Subscriber Discussion

Back Up Power For Electronic Access?

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Apr 26, 2017

We have numerous remote facilities that we are adding electronic access. Site users are asking how long will the doors stay powered in the event of power failure? The vendor is stating 4 hours.

Any suggestions as to how to make this 72 hours?

The doors will be fail secure so once the power is gone how do we get in? We talked about a back up key but we will most certainly lose access management(which is very important). Any suggestions? 

MM
Michael Miller
Apr 26, 2017

Are you using maglocks or strikes? 

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Apr 26, 2017

Electronic strikes.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Apr 26, 2017

If the system is POE edge devices add a larger UPS at the switch.  If the system is centralized controllers add larger batteries, and probably a UPS as panels can only charge batteries up to a certain size.
The integrator should know how to do battery calculations.

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UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Apr 26, 2017

Okay good. They are centralized door controllers. The integrator was talking about using truck batteries at a cost of $200 each. Not sure how he planned on charging them. The cost of doing business I guess.  

Any thoughts about a back up system? Some of these sites might take hours to get to and if they are fail safe when they arrive, they will have to break in. I had thought about a key management system tied into the electronic access control system.    

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Apr 26, 2017

I know a few sites we installed deep discharge boat batteries with trickle chargers on them, not too hard to do.  

A mag lock requires power to lock. On a site that every entry is a maglock you can choose one door and can put in a SPDT keyswitch (with a tamper) and wire the tamper and half the switch to an input on the access system and have it send an email/alarm to client saying it has been opened or turned.  The other half would series directly into the lock power to drop power in case of system failure.  We always use a keyswitch that you can install your own lock cylinder in and get the cylinder from the customer to match their mater.

If it is a strike your current key would allow you access.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Apr 26, 2017

If they're centralized then simply purchase an appropriately sized UPS. APC, TrippLite, and Eaton should all be able to sell you appropriate systems based on the power usage of the access control panels. Tripp Lite is my personal favorite and tends to have the best pricing. This also doubles as power protection for your panels.

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UE
Undisclosed End User #1
Apr 27, 2017

Installing an appropriate sized UPS seems to be the way to go. 

Thank you everyone for your help.

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