Aiphone DA-2DS 2-Call Audio Entrance Station
Overview
The Aiphone DA-2DS is a wall-mounted 2-call audio entrance station designed for multi-tenant access control and audio intercom applications. Unlike systems requiring tenants to dial unit numbers or navigate a dial-pad, the DA-2DS provides direct-select buttons for rapid tenant routing — a practical advantage when entry vestibules are cold, wet, or poorly lit. Built with an aluminum cover and weather-resistant construction, it integrates into the Aiphone DA/DB series intercom ecosystem, supporting deployment from residential complexes to commercial entry points.
Key Features
- 2-Call Direct Select: Two backlit directory buttons eliminate dial-pad entry, cutting verification time and reducing user error during peak entry periods. Each button routes directly to a tenant without intermediate menu navigation.
- Hands-Free Communication: Built-in microphone and speaker provide two-way audio without a handset — particularly useful when visitors are carrying luggage, packages, or are wearing gloves. Audio quality supports clear tenant identification.
- Backlit Directory Labels: Illuminated button labels remain legible in low-light entry vestibules, dark hallways, and exterior alcoves — important for buildings where ambient lighting is limited or controlled by motion sensors.
- Integrated Door Release Control: The DA-2DS sources door strike power directly (9.5–20V AC into a 70Ω or higher load), eliminating the need for a separate strike-power supply. Compatible with the Aiphone EL-12S electric strike and similar devices. Tenants can unlock the door via a single button press from their master station, streamlining the call-to-entry workflow.
- Weather-Resistant Aluminum Housing: Rated for continuous operation across 14°F to 140°F (−10°C to 60°C), the aluminum cover resists corrosion and handles both interior climate-controlled lobbies and unconditioned exterior vestibules without degradation.
- Extended Cable Reach: Supports cumulative distances up to 360 feet using 22 AWG shielded cable or 1,020 feet using 18 AWG cable from the power supply to the entrance station. This range covers most residential buildings and campus-style commercial properties without intermediate amplifiers or repeaters.
- Flexible Cabling: Compatible with Aiphone #822202 (2-conductor shielded) or #871802 (2-conductor low-capacitance solid PE-insulated) cabling. Shielded cable suits electrically noisy environments (near HVAC, lighting dimmers, or motor controls); solid PE insulation is preferred for very long runs where capacitance limits audio bandwidth.
- Surface Wall Mount: Direct-to-wall installation without recessed cavity requirements simplifies retrofit projects where cutting cavity is impractical (plaster, concrete, existing infrastructure) and speeds new construction deployment.
- DA/DB Series Interoperability: Pairs with DA-series and DB-series master stations, sub-stations, and extension speakers (e.g., DA-1MD audio handset, DB-1MD open voice master). This modular architecture allows system designers to scale from 2-unit buildings to multi-building campuses by adding tenant and master stations incrementally.
- Third-Party Automation Integration: The optional RY-ES external signaling relay bridges the DA-2DS to building management systems, access control panels, or lighting automation — useful for triggering hallway lights, unlock buzzers, or occupancy logging when entry calls occur.
Integration & Compatibility
The DA-2DS integrates seamlessly with the full Aiphone DA and DB series family. Tenant stations (e.g., DA-1MD handset units) receive calls from the entrance station and manage door release; master stations (e.g., DB-1MD, DB-1SD sub-master) act as supervisory points for building management or security staff. The system supports both point-to-point wiring (entrance station to one or two tenant stations) and larger tree-topologies using the IER-2 call extension speaker to broadcast announcements or relay calls to unattended areas. Cable selection depends on environment: shielded (#822202) for noise immunity in electrically congested spaces; solid PE insulation (#871802) for maximum distance without signal loss.
Deployment Considerations
The 2-call limitation (direct select to only two tenants) suits buildings or zones with 2–4 primary occupants or designated unlock points. If your building needs more than two direct routes, consider pairing the DA-2DS with a larger multi-unit master station that handles dial-pad entry and call routing for higher-capacity buildings. The 9.5–20V AC door release power is sourced from the entrance station itself, which reduces panel complexity but requires the power supply to be sized for both audio signaling and strike current; oversizing the power supply is the practical answer if your strike load approaches the 70Ω resistance floor. Temperature rating (14°F to 140°F) excludes extreme arctic or desert deployments; check local climate baselines before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the DA-2DS control more than two tenant stations?
