TDSi MICROgarde I User manual

t: [phone]
w: www.tdsi.co.uk
e: [email protected]k
e: [e-mail]
Unit 10 Concept Park
Innovation Close
Poole
Dorset
BH12 4QT
MICROgarde
controller I and II
User Manual
UM0060_6

Foreword
Copyright © 2002 TDSi. All rights reserved.
Time and Data Systems International Ltd operate a policy of continuous improvement and
reserves the right to change specifications, colours or prices of any of its products without prior
notice.
Guarantee
For terms of guarantee, please contact your supplier.
Trademarks
Copyright © 2002 Time and Data Systems International Ltd (TDSi). This document or any
software supplied with it may not be used for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied
nor shall any part of it be reproduced without the prior written consent of TDSi.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Cautions and Notes
The following symbols are used in this guide:
CAUTION! This indicates an important operating instruction that should be followed to
avoid any potential damage to hardware or property, loss of data, or personal injury.
NOTE. This indicates important information to help you make the best use of this product.

03. 20.11.18 MICROgarde controller I and II Page 1
Contents
1Introduction ................................................................................................2
System Components .................................................................................................3
1.1.1 MICROgarde controller (I or II).......................................................................................................3
1.1.2 Reader ....................................................................................................................................................4
1.1.3 Cards........................................................................................................................................................4
1.1.4 Options...................................................................................................................................................4
1.1.5 MICROgarde Explorer .......................................................................................................................4
Overview .......................................................................................................................5
1.2.1 Access Control.....................................................................................................................................5
1.2.2 Doors and readers..............................................................................................................................5
1.2.3 Inputs and relays................................................................................................................................5
1.2.4 Options...................................................................................................................................................6
2Installation..................................................................................................9
What’s in the box........................................................................................................9
Physical Installation ..................................................................................................9
Cabling Requirements ........................................................................................... 10
2.3.1 Choosing the correct cable ......................................................................................................... 10
2.3.2 Recommended cable types......................................................................................................... 11
2.3.3 Grounding........................................................................................................................................... 12
Connections............................................................................................................... 13
2.4.1 Connecting Readers....................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.2 Egress or Exit button .................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.3 Door sensor ....................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4.4 Lock and Lock PSU connection.................................................................................................. 14
2.4.5 Power Supply Connection ........................................................................................................... 15
2.4.1 Communications.............................................................................................................................. 17
2.4.7 MICROgarde Configuration ......................................................................................................... 19
Inputs........................................................................................................................... 20
Relays .......................................................................................................................... 21
Installing an Input/Output Module.................................................................... 22
Installing a TCP/IP Module................................................................................... 23
2.8.1 MICROgarde without PSU............................................................................................................ 23
2.8.2 MICROgarde with PSU................................................................................................................... 24
Final Installation Checks....................................................................................... 25
2.9.1 Hardware Reset............................................................................................................................... 26
3Technical Information........................................................................... 27
Specification ............................................................................................................. 27
Glossary ...................................................................................................................... 29
Compliance Notices ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.1 Compliance with CE regulations ....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.2 FCC Regulations Notice.....................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.3 CSA EMC Notice ....................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.4 Safety Notices ................................................................................................................................. 31

Page 2 MICROgarde controller I and II 04.20.11.18
1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your TDSi MICROgarde door access control system.
There are 2 main types of MICROgarde controller (often referred to as MG controllers) the
MICROgarde I and MICROgarde II. MICROgarde I is a 1-door controller with connections for
1-2 readers. MICROgarde II is a 2-door controller with connections for up to 4 readers.
The controllers can operate independently or as part of a networked system all administered
from a single computer (PC) using EXgarde software. In addition, spare inputs and relays
are available for monitoring and control of other equipment.
MICROgarde’s key features are:
One- or two-door access control unit
Network to 200 other MICROgarde units
Up to 800 TDSi or 400 third-party readers
Built-in RS-232/RS-485 converter
Reversible 2-wire RS-485 communication
Variable lock times
Diagnostic LEDs
Additional I/O and TCP/IP modules available
Automatic fire door release
(not to be used as the primary method of releasing fire doors)
Full compatibility with EXgarde PRO providing an easy upgrade path for enhanced
functionality
Intuitive software
Automated database backup
Custom reporting feature
This manual will guide you through the installation of MICROgarde I & II controllers (with or
without integral power supply).

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System Components
This section describes the key components of a MICROgarde system.
1.1.1 MICROgarde controller (I or II)
1 or 2-door – 4 reader controllers (2 readers only with non-TDSi readers)
2 changeover lock relays*
2 Door sense and 2 Egress inputs*
On-board memory and intelligence
Built-in tamper detection
RS232, RS485 or TCP/IP communications
RS232/RS485 connections
Lock connections
Reader
connections
Relay and Inputs
Door Sensor/Exit
button connections
Rotary Selector and
Tx/Rx/5V status LEDs
UID
Tamper switch

