Expand the audio, data, and control capacity of a legacy Aiphone GT Series multi-tenant intercom system with the Aiphone GT-BCX Expanded Audio Bus Control Unit.

The GT-BCX was designed for expanded GT Series systems that exceed the capacity of a standard GT installation. It provides the central expanded audio/data architecture for systems supporting large quantities of entrance stations, concierge stations, tenant stations, and applicable elevator-control equipment.

The GT-BCX is now a legacy Aiphone component. For new GT Series expanded systems, Aiphone currently specifies the GT-BCXB-N Expanded Bus Control Unit.

Key Features

• Genuine Aiphone GT-BCX

• Legacy Expanded Audio Bus Control Unit

• Designed for older GT Series expanded systems

• Expands GT systems beyond standard-system capacity

• Supports expanded audio and system-data distribution

• Works with GT-VBX expanded video controller

• Supports multiple GT-BC audio bus controllers

• Up to 16 entrance stations

• Up to 4 concierge / guard stations

• Up to 500 tenant stations

• Supports up to four tenant sub-trunk groups

• Supports applicable GTW-LC elevator-control adaptors

• 24VDC operation

• Uses 2-conductor solid non-shielded wiring

• DIN rail / mounting rail installation

• Designed for protected equipment-room installation

• Legacy programming through older GT System Setup Tool

• Current successor: GT-BCXB-N

Product Specifications

Manufacturer: Aiphone
Model: GT-BCX
Series: GT Series
Product Type: Expanded Audio Bus Control Unit
Product Status: Legacy / Discontinued
Current Successor: GT-BCXB-N
Application: Expanded GT Series Systems
Power Requirement: 24VDC
Recommended Legacy Power Supply: PS-2420 Series / Current PS-2420UL Equivalent per System Design
Audio/Data Wire: 2-Conductor, Solid, Non-Shielded
Recommended Wire Family: Aiphone #872002
Mounting: DIN Rail / Equipment Cabinet
Mounting Rail: Included with Applicable Original Unit
Housing: Fire-Retardant ABS Plastic
Height: Approximately 4-1/4"
Width: Approximately 8-1/4"
Depth: Approximately 2-3/8"

Expanded GT Series Controller

The GT-BCX served as the main expanded audio/data controller in earlier large-capacity GT Series installations.

A standard GT system was typically limited to approximately:

• 5 Entrance Stations

• 2 Concierge Stations

• 48 Tenant Stations

When those limits were exceeded, the GT-BCX was added to create an expanded GT architecture.

Expanded System Capacity

Legacy GT-BCX expanded systems support up to:

Entrance Stations

16 Maximum

Concierge / Guard Stations

4 Maximum

Tenant Stations

500 Maximum

This made the GT-BCX suitable for large apartment complexes, condominium towers, mixed-use properties, and other high-density multi-tenant buildings.

Common & Sub-Trunk Architecture

The GT-BCX divides a large GT system into common entrance trunks and tenant sub-trunks.

The architecture can include:

• Common trunk 1

• Common trunk 2

• Sub-trunk 1A

• Sub-trunk 1B

• Sub-trunk 2A

• Sub-trunk 2B

This allows hundreds of tenant stations to communicate with multiple entrances and concierge stations while keeping the system organized into manageable sections.

Works with GT-BC

The legacy GT-BCX operates with:

GT-BC – Audio Bus Control Unit

GT-BC units are installed on the applicable common and tenant trunks.

The GT-BC handles the local audio/data bus while the GT-BCX manages communication between the expanded system sections.

Works with GT-VBX

For expanded video systems, the GT-BCX was used with:

GT-VBX – Expanded Video Bus Control Unit

GT-BCX

Handles:

• Expanded audio

• Data

• System control

• Common/sub-trunk management

GT-VBX

Handles:

• Expanded video routing

• Common video lines

• Tenant video sub-trunks

A large legacy GT video system typically requires both expanded controllers.

GT-BCX to GT-BC Wiring

Aiphone's legacy GT wiring documentation specifies up to approximately:

980 ft

between the GT-BCX and GT-BC when using approved wiring.

Actual allowable distance depends on:

• Conductor size

• Cable type

• System topology

• Total cumulative wiring

Always verify the original GT Series installation documentation before servicing an existing system.

Entrance Station Wiring Distance

Legacy Aiphone documentation allows up to approximately:

980 ft between an entrance station and GT-BCX

using appropriate approved wiring.

Distance varies with conductor size.

