Increase of BMS cables sale

Increase of BMS cables sale

The global IBMS market is highly fragmented with the presence of several global and local vendors. Global vendors mostly operate as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), catering to the requirements of the end-user through distributors/dealers or system integrators. Technical knowledge and ability to customize based on end-user requirement by vendors will hold the key to a strong foothold in the market.

Building management system cables also commonly known as BMS cables, intelligent building cables or automation cables are used to automate all of the systems in place within a building or home. Research suggesting the BMS market will reach $19.25 million by 2023; it’s even more of an opportunity for electrical contractors to capitalize.

The global IBMS market will continue to grow at a healthy pace throughout the forecast period. Apart from energy and cost savings, other important drivers are the degree of flexibility provided by open IBMS solutions, the high degree of productivity it provides, and a higher return on investment along with enhanced security. These factors are attractive to many businesses, thus driving the market growth.

An advance Building Management System can control the safety in homes and offices, monitoring doors and windows for alarm systems and detect floods and fires. Equipment and installations are designed for the control, monitoring and optimization of various functions and services provided in a building that includes: heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting, security systems and the operation of electric / electronic applications. 

A shielded cable that is not grounded does not work effectively. Any disruptions in the path can raise the impedance and lower the shielding effectiveness. Firstly make sure you have a cable with sufficient shielding for the application's needs. In moderately noisy environments, a foil alone may provide adequate protection. screened cable (plural screened cables) Wire for the transmission of electricity or electronic signals, protected by an enclosing web of earthed wire mesh to avoid electromagnetic interference from (or to) other signals. Grounding: a point in contact with the ground, a common return in an electric circuit and a arbitrary point of zero voltage potential. It also provides personal safety and protects the equipment. Control the voltages developed on the ground when the earth-phase short circuit returns through a near or distant source. Provide a stable voltage reference to signals and circuits. Minimize Electromagnetic Emission (EMI) effects.

Shielding: The shield must be connected to the signal reference potential of what is being protected. When there are multiple segments keep them connected, ensuring the same reference potential. The shielding is only efficient when it establishes a low impedance path to the ground. A floating shielding does not protect against interference. The use of non-magnetic metals around conductors does not shield against magnetic fields.

The cabling of the industrial communication systems (Modbus RS485) is different in some ways from the cabling used for power cabling and the electrician may experience some difficulties if he is not an expert in Modbus communication networks. A Modbus RS485 connects a Master device to one or more Slave devices. Henceforth, we shall consider Slave devices to be measuring instruments with serial communication, even if the cabling is similar for all Modbus devices.

Cable Selection

You should consider the following:

·         How many conductors do you need?

A minimum of three conductors, but the shield may be used as the common conductor, so shielded two conductor cable may be used. If you do not use shielded cable, then at least three conductors are required. Some RS-485 devices do not use a common connection, but we recommend always connecting common for reliable performance and to avoid damage due to surges.

·         What wire gauge do you need?

·         For unterminated networks, the current will generally be less than 10 mA and any gauge should work; we recommend #24 AWG to 18 AWG.

·         For terminated networks, the current can be 60 mA or higher, so heavier gauge wire may be needed for very long runs.

·         We recommend #22 to #20 AWG for runs up to 1000 ft. (~300 m).

·         We recommend #20 to #16 AWG for runs up to 4000 ft.(~1200 m).

·         What should the cable impedance and capacitance be?

Cables suitable for use in an RS-485 network should have an impedance of between 100 and 130 ohms, a capacitance between conductors of less than 30 pF per foot (100 pF per meter), and a capacitance between conductors and shield less than 60 pF per foot (200 pF per meter).

·         Do you need shielding?

Because RS-485 is differential, it is less susceptible to interference, so shielding is not always necessary. However, we recommend shielding for long runs and if there is electrically noisy equipment nearby like variable speed drives. If you use shielded cable, connect the shield to earth ground at one end (generally the PC or RS-485 master).

·         Do you need twisted wires?

Yes, especially for non-shielded cable.

·         What voltage rating do you need?

