Kaba E-Plex® 3000: Standalone Access Control For Narrow Stile Doors

KABA has met and mastered the challenge of narrow stile standalone access control with its new attractive, ruggedly built, easy to install and program E-Plex® 3000 Series.
Do not confuse the KABA E-Plex 3000 with the older mechanical Simplex 3000 which is one of KABA’s popular mechanical pushbutton locks.

The E-Plex 3000 Series is designed for narrow stile door applications.  Various models are available to provide deadlatch, deadbolt or exit functionality.

The E-Plex 3000 series is equally suitable for new or retrofit projects, and is available in Standard Satin Chrome or optional Dark Bronze with Satin Brass accents.

The E-Plex 3000 series is the ideal solution for retail applications. It means one less key to issue employees; it enables management to track when employees actually open in the morning and it eliminates those 5 p.m. Friday emergency rekeys after an unscheduled personnel dismissals.

The system allows five user levels to accommodate many tiers of control, making it suitable for mom and pops, retail franchises, or other applications such as condo clubhouses or kiosks.

This unit sports the same rugged and easy to operate pushbuttons and keypad as its other E-Plex siblings. I cannot recall a complaint from a client over difficulties operating an E-Plex keypad. Come to think of it, I don’t recall any problems with any E-Plex we’ve installed.

Programming the E-Plex 3000 is almost identical to programming the rest of the E-Plex models. Additional lock functions are included with the versatile E-Plex 3000, which I will discuss later in this article.

The E-Plex 3000 has 300 access codes and a 9,000-event audit trail, and like the other E-Plexes, it even records key override usage.

It is keypad programmable or may be managed with optional Microsoft Excel- based software.

Like the other E-Plexes, the system requires no wiring to or through the door, simplifying installation and increasing reliability.

The E-Plex interfaces with a variety of Adams-Rite mortise locks and inside trim including Adams Rite locks 1850 1950, 4070, 4510, 4520, 4530, 4710, 4720, 4730, 4900, 4920AN, MS 1850S, MS 1950S and 8400 (Exit) Series.

The E-Plex may be used on inswinging or outswinging doors and is field-handed for LH or RH as required.

The battery pack consists of four AA alkaline batteries. Replacing batteries does not require removal of the unit from the door. A set of batteries provides 180,000 cycles, so you won’t have to worry about changing batteries for quite a while.  During a low battery condition, the lock will operate with a constant “low battery status” visual indication until new batteries are installed.

The various E-Plex 3000 lock models can be configured on-site to work in one of three lock functions as defined by KABA. These functions are not consistent with BHMA lock functions, and are specific to the KABA E-Plex 3000 series.

Factory Mode
The master code is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. Entering this code unlocks the E-Plex.
The default programming sequence is: #-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-# which must be used to set certain lock parameters and to create a new master code.
The master code must be changed before the E-Plex 3000 can be placed into access mode (the mode used to control the unlocking of the door with codes) or before the programming mode can be used, either manually at the keypad or with the optional software.
While in factory mode, you can set users’ code length. All users must have the same length code. The code may be from 4 to 8 digits long.  The default length is 4 digits. If you are happy with four digits, it is unnecessary to reprogram this parameter.

Access Mode
This is the normal operation mode in which the KABA E-Plex 3000 controls access.

Pushbutton Programming
Special Master and/or Manager code sequences are entered into the E-Plex’s keypad in order to put the unit into Pushbutton Programming Mode. System programming is performed in this mode.
Seven procedures are available for configuring the lock, and 20 procedures are available for managing User Codes. You’ll typically have to configure the lock once when you are installing it, and you actually can perform these steps in the safety and comfort of your shop or vehicle.

User Code procedures are done as needed, but they are straightforward and clearly explained in the manual and quick programming guide. Fast and cordial tech support is also just a phone call away, so you’re really never alone when you’re a KABA dealer.

User Levels: Most locksmiths are already familiar with the concept of user levels. If you use a computer network, you know the Administrator has more privileges than you.
Electronic access control systems do their work by allowing certain individuals through certain doors at certain times. User levels in the E-Plex conform to these concepts by allowing higher level users the ability to control the locks configuration and users’ access rights.

The optional E-Plex Standard Software is similarly protected.
There are five different classifications of User, and the E-Plex 3000 can accommodate one Master user, and then up to 299 other users, in any combination desired. As a practical matter, you do not want to turn too many people loose with manager level codes.

Master User: The Master User is the top level manager who performs the initial lock setup activities and can program all lock functions. The installing locksmith is usually the Master User while he or she is setting up the system. Then the client becomes the Master User by reprogramming the Master User code after the locksmith’s work is done.

 Manager User: A Manager can program all lock functions except:
•           Defining the Access User

Code Length
•           Modifying the lock ID
•           Modifying the Master User Access Code
•           Changing the Date and Time
•           Resetting to Default values
•           Activating Lockout Mode
•           Adding/Deleting/enabling/disabling a Manager User

Access User: An Access User has the ability to open the lock with a valid user code.
Service User: A Service User is a user with a time limit for how long the code will operate the E-Plex. The length of time the access code will operate the lock is programmable for one use only, or up to 24 hours once the access code is used for the first time. You could ostensibly program every user in as a service code, but you would need to reprogram the lock every day. (If the goal was to prevent users to access over the weekend, the manager or master could just lockout all users.)

M-Unit User: The M-Unit User (Maintenance User) is only applicable when used with a handheld PDA and the optional E-Plex software for advanced lock programming and to retrieve information from the lock, such as audits.  The M-Unit code can not be used as a user code to gain access.

E-P3K Latch Holdback  (Referred to as Mode 54 in programming): When programmed for this function, the E-Plex remains unlocked indefinitely, for example during normal business hours. Unlike the Passage Mode, the relock is not automatic and the user must remember to de-activate this mode and lock it back at the end of business hours.

The Latch holdback mode is the same as if you were dogging the latch. Once set to Latch back, the door swings freely until it is reset. Latch back can be invoked by either a key of by using the programming mode.
Passage Mode: Similar to Latch Holdback above but keeps the latch extended so the door will not blow open in the wind, as an example. To get in, you need to actuate the lever on the E-Plex 3000.  User codes are not required when the lock is in passage mode.

The E-Plex #3000 always allows free egress at all times.

The optional E-Plex Standard Software not only operates with the E-Plex 3000 series locks but also works with Kaba’s popular E-Plex 5000 series locks.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Kaba Access Control, 2941 Indiana Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Telephone: 800-849-8324 or 336-725-1331. Web site: www.kaba-ilco.com.