The Verkada access control units (ACUs) are capable of supporting Verkada readers over RS-485 and standard Wiegand readers.
The following list shows the wire types and max lengths that are recommended for use with the Verkada AC41 and AX11:
Recommendation. Use 1 twisted pair for - (ground) and + (power) and 1 twisted pair for the data (D0/D1 for a Wiegand reader or A/B for a Verkada reader).
You can use access control combo/trunk cabling, as long as each individual cable is shielded and has the proper gauge.
⚠️ Warning. It is required to use only shielded cabling for all inputs on the ACU. All components connected to the access controller, including locks, must be connected with shielding cabling. Failure to use shielded wiring and to ground it properly can result in poor reader performance or damage to the access controller.
To determine if your cable is shielded: it has a metallic foil surrounding the wires and a bare metal drain wire.
Properly ground your installation
Connect the drain (bare metal) wire from the reader to the drain (bare metal) wire in the cabling.
Connect the drain wire in the cabling to earth ground.
Ideally, your connection to ground should be near the reader. Some examples of ground points include a grounded junction box or door frame.
If you don't have a way to ground the drain wire at the reader, you may connect the ground at the access controller using a grounded junction box, grounding busbar, or the negative battery terminal of the access controller. If you're using a battery, you can splice the connection (one connection to the battery and another to the drain wire).
The following image shows how the drain wire might be connected to the AC41's negative (black) battery terminal:
The red wire represents the positive battery terminal; the pink wire represents the bare metal drain wire.
The AC41 on the left has the drain wire directly connected to the black battery wire.
The AC41 on the right shows the drain wire connecting to the negative battery terminal.
For all other access control models, there's a dedicated earth ground tie pin available on the chassis of the device.
⚠️ Warning. The COM and - (negative) ports on the access controller are not to be used as earth grounds. Doing so can cause damage to your equipment. Only 1 end of the drain wire should connect to ground. The other end should not connect to anything.
Learn more about how to connect and wire your readers.