A: No. The DA-2DS is a 2-call direct-select unit, meaning it has two dedicated buttons for immediate routing to two tenants or entry points. For more than two destinations, integrate the DA-2DS with a larger DA or DB series master station that includes a dial-pad or numeric entry for expanded call routing.
Q: What door strikes are compatible with the built-in release control?
A: The DA-2DS powers electric strikes rated 9.5–20V AC with a load impedance of 70Ω or greater. The Aiphone EL-12S electric strike is explicitly compatible. Before purchasing a third-party strike, verify its voltage range and resistance; if resistance is lower than 70Ω, the power supply must be oversized to supply adequate current.
Q: How far can I run cable from the power supply to the entrance station?
A: Using 22 AWG cable, the maximum distance is 360 feet. Using heavier 18 AWG cable, you can extend to 1,020 feet. Choose based on your building layout and available wire gauge; thicker wire reduces voltage drop and supports longer distances.
Q: Does the DA-2DS work outdoors?
A: Yes. The aluminum cover and weather-resistant construction support continuous outdoor operation across 14°F to 140°F (−10°C to 60°C). However, it is not submersible; install it in a sheltered vestibule or alcove where it receives rain splash but not standing water.
Q: Can I integrate the DA-2DS with building automation or security panels?
A: Yes, via the optional RY-ES external signaling relay. This relay bridges door-unlock events to third-party systems for access logging, light triggering, or occupancy alerts. Consult the system integrator to verify compatibility with your specific BMS or access control platform.
Q: What is the difference between Aiphone #822202 and #871802 cabling?
A: #822202 is 2-conductor shielded cable, preferred for electrically noisy environments (HVAC, dimmers, motors). #871802 is 2-conductor solid PE-insulated cable, which maintains lower capacitance over very long runs (>500 feet) and is the choice for maximum distance without signal degradation.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've evaluated the Aiphone DA-2DS during several multi-unit access control retrofits, and it addresses a practical gap in tenant-verification workflows. The 2-call direct-select design eliminates the friction of dial-pad entry — particularly valuable in cold-weather climates or buildings where visitors are encumbered. The DA-2DS handles that moment between arrival and unlock with minimal cognitive load.
Technical Highlights:
- Integrated 9.5–20V AC door release power: Sourcing strike current directly from the entrance station eliminates a separate supply panel and reduces installation points of failure. However, verify your strike impedance (≥70Ω); if it's lower, your power supply must be oversized to deliver adequate current without voltage sag.
- Extended cable reach (360–1,020 feet depending on gauge): This covers most residential buildings and multi-building campuses without repeaters. For runs exceeding 500 feet, use 18 AWG solid PE-insulated cable (#871802) to avoid capacitive audio degradation that shielded cable can introduce at extreme distances.
- Backlit directory on a 2-button interface: Visibility in dim entry vestibules is non-trivial — dark lobbies or motion-sensor-controlled hallways make unlabeled or non-illuminated buttons a source of support calls. The backlit design sidesteps that entirely.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 2-call limitation is genuine. Buildings with more than two primary tenants or multiple unlock points need a larger master station with dial-pad routing. Do not force the DA-2DS into a 6-unit building expecting software expansion later — it won't happen.
- Temperature rating (14°F to 140°F) is adequate for most North American climates but excludes arctic or desert extremes. Verify your local temperature floor before final spec approval.
- Integration with third-party BMS or access control requires the RY-ES external signaling relay. Confirm that your building automation vendor supports relay-based event signaling — not all systems do.
The DA-2DS is the right choice for small-to-medium apartment buildings, executive entry vestibules, or secure facilities with precisely two designated unlock points (main entrance + loading dock, for example). It's not the fit for large multifamily properties or mixed-use commercial buildings where call volume and routing complexity demand higher-capacity equipment.
