Access Control & Electrified Hardware

Power Transfers

Power Transfers create a bridge for electrical current between the frame and door when electrified hardware such as electrified locksets are used. These are available in the following variations:

1. Electric Hinges
2. Electrical Power Transfers
3. Door Cords/Current Transfer Loops
4. Inductive Coupling Power Transfers

Electrified Locking Hardware

Electrified Locking Hardware accomplish the actual unlocking of a door. They are available in three main variations:

1. Electric Strikes
2. Electric Locksets and Exit Devices
3. Maglocks

Electrified Locksets

Available in fail safe or fail secure operation, with a mortise or cylindrical body, electrified locksets can be the solution for controlling access to a room or area.
Applying or removing power unlocks the lever while the door remains latched, maintaining the integrity of a fire rated door.

Latch Retraction Devices

Whether purchasing a new device to replace an existing, or installing a retrofit kit on an existing device, electronic latch retraction can be provided for most industry-leading exit devices and mortise locks. When power is applied to the device, the latch is pulled back (retracted) which allows the door to be pushed or pulled open.

Electric Strikes

One of the most traditional forms of electrified hardware is the electric strike. Available in fail safe or fail secure operation, power controls the strike gate to allow a projected latch to pass through providing entry and/or egress.

Magnetic Locks

Where latching hardware does not provide sufficient security, such as at a Hospital or Long Term Care facility, magnetic locks can be used as an alternative or in conjunction with latching hardware in order to prevent non-authorized egress.

Credential Readers

Credential Readers are used to control access to a room or building area. They can be either wall-mounted, or fully integrated within a door mounted lockset. They are available in the following formats:

1. Smart
2. Proximity
3. Keypad
4. Biometric
5. iButton

Credentials

Smart and proximity cards are available in several different form factors. The most common are cards and fobs. As smart card technology becomes more prevalent, form factors such as sticky patches, wrist bands, and watches have become more common.

Power Supplies

A wide variety of power supplies are available; from output power and current to on-board switching, battery backup, or fire alarm integration options.

Terminology

Access Control System:the combination of a credential, a reader, a controller, a power supply and an electric unlocking mechanism, which combine to allow a system administrator the ability to grant or deny access to a controlled area. In its simplest form an access control system unlocks a door for an authorized user; in advanced configurations, user access can be designated by day and time, system administration is managed via computer, and audit trails are created.

Audit Trail: a record, both historical and in real time, of all events that occur within the parameters of an access control system. This record will include events such as access granted or denied, notifications of a door being propped or forced open and system update information. An audit trail can be used to monitor the movements of an individual through secured areas both in real time or historically. Audit trails can also be searched for specific events, i.e. which individual’s accessed a specified area, between specified hours on a specified day.

Biometric Reader: a reader that identifies human attributes such as fingerprints or hand geometry. Biometric readers offer the greatest security.

Controller: the “brain” of an access control system, this circuit board receives data from a reader, compares the data against its database of authorized users, and when it finds a match signals the unlocking mechanism to allow access.

Credential: a user associated item that is used in conjunction with a reader to identify an individual to the access control system. It may take the form of a card, key fob or PIN number, and in the case of biometric readers, a fingerprint or hand.

Fail Safe: an electric unlocking mechanism, which upon loss of power or malfunction, remains in an unlocked state.

Fail Secure: an electric unlocking mechanism, which upon loss of power or malfunction, remains in a locked state.

Keypad: a reader that features the universally recognizable numerical keypad. Keypads identify PIN numbers; they may be combined with another type of reader to create dual credential access points.

Online System: an access control system which is connected and managed at all times by a computer. The connection maybe hardwired or wireless; this form of system allows for the greatest level of administrative control.

Proximity Reader: a reader that decodes the ID code on a proximity credential. No direct physical contact is required; credentials are decoded when they are within 2” – 8” from the reader. When required, proximity readers are available that provide a further read range of 2’ – 15’.

Standalone System: an access control system which does not require connection to a computer for system administration. Standalone systems generally incorporate the reader and controller into a single package; they are programmed through the reader and provide little or no audit trail. These economical systems typically replace keyed locks, but with the added advantage of being able to deny access without having to physically retrieve a key or re-key a lock.

Time and Attendance: the combination of an access control system and specialized software that allows the system administrator to process employees’ attendance records electronically. The reader that is used for clocking in and out can be located centrally (i.e. a staff room), or it can be a reader that also controls an access point (i.e. staff entrance).