This guide offers best practices for convenience, but RS-485 devices should ultimately be installed according to the TIA/EIA-485-A standard.
Before you begin
Verkada’s third-party wireless lock integrations that involve wiring hubs or locks to an access control panel via RS-485, covered in this article, include:
PIM400-485 hubs for AD400 locks
AD300 locks
GWE hubs for Engage Online locks
AH30 hubs for Aperio locks
Best practices
Terminate the shield drain at the panel side only, and connect it to earth ground.
Use RS-485 approved cabling; Belden 9841, 9842, or equivalents are recommended.
Connect the RS-485 signal ground to the negative terminal of the power supply.
Keep unshielded wiring at the panel or device to less than two inches in length.
Run power and data in separate cable jackets if they follow the same path.
Verify that each lock or hub is receiving adequate power per its specifications.
Typically, one Verkada reader port powers one device.
For additional devices, use separate reader ports or an external power supply.
Wire multiple RS-485 devices to a panel
Daisy-chain data between devices in a linear bus topology. Avoid star topologies.
Note: Do not use T-taps on data lines.
Connect shield drain wires between cables, but terminate the drain only at the panel.
Ensure each device receives adequate power, accounting for the total load on the power supply.
Note: Do not daisy-chain power from a Verkada panel door port.
Maintain a continuous signal ground across all devices, connected to each power supply’s negative terminal.
Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.