Have you ever wondered how to learn to properly install or adjust a door closer, or what is involved in installing an automatic operator? Are you new to installing card access and want training on programming a new system?
A great source for this type of material is www.midwestwholesale.com. Under the “Education and Resource” tab, you will find a selection for Installation videos. Many major manufacturers have produced high quality videos covering installation and service of their equipment. In many cases, they will breakdown the installation of a specific model into three or four sections, and produce a three to ten minute video for each section.
We currently have 115 videos from 14 different manufacturers. We are constantly adding content from all of the manufacturers we represent. These videos are all installation and/or service training material, not sales oriented.
Beware of the videos not produced by the manufacturer of the product. These are generally low quality and many contain inaccurate or misleading information.
One recurring issue I hear from many of our customers is problems resulting from an inaccurate bill of materials. The tech shows up at the job without everything he needs to complete the installation.
Material shortages or incorrect material can tank the project from a profit standpoint. It is not possible to overstate the importance of a complete and accurate bill of materials (BOM). Many times, in an effort to quickly get pricing for a project, sales/estimating may throw together a BOM, without committing a definitive scope of work to paper. While they may get most of the items needed on the BOM, it can be very easy to omit items such the required keyway, power transfer, or faceplate for an electric strike.
You can build the BOM with a card reader, control panel, electrified mortise lock, power supply and access cards, but if you don’t include an electrified hinge, or you have a power supply with the incorrect voltage output, the project cannot be completed without additional trips, and wasted time. How often have you, or your employees had to make additional trips because you brought the wrong part(s)? Your errors and omissions are generally not considered a valid reason for a billable change order. If you were installing this equipment for a customer next door to your office and had the wrong hinge, even if you had the proper one in your warehouse stock, you would most likely still waste an hour labor for a tech to stop what he is doing and go across the street to get the required parts.
An accurate bill of material, along with a comprehensive scope of work and a project drawing can help you to realize maximum profits on each project.
We have had questions from our customers about the differences in Linear and Switching power supplies. What are they and which do I want to use.
The basic function of an AC to DC power supply is to convert the incoming AC power supplied by the power company into DC output. This is called rectifying. It also transforms the voltage to the desired output voltage level. In order to achieve usable current, it also must regulate and filter the output so that it remains constant under load and consistent regardless of the conditions at the input.
There are two technology approaches for achieving this –linear or switching technology.
Switching power supplies are the most common and popular power supplies in the access control realm. They achieve the voltage step down by switching on and off very rapidly. They use a low-current, high voltage bridge rectifier to transfer power from the input side to the output side. This allows the power supply to operate with less heat and to be made of lighter materials. As a result they are less expensive and weigh less.
However, the switching technology has some drawbacks. These can create interference, referred to as noise and ripple, in several ways.
One way is by operating in a frequency similar to a contactless card reader, which can impact the readers’ ability of the reader to interact with the card. In another, the magnetic field created from the on/off switching of a poorly designed power supply may induce voltage onto nearby wires through inductive coupling. The electromagnetic field itself may cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI), which can impact the performance of audio equipment or technology that relies on RF communication.
This will show up at the reader as reduced read range (having to scrub the card on the reader), rejected reads or “phantom” access attempts.
Linear power supplies achieve the desired output voltage by getting rid of the excess power through resistors. They transfer energy from the input side to the output side via circuitry called a linear bridge.
Because they eliminate excess power through resistance, they can generate a lot of heat and are less efficient. Because of the larger heat sink and heavier core materials needed to support the energy transfer, linear power supplies usually weigh more and usually cost more because of the types of material required.
But because they the always “on” there are no fluctuating magnetic fields and the voltage is steady, so no EMI or RFI. This is why manufacturers of certain equipment require or recommend linear power supplies for use with their devices.
Many of our customers have asked for a glossary of terms related to access control. I have combined several glossaries to make this cover a broad range of terms. If you need a definition that is not listed here, let us know and we will make every effort to add it to the list below. This glossary will also be posted on our website in the “Education and Resource” section.
Triple DES is a specification for the encryption of electronic data which applies the data encryption standard three times to each block.
