A wireless device can be within the stated range, pair successfully, and still become intermittent after installation. Range describes communication potential for planning. Stability describes how the installed Hub–device link continues to perform in the real building.
When a link becomes weak or intermittent, do not begin by moving equipment. First identify whether the issue affects one device, several devices in one area, or devices across different areas. Read the current RSSI in RB Link, compare it with the device’s own earlier record when available, and then follow the matching diagnostic branch. Change one variable at a time, retest from the installed position, and record the result.
Start with the affected scope and the current RSSI
Before inspecting walls or relocating devices, make a short problem record:
• which device or devices are affected;
• which Hub they are paired with;
• when the issue occurs;
• whether anything changed around the device, path, or Hub;
• the current RSSI shown in RB Link;
• the device battery or power status.
RB Link displays an accurate received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value in dBm for every Hub and its paired devices. A value closer to 0 dBm generally represents a stronger received signal. The most useful comparison is the same device against its own commissioning record, earlier service record, or reading before and after one controlled adjustment.
Use RSSI as comparative field evidence rather than a universal pass/fail threshold. It helps show whether the installed path has changed and whether a specific adjustment improved or worsened reception. The affected scope tells you where to investigate next.
An intermittent issue may not appear in one static RSSI reading. When the problem seems connected to a typical site state, keep the device and Hub in the same positions and record RSSI and behaviour under each relevant state. This could mean comparing a shutter open and closed, a movable metal door or item of equipment in its normal alternate positions, or a machine running and stopped. These are observation conditions, not assumed causes: change one state at a time and use the current RB Link reading plus the installer’s acceptance or manual service record for comparison.
If one device is weak or intermittent
Start with the device’s current RSSI and compare it with its own earlier record if one exists. Then choose the next path according to what the comparison shows.
If RSSI is lower or clearly worse than the earlier record
Inspect the installed path in this order:
1. Check the area immediately around the device. Look for a newly installed metal cabinet, shelving, shutter, machine, or other object near the device.
2. Check the path from the device to the Hub. Look for new large metal objects, dense walls, building work, or a changed route through the property.
3. Check the device itself. Confirm whether its installed position, orientation, mounting surface, or immediate surroundings have changed.
4. Check the Hub position and surroundings. Confirm whether the Hub was moved or whether a large metal object was added near it. A Hub movement can first affect only one device that was already on an edge path; other devices remaining stable does not rule out a Hub-position change.
5. Check battery or power status. Confirm that the device’s battery or power condition is normal. This check helps rule out a device-side issue; it is not evidence by itself that the wireless path changed or that battery condition caused a low RSSI reading.
For a Roombanker installation, the recommended Hub mounting height is 1.5–2.0 metres. The Hub must remain at least 50 centimetres from large metal objects. If the Hub has moved, check both the recommended height and the required metal clearance as part of restoring a practical path.
Consider a door contact or detector in a rear stockroom that begins to report intermittent behaviour. The installer first reads its current RSSI, then checks the device area and the route to the Hub. A newly added metal cabinet beside the device, or a changed shutter position along the path, becomes a specific condition to test—without assuming the device itself has failed.
If RSSI is close to the earlier record but the issue remains
Stop moving the device without a clear reason. A similar RSSI reading means the next useful step is to examine the timing and operating context rather than repeatedly changing position.
Check:
• the device battery or power status;
• the time and frequency of the intermittent event;
• recent configuration changes;
• recent environmental changes around the device or Hub;
• whether the event can be observed during one controlled trigger or communication test.
Record the test time, RSSI, device and Hub, observed behaviour, and the action taken. If the intermittent issue remains, prepare that record for technical support instead of continuing with untracked adjustments.
If several devices in the same area are affected
Compare the RSSI readings for the affected group with devices in other areas. The objective is not to rank devices against one universal number; it is to see whether one area shares a different pattern.
Then inspect the common path used by that group:
• the same reinforced-concrete wall or floor;
• a shared metal shutter, cabinet, shelving system, or machine;
• recent renovation or layout changes in that area;
• the route from that area back to the common Hub;
• changes around the Hub that may affect that side of the building.
If several devices beyond the same floor or metal-lined stock area change together while devices elsewhere remain consistent, investigate the shared obstruction and Hub route first. Moving each detector separately can hide the common cause and make the comparison harder.
Make one change to the shared factor, then compare the same group again in RB Link. Record which readings and behaviours changed before deciding whether any individual device still needs separate attention.
If devices across different areas are affected
When devices in unrelated areas change around the same time, start at the Hub and the wider system context. Check:
• whether the Hub was moved;
• whether its power or configuration changed;
• whether a large metal object was added near it;
• whether the Hub still has the required 50-centimetre clearance from large metal objects;
• whether the room or surrounding building layout changed;
• whether the Hub remains at a practical position, with 1.5–2.0 metres as the recommended mounting height.
Do not wait for every device to show the same symptom before checking the Hub. A change at the Hub may first become visible on devices that already use more difficult or edge paths, while devices with clearer paths continue to appear normal.
After reviewing the Hub, compare affected and unaffected device RSSI readings by area. This shows whether the issue is genuinely widespread or whether several local path problems only appeared at a similar time.
Change one variable and retest from the original position
A useful diagnosis must show which adjustment produced which result. Change only one variable at a time—for example, move one nearby metal object, restore one device position, or correct the Hub position—then repeat the same communication check.
Whenever practical, retest the device from its original protected location. Compare:
• RSSI before the change;
• RSSI after the change;
• whether the intermittent behaviour can still be observed;
• battery or power status;
• the exact adjustment made.
If RSSI or behaviour improves after one controlled change, that variable becomes a strong diagnostic lead, not proof that it is the sole cause. Retest from the device’s real working position and, when relevant, under the typical site state linked to the issue before accepting the result. If there is no meaningful change and the problem remains, restore or document the test condition and move to the next evidence-based check, including device power, device state, configuration, or technical support. Avoid changing the Hub, several devices, and surrounding objects at the same time because the result will not show which change mattered.
Know when to stop adjusting and escalate
Escalate the issue when the affected scope, current RSSI, physical-path review, battery or power status, and controlled retest do not explain the intermittent link. Provide technical support with:
• the affected device and paired Hub;
• the event time or pattern;
• the current and comparison RSSI readings;
• battery or power status;
• recent configuration or environmental changes;
• each controlled action already tested and its result.
Use the wireless alarm site survey guide when the project is still choosing positions or has not completed final-position validation. Use the RF jamming detection guide when the Hub reports an RF interference alert. For the wider detector-to-RBF-to-Hub communication concept, continue to how wireless alarm communication works.
Range tells you whether a link is plausible during planning. Stability tells you how it behaves after installation. Start with scope and current RSSI, follow the matching branch, change one variable, and retest from the installed position. That sequence gives the installer evidence for the next action—and a clear record when technical support is needed.