Door Key Fob

Door key fobs are an electronic security device that allows you to enter a building without using a physical key or card. They can be programmed for specific access levels like granting entry to security staff only on weekdays or to give temporary access to visitors and contractors.

They’re also more secure than cards or keys because they can be deactivated if lost or stolen. These devices leave behind audit trails that are helpful to law enforcement.

What is a Door Key Fob?

A door key fob is a small device that communicates with an access control system to unlock Door Key Fob doors remotely. It contains a short-range radio transmitter and a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that transmits distinct coded information to the reader when scanned by an electromagnetic field. The door lock reads the information to determine whether it matches the credentials of a valid user.

Door fob systems provide a number of benefits that make them ideal for commercial property owners, including reduced maintenance and increased security. They are also less susceptible to breakage and wear-and-tear than traditional keys and locks, resulting in fewer replacements. Additionally, a fob system can provide audit trails and logs that help admins keep track of access and activity.

In some cases, a door key fob can also be programmed to allow temporary access, which is helpful for contractors and work crews that are doing a specific project on site. Fobs can also be assigned to different users, allowing them to gain entry even when the designated key holder isn’t present.

The most common type of door key fob is the Wiegand model, which uses a specialized magnetic field to transmit data. Although these devices are no longer manufactured, many access control scanners and readers can still accept them. The latest systems use a more advanced technology, called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which enables communication between devices through electromagnetic waves.

How to Use a Door Key Fob

Door key fobs work much the same as traditional metal keys, but are more convenient to use. Typically circular in shape and smaller than a traditional key, they fit on your keychain or ring. When pressed against a sensor, they open the door to which they are programmed. Some fobs also have other functions, such as letting you enter your car without needing to unlock it or ensuring that the side-view mirror doesn’t get knocked off when someone is squeezing into a tight parking spot, per Consumer Reports.

Fob systems are popular in apartment buildings, but they’re used in many other types of properties too, including hotels, office buildings and industrial sites. A key advantage of fob systems is that permissions and credentials can be easily issued, adjusted or revoked remotely. This is particularly helpful when an employee or a visitor loses their card or fob.

Some key fobs use passive RFID or active proximity cards, which store credentials on a microchip and transmit them wirelessly to an access reader that verifies them. Others, such as Wiegand key fobs, store binary data in a magnetic field and are incredibly hard to copy, reprogram or tamper with. Depending on the system installed, access readers may be installed right next to each lock or they might be located on the perimeter of the building and only read a fob or card when it’s within close proximity.

What Are the Risks of Using a Door Key Fob?

Modern key fobs use RFID technology to communicate with door locks. When you tap a key fob against a reader, it transmits a signal that reads the credentials saved in its microchip. If the reader sees that these match, it will send an electrical signal to disengage the lock.

Some people have concerns that key fobs are less secure than traditional keys. However, the truth is that they are more secure because they cannot be copied or duplicated. Fobs also leave a digital footprint, which can be helpful for law Door Key Fob enforcement. For example, Bob Maunsell, CEO of Electronic Security Group in West Boylston, MA, explains how a couple that was going through a messy divorce lived in an apartment building with fob entry systems. When the husband slipped back in after being kicked out, the digital trail of his key fob was invaluable to investigators.

Another benefit of key fobs is that they require minimal maintenance. These devices have few moving parts and don’t wear out as quickly as traditional doors or key locks. Plus, they can be connected to other components of a security network for monitoring purposes. A well-designed fob system will help reduce the risk of theft, burglary, intrusion and natural disasters. For example, the system can monitor which fobs are being used and which ones have been tampered with. It can also help prevent unauthorized access from employees, tenants or visitors.

How to Maintain a Door Key Fob

Fobs allow building management teams to control access and security with ease. With an easy-to-use fob system, admins can track individual credentials to create reliable audit trails and logs. They can also quickly block and revoke credentials that have been lost or stolen. Fobs have few mechanical parts, so maintenance costs are relatively low compared to other door entry systems.

Key Fobs use short-range radio waves to communicate with a reader in the lock they are programmed to open. When the fob comes close to the reader, it transmits a signal that activates a small computer chip inside the reader. This chip reads a number that is unique to the fob, which sends a signal to unlock the lock.

Fobs are a popular alternative to traditional keys for apartment complexes and gated communities. They are much easier to use than wagging a metal key in the lock and eliminate the risk of lost or copied keys. They’re also more secure, as they can be instantly blocked and disabled if they are reported as lost or stolen or a tenant is let go. This gives building managers peace of mind that they can deny entry to former employees, guests or contractors who may have a key or access card from another property. Fobs can also be easily reprogrammed, so it’s possible to add or remove access to specific doors for employees, tenants or contractors.