We recommend wire or cable rated for the highest voltage present. So if you are monitoring a 120/208 Vac panel, you should use 300 V rated cable. If you are monitoring a 480Y/277 volt circuit, use 600 V rated cable. If you have the WattNode in a separate enclosure and there is no way the mains wires can contact the Modbus output cable, then you could safely use lower voltage rated cable, such as 150 V or lower. Long runs of 300 V or 600 V rated cable may be expensive, so it may be more economical to use lower voltage rated cable and use a protective jacket in the regions where the cable is in the vicinity of dangerous voltages.

·         Can you run the RS-485 network cable adjacent to or in the same conduit with mains wires?

We strongly recommend against this. There may be interference from the high voltages and currents present on the mains wires, and if there is any insulation fault, arcing, etc. on the mains wires, it could put dangerous voltages on the low-voltage RS-485 network cable.

Most modern buildings now incorporate some form of BMS, focusing primarily on energy efficiency and saving costs. Whether that’s through proximity sensor lighting, climate control, door entry or security, they all work to achieve the same goal.

Efficient lighting control in a BMS system is just one way of reducing energy and saving costs for building owners. Using BMS, lighting can be automatically adjusted, depending on natural light detected or amount of people in the building. These cables are available in Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF), meaning they give off minimal smoke and toxic fumes. This is ideal for installation in public buildings such as schools, hospitals or airports where evacuation may be difficult in the event of a fire.

Unlike what happens in many energy distribution systems, the manner in which the devices are connected in parallel is important. The RS-485 system used for Modbus communication provides a main cable (Bus or backbone), to which all the devices have to be connected with branches (also known as stubs) that are as short as possible. The branches must be no longer than 1200 mtr.

Maximum distance and maximum number of devices. The main cable must be no longer than 700 m! This distance does not include the branches (which must nevertheless be short). The maximum number of devices that can be connected to a main cable is 32, including the Master.

In order to increase the extent of the Modbus network, repeaters can be used; and signal amplifying and regenerating devices provided with two communication ports that transfer to each what they receive from the other.

The cable shield must be earthed only in one point. Normally, this connection is made at one end of the main cable.

In order to avoid signal reflections, a 120 Ohm termination resistance must be fitted on each end of the main cable. The end resistance must be used only at the ends of the main cable. If the total length of the main cable is less than 50 m termination resistances can be avoided at the ends of the main cable.

Fire safety is another major reason why owners may consider installing a BMS system into their building. High performance fire survival cables provide an excellent solution for connecting BMS with fire systems. The data and coaxial ranges are designed to carry on functioning in the event of a fire and provide vital signals to voice alarm, CCTV and allow systems to be shut down in an orderly fashion. Meeting specific fire resistance requirements.

Video Auditing and False alarm issue

Video Auditing and False alarm issue

False alarms are a major problem plaguing the intrusion alarm and remote monitoring services industry. Between 90% and 95% of alarms reported to the central monitoring stations turn out to be false.

Most large organizations depend on triggers/alarms raised by video analytics/ICCC/ PSIMs. It is a known fact that a high percentage of these alarms are ‘false’, leading to false reporting, frustration and disbelief in the alarms, eventually leading to turning them off (‘cry-wolf effect’). In fact, according to a recent news report, the CISF (a para military force in India) who monitor New Delhi's IGI Airport are plagued with over 100 false alarms on a daily basis. Experts say that this leads to an absolute waste of time, and this is a major concern, because a real threat could go unnoticed whilst dealing with false alarms.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-over-100-false-alarms-a-day-at-igi-airport-keep-cisf-on-its-toes-2340896

In fact, according to a recent news report, the CISF (a para military force in India) who monitor New Delhi IGI Airport are plagued with over 100 false alarms on a daily basis there.

The origin of false alarms can vary, but many can be attributed to the following causes.

·         Faulty equipment is cited as the cause of 20% of false alarms.

·         Poor installation comes in at 20% of the reason for false alarms.

·         Inadequate employee training leads to 40% of false alarms.

·         Other culprits (20%) include sensitive motion detectors, sensors set off by the wind, leaves, etc…., and human error.

These false reports cost service providers, as they must send out a response team to verify each and every alarm. It also strains local police resources unnecessarily and could even increase the financial burden on end users, depending on local alarm response regulations and potential fines. Video verification solves these issues, offering an undisputed remote confirmation of the nature of the alarm in the shortest possible time, which helps speed the operator’s response process. Video images can be transferred in real time to the operator, so it can be assessed almost immediately, and so a response team or police forces can be sent with a much shorter delay.

