Everything you need to install Access Control
If you feel you need the ability to unlock a door via kepad, fob, card or switch then today is your lucky day. I am going to tell you exactly what you need to buy all the bits you need as painlessly as possible.
I appreciate not everyone is going to be a master locksmith and neither am I but you dont have to be these days to install an electronic access control solution. You just need to know what to buy, and here I can help you.
Now there are obviously plenty of different ways to do this depending on how much you want to do, given time I hope to go through as many variations as humanly possible but here I am going to talk about the bare essentials and introduce you to some of the terms used in access control to help you make sense of all the jargon.
1. The lock itself. Typically you will need a mortice nightlatch. This is a latch that automatically locks when slammed closed. The idea being that when being 'buzzed' in through a door, the user walks through when an electric strike (2) is energised, releasing tention at the frame holding the door locked, then with the aid of a door closer (3), it's automatically pushed closed, latch engages with de-engised strike and your safe and secure again.
2. To unlock the a deadlatch as described above is pretty straight forward so this is what we are going to focus on today. What you need here is an electric strike release, this takes the place of the strike or keep in the door frame and relases the latch or bolt allowing entry.
You may see both FAIL LOCKED (F/L) and FAIL UNLOCKED (F/U) as options, put quite simply, F/L is means that if the system suffers power loss then the strike will be stay locked, this is best for high security but would mean that only a key will allow entry. F/U is lower security and will open if power is interrupted, in most cases as a safety measure.
3. As mentioned above if using this method you will probably need a door closer as not everyone can be trusted to close it behind them. Pretty straight forward here but keep an eye on the maximum weight and dimensions when purchasing a closer to make sure its suitable for your door.
4. Power. Most strikes will be run off 12v and/or 24v. Power for this can be taken from an existing alarm system where applicable but you will most likley need a power supply, a 12v 1amp power supply would do you fine.
5. Keypad/Switch/Reader. Whether you need to unlock it from the inside from a switch or from the outside keypad we've got you covered. The ACT 5e digital kepad is a great all rounder and has fob access built in.
There you have it. Below are links to my choices for each of these, in stock and available for you to buy right now.
1. Union L2349 Mortice night latch
2. Adams Rite 7100 Electric Strike Release
3. Briton 1110 overhead door closer
4. Asec boxed 12v DC 1amp Power supply
5. ACT ACT5e Prox Digital Keypad and Reader
6. (Optional) Interior Switch
There you have it, I hope this has been of some use to you and enjoy the world of access control.
All the best,
