Installing the PAC-BLU Access Control System

The PAC-BLU access control system is a Bluetooth-operated security system that is managed through a smartphone app. The reading module is mounted inside the secure location. Because this system runs on Bluetooth alone – with no internet connection required – the system stays up and operational even if the Wi-Fi is down.

PAC-BLU, which PACLOCK calls “enterprise keyless security,” simply is an electronic access control system that uses BLE connectivity to allow people to manage an unlimited number of connected devices and users. The name is short for “PACLOCK’s Bluetooth Locking Unit.”

The system consists of the ACCESS series of door controllers and the Sentinel web management platform that can be accessed through the PAC-BLU NexGen app. The software handles all standard EAC requirements, such as audit trails, easy schedule modification and remote granting or revoking of access. It can control drop bolts, electric strikes, solenoids, electromagnetic locks, door openers, and even DC motors.

Last month, Locksmith Ledger provided an overview of this new product. Read at https://locksmithledger.com/21285637. This month, we will install the system and get it up and running. We will start off by explaining how the PAC-BLU system works and the components needed to install and use it out in the field.

Powering Up

The first thing to do when working on electronic access control is select a power supply. For this demonstration, we’re using the Securitron AQ Series power supply. Photo 2 shows the power supply being mounted.

For installation on a single door, all that’s necessary is converted  hard-line or battery power that connects to the controller. The PAC-BLU controllers have two power inputs and convert input power that’s less than 12 volts to 12 volts while supporting 24-volt power natively.

Securely fasten the power supply to the wall using studs or heavy-duty wall anchors. Next, one wire runs in through the top of the power supply into the board (as shown in Photo 3). Then, plug it in and hook the system up to activate it. (Photo 4) The system is very simple and only uses a few wires.

The ASSA ABLOY wiring diagram (Photo 5) provides all of the information you need in order to wire it as an open circuit or closed circuit, fail safe or fail secure as needed for your specific system. It is very easy to work with the positive and negative terminals on this application, requiring only two little screws.

The wire from the power supply is going to run across the roof through the ceiling and drops down into the door area. Photo 8 shows the opening and the wire run down to the door. Where the wire drops down through the door, we put a little surface-mount molding. We could also run the wire behind the door, but we deemed that unnecessary in this case.

In order to confirm that your PAC-BLU unit is activated and working, look for a small, bright blue light on the front of the module. Photo 9 shows the PAC-BLU unit completely lit up with a bright blue light, indicating that it is active and working.

Controlling the Door

The wire loop transfers the power into the door with a steel-braided power transfer (Photo 10). This power transfer is going to go inside the door so that we can attach the Adams Rite Steel Hawk. Two wires need to be hooked up in the actual PAC-BLU unit, and Photos 11 and 12 show how those go into the wiring block. If you are familiar with low-voltage, this should be a very simple hook up.

There is also a clear indication in the cap of the PAC-BLU unit that tells you what all those terminal blocks do, and which wires need to be plugged into what locations. (Photo 13)

For this application, we had to remove the Adam’s Rite deadbolt and install a paddle to exit since we used a Steel Hawk locking device. (Photo 15) The Steel Hawk device (Photo 16) allows the door to open and close, and it will use the PAC-BLU system to grant or deny entry every single time. The paddle is going to provide the ability to exit, whereas the deadbolt would not provide all those features.

Photo 14 shows the entire system, completely done. One of the main benefits of this unit is that there are no reading units outside -- no keypads, no sensors, nothing on the outside of the door. If your customer is looking for a nice clean and sleek look, this unit will do it for them.

PAC-BLU Mini

Two models are available. In addition to the full-sized one used in this installation, PACLOCK provided PAC-BLU mini. (Photos 18 and 19), which does all the things that the other one can do, is just a smaller, more compact module that can fit down inside the frame. This is great for people who want to completely conceal it, making the electronic access portion of this opening almost completely invisible. (In our installation, we had the PAC-BLU mounted on the wall.) The PAC-BLU mini is a great addition to the PAC-BLU lineup.

The ACCESS controller measures roughly 2-7/8 by 3-1/2 by 1-1/8 inches. The ACCESS-Mini is less than half that size at roughly 3 by 1-3/8 by 13/16 inches.

For more information, visit https://www.paclock.com/pac-blu/