In countries like Spain, alarm verification became mandatory by regulation, aimed at reducing police response costs.

Video Auditing services use a low-frame-rate camera, typically with battery backup, in order to verify the source of a triggered alarm. The video verification device incorporates a PIR sensor to trigger the alarm and will capture a short video or set of images when the alarm is triggered to send to the monitoring station. This allows the monitoring station to better evaluate the cause of the alarm and coordinate an appropriate response from law enforcement or other responders. The presence of video verification classifies the call as a “crime in progress” for responders and as such will receive higher priority than other alarms, resulting in much faster response times, which in turn increases the chance of apprehending the intruder. Customers and their insurers place a high value on this service and customers are often willing to pay an increased monthly fee for the addition of video verification services.

Traditionally this concept has been driven by central monitoring stations (CMS) and has been adopted in the residential market where single-direction wireless systems were installed. Video verification has become required because of the wireless systems adopted did not have a way of confirming alarms in a reliable manner. For example, when there is an alarm in the single-direction wireless detectors, they activate once and then enter the battery-saving mode. This will not give enough information to the CMS to confirm the alarm.

The operational costs involved in attending unverified alarms by monitoring stations or police are enormous. Due to ever-increasing competition, monitoring stations are making all possible efforts to reduce operational costs, hence adding alarm verification capabilities to the alarm monitoring centers.

The popularity of video verification solutions is boosted by the influence from the DIY security market, smart home market and consumer video market, as follows:
• DIY: Consumer video cameras are typically high-resolution IP cameras and allow users to check on their home and review footage of past events at their convenience. All this can be done through a dedicated intruder alarm mobile phone application, which adds to the peace of mind.
• Smart home: Smart home/building automation systems are becoming more popular with end users in all sectors. Cameras are usually advertised alongside smart plugs or smart lights, which gives users an extra level of control over what is happening in the house. Some cameras also offer smoke detection features, to support traditional smoke detectors, while providing surveillance of self-monitoring and auditing to users. With alarm monitoring stations increasingly offering smart home monitoring services, the video verification market will receive a boost from this side of the industry.
• Consumer video: The number of consumer video devices available on the market is growing rapidly, providing a much broader choice of solutions at various price points. End users can add an IP camera to their home systems and enjoy low-cost self-monitoring and self-verification functionality.

Many central monitoring stations now offer video verification for an extra fee added to their basic monitoring services. Adding video verification to the monitoring package reduces the likelihood the subscriber will cancel their contract or choose another provider offering more comprehensive services. Video verification can also benefit installers and dealers that want to offer a broader range of services to their customers. Cloud hosting and support for video self-monitoring delivers greater value to end users.

Reduction in cost of equipment and improvements in automation through software has decreased the end user cost to a point where it is affordable as an upgrade to alarm monitoring services for small commercial businesses and residential customers.

Installers may also find themselves closer to their customers than some remote monitoring companies, which makes it easier to increase customer awareness about new offerings. In any case, partnerships between installers and remote monitoring stations can increase revenue per user and provide a more stable annual income. Subscriptions generated by installers could offset normal attrition rates experienced by remote monitoring companies.

A few tips to help reduce false alarms:

·         Be sure all alarm systems use standard and up-to-date equipment.

·         Ensure proper installation by reputable companies or technically good technician.

·         Install video cameras that can visually verify an alarm.

·         Engage an outside security company to monitor the establishment through video surveillance. 

