Reader Connectivity Status allows admins and installers to verify the wiring integrity of Verkada readers on Command. Good wiring integrity is essential for a Verkada reader's proper function, ensuring card scans are read accurately, and firmware updates made over the air are successfully imported.
Integrity Status Calculation: Verkada calculates reader integrity status by measuring the number of message responses that it receives over a 100 second rolling window between the access controller and reader. The score is a percentage of successful messages read. For example, if a reader integrity score is 0.95, that corresponds to 5% of messages between the controller and the reader dropping and not being read successfully.
Wiring Integrity Status
There are 4 connectivity states a Verkada reader can have:
Connected [Integrity Score between 0.98 & 1.0]: The reader is installed correctly, and the wiring is intact. Verkada expects this reader to function as intended.
Degraded Connection [Integrity Score between 0.90 & 0.98]: The reader installation can be improved. Verkada expects some packets to be dropped between the reader and the access controller, which could result in poor card scanning performance and readers that may not be able to update their firmware. When the reader shows this status, and the user observes some issues with the reader (like failed card scans or failed firmware updates), they should contact their installer to improve the wiring integrity.
Poor Connection [Integrity Score under 0.90]: The reader installation is poor. Verkada expects multiple packets to drop, which will impact reader functionality and result in missed card scans, improper card reads, and readers that cannot update their firmware. When the reader shows this status, and the user observes some issues with the reader (like failed card scans or failed firmware updates), the user should contact their installer to improve the wiring integrity.
Disconnected: There is no valid connection between the Verkada reader and the Access controller. This can occur in the following scenarios:
i) If the connection is extremely poor: In this instance, improve the wiring integrity to ensure that the reader can be read by the controller.
ii) If the Verkada reader connected to the port was replaced: In this instance, the reader peripheral should be deleted by pressing the delete button to dismiss the warning, or cleaning up the peripherals by going into the Access Controller Settings page.
Wiring Integrity Notifications
The reader connectivity status will be displayed on the door and access control pages of Command. To get the connectivity status of your Verkada reader:
In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access
.
Navigate to any of the following pages:
Doors page
Door details page (as shown in the screenshot)
Door setting page
Controllers page
Controllers settings page
Verkada will provide warnings when the reader connectivity status is either Degraded, Poor or Disconnected.
Reader Installation Tips
When faced with a degraded or poor connection, please contact your installer to improve the wiring connection between the reader and the access controller.
Recommendations to wire readers to the access controllers.
Signal | AWG | Twisted Pair | Shielded | Max Length |
Reader Option 1 | 22 AWG | Yes | Yes | 250 ft |
Reader Option 2 | 20 AWG | Yes | Yes | 300 ft |
Reader Option 3 | 18 AWG | Yes | Yes | 500 ft |
Use one twisted pair for GND and VIN (power) and one twisted pair for the data (D0/D1 or A/B).
Ensure the reader is grounded.
Do not install a reader on a metallic door.
Connect the drain wire (bare metal) from the reader cable bundle to the drain wire in the shielded cabling.
Connect the drain wire in the cabling to earth ground. Ideally, your connection to ground should be near the reader. For example, ground points that include a grounded junction box or door frame.
If you don't have a way to ground the drain wire at the reader, you can connect the ground at the AC 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).
Avoid pinching cables during installation, as this may affect performance. Trim excess cables to reduce slack.
The drain wires from the shielded cabling can be connected to earth ground at the following points on Verkada access controllers.
AC12 | |
AC42 | |
AC62 |
Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.