Viking Electronics E-1600-20-IP Two-Button VoIP ADA Emergency Phone
The Viking Electronics E-1600-20-IP is a stainless steel, ADA-compliant, two-button VoIP emergency phone built for demanding environments where reliable handsfree emergency communication is non-negotiable. Running on SIP 2.0 (RFC 3261), it drops directly into any SIP-based phone system without a gateway or proprietary controller — the right call for facilities teams standardizing on IP infrastructure. The E-1600-20-IP (often searched as E 1600 20 IP) supports flush mount with the included rough-in box or surface mount with an optional VE-5x5 enclosure.
Key Features
- Dials Up to 5 Emergency Numbers: Program up to five sequential emergency numbers so the call reaches a live person even if the first line is busy — critical in parking structures, stairwells, or remote corridors where a failed call means no help.
- PoE Class 1 (<4W): Draws under 4 watts from a standard 802.3af switch port. No local power run, no outlet, no conduit for 120V — just the Cat 5/6 home run you're already pulling for data. Keeps panel power budgets well within comfort on multi-device deployments.
- 95 dB SPL Voice Announcer: The built-in speaker hits 95 dB SPL at 1 meter — loud enough to be heard over HVAC, elevator mechanical noise, or outdoor ambient. Users get audible confirmation that a call connected without needing to shout or lean into a handset.
- G.711u / G.711a / G.722 Audio Codecs: G.722 wideband audio delivers noticeably clearer voice quality compared to narrowband G.711 — important when the person on the other end needs to understand a distressed caller accurately in a noisy space.
- 2-Amp Relay Contacts: The onboard relay lets you trigger a door strike, strobe, or access control device simultaneously with an emergency call — useful for stairwell re-entry or elevator lobbies where physical access needs to follow the voice alert automatically.
- -40°F to 140°F Operating Range: Tested from -40°F through 140°F (-40°C to 60°C) with 5–95% non-condensing humidity, making it viable in parking garages, loading docks, and outdoor covered areas without a heated enclosure. The EWP variant handles up to 100% humidity for fully exposed sites.
- Single RJ-45 Connection: One 10/100Base-T RJ-45 plus three gel-filled butt connectors covers every field connection. Gel-fill butt connectors simplify splices in wet or outdoor environments where wire-nut connections corrode.
- CE and FCC Part 15 / ICES-003 Compliant: Ships with CE, FCC Part 15, and Canada ICES-003 Class A certifications — covers US, Canadian, and EU installations from a single SKU without chasing regional variants.
Integration and Compatibility
The E-1600-20-IP registers as a standard SIP 2.0 endpoint (RFC 3261) on any SIP PBX, hosted UCaaS platform, or VoIP phone system that supports SIP extensions. No proprietary software, no Viking-specific controller required. The 100BASE-Tx network interface connects to any managed or unmanaged 802.3af PoE switch. For facilities using Viking Electronics emergency communication products across a campus, the E-1600-20-IP shares the same 1600-IP Series programming platform, simplifying multi-unit configuration. For exposed outdoor installations beyond the standard temperature range, evaluate the E-1600-20-IPEWP variant with enhanced weather protection. Pair with a PoE network switch to keep wiring simple and power centralized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the E-1600-20-IP require a proprietary controller or Viking-specific PBX?
A: No. It registers as a standard SIP 2.0 (RFC 3261) endpoint on any compatible SIP phone system or hosted VoIP platform.
Q: What PoE standard does the E-1600-20-IP require?
A: It uses IEEE 802.3af PoE Class 1, drawing under 4 watts. A standard 802.3af switch port is sufficient — no PoE+ required.
Q: Can the E-1600-20-IP be used outdoors?
A: The standard unit is rated -40°F to 140°F with 5–95% non-condensing humidity, suitable for covered outdoor and parking structure installations. For fully exposed sites with up to 100% humidity, use the E-1600-20-IPEWP variant.
Q: How many emergency numbers can be programmed?
A: Up to 5 programmable emergency numbers can be stored, allowing sequential dialing if earlier numbers are busy or unanswered.
Q: What mounting options are available?
A: The E-1600-20-IP supports flush mount using the included rough-in box, or surface mount using the optional VE-5x5 enclosure sold separately.
Q: What is the relay contact rating on the E-1600-20-IP?
A: The relay contacts are rated at 2 amps, suitable for triggering door strikes, strobes, or similar low-current access control devices.
The E-1600-20-IP is one of the cleaner ADA emergency phone deployments I see in commercial and institutional work — the SIP 2.0 registration means your facilities team can hand it to whoever manages the phone system and they'll know exactly what to do. The 95 dB SPL announcer is the spec I always point to first: in a concrete parking deck with ambient noise, that output level is the difference between a caller knowing their call connected and hanging up in panic.
Technical Highlights:
- PoE Class 1 (<4W): At under 4 watts, you can run 24 of these off a single 100W PoE switch budget. No separate power circuit, no electrician coordination — just data cabling.
- G.722 Wideband Audio: Wideband codec support means dispatch on the other end hears the caller clearly even in a high-noise environment — narrowband G.711 compresses the voice range and makes distressed speech harder to interpret.
- 2-Amp Relay: The relay output at 2 amps is enough to drive most SL-2 door releases and strobes directly without an interposing relay — simplifies the wiring diagram and reduces points of failure.
Deployment Considerations:
- The included rough-in box makes new construction straightforward, but on retrofit projects into existing drywall or CMU, confirm your box depth before ordering — the 2.25-inch depth requirement occasionally conflicts with shallow chase walls.
- The standard model covers 5–95% non-condensing humidity; if the installation point is a loading dock or exterior vestibule that sees condensation or rain splash, step up to the E-1600-20-IPEWP rather than trying to weatherize the standard unit in the field.
This unit earns its place in university stairwells, hospital parking structures, and transit facility elevator lobbies — anywhere ADA compliance is audited and the SIP infrastructure is already in place to absorb a simple extension registration.
