How to Set an Equity Wall Clock
SkyScan produces the Equity line of radio-controlled clocks. Each of these timepieces contains a receiver that detects and then calibrates itself via the radio signal sent out by the atomic clock at NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology). The atomic clock at NIST uses the activity of cesium atoms to set and maintain the official time of the United States. Scientists at NIST guarantee this clock's accuracy to one second in 60 million years. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Equity Clock
- Battery (optional)
- Wall outlet (optional)
- Hammer (optional)
- Nail or tack (optional)
Instructions
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1
Decide where you want to hang your equity wall clock. In their troubleshooting guide for atomic clocks, NIST advises that because the Equity clocks contain directional antennas, not all locations in a house or building will receive the radio signal equally.
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2
Set up the wall mount. If your equity clock came with a wall mount, attach it to the wall. Otherwise, you can use a nail or tack to hang the clock on the wall.
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3
Connect the power source. Equity sells clocks that either run on battery or that plug into an AC wall outlet. If you require a battery, remove the battery cover, connect the battery and then replace the cover. Otherwise, plug the clock's power cord into an AC wall outlet.
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4
Turn on the clock. Not all Equity clocks come equipped with a power switch, and some begin operating as soon as you plug in the battery or the power cord. Your clock will automatically begin to detect and receive the radio signal sent out by NIST.
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5
Enter your time zone. Your clock will either offer a switch to set your time zone or you may have to use a button to select the time zone on an LED display. If you don't know your time zone, see Resource One. Once you enter your time zone, the clock will automatically self-calibrate to the time of the clock at NIST in about three to 10 minutes.
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6
Hang your clock on the wall.
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7
Periodically check the atomic clock website and re-calibrate the clock. You may need to recalibrate the clock due to power outages or a drained battery or because you have not hung the clock somewhere that it can adequately receive NIST's radio signal. If the battery has died or the power has gone out, simply follow steps 3 to 5. If you need to reposition your Equity clock somewhere else, redo steps 1 to 6.
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Tips & Warnings
If you notice your Equity clock lagging behind the time posted at the NIST website, NIST recommends that you try hanging it on a wall that runs perpendicular to the one on which you've mounted it.
Because they receive a radio signal sent out from the mainland United States, Equity clocks will not work outside of the continental United States. Also, you might be within a zone that receives a poor quality radio transmission or that contains other sources of interference.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit atom image by Oleg Verbitsky from Fotolia.com