Barriers to Broad Adoption
The main barriers to broad adoption of video verification are the following:
• Cost: The current challenges are mainly the costs involved with the video alarm detectors/cameras and the fact that most alarm vendors do not have a proper visual verification solution triggered by the alarm system. Even though the benefits of including video verification with intruder alarm systems are clear, many end users – particularly those in the residential sector – may struggle to afford video devices. Passive infrared (PIR) camera detectors can be three times more expensive than non-video-based PIR detectors.
• Privacy and cybersecurity: Residential users’ concern about privacy of video verification and video cameras is high. The main worry is that a hacker will use the device to watch and listen to the private lives of residents. There have been media reports of attackers successfully compromising consumer video IP cameras, and these kinds of reports can delay the decision to buy these kinds of devices. Another concern is that alarm-monitoring operators could be watching residents in their homes, outside of the authorized time. Providers of video verification solutions must make sure their systems are designed with privacy protections built into the system set-up, giving the user the ability to restrict access to video devices, whenever they want to.
• Self-monitoring: Increasing availability of consumer video devices, and DIY security systems that incorporate video products into the offering, have led to the emergence self-monitoring and self-video verification. Such systems usually come pre-configured to handle video files, which makes adding a consumer video camera much easier and lowers the barriers to adoption related to the complexity of the system set up

Benefits to Video Auditing 

With video verification capabilities, businesses can reap the following benefits:

1.      Ensure police and/or fire departments are dispatched to a "real" alarm.

2.      Prevent the assessment of heavy fines for false alarms.

3.      Prevent being on the "suspended" list for police or fire response.

4.      First responders typically respond quicker when they know an alarm has been verified. This may help limit the losses incurred by unwanted incidents.

5.      Use as evidence for a legal case or proof of claim for an insurance report.

6.      Every day Video observation / auditing is help to reduce false alarm.

7.      Correct & certified product should be used for CCTV, Fire Alarm and Intrusion etc.

8.      Correct & certified installer required for system installation.

9.      Protect employees, customers and property using the best technology available. 

Who Can Use This?:
- Multi-tenant residential communities
- Planned unit development (PUD)communities
- Public recreation facilities
- Elder care and assisted living facilities
- Hospitals and clinics
- Corrections facilities.

We solve so many of your pain points,

• We make it easy for you to ‘see’ what the cameras ‘saw’
• We make it easy for you to report and share with ease
• We help you create data redundancy with huge storage savings
• We make it easy for you gain business intelligence from standardized reports
• We help you take corrective and preventive action based on hard data.

OSDP an Access Control Protocol by SIA

OSDP an Access Control Protocol by SIA

ACCESS CONTROL WIEGAND PROTOCOL

In access control world we used Wiegand Protocol (Invented by John Wiegand in 1970). The communication protocol used in the Wiegand interface is called the Wiegand protocol. This protocol talks reader to controller. Basically Wiegand interface is a wiring standard used for interconnecting peripherals like fingerprint readers, card swipers or iris recognition devices. Initially created by HID Corporation, the Wiegand devices gained popularity thanks to the popularity of the Wiegand effect card readers of the 1980s. The Wiegand interface is considered a de facto wiring standard for card swipe mechanisms, especially for electronic data entry. Wiegand devices were originally developed by HID Corporation.

The Wiegand interface consists of three wires in the physical layer, the first wire is for ground and other two for data transmission, known as Data low/DATA0 and Data high/DATA1. The wires are composed of an alloy with magnetic properties. DATA0 and DATA1 are pulled up to high voltage, when no data is sent. When "0" is transmitted, the DATA0 wire is pulled to a low voltage while the DATA1 stays at high voltage. When "1" is transmitted, DATA0 stays at high voltage, whereas the DATA1 is pulled to a low voltage.

The most popular Wiegand interface is 26. It could be 3 bytes (Wiegand-26), 5 bytes (Wiegand-42) and even 7 bytes. Cable runs are limited to 500 feet. The Wiegand interface is unidirectional. It means that data is transferred in one direction only: from reader to the access panel. So access panel waits for a code on the line. If code is absent it means that there is no card near the reader or the reader is dead or the line is corrupted. To solve this problem in this way I asked one vendor to make a new firmware for its reader and now it sends each half an hour a "heart beat" code.

Given such limitations it has become increasingly clear that for reader technology and capabilities to progress, a bi-directional connection between the reader and access control system is a necessity. Some access control and reader manufacturers have recognized this need and developed proprietary bidirectional solutions. The OSDP a nonpriority interface specification that can be implemented without restriction. The protocol was originally developed by HID Global and Mercury Security Corp. in 2008 and adopted by SIA as a standard in 2011. SIA formed OSDP working groups, open to all members, and subsequent contributions have been provided by those participants.