Controlling entry of people into buildings, rooms, and racks, and controlling the use of keyboards and equipment, by the use of automated devices that either read information stored on an object such a card (what you have), receive a code or password (what you know), or recognize a physical trait by biometric analysis (what you are).
A logical group of doors paired with a time schedule used to determine when and where a card is granted access.
A place along the perimeter of a secure area where there is a door/gate/portal and some type of access control method to screen users attempting entry to the area.
A monitoring point on a panel that checks the status of a device, typically digital (open/closed). Thru the use of resistors, they may also monitor a normal/alarm/short/open.
direction. AC current flows back and forth in the conductor and is expressed in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz).
The temperature of the air in the immediately surrounding environment.
The unit of measurement for the rate of electrical current flow, characterized by the symbols ' I ' (in Ohm's law formulas) or 'A.' One ampere is the current flowing through one ohm of resistance at one volt potential.
A measurement of a battery's capacity. One ampere of current flowing for one hour equals one ampere/hour.
An audible and/or visual signaling device.
The process built into an RFID system that protects multiple cards from being read at the same time when within the readers RF field.
refers to a systems ability to track an individuals in/out status at a facility, typically through entrance and exit card readers. Once a person has entered, they cannot enter again until they have exited.
Application Programming Interface is a source code interface that is provided in order to support requests to be made by other computer programs and/or allow data to be exchanged.
A record of transactions that can be used by an interested party to trace an access control activities during a specific time period.
"nines” or 99.999% – less than 5 minutes of downtime per year.
The amount of data a network can transport in a given time period.
A type of access control card that uses an array of machine readable bars and spaces to represent the encoded information such as card number.
A lock that is controlled by a biometric scanner, such as fingerprint, hand geometry, retina identification, etc.
Establishing personal identity verification using technology to measure a physical or behavioral trait – for example, a fingerprint.
A device which interprets coding resident on or in a credential.
A lock that is opened by pressing its buttons in a specific sequence. It differs from a coded lock in that it typically has only 4-5 buttons, and each button can only be pressed once. The cipher lock was the mechanical precursor of today’s electronic coded lock with a telephone-like keypad.
A lock that is opened by typing a code on a keypad.
A smart card that must make contact with the reader. Compare with contactless smart card.
Electrically conductive points, or sets of points, used to make or break an electrical circuit mechanically.
Maximum load rating of a switch, stated in voltage and/or current.
A smart card that uses RFID technology to enable its use without physical contact with the reader. Maximum distance from the reader is either the proximity range (10 cm. / 4 inches) or the vicinity range (one meter / 3 feet) depending upon which of two RFID standards is used.
Refers to a device or a control that can operate continuously with no off or rest periods.
One of two data lines in Wiegand communications. Data0 (D0) represents the binary”0”.
One of two data lines in Wiegand communications. Data1 (D1) represents the binary”1”.
decibels at a measured distance from the sourse of sound (for example, 125dB at 10 feet).
An irreversible time delay built in the locking device of an opening preventing immediate egress.
A miniature switch typically used to program, set, or change circuit functions. DIP is an abbreviation for the dual-in-line package which houses the switch.
Concentric perimeters of security having different or increasingly stringent access methods. An inner area is protected both by its own access methods and by those of the areas that enclose it and must therefore be entered first.
A device consisting of miniature toggle switches in rows and numbered. It is intended to allow electronic equipment users to change characteristics of the equipment.
A term used to describe a switch or relay output contact form (2 form C) in which two separate switches are operating simultaneously, each with a normally open and normally closed contact and a common connection. This form is used to make and break two separate circuits.
metallic points making (shorting) or breaking (opening) a circuit.
The reversible transformation of data from its original form to a format which is difficult to interpret. This is a mechanism to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data and insure integrity. Encryption requires use of an algorithm and one or more encryption keys.
A coil of wire, usually wound on an iron core, that produces a strong magnetic field when current is sent through the coil.
Resistance in a supervised circuit, usually at the farthest point from the alarm control unit, restricting the flow of current to a known value which is monitored. Shorting the circuit in an attempt to bypass protective devices in the loop (i.e., door contacts) will create increased flow of current and cause an alarm. Opening (breaking) the circuit also triggers an alarm if the system is armed, or a supervisory signal, if the system is disarmed.
