This guide shows the common physical checks to verify if a Verkada access controller is working properly. This guide assumes that the AC41's status LED is solid blue. If it is blinking blue, check the network settings.
There is a different set of tests for each component, so skip down to the section covering the component you are testing. The sections below cover the following topics:
Required Equipment:
Multimeter
2 short wires
Always unplug the AC41 before changing wiring or swapping cassettes
Avoid putting the multimeter leads directly into the cassette ports, use wires to assure a good connection
Reader
1. If the reader powers up and gives feedback when scanning a badge, skip to step 3. Otherwise, connect a wire to the + and a wire to the - of the cassette reader bank (left most if you are troubleshooting a Verkada reader or Wiegand bank for all other readers).
2. Using the multimeter, measure DC voltage across the + and -. The expected measurement should be around 12V, if this does not show near 12V please contact Verkada Support.
3. Scan a card, as long as this is in a supported card format, you will get feedback from the reader indicating the badge was scanned.
4. If nothing is read and there is a working reader on the AC41, move the working reader, cassette and all, to this port and scan a card. If this does not work please contact Verkada Support.
5. If step 4 works, wire the working reader to the initial cassette. Scan a badge, and if it doesn’t show on Command then please contact Verkada Support.
Lock Relay
These tests will help in identifying if the lock relay is operating as expected.
Testing the NC relay:
1. Connect two wires to the lock relay, one to NC and the other to COM
2. Connect the multimeter to the wire from NC and the wire from COM
3. Press the door test button in the top right to illuminate the door number you are working on
4. Move the voltage switch to 0V to the left of the door cassette (changes the lock relay to Dry)
Test continuity with the multimeter. The expected behavior is the NC COM relay is continuous (constant beep on the multimeter). Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should read OL (open loop)
5. Move the voltage switch to 12V (changes the lock relay to 12V wet)
Change the multimeter to measure DC voltage. The expected behavior is the NC COM relay will show around 12V. Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should read 0V.
6. Move the voltage switch to 24V (changes the lock relay to 24V wet)
The expected behavior is the NC COM relay will show around 24V. Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should reach 0V.
Testing the NO relay:
1. Move the wire from the NC lock relay to the NO port
2. Move the voltage switch to 0V (changes the lock relay to Dry)
Test continuity with the multimeter. You should see open loop (OL) on the multimeter for the NO COM relay. Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should read continuous (constant beep).
3. Move the voltage switch to 12V (changes the lock relay to 12V wet)
Change the multimeter to measure DC voltage. The expected behavior is the NO COM relay will show 0V. Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should measure around 12V.
4. Move the voltage switch to 24V (changes the lock relay to 24V wet)
The NO COM relay should measure 0V. Press the TRIGGER LOCK test button and the multimeter should read around 24V.
DPI
Select the door you are testing with by pressing the door button on the top right of the AC41. With nothing plugged into the DPI ports, the EMULATE DPI LED should be off. Use a piece of wire to short the DPI inputs. the EMULATE DPI LED should now illuminate. If this LED is illuminated with nothing in the DPI ports, or the LED is off when the inputs are shorted, please contact Verkada Support.
REX
Select the door you are testing with by pressing the door button on the top right of the AC41. With nothing plugged into the REX ports, the EMULATE REX LED should be off. Use a piece of wire to short the REX inputs. The EMULATE REX LED should now illuminate. If this LED is illuminated with nothing in the REX ports, or the LED is off when the inputs are shorted, please contact Verkada Support.
AUX
1. Testing the power of the AUX cassette
Connect wires to + and - on the AUX cassette and use the multimeter to measure the DC voltage across them. We expect to see this measure around 12V. If this is measured much higher or lower than 12V, please reach out to Verkada Support.
2. Testing the AUX inputs (test shows for AUX IN1, can be repeated with AUX IN2 if needed)
On command, set up the AUX configuration on a door port.
Ensure the voltage switch is None on the door port
Plug the multimeter into COM and NO on the door port configured with the AUX to measure continuity. It should read OL (open loop).
Short the AUX cassette at IN1 + GND. This should cause the door lock relay to trigger, making the multimeter beep. If the multimeter does not read continuous, contact Verkada Support.