What is OSDP

Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is an access control communications standard developed by the Security Industry Association (SIA) to improve interoperability among access control and security products. OSDP v2.1.7 is currently in-process to become a standard recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and OSDP is in constant refinement to retain its industry-leading position. Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) v.2.1.7 is a communications protocol that allows peripheral devices such as card readers and biometric readers to interface with control panels or other security management systems. It adds sophistication and security benefits through features such as bi-directional communication and read/write capabilities. The OSDP standard with Secure Channel Protocol (SCP) will support both IP communications and point-to-point serial interfaces, such as RS-485.

BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION

The access control industry’s move to open standards is cultivating a broad range of interoperable products with enhanced features and security. Open standards also ensure that solutions can be easily upgraded to support changes in technology and applications, and give users the confidence that investments in today’s technologies can be leveraged in the future. OSDP with SCP specification provides bi-directional communications and security features for connecting card readers to control panels or other security management systems.

Bi-directional communication is particularly beneficial for enabling users to change configurations and to poll and query readers from a central system, which reduces costs while speeding, and simplifying configuration and improving the ability to service readers.

Unlike earlier unidirectional protocols, including the Wiegand interface and the clock-and-data signal approach used with magnetic stripe readers, OSDP enables continuous reader status monitoring. It can also immediately indicate a failed, missing or malfunctioning reader, as well as provide tamper detection and indication capabilities. All signaling is done over two data lines, providing the ability to use four-conductor cable to both power the reader and send and receive data. This lowers installation cost compared to the 6 to 10 conductors typically used for Wiegand.

HID Global is one of the first manufacturers to support OSDP with SCP in its reader portfolio as part of its iCLASS SE platform. iCLASS SE platform readers with OSDP enable central management, which lowers operational costs by making them faster and easier to configure and service.

SYSTEM INTEGRATION

OSDP gives Higher Security, Advanced Functionality, Ease of Use, More Interoperability. OSDP provides continuous monitoring of reader status, and can immediately indicate a failed, missing or malfunctioning reader. OSDP can also provide tamper indication for readers with onboard tamper detection capabilities. OSDP protocol for control panels to send messages for display to a cardholder via a screen embedded within or connected to the reader. The OSDP standard is particularly important for government installations because it supports high-end AES-128 encryption (required in federal government applications). And it meets the requirements of the Federal Identity, Credential and Access Management (FICAM) guidelines. OSDP also works with biometrics – Weigand does not.

SYSTEM ARCHITECHURE

Replacing legacy access control panels while maintaining operation with legacy card readers and other field devices.

When the need arises to replace or upgrade a card access or security control panel and if the new panel is OSDP compliant, it may be advantageous or necessary to convert the field devices to OSDP compatibility. This normally means replacing all readers, sensors, contacts, relays, and door control equipment to OSDP compliant versions as well. If this is not an immediate option due to time or cost constraints, the Cypress OSDP-1000 can provide an effective solution.

Credential Reader - Any Wiegand (Data 0 / Data 1), Strobed (Clock/Data), F/2F, or Serial interface can be handled by the OSDP-1000 when configured in "Reader Interface Mode". Since the format of the data is reported by the OSDP-1000 to the new control panel as an array of bits or characters, the panel's software must be configured to process the raw bit stream or character string. The reader type is configured by either on-board DIP switch or via OSDP configuration command from the panel.

Door Strike / Gate Operator - If the panel has provisions for multiple, dry-contact relay outputs and the panel's power supply is capable of driving the door or gate operator, then the 2 wires already in place to provide this function can continue to be used. Otherwise, since the OSDP-1000 is mounted in a secure location (not accessible from the un-secure side of the door or gate), it can be used to control the door or gate via OSDP command from control panel. If the control current is 1amp or less (at 12 to 24Vdc), the OSDP-1000's on-board, form C relay can be used. The new control panel will simply command the OSDP-1000 to turn the relay on or off. If higher currents are required, an external relay can be added. The power for the door strike, mag lock, or gate operator can be supplied from the panel (centralized power) or a local power supply near the door or gate (distributed power).

