CPL Security Systems & Electronic Locking Devices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which communication protocol is most commonly used by access control panels to communicate with card readers in commercial installations?
- RS-232
- Wiegand (Correct answer)
- SPI
- I2C
Correct answer: Wiegand
Wiegand is the industry-standard protocol for connecting card readers to access control panels, transmitting card data as a series of pulses.
Question 2: An electromagnetic lock (maglock) requires continuous power to remain locked. What is this locking mode called?
- Fail-secure
- Fail-safe (Correct answer)
- Fail-open
- Fail-passive
Correct answer: Fail-safe
Fail-safe (also called fail-open) means the lock releases when power is lost, allowing free egress during emergencies such as fire alarms.
Question 3: Which type of electric strike is designed to work with mortise locksets and allows the latchbolt to retract without turning the lever?
- Deadlatch strike
- Solenoid strike
- Keeper strike
- Latch-retracting strike (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Latch-retracting strike
A latch-retracting electric strike uses a powered mechanism to retract the latchbolt, enabling egress without mechanical lever actuation.
Question 4: What does REX stand for in the context of access control systems?
- Remote Entry Exchange
- Request to Exit (Correct answer)
- Relay Exit
- Restricted Entry eXit
Correct answer: Request to Exit
REX (Request to Exit) sensors detect when someone approaches a door from the secure side, shunting the alarm and unlocking the door for egress.
Question 5: A biometric fingerprint reader fails to recognize an enrolled user's finger. What type of error is this?
- False Accept Rate error
- False Reject Rate error (Correct answer)
- Equal Error Rate condition
- Crossover Error Rate condition
Correct answer: False Reject Rate error
A False Reject Rate (FRR) error occurs when a legitimate enrolled user is denied access, also called a Type I error in biometrics.
Question 6: Which ANSI/BHMA grade rating indicates the highest performance level for electrified hardware?
- Grade 3
- Grade 2
- Grade 1 (Correct answer)
- Grade 0
Correct answer: Grade 1
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 is the highest performance classification, required for high-traffic commercial and institutional applications.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a door position switch (DPS) in an access control system?
- To power the electric strike
- To monitor whether the door is open or closed (Correct answer)
- To read proximity cards
- To control the door closer speed
Correct answer: To monitor whether the door is open or closed
A door position switch provides real-time status of whether a door is open or closed, enabling door-held-open alarms and audit logging.
CPL Security Systems & Electronic Locking Devices 2
Which communication protocol is most commonly used by access control panels to communicate with card readers in commercial installations?