Install Paxton Door controllers

[timbo343]

We are looking at the option to add a couple more of the Paxton Door Controllers and was wondering how easy it is to do it.

 

Has anyone done it before?

 

I've seen a few youtube videos and it looks too easy to be true.

 

Those that have done it, is there anything to look out for?

[jslate1980]

I have done a couple of thing with different controllers, such as add another reader and replaced a poe powered device to a power supply on a fused spur. Simple enough.

[timbo343]

I have done a couple of thing with different controllers, such as add another reader and replaced a poe powered device to a power supply on a fused spur. Simple enough.

I've seen the kits forsale online and thought about buying one and see how it goes. Certainly would save over £500 per door!!

 

We have a door with the magnets already on a SmartAir kit so means just getting rid of the existing controller and sticking a paxton in.

 

PoE switch already in the area too.

 

And i guess there's no license to update on the server?

[Tys]

Very interested in this too. We have a mix of Salto and ACT and neither are particularly fun to work with. I've used the Paxton stuff in previous jobs but only the admin side, never install/maintenance.

[timbo343]

Very interested in this too. We have a mix of Salto and ACT and neither are particularly fun to work with. I've used the Paxton stuff in previous jobs but only the admin side, never install/maintenance.

The actual adding them to the Paxton system is child's play to be fair - it's only a couple of clicks on the Paxton Server.

[Bedders]

You could always give Paxton themselves a call, they have been very helpful when I've had any issues with Net2 or the readers and our installer has been a pain to get hold of. But I don't know how helpful they'll be on actually installing the hardware...

[newpersn]

We been doing for the last 18 months.

 

Easy enough to do. Hardest bit is driling the hole thoug a brick wall for the reader cable.

 

Everything goes back to the panel. Easy to follow for wiring.

 

One I did a few months ago

[timbo343]

We been doing for the last 18 months.

 

Easy enough to do. Hardest bit is driling the hole thoug a brick wall for the reader cable.

 

Everything goes back to the panel. Easy to follow for wiring.

 

One I did a few months ago

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Is this a PoE controller? If so, does it have a battery backup in case of power loss? If it doesn't have a battery can a battery be added to it?

 

Does it need a battery if it's the PoE version?

 

Do you have to use Paxton Maglocks or Paxton Fire Exit buttons? Can we use already inplace maglocks?

 

How do you go about linking it to the fire alarm so that the doors unlock when the fire alarm goes off? Our current paxton doors do that at the moment, i'm not sure if that is set on the controller or has been set within the software.

 

I'm trying to understand what we would actually need.

Edited August 2, 2023 by timbo343

[robyholmes]

Is this a PoE controller? If so, does it have a battery backup in case of power loss? If it doesn't have a battery can a battery be added to it?

 

Does it need a battery if it's the PoE version?

 

Do you have to use Paxton Maglocks or Paxton Fire Exit buttons? Can we use already inplace maglocks?

 

How do you go about linking it to the fire alarm so that the doors unlock when the fire alarm goes off? Our current paxton doors do that at the moment, i'm not sure if that is set on the controller or has been set within the software.

 

I'm trying to understand what we would actually need.

Paxton comes in 12V or 24V versions, so you can match the PSU to the maglock if needed and just reuse the existing. Not sure if POE can be 24V mind.

 

With POE, watch the number of amps of the system, it's got less capacity. You need a good output from the switch as well of course.

 

My understanding is you can't fit a battery with POE version. But then a rack UPS is better anyway as you can protect the switch too and centrally monitor the battery life etc.

 

As for fire alarm, if it's via the software, you'll have door with an input from a relay. Go through each door looking in the fire alarm tab. It'll show a input has been set and which doors will open on activation. Or, each door might have it's own relay, which is better and means you can skip installing the emergency release if you want too. You can't do that with the software release option. If you go with a fire alarm relay per door, make sure the maglock power is wired through it. Don't input to the paxton (exit button for example) as this is not a supported method. The door needs to fail safe.

 

If you go software release with emergency exit break glass, get one with multi poles. You can wire it such that using the break glass inputs to the Paxton, which via a trigger and action emails you, facilities, student support team etc. Otherwise, they get pressed and no one notices making the access control useless. A built in alarm on the break glass is also useful.

 

If you need any more info, let me know. I know a fair amount about Paxton controllers now through my various jobs dealing with them.

[timbo343]

Paxton comes in 12V or 24V versions, so you can match the PSU to the maglock if needed and just reuse the existing. Not sure if POE can be 24V mind.

 

With POE, watch the number of amps of the system, it's got less capacity. You need a good output from the switch as well of course.

 

My understanding is you can't fit a battery with POE version. But then a rack UPS is better anyway as you can protect the switch too and centrally monitor the battery life etc.

 

As for fire alarm, if it's via the software, you'll have door with an input from a relay. Go through each door looking in the fire alarm tab. It'll show a input has been set and which doors will open on activation. Or, each door might have it's own relay, which is better and means you can skip installing the emergency release if you want too. You can't do that with the software release option. If you go with a fire alarm relay per door, make sure the maglock power is wired through it. Don't input to the paxton (exit button for example) as this is not a supported method. The door needs to fail safe.

 

If you go software release with emergency exit break glass, get one with multi poles. You can wire it such that using the break glass inputs to the Paxton, which via a trigger and action emails you, facilities, student support team etc. Otherwise, they get pressed and no one notices making the access control useless. A built in alarm on the break glass is also useful.

 

If you need any more info, let me know. I know a fair amount about Paxton controllers now through my various jobs dealing with them.

 

Am i right in thinking that if the PoE controllers don't have the battery back up the doors that they are controlling automatically release of the power fails?