Sensors, Contacts, Switches, EOL Devices - Since the OSDP-1000 is mounted on the secure side of the door or gate, all remaining field wiring can be terminated at the OSDP1000. The new control panel will request data via protocol command/response and use it to determine the status of the door position switch, request-to-exit button, or motion detector. The OSDP-1000 has 2 Supervised alarm inputs to accomodate end-of-line resistor configurations. These can also be used as digital inputs.

Power Considerations - The OSDP-1000 does not magically create power for itself, the reader, or door strike from the twisted pair communication wires (but we might be working on it). The legacy panel or other power supply provided enough power to operate the reader, sensors, and door or gate operator. If the new control panel does not provide this power, then a suitable power supply must be installed at the panel location or at the door or gate. The OSDP-1000 only requires about 50ma and accepts a wide range of voltage (7 to 24Vdc). The reader, door strike, and any powered end-of-line device typically dictate what voltage to use (12 or 24Vdc).

All Devices - As mentioned earlier, converting all devices at the door or gate is recommended since this adds supervision of all signals. It also sets up the site for migration to an OSDP Control Panel in the future. Since the OSDP-1000 is mounted in a secure enclosure not vulnerable to tamper from the un-secure side of the door or gate, all signals can be terminated to it and supervised. The OSDP Reader has it's own polling address as does the second OSDP-1000 module configured for "Remote Interface Mode".

There still are many Weigand-base legacy systems in place and due to limited resources, it may take time to replace them all, but the migration is underway. Many organizations are taking a step-by-step approach replacing perimeter readers first and moving to interior readers as funding and time allow.

Future-proof your access control strategy today. Meet Signo, the signature line of access control readers from HID Global. This new reader line provides performance, versatility and security meet in a sleek, modern design. HID Signo™ Readers deliver mobile access capabilities, ensure easy migration from Wiegand to OSDP and support the widest range of credential technology so organizations can to upgrade at their own pace.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Integrators can differentiate from the competition by promoting open standard protocols, which can help build new customer relationships and win more projects by providing new found PACS features. With OSDP only four conductors are ever needed, two for power and two for all communication.

Wiegand does not allow for remote configuration or upgrade of a reader. OSDP enables a customer to remotely change the configuration of a reader (i.e. security keys or LED color) from any network-connected location.

BENEFITS OF OSDP

Compared to common low-security legacy protocols, the emerging OSDP standard offers:

Higher Security

·  OSDP is more secure than the most common access control communications protocol.

·     OSDP Secure Channel supports high-end AES-128 encryption (required in federal government applications).

·     OSDP constantly monitors wiring to protect against attack threats.

Advanced Functionality

·         Supports advance smartcard technology applications, including PKI/FICAM and biometrics.

·         Supports bi-directional communications among devices.

·         OSDP supports advanced user interface, including welcome messages and text prompts.

·         OSDP’s use of 2 wires instead of 12+ allows for multi-drop installation, supervised connections to indicate reader malfunctions, and scalability to connect more field devices.

Ease of Use

·         Audio-visual user feedback mechanisms provide a rich, user-centric access control environment.

·         Guesswork is eliminated since encryption and authentication are predefined.

·         Low cost of implementation on an embedded device.

More Interoperability

·         Using OSDP enables communication among different manufacturers' devices and solutions.

·         The standard applies to peripheral devices (PDs) such as card readers and other devices at secured access doors/gates and their control panels (CPs).

·         SIA promotes the standard at regular “plugfests” among manufacturers and at InteropFest – an annual interoperability event held at ISC West tradeshow every spring in Las Vegas, Nevada.

·         The OSDP specification is currently recommended when TCP/IP, USB, or other common protocols do not lend themselves to the application.

·         The OSDP specification is extensible to IP environments and the OSDP WG is working on deploying OSDP over IP soon.

Ref:

http://www.securityindustry.org/Pages/Standards/OSDP.aspx

http://www.securityindustry.org/Pages/IndustryEvents/SIA-InteropFest.aspx

https://scottontechnology.com/osdp-open-supervised-device-protocol/

http://www.suprex.net/centralunit.html

https://ipvm.com/reports/osdp-access

Coercivity Magnetic Stripe Identification Cards

Coercivity Magnetic Stripe Identification Cards

Magnetic stripe ID cards, also known as magstripe cards, are PVC ID cards containing a band of magnetic material embedded in the resin on the back of the card. Magnetic stripe ID cards store updatable information on a magstripe, which is read when the card is swiped through a magnetic stripe card reader.

