masterklokken

Masterklokken are central time sources that provide a single reference time to multiple clocks within a system, building, or facility. Their primary purpose is to ensure consistent time display and accurate time stamping across all connected devices. A masterklok typically derives its reference from an external time standard, such as an atomic clock, a GPS/GNSS receiver, or a national time scale, and distributes the time to slave clocks or time servers via a distribution network.

Historically, master-slave clock systems were implemented in schools, offices, factories, and broadcasting facilities, evolving from mechanical and electromechanical designs to electronic and digital solutions. In traditional installations, a master clock emits periodic timing signals or time codes over dedicated wiring, and slave clocks adjust their display accordingly. Modern facilities increasingly rely on digital networks that use protocols such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or PTP (IEEE 1588) to synchronize servers and devices across Ethernet, often supplemented by local time codes such as IRIG, DCF77, or WWVB for reference input.

Key components of a masterclock system include the primary time source, the master clock or time code generator, the distribution network, and the slave clocks or time receivers. Variants range from simple, low-cost setups in small buildings to complex, redundant configurations in data centers, airports, or broadcast facilities.

Applications span educational institutions, offices, industrial plants, transportation hubs, and communications infrastructure, where synchronized clocks and precise timestamping support scheduling, logging, safety, and operational coordination. The concept remains central to time distribution in both legacy and modern digital environments.