Door Entry & Intercom Systems

A door entry system links a panel at the entrance to phones or monitors inside, so a visitor can be answered and let in from indoors. The panel has call buttons or a keypad, a speaker and, on video systems, a camera. Inside, a handset or monitor takes the call, and a lock release button opens the electric lock on the door, as on the 3011 audiophones in the Videx 8K-2S/CL kit.

Choose video if you want to see who is calling before opening the door, and audio if speech and a door release are enough. Audio kits such as the Videx 8K-2S/CL use wall handsets, while video kits such as the Bell System BS5 add a colour camera with a built-in infrared lamp at the door and a 3.5" monitor inside. Video needs a video panel and video indoor units on the same system.

A 2-wire system carries the whole intercom over a single pair of conductors, which keeps installation simple and suits a retrofit. ESP systems such as the APKIT use simple 2 core cable, Fermax DUOX PLUS kits such as the DMVP-04/V are 2-wire, and on Hikvision 2-wire HD systems the DS-KAD7060EY-S distributor carries communication between buildings.

An IP system suits a site with a data network, or one where door entry must work with access control or video. Paxton Entry works standalone or alongside Paxton Net2 access control, with parts linked by Cat5 and powered by PoE. The Axis 02408-001 is a 5MP IP door intercom that uses SIP and ONVIF and can take an OSDP reader for access control.

Yes, several systems here forward calls to a smartphone app. BPT kits with the XTS 7" Wi-Fi monitor, such as the MTMFVRIP7B1, let users open the front door from a smartphone and come with 4 app licences. The CDVI CDV-4791S-DXB kit answers and releases the lock through the VDP Connect app with no subscription, and the EZVIZ CS-HP7 unlocks from the EZVIZ app.

Yes, GSM and 4G LTE intercoms use the mobile network instead of a cable run. The Bell System GS6/VRS is a 6-way 4G system with a 5m antenna cable, and the CIE Group R20K-L-DRK is an LTE IP intercom with a keypad and RFID reader for remote gates and construction sites. The Aiphone WL-11 is a DECT wireless video intercom that needs no wiring between its door and master stations.

A button panel serves as many flats as it has call buttons, and larger blocks move to a digital keypad panel or a multi-way bus. The Videx 8K-2S/CL door station takes up to 12 call buttons, the ESP APDSPXMW multi-way video door station supports up to 32 apartments, and the Videx 4212V/SA digital panel can call up to 998 apartments.

Yes, many panels include a keypad or a card reader. The Videx 4K-3S/CL audio kit adds a coded access keypad beside the call buttons, so staff or cleaners can be given a code, and the Hikvision DS-KV6113-WPE1(C) villa door station has a built-in MIFARE card reader. The Axis 02026-001 door station has an RFID reader with keypad for use with access control systems.

Choose flush where the wall can be cut to take a back box, and surface where it cannot, such as on a gate post or a thin wall. The Videx 8K-2S/CL door station can be surface or flush mounted, the Aiphone GT-2M3/VFS+AC10U is flush mounted with its back box included, and the ESP APDSKPFMS flush mount kit fits ESP APDSMW, APDSSWKP and APDSPXMW stations.