+44 (0) 845 2777 901A coded employee card, usually the size of a credit card, recognisable to the access control system and read by a reader to allow access. It can be used for photo identification of the cardholder and for other data collection purposes. Card technologies include magnetic strips, proximity (active/passive) and smart/intelligent cards.
Access Control
Any system or method which automatically controls the passage of people and vehicles into or out of an area or structure.
Access Level
The door or combination of doors and/or barriers an individual is authorised to pass through.
Access Mask
Electronic alarm masking suppresses the annunciation of an alarm condition that would have been reported in the "secure" mode of operation. Masking does not block the reporting ability of tamper or fault conditions that may not be seen when alarm shunting is used.
Access Point
Each means of entry into a controlled security area, consisting of a card reader, monitor switches and/or latches. Access points are wired to an access control panel.
Access Relay
An electrically operated switch that is activated when access is granted to unlock a door.
Annunciator
An audible and/or visual signalling device.
Anti-Pass back (Anti-Tailgating)
This feature protects against more than one person using the same card or number. It defines each system card reader and card I.D. number as IN, OUT or other. Once a card is granted access to an IN reader, it must be presented to an OUT reader before another IN reader access is granted. Cards will continue to have access to all authorised OTHER readers.
Access Time
The period of time during which an access point is unlocked. (Also see shunt time).
Audit Trail
A listing created which may be created in real time which may be used to monitor the progress of a person through protected areas.
Badge
To use a card key in a reader to gain access to protected areas; a card key itself, especially one with a photo I.D.
Biometrics
Refers to readers that identify human attributes such as fingerprint, hand geometry, voice recognition or retinal analysis.
Buffer Capacity
Refers to the amount of information the system can store, this may include the users, time of day and specific door.
Coercivity
The property of a magnetic material, as on magnetic stripe keys, which is a measure of the coercive force. It is used when describing the strength of magnetic saturation when discussing magnetic stripe card keys.
Database
A collection of data used and produced by a computer program. The files created at the host of the access control system forms its database.
Device Address
Value set on an access control device to determine its unique identity.
Distributed Intelligent Devices
Access control devices that make their own access decisions uploading event messages periodically to the central processing unit for storage.
Door Open Time
The time allowed for a controlled door to remain open after a valid entry. At the expiration of this time, the system records a transaction which may be defined as an alarm. If the alarm bypass relay is used, it would also de-energise at the end of this time.
Egress
Exit, depart, leave (opposite of ingress).
Electric Door Strike
An electric door locking device, usually solenoid operated, that will unlock a door when electric power is either applied, or removed, depending upon the configuration.
Electromagnetic
Pertaining to combined electric & magnetic fields associated with movements of electrons through conductors.
Enclosure
A box or cabinet usually constructed of metal, which houses system components, such as circuit boards and other electronic and electrochemical controls and circuitry.
Executive Privilege
An option which allows a cardholder unlimited access to all operational access points. Access may be without the system referring to any other access parameters, or there may be a PIN-code requirement that has been enabled.
Exit Switch
A push button, switch mat, proximity detector, or other device which starts a timer in the reader interface electronics when someone is leaving through a controlled entry or exit. The timer bypass (shunts) the door-open detector for a selected period of time.
Fail Safe
On loss of power, access points will automatically unlock allowing free access and signal the card access system of a device malfunction or loss of power.
Fail-Secure
An electric lock that requires power to unlock. Also called fail-locked.
Fail-Unlocked
An electric lock that automatically unlocks with any power interruption. Also called fail-safe.
Global Linking
An input at one Access Control panel affecting the output at another.
Guard Tour
A defined route of a security guard.
History
A log of system activity that can be recalled by utilizing the report command. Most systems offer a feature that notifies the console operator of the amount of available storage for history information preventing information from being written over. The message will usually alert the operator to archive the information onto a removable magnetic tape.
Ingress
Enter (opposite of egress).
Key Switch
A switch which must be operated with a key.
Keypad
A flat device which has buttons that may be pressed in a sequence to send data to a controller, and which differs (said to be "non-QUERTY") from a typewriter-like computer board.
LCD
An acronym for Liquid Crystal Display.
LED
An acronym for Light-Emitting Diode.
Magnetic Stripe
A band of ferrous material that is sealed onto or into a card key or credit card.
Modem
Device that converts the computer system's digital information into analogue information and transmits it over a telephone line. Another modem must be used when the information is received to convert the information back from analogue to digital.
Momentary Switch
A switch that, after being activated, automatically returns to its original position; a spring-loaded contact that, when pressed, closes two contacts, and when pressure is removed, opens the contact.
Output Relays
The auxiliary relays found in access control panels or NODES that control external devices.
Parking Gate
A barrier that can be opened or closed to control vehicular access
Passive Infrared (PIR) Detector
A sensor which detects the changes in the radiating infrared light.
Reader
Refers to the "front end" that a user must interact with to allow access. Readers can be keypads, card readers, proximity readers, etc.
Shunt
To bypass. When an alarm is bypassed so that it doesn't activate, it is said to be shunted.
Shunt Time
The time in seconds that a door-open alarm is suppressed after the door has been opened.
Standalone
An access control system that makes its own access decisions without communicating with a central controller.
Strike
A plate mortised into or mounted on the door jamb to accept and restrain a bolt when the door is closed. In some metal installations or with a deadlock, the strike may simply be an opening cut into the jamb. (Synonym: keeper)
Strike Plate
A plate, usually made of metal, mortised into or mounted on the door jamb to accept and restrain a bolt when the door is closed.
Time and Attendance
The ability to utilize the time in and time out information per user for the purpose of keeping track of employee's hours at a facility. Many time and attendance packages work as stand-alone systems, and interface with most payroll software.
Time Schedules
Allows for Access based on time of day, date and user. Also allows for holidays, etc.
Transaction
A record created that contains pertinent information about an occurrence in the access control and monitoring system.
Twisted Pair
A cable composed of two small substantially insulated conductors, twisted together with or without a common covering. Belden 8720 cable, for instance, contains two twisted shielded pairs of stranded wire.
Wiegand Card Key
A plastic card, approximately the shape of a credit card, which has an embedded module of inert, specially treated ferromagnetic wires which generate a voltage pulse that can be sensed by a coil within the card reader.