There are two 2 types of magnetic stripe ID cards:

High coercivity (HiCo): High Coercivity or “HiCo” cards are recommended for a majority of applications. HiCo magnetic stripe cards are typically black in color and they are encoded with a stronger magnetic field (2750 Oersted).

The stronger magnetic field makes HiCo cards more durable because the data encoded on the stripes are less likely to unintentionally be erased when exposed to an outside magnetic field.

HiCo cards are common in applications where they require a longer card life and are swiped often. Credit cards, bank cards, library cards, access control cards, time and attendance cards and employee ID cards frequently use HiCo technology.

For example, high coercivity magnetic stripes are commonly used in credit cards, bank cards, library cards, access control cards, time and attendance cards, and employee ID cards. For these many applications, ISO/IEC 7811-6:2018 – Identification cards – Recording technique – Part 6: Magnetic stripe: High coercivity defines the characteristics of the identification cards.

ISO/IEC 7811-6:2018 specifies guidance for a high coercivity magnetic stripe (including any protective overlay) on an identification card, the encoding technique, and coded character sets. It outlines the physical characteristics of the magnetic stripe, surface roughness, adhesion of stripe to card, resistance to chemicals, performance characteristics, and related information.

ISO/IEC 7811-6:2018 revises and replaces the fourth edition of the standard for high coercivity magnetic stripes. Its primary changes include better alignment with ISO/IEC 7811-2:2018 (through usage of the same definitions, criteria, and test methods across both standard documents), the adjustment of the supplier of secondary reference cards from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) to Q-Card, and the alteration that the primary standard cards held by Q-Card are used to calibrate the manufacture of secondary reference cards.

Low coercivity (LoCo): The less common Low Coercivity or “LoCo” cards are good for short-term applications. LoCo magnetic stripe cards are generally brown in color and they are encoded at a low-intensity magnetic field (300 Oersted).

LoCo cards are typically used for short-term applications including hotel room keys and season passes for theme parks, amusement parks, and water parks.

When selecting a magnetic stripe card for your business, ask yourself how long you want your cards to last. Many of us have experienced a situation where a hotel room key stopped working. Magnetic stripe cards can be reprogrammed, but it can be inconvenient.

ISO/IEC 7811-2:2018 – Identification cards – Recording technique – Part 2: Magnetic stripe: Low coercivity specifies guidelines for a low coercivity magnetic stripe (including any protective overlay) on an identification card, the encoding technique, and coded character sets. It takes into human and machine considerations and outlines the physical characteristics of the magnetic stripe, surface roughness, adhesion of stripe to card, resistance to chemicals, performance characteristics, and related information.

ISO/IEC 7811-2:2018 replaces and supersedes the fourth edition of the low coercivity magnetic stripe standard from 2014. Its primary changes include better alignment with ISO/IEC 7811-6:2018 (through usage of the same definitions, criteria, and test methods across both standard documents), the adjustment of the supplier of secondary reference cards from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) to Q-Card, and the alteration that the primary standard cards held by Q-Card are used to calibrate the manufacture of secondary reference cards.

Magnetic stripe ID Cards as a popular low cost solution for secure access control systems and are often used for credit and identification cards as well as transportation tickets, ATM cards, bank cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, driver’s licenses, telephone calling cards, membership cards, and electronic benefit transfer cards such as food stamps.

Various ID card solutions featuring magnetic stripe encoding capabilities:

• HID Global Fargo DTC4250e: Easy and flexible way to print and encode plastic ID cards.
• HID Global Fargo DTC4500e: For versatile, reliable card production delivers speed, power and versatility all in one.
• Zebra ZXP Series 3: Features high speed printing, brilliant image quality, enterprise networking features and full encoding capabilities.
• Zebra ZXP Series 8: Delivers best-in-class throughput & unparalleled print speed for vivid color plastic ID card printing on-demand and fast.
• Magicard Enduro+: Single or dual-sided card printing with ISO magnetic encoding.
• Magicard Rio Pro: The preferred printer for secure access control single-sided cards with magnetic stripe encoding.
• Evolis Zenius: Features USB and Ethernet TCP-IP ports and multiple encoding options that can be combined in the same printer. Certified ENERGY STAR compliant.
• Evolis Primacy: For easy, flexible and fast ID card printing of personalized transportation passes, payment cards, ID badges, as well as multi-feature ID cards.
• Nisca PR5350: For high speed, low cost dual-sided printing with magnetic encoding.

