1) Welcome to the Party!
2) As you are obviously new here, I have some suggestions to help us all help you:
When you post, please post your entire configuration including (but not limited to) your installation method and vicidial version with build.
This IS a requirement for posting along with reading the stickies (at the top of each forum) and the manager's manual (available on EFLO.net, both free and paid versions)
You should also post: Asterisk version, telephony hardware (model number is helpful here), cluster information if you have one, and whether any other software is installed in the box. If your installation method is "from scratch" you must post your operating system and should also post the .iso version from which you installed your original operating system. If your installation is "Hosted" list the site name of the host.
If this is a "Cloud" or "Virtual" server, please note the technology involved along with the version of that techology (ie: VMware Server Version 2.0.2). If it is not, merely stating the Motherboard model # and CPU would be helpful.
Similar to This:
Vicibox X.X from .iso | Vicidial X.X.X-XXX Build XXXXXX-XXXX | Asterisk X.X.X | Single Server | No Digium/Sangoma Hardware | No Extra Software After Installation | Intel DG35EC | Core2Quad Q6600
3) 15 seconds is the legal minimum, but 45 seconds will allow more Disconnected numbers to be identified (and not dialed again because NA will be dialed while ADC will not). Or you can run somewhere in the middle and get a mix of human vs machines depending on your clientele (ie: business systems often answer immediately, but are also often machines ... but humans who have answering machines that catch calls if they do not often take anywhere from 25-45 seconds to "kick in" ... and then there are humans who are just slow to get to the phone! LOL). So it's a personal experience for your demographics.