Access control systems range from a simple one door system to an enterprise wide system covering an entire building’s doors and elevators, spread across multiple buildings in multiple cities.
The basic access control system constitutes:
- Access reader – may be standalone or connected to a software.
- Maglock – an electromagnetic lock that does the actual locking of the door and receives “open door” command from either the access reader, exit button or exit switch.
- Exit button / Exit switch – connected to the access reader and is normally used to open the door from the inside by sending an “open door” command to the access reader.
Larger enterprise-wide installations consist of much more elements including: Access Controllers, Master-slave devices, Override switches, Network switch, server software, door control panels and many more.