One of the physical traits that can be measured by biometric technology – the relative position of eyes, nose, and mouth on the face.
In biometric identification, the erroneous result of identifying someone who isn’t in the database of known people. It is one of two ways biometric identification can fail; the other is false rejection.
In biometric identification, the erroneous result of failure to recognize a known person. It is one of two ways biometric identification can fail; the other is false acceptance.
False Acceptance Rate. For a biometric device, the percentage of readings that are a false acceptance.
A term used to describe an electric lock that has a mechanical state of being locked and requires power to unlock it. Also known as electrically unlocked.
A switch mechanism which contains three terminal points: Open, Closed, Common.
The way that the information (parity bits, facility code and card #) is organized on the credential.
False Rejection Rate. For a biometric device, the percentage of readings that are a false rejection.
A device for providing isolation and control of the flow of information between a computer and authenticated devices on the network.
An electrical conductor that leads from a device to an earth ground connection.
A technique for biometric identification that measures three-dimensional hand geometry – the shape of the fingers and the thickness of the hand.
The international unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second; named after the German physicist Heinrich Rudolph Hertz (1857-94).
A wiring method in which each device has a separate wiring run to the control panel.
A computer that primarily provides services such as computation, data base access, or special programs and/or services.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive calling for a mandatory government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of ID issued by the federal government for access to federally controlled facilities and networks..
A microchip similar to those used in smart cards but housed in a round stainless steel button about a half inch in diameter, which can be attached to a key fob or jewelry. iButtons are extremely rugged, but are not available with RFID technology for contactless use.
International Foundation for Protection Officers. A non-profit organization founded for the purpose of standardized training and certification of protection officers. Its Security Supervisor Training Manual is a reference guide for protection officers and their employers.
A type of access control card that has a bar code sandwiched between two layers of plastic. The reader passes infrared light through the card, and the shadow of the bar code is read by sensors on the other side.
An influence exerted by a charged body or by a magnetic field on neighboring bodies without apparent communication; electrifying, magnetizing, or inducing voltage by exposure to a field.
The initial surge of current through a load when power is first applied. Lamp loads, inductive motors, solenoids and capacitive load types all have inrush or surge currents higher than the normal running or steady state currents. Resistive loads, such as heater elements, have no inrush.
A solenoid designed to be energized for short periods of time. Continuous operation may damage an intermittent duty solenoid.
A technique for biometric identification that maps the pattern of colors in the iris of the eye.
A series of international vendor independent standards for proximity RFID that establishes guidelines for two types of smart cards (A & B). The most common application requires a read within 4 inches of the reader and includes Classic MIFARE, EV1, DESFire and PIV.
A series of international vendor independent standards for vicinity RFID that establishes guidelines for smart cards that can read up to 1.5 meters.
specific form factor of credential that generally refers to a hard plastic disk that is carried on a key chain.
The range of security protection, low to high, provided at concentric perimeters – the least secure at the outermost perimeter (such as entry to the building) and the most secure at the innermost perimeter (such as access to a rack).
A diode, a solid-state device, that gives off virtually heatless colored light when electric current is passed through it. LEDs are very efficient and long-lasting and are often used for digital readouts and annunciators. Common colors include red, green and amber.
A voltage loss occurring between any two points in a power or transmission line. Such loss, or drop, is due to the resistance, reactance or leakage of the line.
When an input changes the state of an output.
A defined set of actions or commands that will be executed based on a trigger event.
A type of access control card that uses a magnetic strip to store information; read by inserting or swiping through a reader.
Able to be monitored and controlled remotely. Manageable access control devices can communicate with a remote management system for monitoring (who’s coming and going and when), control (configuring the device to allow access to certain people at certain times), and alarm (notification of repeated unsuccessful access attempts or device failure).
An airlock-style arrangement having secured doors for entry and exit, with room for only one person between the doors. It is a solution to the security loophole called piggybacking or tailgating, in which an unauthorized person freely passes a security checkpoint by following an authorized person through an open door.
Hiding or suppressing alarms which do not need to be viewed.
A prediction of the time interval between system failures. Should be measured in thousands of hours/possibly years.