Recommended Audio / Data Wiring

The GT expanded audio bus uses:

2-Conductor, Solid, Non-Shielded, PE-Insulated Cable

For replacement or service work, the current comparable Aiphone wire family is:

• 87200250C – 20 AWG | 500'

• 87200210C – 20 AWG | 1,000'

• 872002P10C – 20 AWG | Plenum | 1,000'

Always confirm compatibility with the existing legacy wiring before replacing conductors.

24VDC Power

The GT-BCX operates on:

24VDC

Legacy Aiphone documentation specified the PS-2420 family.

For service work involving current components, verify the applicable:

PS-2420UL – 24VDC Power Supply

against the complete existing system design before substitution.

Elevator / Lift Control

Expanded GT systems using the GT-BCX can support:

GTW-LC – Multi-Relay / Lift Control Adaptor

Legacy Aiphone documentation allows up to:

16 GTW-LC adaptors per expanded system

with up to:

8 GTW-LC adaptors per lift-control trunk

These adaptors can interface the GT intercom system with compatible third-party elevator controllers.

Programming

The GT-BCX belongs to Aiphone's older generation of GT expanded equipment.

Aiphone's legacy:

GT System Setup Tool

supports older equipment including:

• GT-BCX

• GT-NS

• GT-DM / GT-DMV

• GT-MK

• Legacy GH equipment

Aiphone's newer GT programming platform instead supports current equipment such as the:

GT-BCXB-N

This distinction is important when servicing an existing legacy GT system.

Legacy GT-BCX vs. Current GT-BCXB-N

Aiphone's current expanded bus controller is:

GT-BCXB-N

GT-BCX

Legacy expanded bus controller designed around earlier GT equipment and programming architecture.

GT-BCXB-N

Current expanded bus control unit supporting Aiphone's newer GT Series equipment and current system programming architecture.

The GT-BCXB-N should be specified for new system designs.

GT-MCX Compatibility Note

The newer:

GT-MCX – Network Adaptor for Remote Programming

was developed for the current-generation GT architecture.

Legacy Aiphone documentation specifically notes that the GT-BCX is not used when the GT-MCX architecture is employed.

Current systems requiring remote/network programming should be designed around the applicable GT-BCXB-N equipment.

Replacement Considerations

The GT-BCXB-N is the current-generation expanded bus controller, but replacing a GT-BCX should not be treated as a simple plug-and-play controller swap without reviewing the complete system.

Existing installations may contain legacy equipment such as:

• GT-MK

• GT-NS

• GT-DM / GT-DMV

• Older entrance modules

• Legacy tenant stations

• GTW-LC lift-control equipment

• Older programming databases

Verify all connected components and programming requirements before upgrading.

Compatible Legacy System Equipment

The GT-BCX may be found in systems using equipment such as:

• GT-BC – Audio Bus Control Unit

• GT-VBC – Video Bus Control Unit

• GT-VBX – Expanded Video Bus Control Unit

• GTW-LC – Lift Control Adaptor

• GT-MK – Legacy Concierge / Guard Station

• GT-NS – Legacy Digital Display Module

• GT-DM / GT-DMV – Legacy Integrated Entrance Stations

• Legacy GT tenant stations

Compatibility should always be verified against the original system design.

DIN Rail / Equipment Cabinet Installation

The GT-BCX was intended for installation in a protected indoor equipment location.

Typical locations include:

• Low-voltage equipment cabinets

• Communications rooms

• Electrical rooms

• Intercom equipment closets

• Building control panels

The unit should remain accessible for:

• Programming

• Troubleshooting

• Wiring changes

• System expansion

• Replacement

Ideal Applications

• Existing legacy GT Series systems

• Large apartment buildings

• Condominium towers

• Multi-building residential properties

• Mixed-use developments

• Student housing

• Senior-living communities

• Commercial multi-tenant facilities

• Expanded GT audio systems

• Expanded GT video systems

• Replacement and service applications

Important Ordering Information

The Aiphone GT-BCX is a legacy/discontinued component.

Aiphone's current expanded bus control unit is:

GT-BCXB-N

Before ordering the GT-BCX for an existing installation, verify:

• Existing controller model

• Connected entrance equipment

• Tenant-station models

• Concierge station models

• GT-VBX configuration

• GTW-LC equipment

• System programming software

• Existing wiring architecture

For a new GT Series expanded installation, specify the current GT-BCXB-N rather than designing around the GT-BCX.

The following equipment is sold separately unless specifically stated:

• GT-BC audio bus controllers

• GT-VBX expanded video controller

• GT-VBC video bus controllers

• GTW-LC lift-control adaptors

• Power supplies

• Entrance stations

• Tenant stations

• Guard stations

• Intercom wiring

• Other GT Series components