Description

The DITEK DTK-4LVLPCR is a compact card reader surge protective device (SPD) designed specifically for access-control systems. It protects the multiple low-voltage circuits commonly connected to card readers and keypads, including 12/24V power, 5V data, and LED circuits, in a single device. DITEK’s current documentation confirms compatibility with both OSDP and Wiegand protocols.

The DTK-4LVLPCR uses a series connection with parallel surge-protection operation, allowing it to protect connected equipment without adding resistance to the loop circuits. All protected circuits share a single grounding point, simplifying installation and helping divert damaging transient energy away from sensitive access-control electronics.

Product Functions

• Protects access-control card readers from electrical surges
• Protects compatible access-control keypads
• Protects 12V power circuits
• Protects 24V power circuits
• Protects 5V data circuits
• Protects LED circuits
• Supports OSDP communication
• Supports Wiegand communication
• Protects multiple power/data connections in one device
• Provides differential-mode line-to-line protection
• Provides common-mode line-to-ground protection
• Uses a single grounding point for all protected circuits
• Uses hardwired screw-terminal connections
• Supports optional DIN-rail mounting
• Provides up to 5,000A surge-current protection
• Designed for low-voltage access-control systems
• UL 497B certified
• Covered by DITEK’s 10-year limited warranty

Card Reader Surge Protection

The primary function of the DTK-4LVLPCR is to protect sensitive electronic card readers and keypads against damaging transient voltage events.

Access-control devices frequently combine several different electrical circuits in one reader, including:

• Device power
• Data communication
• LED/status signaling

The DTK-4LVLPCR provides dedicated protection appropriate to these different circuit voltage levels within one compact surge protector.

This helps protect both the field-mounted reader and associated access-control equipment from transient energy entering through reader wiring.

OSDP & Wiegand Compatibility

DITEK’s current DTK-4LVLPCR documentation specifically identifies the device as compatible with:

OSDP — Open Supervised Device Protocol

Wiegand

These are common communication methods used between access-control panels and card readers.

The ability to protect both communication architectures makes the DTK-4LVLPCR suitable for traditional Wiegand installations as well as newer OSDP-based access-control systems.

Power Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR supports card-reader power circuits operating at:

Service Voltage: 12V / 24V

Current DITEK specifications list the corresponding maximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV) as:

12V Application: 18V MCOV
24V Application: 33V MCOV

Published clamping voltages are:

12V Application: 22V
24V Application: 39V

This protection helps limit transient voltages before they reach sensitive card-reader electronics.

Data Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR provides dedicated protection for low-voltage reader data circuits.

Data Service Voltage: 5V
Data MCOV: 6V
Data Clamping Voltage: 8V

The lower clamping threshold is appropriate for sensitive communication circuits that operate at substantially lower voltage than the card reader’s power supply.

LED Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR also provides dedicated protection for the card reader’s LED/status circuit.

LED Service Voltage: Less than 5V
LED MCOV: 5V
LED Clamping Voltage: 7V

Protecting the LED circuit separately helps provide comprehensive surge protection across the various conductors associated with the reader.

Surge Current Rating

DITEK’s current Rev. 7 data sheet specifies a:

Surge Current Rating: 5,000A

This rating represents the surge-handling capability of the current DTK-4LVLPCR design.

Older revisions of the product documentation list different surge ratings and electrical specifications, so the current manufacturer data sheet should be used when specifying a new DTK-4LVLPCR installation.

Protection Modes

The current DTK-4LVLPCR provides:

Differential Mode: Line-to-Line (L-L)

Common Mode: Line-to-Ground (L-G)

This provides protection against transient voltages occurring between conductors as well as surges referenced to ground.

Series Connection / Parallel Function

DITEK describes the DTK-4LVLPCR as using:

Series connection with parallel protection function.

This arrangement allows the protected circuits to pass through the device while the surge-protection components divert transient energy without adding resistance to the normal loop circuit.

This characteristic is particularly important for access-control data circuits where unnecessary series resistance could interfere with normal communication.

Single-Point Grounding

All protected circuits in the DTK-4LVLPCR use a single grounding point.

Proper grounding is critical to surge-protection performance because the SPD requires a low-impedance path to divert transient energy away from protected equipment.

DITEK’s installation instructions specify that the SPD should be properly installed and grounded in accordance with applicable electrical requirements.

