ELK Products ELK-73 TCP/IP Smart Card Reader
The ELK-73 is a wall-mount smart card reader from ELK Products that communicates over standard TCP/IP, putting it on the network segment alongside the rest of an access control deployment instead of requiring a dedicated proprietary bus. It ships in a white housing sized at 4.56"H x 4.3"W x 1.875"D — compact enough for door frames, mantraps, and equipment room entries without crowding surrounding hardware.
Key Features
- TCP/IP Communication: Running over standard network infrastructure means the ELK-73 can be pulled into an existing switch topology rather than trenching a separate low-voltage run back to a panel — simpler cable planning on retrofit jobs.
- Smart Card Reader Type: Reads smart card credentials, which matters if your credential policy has already moved past low-security prox cards toward chip-based cards for stronger anti-cloning protection.
- 20W Power Draw: Sizing your power supply or PoE budget around a defined 20W load avoids under-provisioning a shared panel supply when this reader is one of several devices on the circuit.
- Wall Mount Design: Fixed wall-mount hardware keeps the installation footprint predictable for door-side placement next to frames and mullions.
- White Housing: A neutral white finish blends into typical interior wall and door trim color schemes without requiring a separate cosmetic cover.
Integration & Compatibility
As a smart card reader communicating over TCP/IP, the ELK-73 (often searched as ELK 73) is built to sit within a networked access control setup rather than a standalone-only wiring scheme. Confirm panel or controller-side compatibility before specifying it into a mixed-vendor access control deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of credential does the ELK-73 read?
A: The ELK-73 is a smart card reader, designed to read smart card credentials rather than legacy prox-only cards.
Q: How does the ELK-73 communicate with the rest of the access control system?
A: It communicates over TCP/IP, allowing it to operate on standard network infrastructure.
Q: How is the ELK-73 mounted?
A: It is a wall-mount unit, measuring 4.56"H x 4.3"W x 1.875"D.
Q: What is the power draw of the ELK-73?
A: The ELK-73 is rated at 20W.
Q: What color options are available for the ELK-73?
A: The ELK-73 is available in white.
The ELK-73 is a straightforward spec on paper: TCP/IP smart card reader, 20W draw, wall-mount white housing. For a job where you're already running network cable to the door anyway, that's one less proprietary run to plan for.
Technical Highlights:
- TCP/IP Communication: Puts the ELK-73 on standard network infrastructure instead of a dedicated reader bus, which simplifies cable planning on retrofits.
- 20W Power Draw: A known load figure lets you budget a shared supply correctly instead of guessing at reader current draw.
- 4.56"H x 4.3"W x 1.875"D Housing: Compact enough for standard door-frame mounting without conflicting with adjacent hardware.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm panel/controller-side compatibility before specifying the ELK-73 into a mixed-vendor access control stack — TCP/IP communication alone doesn't guarantee protocol-level interoperability with every controller.
- Evidence on this unit doesn't include IP or environmental ratings, so treat it as an interior-rated reader unless the manufacturer confirms otherwise for outdoor or high-moisture door locations.
Reasonable fit for an interior door on a networked access control retrofit where TCP/IP wiring is already in place and a wall-mount white smart card reader fits the door aesthetic.
