How does each reader get powered, and what does that mean for installation wiring?

The Comelit 909020116 is powered exclusively via PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) at 15.4 W, meaning a single Cat6 cable carries both data and power from a compatible PoE+ switch or injector. No separate power run, conduit, or local 12 V supply is required at the door. This simplifies rough-in significantly on new construction or retrofits where Cat6 is already pulled, but it creates a hard dependency on PoE+ infrastructure—a standard PoE (802.3af, 15.4 W budget shared) switch is insufficient if the switch only delivers 802.3af class 0.

The Speco AP500HA operates on 5–16 VDC at 30 mA (rated at 12 VDC), drawing approximately 0.36 W under normal operation—roughly 43× less power than the Comelit at full PoE+ draw. It requires a dedicated low-voltage power wire run (or local wall-wart/panel supply), which is standard practice in conventional access-control installations where the panel or power supply is in an adjacent IDF or closet. No network switch port is consumed. For sites without structured cabling, this DC-native approach avoids a switch upgrade.

Summary: PoE+ (Comelit) collapses wiring to a single cable and enables remote power cycling via the switch, but mandates 802.3at-capable infrastructure. DC 5–16 V (Speco) fits any existing panel power supply and legacy installs but requires a separate wire pair.

What credential types does each reader support, and what read range and output protocol can installers expect?

The Speco AP500HA explicitly specifies 125 kHz proximity technology compatible with HID and AWID card formats, with a stated read range of 8 inches (approximately 20 cm) and a Wiegand / ABA Track II output protocol. Wiegand is the near-universal legacy interface supported by virtually every access-control panel on the market, making the AP500HA a drop-in replacement in almost any existing installation without panel reconfiguration.

The Comelit 909020116 datasheet excerpt provided does not specify carrier frequency, card format compatibility, read range, or output protocol. The product tagline references '4MP,' which is atypical for a proximity reader and may indicate an integrated camera element or a spec-sheet artifact; this cannot be confirmed from the supplied data. No Wiegand, OSDP, or proprietary protocol is listed in the provided specs.

For integrators who need a confirmed read range, a named card standard (HID/AWID), and a specific output protocol before commissioning, the AP500HA provides all three; the 909020116 does not, based on the specifications supplied.

Which reader is better documented for harsh environments and compliance-sensitive projects?

Both readers carry an IP67 ingress-protection rating, confirming dust-tight and temporary-immersion resistance suitable for exterior mounting without an additional enclosure. The Speco AP500HA adds a published operating temperature range of -40°F to 149°F (-40°C to 65°C), covering extreme-cold northern climates and high-heat desert or industrial environments. No operating temperature range is provided in the Comelit 909020116 specifications supplied.

The Comelit 909020116 body is Grade 304 stainless steel, a material choice that resists corrosion in coastal or high-humidity environments and provides a higher vandal-resistance threshold than typical ABS or polycarbonate housings. Its environment rating is listed as 'Vandal Resistant.' The Speco AP500HA housing material is not specified; the unit ships in black with an ivory snap-on cover, suggesting a polymer construction, though this is not confirmed in the supplied specs.

On compliance, the AP500HA carries ETL listing and NDAA Section 889 Part B certification—a hard requirement on U.S. federal, DoD, and many state/municipal projects. FCC, CE, ICC, and C-Tick marks are also listed. The Comelit 909020116 supplied specifications include no compliance certifications. Installers on NDAA-governed contracts must confirm Comelit's compliance status independently before specifying the 909020116.

Which should you choose: the 909020116 or the AP500HA?

Our take: The AP500HA is the stronger choice for legacy-panel retrofits, NDAA-regulated projects, and extreme-climate deployments; the 909020116 is better suited to new IP infrastructure builds where PoE+ switches are already in place and stainless-steel vandal resistance is a priority. Spec deltas: the AP500HA documents a confirmed 8-inch read range and Wiegand/ABA Track II output—neither is stated for the 909020116. The AP500HA carries NDAA Section 889 Part B and ETL certifications; no certifications are listed for the 909020116. The 909020116 draws up to 15.4 W over PoE+; the AP500HA draws approximately 0.36 W from a 5–16 VDC supply—relevant for panel power budgeting. Platform qualifier: pair the AP500HA with any Wiegand-capable panel; specify the 909020116 only after confirming its output protocol with Comelit and verifying 802.3at switch availability at every door location.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Comelit 909020116 product page — full specs and to add to a quote
• Speco Technologies AP500HA product page — full specs and to add to a quote