The simple things in life, they say, are often the best. But does this really stand up to close scrutiny? After all, Paris Hilton, it has been alleged elsewhere, is very simple indeed, but where is the corresponding quality? On the other hand, water is a simple chemical compound, but it is universally acknowledged as being amongst the best things you could drink to help keep you alive. So how does Impro’s simple new Supagate access controller rate?
The Supagate controller is a low voltage stand alone processor with multiple inputs using coded access, proximity reader and RF transmission, together with four programmable changeover relay outputs. The unit is intended for medium domestic to low risk commercial use, where customers might require a variety of methods to restrict and control access through up to four doors.
The equipment displays the European CE declaration of electronic conformity and is guaranteed for a very healthy five years, with a further lifetime warranty on each proximity tag.
The controller was supplied with a single hard wired keypad that houses the integral proximity reader, and a battery operated four channel hand held RF transmitter, called the ImproX QT. The controller is very much a budget type with limited functionality. There is no user log of any kind, no anti passback prevention, nor any ‘door open’ indication.
And curiously, though there are independent output relays to control access through four doors, only two ‘request to exit’ inputs are supported – the implication being that customers will gain reverse access through doors three and four using local mechanical methods or by triggering their QT transmitter from within the controlled area.
All programming is effected by addressing the controller using the four on-board buttons without the use of any keypads or PC interfacing. The programming buttons are mounted on the face of the unit and are not protected in any way, so installers will need to site the controller in a secure location to avoid inquisitive fingers.
Impro has thoughtfully provided metal oxide varistors to connect across each door release to prevent back emf damage.
Construction and design
The rear of the keypad/reader is completely sealed with a tough potting compound to protect the electronics from water ingress and mechanical shock so there are no user serviceable parts to adjust. A single piezo tone sounder is provided inside the keypad to give users an audible indication of correct key press and code confirmation.
Installers should note that the keypad reader is supplied with a pre-connected grey shielded six core cable that is only 2m in length, so this may need to be extended using good quality shielded cable, though only up to a maximum of 16 metres.
The Supagate controller is finished in a tough black tinted polycarbonate with a flexible on-board antenna and a simple LED display to enable programming. Installers will need to provide their own regulated 12v DC power supply, though the unit only draws around 250mA when fully operational.
Though the operating temperature is said to be from -25 up to +60 degrees C, the housing is clearly not sufficiently water proof for external use. It also became apparent that the range of the hand held QT transmitter was limited, giving the best possible operational distance when shown a direct line of sight.
All the wiring connections are effected inside the unit to a vertical terminal strip that is protected by a cover plate. These connections are vulnerable though, because no tools are required to remove the cover.
To program the system requires users to enter to engineering mode using the front case buttons and present proximity tags to the antenna reader. Simple stuff, and end users should be capable of following the instructions to add or delete tags effectively. We were quoted a price of GB pound 1.96 + VAT for each RF tag and 28.60 + VAT for a four channel QT transmitter, which is not bad value. Users can also activate the controller output relays using a PIN at the keypad, or using the hand held transmitter, which itself contains a passive RF tag. The system will only accommodate one hard wired keypad, but any combination of PIN, prox tag or hand held transmitters can be used up to a maximum of 99 users in total.
Operation
The RF tags worked best at a short range of around 50mm, effecting a short enunciation tone locally at the reader for confirmation. It was consistently reliable and the tag itself looked robust and professional. The QT transmitter, however, was disappointing in practical use. The transmission range was found to be easily blocked by normal building materials and preferred a line of sight to work effectively. Even then we only achieved a range of around 20 metres.
The program usefully allowed individual control over each of the four output relays to change over for up to 99 seconds, but less usefully contained no log to show time and date information nor which tags were in or out of the system. We felt the tags are well priced for what is actually a ‘budget’ system, though this is a subjective judgement. It can be argued of course that GB pound 1.96 + VAT is probably half the cost of cutting a key for a standard mortise lock.
Technical literature & backup
As usual there was no support telephone number for BPT or Impro within the technical literature, nor on the packaging. We did call BPT on a Friday afternoon and though the product is not new, the technical information technician was a little unsure of the capabilities of the product, but we got there in the end.
The manual supplied for testing is a simple ten page, A5 booklet with all the necessary information for installing and programming. A simple diagram identifies the wiring colours for connection, and contains all the installation information for most installers.
We did feel that the programming information is in a tabulated form and could have been written more coherently .
There is, in fact, very little programming to be done – but the information seems jumbled and could, we felt, benefit from a rewrite. There is a table at the end of the booklet to record each of the 99 user names and PINs.
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