One of the essential principles of selling is to "offer a choice", since the mind of a potential buyer is far better engaged with "which one will best suit my requirements?" rather than "we had better look at others before making a decision". We will see just how wide a choice is available from the four Kantech IoProx proximity readers tested.
The IoProx readers are operated by presenting a valid card/tag within the read range; success is indicated when the bicolour LED changes from red to green for approximately half a second, accompanied by a beep on the piezo buzzer; a coded signal is sent to the controller/interface using the 26-bit Wiegand format. The reading range is stated between 10 and 15cm, depending on the model chosen.
The factors involved in the choice of model come down to size and facilities required. Two models, the P100 (mini) and P200 (mullion) – at just 44mm wide – are suitable for mullion mounting; while the P300 (single gang) and P400 (double gang) models are considerably wider at 70 and 115mm respectively.
Optional command buttons are available for the P200 and P400 models. These can be connected as call buttons, or exit terminators on intruder alarm systems for example. For added security, tamper switches are available for the P200, P300 and P400 models.
Three different types of card and a keytag are available, individually coded and outwardly identifiable. One type of card, in addition to the proximity system, has a magnetic stripe which can be used to operate other equipment such as barrier systems, copiers and to make canteen payments. The IoProx offers a very versatile range of options.
Construction
The electronic components of each IoProx reader are contained within a hard resin potted block measuring approximately 36 x 66 x 10mm, bonded behind the cover. This block includes the bicolour LED in all models and the piezo buzzer in the two smaller versions, the P100 and P200. The two larger versions have the buzzers mounted outside the component block.
In the three larger models, the cover is reinforced with an inner peripheral channel of resin, resulting in a good solid item with an index of protection rating of IP 65 – dust-proof and waterjet-proof. All are available in the Henry Ford colour range – black! The P200 and P400 covers have knockouts and securing arrangements for a twin command button module. Each button has NO/C/NC contacts and is independent of the other.
Each reader has one third of a metre of six- cored cable, entering the reader perpendicularly at the rear, for through-wall installation.
The readers are secured either directly to the mounting surface in the case of the P100 and P200, or onto a backing plate supplied with the P300 and P400 models. An appropriate sticker is provided with each reader to hide the securing screw(s) and command button knockouts. The result is very neat and unobtrusive appearance, leaving just the LED lens exposed.
Installation
The length of cable fitted to each reader is not excessive but will just reach through a standard brick cavity wall. This restricts the options for positioning the junction box when connecting external readers, but the manufacturer offers the option of 5m of extra cable attached.
The P400 (double gang), a North American reference presumably, covers a standard UK sized single gang mounting box and also has suitable securing holes in its backplate. This will facilitate neater cable extension.
The recommended maximum length of cable depends on the supply voltage used: 150m for a 5v DC supply; 300m for a 12v DC supply, using 22 AWG (0.34 millimetres squared), unshielded, three twisted pair, solid conductor cable.
Additional cover stickers are provided with the optional command button module, which indicate the button position; one is marked with a sounder symbol for the call button, the other with a star.
Performance
The readers can be powered at any time using a DC supply in the range 5 – 14v. On initial power-up the LED shows red, followed by four rapid green flashes (with bleep accompaniment) then back to red.
On the bench, the current drawn from the supply was not dependent on the value of the supply voltage and surprisingly dropped from 75mA to around 55mA when a valid card was placed within reading range.
Despite the specification, the maximum reading range for all the types tested was the same at around 10cm using the standard shell card, reducing to around 8cm with a dye-sub cards and 5cm using the keytag.
The credit card sized cards worked without being removed from a wallet, while keytag operation was not noticeably impaired with a bunch of keys attached.
The sheet supplied included mounting instructions, technical specification and a wiring diagram. The instructions are brief, clear and adequate, but there is not a description of the response on initial power-up, or when a valid key is presented.
Who our experts are...
Security Installer's testers are not full-time members of staff. They are independent working installation engineers with many years of practical experience on the tools. Their identities are unknown to the manufacturers of the equipment they test, and the manufacturers are not allowed to see the report before publication.
Our experts write for the installer, not the manufacturer. However manufacturers have, over the years, changed the design of a product to take account of our criticisms, which are made constructively and impartially.
What the manufacturer says …
When discussing proximity readers with installers, the first questions always asked are: How easy and cost-effective is it to install? What can it do? How does it look? and What will it cost? For a product to be successful, a manufacturer needs to gather feedback from engineers, buyers and end-users and use this as a platform on which to design and manufacture a product.
The result of this is the IoProx range, which offers a multitude of options, features and benefits to every level of user. The IoProx readers can be connected to virtually any controller on the market with a 26-bit interface. This allows the installer to benefit from using the IoProx with systems they already use and install.
The task of installing was considered at an early stage, especially problems associated with cabling. To save on installation costs the IoProx can be fitted using standard unshielded three twisted pair cable. The readers can then be situated up to 300m from the controller.
The IoProx is not only economical but also rich in features and optional extras. All models come with an integrated piezo buzzer and bicolour LED and benefit from the option of having 5m of extra cable.
An optional integrated command button can be added to the P200 and P400 models and can be used to perform different functions such as alarming/disarming an alarm panel, or serving as a doorbell when connected to a buzzer. The P200, 300 & 400 models can be fitted with a tamper switch for added security.
Our philosophy is to offer the customer an option. The IoProx can be mounted on a doorframe, wall, and single gang box or even within an entry panel. These low profile readers will not look out of place in virtually any premises – the P100 reader measures smaller than a credit card.
Overall assessment
The IoProx 26-bit proximity readers all have their electronic components potted in a similarly sized resin block, giving outstanding weather protection. There is very little difference between the operating characteristics of each of the four models tested. Outwardly they are neat, soundly constructed and highly resistant to vandal attack. Various combinations of command buttons and a tamper switch are available for all except the smallest version. Installation is straightforward. The larger version will cover a standard UK single gang mounting box, eliminating the need for other junction boxes. A range of individually identified cards and a keytag are available; one card has an additional magnetic stripe for use with other systems. The available features and options, along with the sensible pricing, should make the IoProx range of readers well worthy of consideration for access control.Source
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