Electrical Specifications

Power Service Voltage: 12V / 24V
Data Service Voltage: 5V
LED Service Voltage: <5V
Power MCOV: 18V / 33V
Data MCOV: 6V
LED MCOV: 5V
Power Clamping Voltage: 22V / 39V
Data Clamping Voltage: 8V
LED Clamping Voltage: 7V
Protection Modes: L-L / L-G
Surge Current Rating: 5,000A
Maximum Continuous Current: 5A

Wiring Connections

The current DTK-4LVLPCR uses hardwired terminal connections.

Connection Method: Hardwired terminals
Supported Wire Size: 30–12 AWG

The unprotected wiring enters the SPD from the field side, while protected conductors continue from the device toward the sensitive access-control equipment.

The grounding conductor should be kept appropriately short and direct according to DITEK installation requirements to support effective surge diversion.

DIN Rail Mounting

DITEK offers an optional:

DTK-DRK — DIN Rail Mounting Kit

This allows the DTK-4LVLPCR to be mounted conveniently inside compatible access-control cabinets or equipment enclosures using standard DIN-rail arrangements.

The compact device can also be installed using an appropriate mounting method consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Physical Specifications

Housing: ABS
Length: 3.30 in / 83 mm
Width: 1.55 in / 39 mm
Height: 1.10 in / 28 mm
Weight: 2.4 oz / 68 g

Its compact dimensions allow the SPD to be installed near card readers, access-control panels, or inside suitable low-voltage enclosures.

Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature: −40°F to 158°F / −40°C to 70°C
Maximum Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
Housing: ABS

The environmental rating of the complete installation also depends on the enclosure and mounting arrangement used to protect the device.

Installation Information

Typical DTK-4LVLPCR installation includes:

• Disconnecting power before installation
• Verifying the voltage of each circuit
• Confirming that circuit voltage does not exceed the SPD rating
• Identifying the unprotected/input side
• Identifying the protected/output side
• Routing power circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Routing data circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Routing LED circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Connecting the common grounding point
• Keeping grounding conductors short and direct
• Securing all terminal connections
• Restoring power
• Verifying normal card-reader operation
• Testing access-control communication

DITEK states that maximum surge protection depends on proper installation and grounding.

Testing & Maintenance

Inspection should confirm:

• Secure terminal connections
• Proper grounding
• Correct power-circuit voltage
• Correct data-circuit operation
• Correct LED/status operation
• Normal card-reader communication
• Proper OSDP or Wiegand operation
• No physical damage to the SPD
• No damaged wiring
• Secure mounting
• Proper access-control system operation

Any SPD that has experienced severe electrical damage or shows signs of physical failure should be evaluated and replaced according to DITEK instructions.

Product Identification

• Manufacturer: DITEK Surge Protection
• Model: DTK-4LVLPCR
• Series: LVLP Series
• Product Type: Card Reader Surge Protective Device
• Primary Function: Access-Control Surge Protection
• Protected Circuits: Power / Data / LED
• Power Service Voltage: 12V / 24V
• Data Service Voltage: 5V
• LED Service Voltage: <5V
• Protocols: OSDP / Wiegand
• Protection Modes: Differential L-L / Common L-G
• Surge Current Rating: 5,000A
• Maximum Continuous Current: 5A
• Connection: Hardwired terminals
• Wire Range: 30–12 AWG
• Housing: ABS
• Dimensions: 3.30 × 1.55 × 1.10 in
• Weight: 2.4 oz / 68 g
• Operating Temperature: −40°F–158°F / −40°C–70°C
• Maximum Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
• Optional DIN Rail Kit: DTK-DRK
• Certification: UL 497B
• Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

Applications

Suitable for:

• Access Control Systems
• Card Readers
• Access-Control Keypads
• OSDP Card Readers
• Wiegand Card Readers
• 12V Access-Control Systems
• 24V Access-Control Systems
• Door Access Systems
• Proximity Readers
• Smart Card Readers
• Security Control Panels
• Commercial Buildings
• Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
• Schools and Universities
• Hotels
• Government Buildings
• Data Centers
• Industrial Facilities
• Warehouses
• Institutional Facilities
• Commercial Security Systems

The DITEK DTK-4LVLPCR Card Reader Surge Protector is particularly useful where a single compact SPD must protect the power, data, and LED circuits associated with an access-control reader. Its support for 12/24V power, 5V data, OSDP and Wiegand communication, single-point grounding, and current UL 497B certification make it well suited to modern access-control installations.

DTK-4LVLPCR Datasheet