A contactless and dual smart card chip technology produced by NXP that is fully compliant with ISO-14443.
A facility that must operate 24/7/365 regardless of availability of power/water/fuel/etc. Examples would be corporate data center, 911 dispatch, military facilities.
A credential that contains two or more technologies (i.e. proximity, smart card, magnetic stripe).
A reader with the capability to read two or more card technologies (i.e. proximity, smart card, magnetic stripe).
Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure. Elements of a data center’s physical infrastructure (as distinguished from IT infrastructure such as routers and storage managers) that contribute directly to availability by ensuring uninterrupted operation. NCPI includes power, cooling, fire suppression, and physical security.
A very high level of security, with access restricted to people who have a specific, immediate need to be in the secured area (for access to particular data, for example), with access only allowed for the time period during which that need exists.
Unit of electrical resistance. One OHM is the resistance which allows one ampere of current to flow through a conductor at one volt.
Personal Access Code. Another name for PIN (Personal Identification Number) – a code or password that identifies a user at an access point.
A code or password that identifies a user at an access point.
Protecting physical facilities from accidents or sabotage caused by the presence of unauthorized or ill-intentioned people. A physical security system includes access control devices for automated screening at entry points, plus a sensor-based alarm system. Additional protection may include camera surveillance and security guards.
An access control card that has an onboard RFID transmitter/receiver, allowing it to communicate with a reader from a distance of up to one meter (3 feet). Typically 125KHz frequency.
A smart card that has RFID technology in its chip, so that it can communicate with the reader from a distance of up to 10 cm. (4 inches). Also called a contactless smart card. Typically 13.58MHz frequency.
A solid state electrical device that will allow current to flow in one direction. It is designed to convert AC current to DC current.
An electrically controlled device that opens and/or closes electrical contacts.
An electrical component that provides a defined amount of resistance.
A technique for biometric identification that maps the pattern of blood vessels in the retina of the eye.
A request-to-exit device used as an input on an access control system to signal authorized egress.
Radio frequency identification. Communication between card and reader without physical contact. RFID technology is what makes proximity cards, vicinity cards, and contactless smart cards work. The RFID chip is powered by an electromagnetic field from the reader.
A multidoor system in which all doors are normally closed and locked. Opening any door will will disable the door releases of all other doors.
Length of time that an input will be masked.
A term used to describe a switch or relay contact form (1 form C) that has a normally open and a normally closed contact with a common connection.
A switch with only one moving and one stationary contact, available either normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).
A type of access control card that stores information in a microchip. The chip not only stores data, but can perform computation and exchange data with the reader. It is read by touching the card to the reader so that the electrical contacts line up. See also contactless smart card.
Small objects of any shape that contain the same type of chip used in a smart card. Smart media are typically small objects (tokens) that can be attached to a key ring or worn as jewelry.
The use of ordinary guile and deceit to con people into relaxing security procedures – for example, such as revealing passwords, lending keys, or opening doors.
A digital input which monitors the status of a device, typically the door of an enclosure.
In biometrics, a computed transformation of a scan – still unique to the individual but taking up much less storage. It is the template, not the raw scan, that is stored in a database of users or on the chip of a smart card, for comparison to a live scan taken at an access point.
In biometrics, the user-adjustable parameter that can be used to adjust the two failure rates (false acceptance and false rejection). Since it represents “How close is close enough?” decreasing one of the failure rates automatically increases the other.
Consists of time ranges that are associated with days of the week or holidays, and are often used with access levels or as trigger events.
A small object with a microchip that carries your personal identifying information. The token is touched to a reader, or simply brought within range if it includes RFID capability.
An event or manual action that will cause another event or execution of a macro.
An access control card that has an onboard RFID transmitter/receiver, allowing it to communicate with a reader from a distance of up to one meter (3 feet).
In biometrics, a digital representation of a user’s voice used for comparison with the user’s live speech at an access point.
Voltage loss experienced by electrical circuits due to two principal factors: (1) wire size and, (2) length of wire runs.
The common unit of electrical power. One watt is dissipated by a resistance of one ohm through which one ampere flows.
A type of access control card that uses imbedded work-hardened wire (Wiegand wire) to hold information read by swiping it through a reader.