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1.1.2 Reader
Choose from proximity (Mifare, Wiegand or clock and data), mag-stripe, digital infra-red or
biometric technologies.
1.1.3 Cards
All cards are available as plain white standard sized cards suitable for use in Photo-ID
badge printers. Proximity, infra-red, long range key-fobs are available as a convenient
alternative to cards. TDSi can supply a full range of technologies to meet your business
requirement from 125KHz proximity to 13.56MHz smart card with integrated contact chip.
Standard and custom cards supplied
Choice of card or key fob
Multi technology available
Custom printing if required
Combine physical and logical access control
1.1.4 Options
I/O board option
Adds 4 inputs and 2 change-over relays to a MICROgarde controller
TCP/IP Port option
Adds a 10/100 Mb Ethernet port to a MICROgarde controller, MICROgarde then converts for
2-wire RS485 to other controllers
RS232/RS485 Converter
MICROgarde controller converts an RS232 from PC to 2-wire RS485 out to other controllers.
RS232 supports max. 15m if greater distance is required than can use alternative
converters.
USB/RS485 Converter
For direct RS485 control from the PC, a USB to RS485 converter may be used to connect to
the controllers.
1.1.5 MICROgarde Explorer
MICROgarde Explorer is TDSi’s Windows-based software application for use with up to 200
networked controllers. The software only supports MICROgarde controllers but you can
upgrade to EXgarde Pro software. Contact TDSi for details.

Page 5 MICROgarde controller I and II 04.20.11.18
Overview
1.2.1 Access Control
Each person who is to be allowed access is given a card (or key fob) with a unique number.
When the card is presented at a reader next to a door, the number is read and transmitted to
the MICROgarde controller to which it is connected. If that number is in the memory of the
controller, with permission to enter the door at that time, the controller operates a relay
which in turn unlocks the door for a pre-set number of seconds. The controller also records
the event, which is sent to the software event trail and logging.
EXgarde software is used to set up a system of up to 200 MICROgarde controllers. Once
the system is set up, the software can be closed down if required because each controller
contains all of the valid card numbers together with all the rules that govern access.
The software will also retrieve and display events as they happen. If events have occurred
while the software has been closed down, the software will retrieve them when re-started. If
a controller records 1000 events (programmable) while it is off-line, then the oldest event is
discarded to make room for each new event.
1.2.2 Doors and readers
There are 2 main types of MICROgarde controller: MICROgarde I and MICROgarde II.
MICROgarde I is a 1 door controller with 1-2 readers.
MICROgarde II is a 2 door controller with up to 4 TDSi readers or two non-TDSi readers.
A door can have a reader on both sides of the door. Because a card holder is given
permission (courtesy of his or her access level) on a reader-by-reader basis, a card may be
allowed access through a door in one direction only if required. Where a reader is fitted on
one side of the door only, opening the door from the other side may require the fitting of
suitable door hardware or an exit button.
1.2.3 Inputs and relays
You can reduce the number of doors controlled by a MICROgarde and thus use the spare
relays and inputs for monitoring other devices. An optional board can be added to each
controller that adds 4 more spare inputs and 2 relay outputs.
If required a MICROgarde can be programmed to be pure I/O and not used for reader and
door. A MICROgarde II with an I/O board fitted would provide 4 spare relays and 8 spare
inputs in total.
An input can be connected to another device that contains (or behaves like) a switch. For
example, a contact fitted to a window frame could be connected so that you could see in the
EXgarde software whether the window was open, and also see the times of opening and
closing.
A relay can be connected to another device for the purpose of turning it on and off in the
following ways:
From an instruction by the Operator using the software
Automatically when an input is switched on and off
Automatically according to a pre-set time pattern

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1.2.4 Options
The simplest possible system, in addition to the PC running the software, would comprise 1
controller, 1 reader, one 12V power supply (for both lock and controller) and one electric lock
release. The following extras are available, some of which may be required depending on
site layout and cable distances:
Lock Power supply
We recommend the use of separate power supplies for locks. In most cases however, using
one supply for the controller and the lock(s) it controls will cause no problems provided the
supply has sufficient current output, and the cable distances do not result in significant
voltage drops. If in doubt, use one supply for the controller, and one supply for each lock.
Door sensor
Using a switch to detect when a door opens has two possible benefits:
It minimizes the length of time the door is unlocked after access has been granted. The
door locks immediately it re-closes - regardless of the "lock release time" setting.
The event list shows when doors open and close. If an exit reader or exit button is fitted,
the event list shows if the door is forced open (i.e. opens without either a card or an exit
button being used).
Exit button
Depending on the type of lock release, fitting an exit button may be the most convenient way
of letting someone out of a secured area if no exit reader is fitted. Pressing the button
causes the lock to be released just as if a card had been used.
Exit reader
If you want to monitor the whereabouts of all card holders, fitting an exit reader is necessary.
You can set reader properties so that you can see whether card holders are "On Site" or not.
Readers with keypads
There is always a risk that someone can gain access with a lost or stolen card, if the card is
used before it is deleted from the system. However, if a reader has a keypad fitted, then it is
possible to require a code to be entered as well as the card and this increases security
because only the rightful card holder should know the code for that card.
Alternatively, you can reduce security by using just a pin only code. It is possible to have
weekly schedules of card and pin; card only and pin only.

Page 7 MICROgarde controller I and II 04.20.11.18
Simple, single door, access system using MICROgarde I
(no door sensor, single reader with Exit button, single 12 V supply for access unit and lock)
Full, single door, access system using MICROgarde I
(door sensor, inside and outside readers, Exit button, separate 12 V supplies for access unit and
lock)

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Two door access system using MICROgarde II
(12V DC power supplies for access unit and locks not shown)
MICROgarde network