LifeSafety Power, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

LifeSafety Power continues its pathway of delivering technology with innovative intelligence and will highlight five new products at ISC West, March 25-27 in Las Vegas. Booth 9073 will host the debut of products, new tools and features that solidify LifeSafety Power’s commitment to providing flexible power solutions for the latest physical security and loT applications including: Advanced locking options An advanced cabinet locking option is now available for Unified Power Solutions® and ProWire® enclosures. The HES KS Series of standalone mechanical and integrated wired swing-handle locks secure new EK Series wall mount and REK Series rackmount enclosures. In places where a power supply is installed in a shared space, or when an access audit trail is desired, these advanced locking options elevate power supply security. The KS Series features Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) via RS-485 for integration to access control and building management software. These locks include integrated tamper, locked-state handle and cam rotation, with optional input for door position status, that can all be monitored in the access control system to deliver confidence that the power supply and lock are closed, latched, and secure. A Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC) mechanical key override offers emergency access and the option to update mechanical access as needed. Advanced Locking Options available on LifeSafety Power enclosures include KS Series models KS210 (OSDP); KS200 (Wiegand); KS-EM (Electromechanical); and KS-M (Mechanical). Unified power solutions REK Series Entered in this year’s SIA New Products and Solutions Awards, the REK Series delivers a wall mount style service experience inside a standard 2-post server rack. With its integrated HES KS210 OSDP server lock, the 15U enclosure is a secure solution for space-constrained environments like IDF rooms, where door clearance and security previously limited available options. REK systems feature integration with Mercury LP or MP Series or Software House (SWH) iStar Ultra, Ultra SE, or EDGE G2 controllers. LSP Design Center Guesswork is gone with the LSP Design Center (Beta), built upon the popular Configurator platform. With two new flows to confidently choose the right power supply for any electrified access project, LSP Design Center makes planning and specifying power solutions straightforward. Design Center offers a Guided Build, Advanced Build, and Search capabilities, so users get the help and information they need at any level. Guided Build walks users through a series of simple questions resulting in recommended options that could fit their requirements. New features help users compare potential systems and save a curated list of solutions for upcoming projects. Advanced Build supports loading hardware sets – which inform the best selection for a power solution, allows users to assign doors to each selected power supply, and visualise their selected systems in a 3D room for enhanced wall space planning. From the users just getting started specifying power, to those comfortable diving into calculations, this tool makes the job easier. NetLink connect updated interface The award-winning NetLink Connect network communications technology for FlexPower Unified Power Solutions has an updated interface with new battery insights. Next-generation, OSDP NetLink Connect (NLC) and NetLink Expansion (NXB) modules expand connections with one network drop per NLC board, offering managed power services in an abbreviated footprint. New diagnostics include battery state of charge; battery state of health; battery life estimation; and power supply capacity usage. An additional battery jump start feature paired with FPO power supplies features smart charging – sending a voltage current pulse to the battery to determine its state and if charging is possible. Unified power solutions EX Series The EX Series Expansion Enclosures now supports more than wire loops and batteries. With new integrated Mercury or SWH backplates power systems can easily scale to accommodate up to 8 more doors with the E8 enclosure. Knockouts align so EX Series top or side enclosures can be neatly mounted alongside existing traditional, Unified or ProWire E4 or E8 enclosures.  Visit LifeSafety Power at Booth 9073.

LifeSafety Power (LSP) continues to expand its FlexPower Unified Power Solutions partnership with Axis, adding support for additional controllers for complete integration of access control boards and power modules into a single enclosure. Unified Power Solutions for Axis integrates system power, lock power, and Axis controllers into one LifeSafety Power wall mount enclosure. The controller integrations include the A1210/1610/1710/1810/1710-B/1810-B series. Multiple LifeSafety Power devices can be connected in the access control power systems, which are capable of controlling up to 8 doors. Greater service efficiencies Unified Power Solutions allow security integrators to take advantage of a single chassis engineered to coordinate electrical and mechanical integration, providing faster, time-saving installations, repeatable designs, and greater service efficiencies for Axis installations. A removable back plate, controller wiring configuration, and expansion slots are ready for easy installation of additional power distribution modules and components. The preconnected power section further saves configuration time, and an AC disconnect point makes servicing straightforward. Intelligent managed power Each LSP output is protected against electrical surges caused by lightning or transients  Available in options of single (12 or 24V DC) or dual voltage operation (12 and 24V DC), each LSP output is protected against electrical surges caused by lightning or transients on the external wiring (SurgeShield). LSP control outputs are field-selectable for available DC voltages, either failsafe or fail secure operation with fire alarm interface. The enclosure also includes space for LifeSafety Power NetLink Network Connectivity modules for intelligent managed power. NetLink technology enables detailed power health reporting, remote troubleshooting and battery testing, email/SNMP alerts, and other proactive and predictive data. Access control integrated power options Unified Power Solutions include a growing list of access control integrated power options. LifeSafety Power has over 15 OEM partnerships covering a wide range of component manufacturers. Invented by LifeSafety Power in 2010, FlexPower Unified Power eliminates the use of three separate enclosures formerly deployed for access control installations. It requires less wall space, wiring and only one AC drop, resulting in up to 50 percent space savings and as much as 40 percent installation savings.

