When I entered the security industry decades ago, wireless was used only for garage door openers and panic buttons. We adapted the garage door openers to remotely unlock doors. Shortly thereafter, wireless security sensors appeared on the market. They were truly a game changer by eliminating much of the labor-intensive wire pulling associated with security system installation. That was the beginning of a major changeover from wired to wireless. It did not occur exactly overnight, or painlessly, but the transition has occurred.
Besides Wi-Fi, other transmission topologies have come online, providing further impetus for the transition to wireless. And security product manufacturers have responded with a wealth of new products. This month, Locksmith Ledger will highlight five of newest wireless products for locksmiths.
Clay by Salto
The Clay wireless access control system from Salto Systems was introduced to the U.S. market at the 2015 ISC West Show. SALTO is a European access control provider established in 2001.
Designed as a direct hard key replacement, Clay locks can be operated and controlled remotely via cloud-based technology, as well as at the door with keyfob or smart device. The system includes a standalone lock and programmable cylinders so the technology can be adapted to a wide variety of applications.
One of Clay’s unique features is its cloud based software management which does not use the Internet, but rather GSM cellular telepathy. GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services. GSM operates in the 900MHz and 1.8GHz bands in Europe and the 1.9GHz and 850MHz bands in the US. GSM supports data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s, allowing the transmission of basic data services such as SMS (Short Message Service).
Deployment of a locks includes a recurring revenue stream for the GSM cellular and cloud access control system management services. As is the case with other remote site management services, cardholder data and transaction logs are not located on-site and are therefore not subject to tampering, damage or data loss.
Also not being Internet connected, the reliability of the system is not dependent on your customer’s router or Internet connection; there’s no need to get involved with their IT department, their router or their network:three big headaches and potential buzz killers. Even if the GSM goes down, the doors operate independently until the connection heals.
Communications between doors and host are virtually in real-time permitting remote door release on a per event basis, as well as essentially instantaneous event reports and modification to the credential database. These products and services have already been proven and supplied by Clay’s parent company for several years throughout Europe.
Available as both a door lock and cylinder, the product adapts itself to virtually every access control requirement within a facility so all users and controlled points are seamlessly united under the Clay system.
Clay is sold only through professional security dealers and not available in retail outlets or through end-user accessible Internet vendors. Accounts and territories are respected and protected.
Installation of a lock is exactly the same as any other door hardware, and installation time is therefore pretty fast. Locksmiths can view online tutorials and obtain a demo kit for a self install demo in order to familiarize themselves with the unique elements of the system.
The product is covered by a one-year warranty and Clay has establoshed sales and technical support in the U.S.A.
BEA Automatic Door Sensor
I just recently re-certified as an AADM automatic door inspector. AADM provides training and certification for individuals who are involved in the installation and maintenance of low and high energy door operators. Since ANSI had just updated their standard for high energy door operators, I had to familiarize myself with the new rules in order to be re-certified.
Automatic doors are also classified as knowing act or automatic doors. Low energy doors are knowing act. Frequently low energy doors are combined with electromagnetic locks, and doors are operated with access control devices or remote release buttons.
Although ANSI standards do not requiew auxiliary safety sensors on approved low energy operators, I always strongly recommend their use. Low energy operators move the door slowly, and stop when they encounter an obstacle. But in some cases that is not good enough. I’ve witnessed elderly people thrown off balance merely by the door starting to open towards them. I was visiting my daughter in the hospital maternity ward recently and got clocked in the nose by a low energy automatic door. I didn’t fall or bleed, but it was not cool, and had I been walking along with an infant in my arms, it might have been a whole other story.
The BEASENSORS LZR-MICROSCAN is the next generation sensor system for swing door safety. The LZR-microscan automatically adapts and adjusts its detection zones based on the door’s position, ensuring complete and consistent safety. Time of Flight technology eliminates nuisance detections due to changing floor conditions. Adjustable pattern depths offer 100 percent door coverage in all door states (fully open, fully closed, in motion).
The Microscan is listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as a supplementary entrapment detection device. Additionally, the system combines overhead and door mounted presence detection that exceeds ANSI 156.10.8.2.2.3 requirements, further qualifying it as one of the safest swing door sensors available.
