosure required for flush installs. Surface mount via VE-3X5 (sold separately) handles situations where the wall can't be opened.
• 25V AC RMS Minimum Ring Voltage: Compatible with standard telephone ringing circuits — no special ring generator needed for most commercial phone system integrations.

Integration and Compatibility

The E-40SS connects to any telephone system that supplies standard POTS-compatible signaling, including analog extensions off PBX and key systems, and direct POTS lines. It works with entry phone and intercom systems where a telephone interface is already present. The automatic disconnect feature requires the host phone system to send a CPC signal; verify your PBX or line card supports CPC if reliable auto-disconnect is a firm requirement. For access control integration, pair with a door strike controller on a separate circuit — the E-40SS handles audio only. See access control hardware for compatible door release options. For surface mount installations, the optional VE-3X5 surface mount enclosure accommodates the same phone unit without a rough-in box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the E-40SS require a separate power supply?

A: No. The E-40SS is telephone line powered and draws its operating power directly from the phone line — minimum 18V DC at 20mA. No external transformer or power supply is needed as long as the line meets that threshold.

Q: What box size does the E-40SS flush mount into?

A: It mounts into a standard single gang rough-in box with minimum inside dimensions of 2.25" deep x 3.65" wide x 2.84" tall. The phone unit itself measures 2.84" x 1.8" x 1.65".

Q: Can the E-40SS be surface mounted?

A: Yes. It surface mounts using Viking's optional VE-3X5 enclosure (not included). Flush mount into a single gang box is the standard installation; the VE-3X5 is the solution when wall access isn't available.

Q: What is the operating temperature range of the E-40SS?

A: -30°F to 150°F (-34°C to 66°C), with humidity tolerance of 5% to 95% non-condensing. It is rated for outdoor use in most North American climate zones.

Q: Does the E-40SS automatically disconnect calls?

A: Yes. It detects CPC (Calling Party Control) disconnect signals with a minimum 300ms response time, dropping the call automatically when the inside party hangs up — provided the host phone system sends a CPC signal.

Q: What is the speaker output level on the E-40SS?

A: Maximum 62dB at 1 meter. Ring voltage requirement is 25V AC RMS minimum, and the unit has a REN of 0.8A.

Jerry Tildsen

The E-40SS earns its place on apartment entry doors and industrial access points primarily because of one spec most buyers overlook: that -30°F to 150°F operating window. I've seen plenty of entry phones fail in unheated vestibules during January in the upper Midwest — the E-40SS is one of the few telephone line powered units rated to handle it without a heated enclosure.

Technical Highlights:

• Telephone Line Power (18V DC / 20mA min): No separate power run to the door — if you have a phone line, you have a powered entry station. Simplifies rough-in significantly on retrofit jobs.
• CPC Auto-Disconnect (300ms min): In multi-tenant buildings where the entry phone shares a line, this prevents open-line lockouts. The 300ms minimum is fast enough that residents won't notice a delay.
• 18 Gauge 304 Stainless Faceplate: At 0.18 inches thick and nearly flush with the wall, there's minimal edge to pry or lever. 304 grade handles salt air and urban pollution without surface rust.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your PBX or analog line card actually sends a CPC signal before specifying auto-disconnect as a feature to the end client — not all systems do, and without CPC the call won't self-terminate.
• The rough-in box minimum (2.25" deep x 3.65" wide x 2.84" tall) is standard single gang, but confirm your actual box — old construction sometimes has shallower or narrower boxes that won't seat the unit flush.

This unit is the right call for multi-tenant residential entries and light industrial access points where you want to avoid running a separate power circuit to the door — the telephone line power model keeps the install clean and the stainless housing keeps it serviceable long-term.