 

And if there is a power failure and the battery runs out the juice the doors unlock anyway?

Edited August 3, 2023 by timbo343

[robyholmes]

Am i right in thinking that if the PoE controllers don't have the battery back up the doors that they are controlling automatically release of the power fails?

 

And if there is a power failure and the battery runs out the juice the doors unlock anyway?

Yes, fail safe means any loss of power releases the door. A mains PSU can have battery backup, I don't think a POE can. However as mentioned above, a rack UPS keeps the switched powered and thus the door. Meaning a single UPS can cover multiple doors.

[Aprice]

The Paxton side of it is easy, the door hardware can be a bit tricky sometimes, especially getting a really good fixing on some door frames can be a bit difficult.

 

We tend to go for the POE versions as it negates the need for any sparkies to have to get involved.

 

Also been very impressed with the Paxlock Pro units, the install time after the first one is about 15mins a door. And the overall cost though is a lot lower, so for lower traffic doors it makes a lot of sense.

[timbo343]

Cheers everyone.

 

The door system i'm wanting to test this on has 240V isolator feed to the box already so looks like i'm going to be buying the non-PoE version and stick a battery into it - https://www.firedetectionshop.co.uk/p/paxton-net2-single-door-read-in-read-out-access-control-kit/ - Actually i won; the buying this, we need the MiFare readers!

 

The Paxton PSU looks like it has a blackberry lead so will wire this up to the isolator.

 

It already has 2 green fire break glass boxes and a double maglock on it so this one should be pretty simple to do... fingers crossed!!

Edited August 3, 2023 by timbo343

[Mako]

I haven't seen this mentioned in the thread... not to pour proverbial liquid on anyone's heated garden shenanigans, but when we explored installing our own Paxton, they only honour the warranties if you are a certified Paxton installer. If you do it yourself without doing the training then you'll struggle to get support. https://www.paxton-access.com/install-paxton/

 

It is fairly cheap, however.

[newpersn]

Is this a PoE controller? If so, does it have a battery backup in case of power loss? If it doesn't have a battery can a battery be added to it?

 

Does it need a battery if it's the PoE version?

 

Do you have to use Paxton Maglocks or Paxton Fire Exit buttons? Can we use already inplace maglocks?

 

How do you go about linking it to the fire alarm so that the doors unlock when the fire alarm goes off? Our current paxton doors do that at the moment, i'm not sure if that is set on the controller or has been set within the software.

 

I'm trying to understand what we would actually need.

 

Hello.

 

Yes that's POE controller with the switch has UPS on.

 

Mag locks and exit button are from Connectec. Yes you can use inplace maglocks.

 

Some of our doors have fire interfaces that drop the door in a fire. Also set in Paxton to do the same.

 

Need to work out how to do work how to get the monitoring working on the maglocks.

[newpersn]

I haven't seen this mentioned in the thread... not to pour proverbial liquid on anyone's heated garden shenanigans, but when we explored installing our own Paxton, they only honour the warranties if you are a certified Paxton installer. If you do it yourself without doing the training then you'll struggle to get support. https://www.paxton-access.com/install-paxton/

 

It is fairly cheap, however.

Not had any issues with there support. Even with a faulty controller that was stuck relay.

[timbo343]

I haven't seen this mentioned in the thread... not to pour proverbial liquid on anyone's heated garden shenanigans, but when we explored installing our own Paxton, they only honour the warranties if you are a certified Paxton installer. If you do it yourself without doing the training then you'll struggle to get support. https://www.paxton-access.com/install-paxton/

 

It is fairly cheap, however.

There's a training session in York on the 14th September. £25 refundable deposit for each course or they come to site for £100 if you have more than 3 attendees! Might go on the course myself and then get them into site for everyone else.

 

Thanks @Mako

[Aprice]

I will say Paxton's support is exemplary, any questions just give them a ring, they almost always answer immediately and have always been able resolve our issues.

 

I don't think they will bar you from any support if you fitted without any training. Warranty replacement maybe.

Edited August 3, 2023 by Aprice

[Mako]

It's what our reseller(s) told us, because we were making orders for the kit and they advised us not to install it ourselves.

 

If you've successfully installed without the training and got support then take it with a pinch of NaCl.

[Tys]

Did those resellers offer installations too by any chance?

 

Paxton do offer free training all the way up to being certified iirc, in my experience their support is very helpful and I can't see them refusing support on a self-install but it is possible I suppose!

[robk]

I think they may not honour warranty replacement if you didnt buy from an authorised re-seller (eg ebay) but they have always been great at supporting us. I have actually done the installers course, but not at my current place of work!

[newpersn]

On this note

 

We are installing Access Control on a external gate. What's the best fittings to use?

 

Metal gate, I might add.

[andy_b]

Does anyone know, if you complete the free online training do you get access to the Paxton Portal ?

 

I know you can download the updates without portal access - but sometime it'd be nice to have release notes

[Jcx500]

Does anyone know, if you complete the free online training do you get access to the Paxton Portal ?

 

I know you can download the updates without portal access - but sometime it'd be nice to have release notes

 

This may be a thing of the past , but I remember attempting to Sign up to the training and they wouldn’t enroll me cause I wasn’t a sparky or I wasn’t self employed or something along those lines

[timbo343]

This may be a thing of the past , but I remember attempting to Sign up to the training and they wouldn’t enroll me cause I wasn’t a sparky or I wasn’t self employed or something along those lines

 

If you ring them they will assist where they can.

 

I've just spoken to them and waiting for one of their trainers to ring me back. Considering we have 12 sites, having the knowledge of installing and fully administering the system would be advantageous. Hopefully they will offer us something even if it means having myself and my site manager on the 2 half day courses to scope out what is actually involved.