Features include:
- Standalone, door-mounted safety system combines overhead and door-mounted presence detection that exceeds ANSI 156.10 section 8.2.2.3
- Reduced installation time due to simple plug and play interface with only four installation parameters needed for standard setup
- Centralized Hub adjustments provide an intuitive installation process and easy to use diagnostic tools
- Self adapting detection zones adapt during door movement to adjust to any
- adjacent walls and guide rails
- Continuous internal monitoring of sensors ensures safety and reliablity.
- External monitoring available with compatible door controls.
- Compatible with most low energy doors – contact sales team for specifics
- Applications include Single Swing Doors, Simultaneous Pair Doors, Dual Egress Doors / Independent Dual Egress, Uneven Pairs, Knowing Act Doors and Fully Automatic Doors.
For more information, visit www.beainc.com or call 1.800.523.2462.
Telegard Smart Garage Door Controller
The Telguard GDC1 works with any automatic garage door opener connected to a sectional garage door with all entrapment protections in place. It can be quickly and easily installed simply by pairing it with a Z-Wave controller, mounting the unit and sensor, connecting two wires and plugging it in.
The GDC1 can be added to a home automation system to receive notifications if a garage door has been opened when it shouldn’t be or ensure that the garage door is closed at a specific time every night. If the system’s Z-Wave gateway has a mobile app, it can be used to remotely control or monitor the garage door from anywhere.
The Telguard GDC1 is compatible with any Z-Wave controller supporting the Binary Switch Command Class, one of the fundamental command classes in Z-Wave home automation, and found in the Z-Wave platform of Telguard’s own HomeControl interactive service and many more.
Adhering to the stringent UL safety guidelines established for the unattended operation of garage doors, the GDC1 is the safe way to remotely open or close a garage door. Because you never know which way a garage door will move, the Telguard GDC1 will attempt to close the garage door a second time if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
For more information, visit www.Telguard.com.
AlarmLock RR Low Power Remote Controls
The ALARMLOCK RR-RECEIVER is a wireless general-purpose remote control receiver that provides remote unlocking to an Alarm Lock locking device, or for any other application requiring a radio controlled solid state relay closure.
A solid-state relay (SSR) is an electronic switching device that operates without mechanical switching contacts such as those found in conventional relays. The advantages of a solid state relay when compared to a conventional relay are lower current draw, smaller size, no moving parts and longer lifespan.
The RR-RECEIVER is factory supplied with Alarm Lock compatible battery connector plugs, simplifying installation within Alarm Lock cylindrical locking devices for wireless "remote release.” It can be used with a standard Alarm Lock battery pack or by simply cutting the power battery connector and using your own power supply
RR-RECEIVER features include:
• Programmable "Relay Closure Duration", "Relay 'Hold Off' Time" and "Relay Toggle Mode" for advanced applications
• Compatible with both the AlarmLock RR-1BUTTON wireless remote and the AlarmLock RR-4BKEYFOB 4-button pocket-size remote. A RR-4BKEYFOB activates up to four separate RR RECEIVERs (for example, each button opens a separate door).
• Can be used to drive high loads such as door strikes or magnetic locks by wiring to an auxiliary high current relay
• Years of operation with a standard Alarm Lock battery
• Relay programming and remote button pairings maintained even when power is removed
• For mortise locks, use the RR-MORTISE kit
When a paired remote button is pressed, its paired RR-RECEIVER relay will typically close within 2 seconds of the button press, and will remain closed for its programmed "Relay Closure Duration" (2 seconds by default, programmable from 1-250 seconds).
After the "Relay Closure Duration" ends and the relay opens, an optional Relay "Hold Off" Time can be added during which time the RR-RECEIVER will ignore all paired remote button presses.
After the Relay "Hold Off" Time ends, the RR-RECEIVER is then ready to respond to the next wireless remote button press. This Relay "Hold Off" Time might be used for mechanical locking devices that require a minimum time to complete their operation, such as an entry gate swinging mechanism or mortise locks that require extra time to complete their mechanical operations
A separate programmable relay option is "Relay Toggle Mode" where each press of a paired remote button causes the relay to alternate back and forth between open and closed states like a toggle switch.
Up to 50 individual remote buttons can be "paired" to one RR-RECEIVER. However, a remote button can only be paired with one RR-RECEIVER at a time. If a paired remote button is later paired with a second RR-RECEIVER, the first pairing will be erased.
For more information, visit www.alarmlock.com
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
