When dealing with Orange County card access systems, applying card access to a single wood door with mortise or cylinder, the idea of finding a way to read door status at the transfer hinge is attractive because (1) the labor of running wire to the overhead for a flush-mounted magnetic switch is avoided; and (2) if an authorized-exit lock body is used then all wire that goes to the door frame w...

A standard feature of a card access controller is the “request-to-exit” input. When a controlled door is opened from the secured side (inside), the card access system detects the open door condition with no corresponding access event from the card reader. The request-to-exit (REX) input is activated to inform the card access system that the event is an authorized egress rather than a forced e...

This article will discuss the various components of air handlers as related to larger heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in most commercial buildings. Air handlers connect to ducts that distribute the air through the building. The general components included in an HVAC system are: Blower/fan, Heating and/or cooling elements, Filters, Mixing chamber, Controls, Vibration...

A not uncommon field challenge is to establish two-way communication from a central device to a group of slave devices. An example would be a central system connected to a group of field controllers.

An overview of a building automation system or energy management system.