Installation Manual | AVW-20241029 iProtect Access / Security | Functionalities | interlock function

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1. Introduction

The Interlock Function in iProtect is a crucial security feature designed to enhance access control within sensitive areas. This functionality ensures that only one door within a designated reader group can be open at any given time, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. By preventing multiple doors in the same group from being opened simultaneously, the interlock function provides an additional layer of security, making it an essential tool for environments requiring strict access control measures, such as data centers, laboratories, or secure facilities.

When the interlock function is enabled, if one door in the reader group is open, all other doors in the group are automatically locked, denying entry to users attempting to access them. This feature not only protects against unauthorized entry but also aids in access management by making it evident that one of the doors within the group is currently open.

In this manual, you will find step-by-step instructions for configuring the interlock function, along with guidelines for testing and troubleshooting to ensure that the system operates effectively.

2. Required Preparations

Before activating the interlock function, ensure that the following requirements are met:

• Administrative Rights: Only system users with sufficient privileges can make changes to reader groups.

• Supported Readers: All readers participating in the interlock function must be connected to the same door controller (on the same line).

• Door Contacts: Each door in the reader group must be equipped with a magnetic door contact. This contact is essential, as it provides feedback on whether a door is open or closed. The system uses these contact statuses to determine the position

3. Steps to Create an Interlock Function Reader Group

Step 1: Creating a Reader Group with the Interlock Function

1. Navigate to the Reader group menu located at access | settings | reader group.

2. In the tree-view, right-click and then press on the button Add reader group. Assign a descriptive name, such as "Interlock Group 1".

3. Enable the Interlock Function by checking the corresponding checkbox Interlocking reader group:. This function ensures that only one door within the group can be opened at any given time.

4. By default, the option operator must follow the interlock rules is deactivated. If this checkbox is unchecked, the doors in this group can be controlled by an iProtect system operator (or through an API connection) without the interlock restriction.

Step 2: Adding Readers to the Reader Group

1. Select the newly created reader group and click Add Readers.

2. Add the readers that should be part of the interlock function. Ensure that all readers are connected to the same controller.

3. Confirm the selection and save the changes.

4. Testing and Validation

To ensure that the interlock function operates correctly, follow these steps:

1. Open one of the doors within the reader group and try to open another door. Access should be denied for any other door in the group as long as the first door remains open.

2. Close the first door and check if the other doors in the group are now accessible.

3. Repeat the above two steps for all the doors in the interlock group.

5. Reader Behavior and User Feedback

When the interlock function is active, the readers provide visual feedback to indicate the status of doors within the interlock:

• If one door in the interlock is open, all other readers in the group will blink red/green. This flashing pattern informs users that a door in the interlock is currently open and access to other doors is temporarily restricted.

6. Troubleshooting the Interlock Function

If the interlock function is not operating as expected:

• Check Door Contacts: Ensure that the magnetic door contacts are functioning properly. The system depends on these contacts to accurately detect the open/closed status of each door.

• Verify Configuration: Revisit the reader group configuration to confirm that all settings are correct and that all readers are assigned to the correct reader

7. Configuring the Interlock Function Across Multiple Lines

With iProtect version 10.04, it is now possible to extend the interlock function across multiple lines. This feature allows doors on different lines to be linked in a shared interlock group, ensuring that access is restricted across lines whenever a door within the group is open.

Important: To ensure that the interlock function operates in both directions, this setup must be mirrored on each line. Specifically, each line should have an output/input connection paired with a virtual reader on the opposite line. Without this mirrored setup, the interlock function will only restrict access in one direction.

7.1 Step-by-Step Instructions for Multi-Line Interlock Configuration

7.1.1 Configure Output and Input Connections on Line 1

• Establish an additional output on Line 1 that activates whenever any door within Line 1's interlock group is opened.

• Set the output source as Interlock reader group.

• Set the correct Reader group (interlock) is specified as the source.
  

• Physically connect this output to an input on Line 2. This setup enables Line 2 to detect when any door in Line 1’s interlock group is opened.

7.1.2 Create a Virtual Reader on Line 2

• Navigate to Installation | Hardware | Line and locate the door controller for Line 2. Create a virtual reader on this door controller using one of the available reader ports.

• Assign the input from Step 7.1.1 as the door contact for this virtual reader. This setup enables Line 2 to recognize when a door in Line 1’s interlock group is opened.

7.1.3 Repeat Configuration on Line 2 for Two-Way Control

To enable interlock functionality in both directions, replicate Steps 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 for Line 2:

• Create an output on Line 2 that activates whenever a door in Line 2's interlock group is opened.

• Physically connect this output to an input on Line 1.

• Create a virtual reader on Line 1 and assign the input as the door contact for this virtual reader.

7.1.4 Create Separate Interlock Reader Groups on Each Line

• On Line 1, establish a reader group and activate the Interlock Function. Include the necessary readers for Line 1, and also add the virtual reader located on Line 1 for monitoring Line 2. Refer to chapter 3 Steps to Create an Interlock Function Reader Group.

• On Line 2, create a similar reader group with the Interlock Function enabled, and include the virtual reader located on Line 2 for monitoring Line 1.

7.2 How It Works

• When any door in Line 1’s interlock group is opened:

  • The output on Line 1 activates, which in turn triggers the input on Line 2.

  • This activation informs the virtual reader on Line 2 that a door is open on Line 1, prompting the interlock function to restrict access to all other doors within the interlock reader group on Line 2.

• Conversely, if a door in Line 2’s interlock group is opened:

  • The output on Line 2 activates, which triggers the input on Line 1.

  • This activation informs the virtual reader on Line 1 that a door is open on Line 2, prompting the interlock function to restrict access to all other doors on Line 1.

7.3 Testing the Multi-Line Interlock Function

To ensure that the multi-line interlock function operates effectively in both directions:

1. Open a door on Line 1 and verify that the corresponding output/input connection triggers the virtual reader on Line 2.

2. Open a door on Line 2 and check that the output/input connection activates the virtual reader on Line 1.

3. Attempt access on other doors on each line while a door in the opposite line’s interlock group is open to confirm that access restrictions are enforced as expected.

By mirroring the setup on each line, the interlock function guarantees that access is restricted across all connected lines, regardless of which line has an open door in the interlock group.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why are the readers flashing red/green?
A: This indicates that a door within the interlock is open, and the system is preventing access to other doors within the same group.