Difference between Ethernet cables ?

Difference between Ethernet cables?

Not all Ethernet cables are the same, so what is the difference, and how do you know which you should use? In this short guide we take a look at the technical and physical differences between the Ethernet cables available on broadband buyer.

Ethernet cables are grouped into sequentially numbered categories (e.g CAT5) based on different specifications; sometimes the category is updated with further clarification or testing standards (e.g. CAT5e, CAT6a). These categories are how we can easily know what type of cable we need for a specific application. For our IP Surveillance ( IP Camera, Access Control, BAS, Intrusion ... etc) CAT6 is recommended to install, including PoE based design. 

Manufacturers are required to adhere to the standards which makes our lives easier.

CAT Technical differences

The difference in Ethernet cable specification is not as easy to see as physical changes; so let’s look at what each category does and does not support. Below is a chart for reference when picking cable for your application based on the standards for that category.

Difference between Ethernet cables
	Length	10Mb/s	100Mb/s	1GbE	10GbE	PoE	Mhz
CAT5	100	Y	Y			Y	100
CAT5e	100	Y	Y	Y		Y	100
CAT6	100 (55 for 10GbE)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	250
CAT6a	100	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	500

You may notice that as the category number gets higher, so does the speed and Mhz of the wire. This is not a coincidence, because each category brings more stringent testing for eliminating crosstalk (XT) and adding isolation between the wires.

Category 5 cable was revised in 2001, and mostly replaced with Category 5 Enhanced (CAT5e) cable which did not change anything physically in the cable, but instead applied more stringent testing standards for crosstalk. Category 6 was revised between 2002 with Category 6 Augmented (CAT6a) in 2008 that provided testing for 500 Mhz communication (compared to CAT6 - 250 Mhz). The higher communication frequency eliminated alien crosstalk (AXT) which allows for longer range at 10 GB/s.

Physical Differences

So how does a physical cable eliminate interference and allow for faster speeds? It does it through wire twisting and isolation. Cable twisting was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881 for use on telephone wires that were run along side power lines. He discovered that by twisting the cable every 3-4 utility poles, it reduced the interference and increased the range. Twisted pair became the basis for all Ethernet cables to eliminate interference between internal wires (XT), and external wires (AXT).

There are two main physical differences between CAT5 and CAT6 cables, the number of twists per cm in the wire, and sheath thickness.

Cable twisting length is not standardised but typically there are 1.5-2 twists per cm in CAT5(e) and 2+ twists per cm in CAT6. Within a single cable, each colored pair will also have different twist lengths based on prime numbers so that no two twists ever align. The amount of twists per pair is usually unique for each cable manufacturer.

Many CAT6 cables also include a nylon spline which helps eliminate crosstalk. Although the spline is not required in CAT5 cable, some manufacturers include it anyway. In CAT6 cable, the spline is not required either as long as the cable tests according to the standard.

The nylon spline helps reduce crosstalk in the wire, with the thicker sheath protecting against Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and Alien Crosstalk (AXT), which both occur more often as the frequency (Mhz) increases. In this picture below, the CAT5e sheath has the thinnest sheath versus CAT6 but it also was the only one with the nylon spline.

Shielded (FTP) vs. Unshielded (UTP)

Because all Ethernet cables are twisted, manufacturers use shielding to further protect the cable from interference. For example, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) can easily be used for cables between your computer and the wall but you will want to use Foil Shielded Cable (FTP) for areas with high interference and running cables outdoors or inside walls.

There are different ways to shield an Ethernet cable, but typically it involves putting a shield around each pair of wire in the cable. This protects the pairs from crosstalk internally. Manufacturers can further protect cables from alien crosstalk with additional cable shielding beneath the sheath. The diagram below shows the different types of Ethernet shielding and the codes used to differentiate them.