Trine Wireless Controller and Transmitter: Simplified Access Control

In a previous article, I was invited to the installation of a Trine 4850 Electric Strike to control access through a glass aluminum storefront door. Authorized persons would use their “badge” HID card to gain access through the front door using the HID card reader installed adjacent to the opening side of the door. A rim exit device with exterior lock cylinder is the only lock installed onto this door.

However, to provide access for a visitor or person who was not authorized, the receptionist or any person close to the front door would operate the exit device to open the door. As the receptionist was not always at her desk or nearby, a visitor had to wait until someone arrived. For these instances, there was a doorbell button.

From previously viewing the Trine website when writing the 4850 installation article, I remembered that Trine sold wireless controller receivers and wireless transmitters. These Radio Frequency (RF) devices provide wireless remote release for locking devices including electric strikes.

Wireless Transmitter

The wireless transmitter, Trine Part # 018-2, operates on 315 MHz, a common frequency for United States and Japanese automotive remote keyless entry fobs. This FCC and IC Approved dual button transmitter is designed to operate with the Trine wireless controller/receiver.

The Trine 017TDC-3 Wireless Controller/ Receiver is a dual relay controller, which can remotely release one or two lock devices. For this installation, the controller will be used to release only the Trine 4850 electric strike. Having a wireless transmitter in the shape of a fob permits the receptionist to grant access from anywhere the controller/receiver can receive a signal.

The Trine 017TDC-3 dual relay controller has two 5 Amp Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC) contacts rated at 12-30 Volts AC /DC. The relays can be coupled to operate simultaneously for a single operation or individually for two separate operations. Each relay has an adjustable time delay from a minimum of five seconds to a maximum of 30 seconds.

Trine includes a copper shunt connecting the negative terminal and the two COM terminals. Connecting the COM to the negative allows the relay to be tripped for a device that has its own power. When the shunt is removed, the Trine dual relay controller does not power either relay, making the unit a wireless remote relay.

An external antenna comes with the 017TDC-3 having a line-of-sight range of up to 300 feet. Line-of-sight range is literally that clear, unobstructed line from the controller to the transmitter. The term ‘line of sight’ is a standard reference in a perfect world. However, most installation will not be line of sight. For this application, we were hampered with walls, server racks, wiring, HVAC ducting, roll insulation, etc., making this an installer’s nightmare of signal obliterating objects.

Although the actual distance from the power supply and access control circuit board to the front door was no more than 50 feet, we were forced to move the Trine 017TDC-3 up as the walls, aluminum window and door frames, servers and their metal racks caused interference, limiting the range to about 30 feet.

So we moved the controller up into the attic through one of the wiring routing tubes in the ceiling directly above the mounted enclosures. With the system temporarily wired, someone moved around the attic holding the Trine 017TDC-3 in order to find an optimal location. The final result was the receptionist could be at the desk, in the conference room or the forward offices, and remotely unlock the front door.

Power Supply