LifeSafety Power’s B150 Intelligent Step-Down Converter provides economical remote power management, monitoring, and control of enterprise power solutions. The B150 dual-voltage conversion modules offer an additional voltage in a FlexPower Unified Power Solution® by converting a higher input voltage to a lower output. LifeSafety Power NetLink® Now, every part of LifeSafety Power’s FlexPower series yields managed power capabilities in a single enclosure with RS485 communications and when paired with LifeSafety Power NetLink® technology.  The B150 is jumper selectable for a fixed 12VDC or an adjustable, user-defined range between 3-18VDC at 6 amps maximum current. An on-board LED display provides status updates on output voltage, current, and input power. Remote power cycling and programming Combined with NetLink-managed power technology, users receive notifications of power fault or voltage drops and can also perform remote power cycling and programming.  The B150 allows for quick, onsite power adjustments for system components with unique needs, such as access control readers, security cameras, lighting, wireless, and IT devices and components.

Historically, the emphasis of security systems has been on reactivity, whether it’s providing video evidence of an incident or data to support a resulting investigation. Reactivity is core to impactful security, but increasingly, systems are also seeking to be more proactive. A proactive system seeks to prevent events from happening in the first place, thus mitigating the harm to an organization, and making the need for a reactive response moot. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security systems be proactive? Please provide a couple of examples. 

Ten years is a long time, but it seems to pass in an instant in the world of security. In terms of technology, 2010 is ages ago. Changes in the market have been transformative during that decade, and we called on our Expert Panel Roundtable to highlight some of those changes. We asked this week’s panelists: What was the biggest change in the security industry in the 2010-2019 decade?  

Across the security industry, power supplies are too often an afterthought and the first item in an access control system to be value-engineered. However, when the power supply fails on a high-end access control device, the system becomes a very expensive paperweight. Fortunately, there are now power supply units available that can enhance system reliability by providing remote diagnostics and real-time reporting and analytics. There is also a mistaken perception that all power supplies are the same, says David Corbin, Director of ASSA ABLOY’S Power Management Strategic Business Unit. Access control and security applications Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications The fact is, a properly designed unit for today’s market must have a wide input range, a myriad of features, interface to network, have adequate transient protection, good surge capability and a demonstrated quality level for mission critical reliability, he says. “Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications,” says Corbin. “From heavy snowstorms in the Midwest and East Coast to the two million Californians that experienced unprecedented power outages, extreme weather conditions have created chaos for millions over the past few months. These events have resulted in students being locked out of schools, hospitals darkening and electronic keypads or card readers shutting down. With events like these on the rise, and an increased reliance on the technology we use to get in and out of the spaces we occupy, power supplies are critical for keeping systems up and running and people safe and secure.” ASSA ABLOY's LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems Installing right power supplies ASSA ABLOY has a range of products within the power supplies category, including LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems. ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition of LifeSafety Power in September expanded the company’s offering of smart integrated access control power solutions for OEMs, integrators and end-users. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies, and eco-friendly, linear, plug-in and solar power supplies, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Access control is crucial to security and life safety, says Corbin. And without power, any protective system is useless. When the right power supplies are installed correctly, the system will have built-in backup power that will be triggered during an outage. Dependable power supplies, with regularly replaced and appropriately sized backup batteries, are critical to keeping occupants safe in an emergency event. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies Periodic testing of the battery When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the result of a power outage can lead to hazardous situations for employees, patients, residents and students, he says. Buildings that require power to gain access can leave people stranded outside or locked inside. “When access controls are disabled, intruders can easily enter buildings without notice, affording the opportunity for interruptions to power distribution, water supplies and other necessary public utilities,” says Corbin. Preparation for the next big power outage should include the sizing of power supplies to the system requirement with a reasonable safety factor for foreseeable system expansion and a battery set that is sized for operating the system for a period of time greater than the planned requirement, he says. Using a ‘smart’ power supply provides early warning of an impending failure; and consistent, periodic testing of the battery set keeps the system in peak operating condition. Predictive maintenance of access control Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control Redundancy ensures that power remains available in the event of a failure, regardless of whether it is a blackout situation or a failure of the power supply itself, says Corbin. “In critical power installations where redundancy is vital, the system must have a properly sized and maintained backup battery,” says Corbin. “Additionally, further redundancy can be achieved via products like our Helix systems that provide for seamless switching between two different power supplies in the event of an electrical failure of one of the power supplies.” Corbin also notes there is a growing want and need for more data and analytics in the access control field. End users increasingly expect access control systems to be able to integrate with building information systems. Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control and building systems. For example, intelligent power supplies can identify problems before they happen – such as performing periodic, automated battery tests and then notifying a central monitoring location and/or a facility manager of a battery that needs replacement. Lock operation can also be monitored on a real-time basis for failure or impending failure of a secured door opening, he says.