Introduction to the ACT10 Standalone Access Keypad and its key features
ACT10 Standalone Access Keypad — 10‑Code, 2‑Dooris a compact, rugged codelock designed for straightforward access control on one or two doors. Built with a zinc die‑cast housing and stainless‑steel backlit keys, the ACT10 focuses on durability and simple operation rather than network complexity. It supports up to 10 user PIN codes (4–6 digits) and provides two relay outputs to manage two separate doors or entry points. Typical operating voltage is flexible (12–24 V AC/DC) and the unit is commonly listed with IP54–IP55 environmental protection and high impact resistance on some manufacturer pages.
In short, the ACT10 aims to offer a reliable, vandal‑resistant access solution for small commercial sites, communal entrances, plant rooms and other locations where a standalone keypad with minimal wiring and fuss is ideal.
Detailed description of specifications and benefits
The ACT10’s specification set is purposefully straightforward, focusing on the capabilities most installers and site managers need for small standalone systems. Below is a concise overview of the technical highlights followed by the practical benefits each delivers.
- Manufacturer / Family:Vanderbilt (ACT family)
- Part number / SKU:V54521‑C112‑A100 (commonly listed) / ACT10
- User codes:10 PINs (4–6 digits)
- Door capacity / outputs:2 doors / 2 output relays
- Operating voltage:12–24 V AC/DC
- Current consumption:40 mA nominal, 120 mA max
- Relay rating:Typically 2 × 5 A (reseller listings vary; consult datasheet)
- Dimensions:Approx. 138 × 87 × 37 mm (H × W × D)
- Weight:Approx. 0.7 kg
- Housing / keys:Zinc die‑cast housing; stainless‑steel backlit keys
- Protection / environmental:IP54–IP55 (listed variably by source)
- Impact rating:IK10 reported on some manufacturer pages
- Operating temperature:Reported −40 °C to +70 °C (varies by source)
- Mounting:Surface or flush; optional weather/shield accessories
- Inputs:Push‑to‑exit, door monitor/contact, fire alarm interlock
- Rugged construction:The zinc die‑cast housing and stainless keys provide protection against physical abuse and harsh environments. This makes the ACT10 suitable for high‑traffic entrances and exposed outdoor locations when combined with optional shields.
- Two‑door control:Two relays let a single unit manage two doors or two separate lock circuits, reducing hardware and installation costs compared with deploying multiple single‑door keypads.
- Simple power requirements:12–24 V AC/DC compatibility and low nominal current draw (around 40 mA) mean the unit can be powered from common door control supplies or simple local sources, making it ideal for standalone or retrofit setups.
- Flexible mounting:Surface and flush mounting options (plus optional weather/shield accessories) allow installers to place the keypad on a variety of frames and surfaces without compromising appearance or access.
- User management:Ten user PINs with two user groups offer straightforward access control for small teams, contractors and visitors. Programming is intentionally simple for administrators who do not require a centralized access management system.
- Environmental tolerance:With reported IP54–IP55 protection and wide operating temperature ranges on vendor pages, the ACT10 is able to operate in many outdoor and industrial settings. Always confirm exact ratings on the official datasheet.
Use cases and scenarios where the ACT10 excels
The ACT10 is designed to fill a specific niche: reliable, vandal‑resistant standalone access control for small sites or secondary doors. Practical scenarios include:
- Small commercial premises:Offices, storage rooms, or internal secure areas where a simple keypad entry is sufficient and centralized access management is not required.
- Plant rooms and service areas:Industrial or utility rooms where rugged construction and environmental tolerance are valuable, and where the keypad may be exposed to knocks, dirt or moisture.
- Communal residential entrances:Low‑rise apartment block entrances, communal doors and maintenance entrances where a handful of resident or contractor PINs provide controlled access without the need for cards or mobile credentials.
- Retrofit projects:Replacing a damaged keypad or adding access control to existing doors where low‑impact wiring and a compact footprint reduce installation time and cost.
- Secondary gates and external doors:External service gates, delivery entrances and staff access points that require a weather‑tolerant and vandal‑resistant device.
In each case the ACT10’s simplicity—few moving parts, basic programming and two door outputs—keeps costs and ongoing maintenance low compared with networked systems that require controllers, servers or cloud subscriptions.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating the ACT10 it helps to compare it across two main axes: standalone keypads and networked access controllers.
- Durability:The ACT10’s zinc die‑cast body and stainless keys are competitive with other vandal‑resistant units. Some low‑cost keypads use plastic housings that won’t withstand the same levels of abuse.
- Feature set:Ten PIN codes and two relays are generous for a standalone keypad. Some competing models offer more user capacity or integrated proximity readers, but often at higher cost or with reduced ruggedness.
- Price:With a suggested retail around $179.99 (street pricing varies), the ACT10 sits in the mid‑range for industrial standalone keypads—more than bare‑bones models but less than full multi‑credential units.
- Scalability:Networked controllers (with card readers, mobile BLE or cloud management) scale to dozens or thousands of users and provide audit trails. The ACT10 is not designed for large deployments or centralized logs—its strength is simplicity.
- Cost & maintenance:Networked systems require controllers, wiring, software/hubs and often subscriptions. For small sites where centralized management is unnecessary, the ACT10 is cheaper to buy, install and maintain.
- Feature trade‑offs:If you need audit trails, scheduled access, or remote door control, networked solutions win. If you need a rugged keypad with two door outputs and easy local programming, the ACT10 is the better fit.
Customer testimonials and typical user feedback
Specific, attributed customer reviews for this exact model may vary across reseller pages. Below are representative themes commonly reported by installers and site managers using the ACT10 or similar devices:
- Positive feedback:Users often praise the ACT10 for solid build quality and reliability. Installers like the compact footprint and the option to control two doors from one device. The stainless backlit keys and tamper protection are commonly cited as standout features for outdoor or exposed locations.
- Ease of use:Site administrators frequently comment that programming is straightforward for routine tasks such as adding or removing PINs, which reduces training and handover time.
- Caveats:Some users note that public datasheets and reseller listings sometimes show slightly different relay or environmental ratings. For mission‑critical installations they recommend consulting the official Vanderbilt datasheet and installation manual to confirm relay ratings, wiring diagrams and compliance details.
- Limitations:Because it stores only 10 PINs, the ACT10 is not suitable for medium‑to‑large staff lists or deployments that require centralized user management and audit logs. Customers needing those capabilities typically opt for networked access control solutions.
Conclusion — why the ACT10 is a great choice for the right application
The ACT10 standalone access keypad is a focused solution: it delivers a durable, vandal‑resistant keypad with two door outputs, simple local programming and flexible mounting options. For small commercial sites, service entrances, plant rooms and retrofit projects where ruggedness and low lifecycle cost matter more than centralized management, the ACT10 provides excellent value.
Its advantages are tangible—zinc die‑cast construction, stainless keys, tamper protection, dual‑relay control and broad voltage compatibility—while the trade‑offs are clear (limited user capacity and no centralized audit trail). That transparency makes the ACT10 especially useful for purchasers who need to match a device’s capabilities closely to site requirements rather than buying more complexity than necessary.
Before purchasing or installing, verify the exact relay ratings, ingress and impact protection and wiring diagrams in the official Vanderbilt datasheet and installation manual. If you need more users, audit logs, or remote management, consider pairing the ACT10 with additional control equipment or evaluating networked access platforms. For a rugged, cost‑effective standalone keypad that does what it promises, the ACT10 is a strong choice.
Pricing note:Typical suggested retail pricing is around $179.99 (street prices vary). For procurement or bulk orders, check with your preferred reseller for up‑to‑date availability and pricing.
