SDC CYL-6KAQ 1 1/8" 6-Pin Access Control Cylinder
Overview
The SDC CYL-6KAQ is a 1 1/8" mechanical cylinder component engineered as a core element in door locking assemblies for enterprise access control deployments. This six-pin cylinder integrates directly into SDC door control systems that support up to 4 doors and 250,000 user credentials, making it suitable for mid-scale multi-door installations across single buildings or campus environments. The KA 626 keyway designation ensures compatibility with standardized key profiles used throughout the security industry, reducing key inventory complexity during installation and maintenance.
The CYL-6KAQ (often searched as CYL 6KAQ) operates within access control architectures that leverage HID credential authentication — meaning the cylinder works in tandem with card readers, badge systems, and centralized credential databases. This mechanical-electronic integration allows facility managers to enforce consistent access policies across multiple entry points without requiring separate key management systems for different zones or buildings.
Key Features
- 1 1/8" Form Factor: Fits standard commercial door mortise lock preparations, reducing the need for custom drilling or specialized installation templates. Standard bore sizes simplify retrofit into existing door hardware.
- Six-Pin Design: Six-pin cylinder provides adequate security profile for general commercial deployments; not intended for high-security applications requiring pick-resistant or bump-resistant profiles. The pin stack design balances ease of keying against casual tampering.
- KA 626 Keyway: Proprietary keyway reduces the risk of unauthorized key duplication or cross-keying between secured and unsecured areas. A single keyway across all cylinders in a facility simplifies key control but requires centralized key stock management.
- OSDP and TCP/IP Protocol Support: The cylinder integrates into SDC systems communicating via Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) and TCP/IP, enabling two-way communication between the door lock, reader, and central access control server. This means real-time credential validation, audit logging, and remote lock status reporting — no offline credential caching required at the door.
- Multi-Door Scalability: SDC systems supporting this cylinder handle up to 4 doors per controller and 250,000 user credentials in a single database, allowing single administrators to manage large enterprise deployments without fragmenting access policy across isolated systems.
- HID Credential Integration: Works within HID-based access ecosystems, including proximity cards, smart cards, and mobile credential formats. Credential revocation and access rule changes propagate to the cylinder's parent lock electronically, with no mechanical key replacement needed.
Integration and Compatibility
The CYL-6KAQ integrates into SDC door control systems that support enterprise deployments across multiple buildings with centralized credential management. The cylinder itself is a passive mechanical component; its access control functionality depends on the paired SDC controller, magnetic lock, electronic strike, or motorized latch assembly it is installed into. Ensure your door hardware (mortise lock body, strike plate, frame preparation) accommodates a 1 1/8" cylinder before ordering.
For multi-site deployments, verify that your access control software (typically running on an on-premises server or cloud-based platform) supports both OSDP and TCP/IP communication with your SDC hardware. Legacy systems using only Wiegand protocol or serial connections may require gateway devices or controller upgrades to fully leverage this cylinder's credential-sync capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the CYL-6KAQ with non-SDC door hardware?
A: The cylinder itself is a mechanical component that fits into standard mortise lock bodies with a 1 1/8" bore. However, its integration with HID credential readers and the OSDP/TCP-IP access control data flow requires pairing with an SDC door controller or compatible third-party access control system. Standalone use as a mechanical key cylinder is possible but defeats the purpose of the electronics integration.
Q: What is the KA 626 keyway, and does it limit my key supplier choices?
A: KA 626 is a proprietary keyway owned by SDC/Security Door Controls. You must obtain blank keys and cutting services from SDC or authorized key suppliers. This restricts key duplication to controlled channels, improving security but requiring you to plan key stock and replacement lead times. Do not attempt to cut KA 626 keys on standard commercial key machines.
Q: Is the CYL-6KAQ compatible with mobile credential systems?
A: Yes, if your access control system supports mobile credentials (e.g., Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or proprietary apps). The cylinder integrates with SDC systems that authenticate credentials digitally; the cylinder itself does not "know" whether a credential came from a physical card or a mobile device — the reader and controller make that distinction. Ensure your mobile credential platform is certified compatible with your SDC software version.
Q: How often should the cylinder be keyed or rekeyed?
A: The cylinder can be rekeyed by a locksmith using KA 626 blanks and cutting specifications from SDC. Rekeying is a mechanical process independent of the electronic access control system. Plan for rekeying only when personnel with physical key access are terminated or when security policies demand key rotation. The electronic credential system (card/badge revocation) is separate and immediate — no mechanical change required.
Q: Does the CYL-6KAQ work with the full SDC product line, or only specific door controllers?
A: The CYL-6KAQ is designed for SDC systems supporting up to 4 doors and 250,000 credentials with OSDP and TCP/IP protocols. Verify your specific SDC door controller model in the hardware documentation before purchasing. Older SDC models using proprietary protocols may not integrate fully. Contact SDC technical support with your controller model number for compatibility confirmation.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The CYL-6KAQ is a straightforward mechanical integration point — its real value lies in how SDC systems use it to bridge key-based fallback with credential-based enforcement. You're not buying a smart lock here; you're buying a mechanical anchor that sits inside an electronically controlled door assembly. The six-pin design paired with OSDP protocol support means that when a card is revoked or access hours change, the electronic lock controller responds instantly — the cylinder itself doesn't need to "know" any of this. That separation of concerns keeps installation and maintenance simpler than fully electronic cylinders.
Technical Highlights:
- 1 1/8" Bore with KA 626 Keyway: Fits standard commercial mortise preparations and enforces controlled key distribution — you cannot cut KA 626 keys on commodity hardware, which means fewer unauthorized copies floating around. The tradeoff is that you're locked into SDC's key supply chain.
- Six-Pin Stack: Provides basic security without pick-resistant engineering. Adequate for general office, retail, and light industrial use; not suitable for high-security facilities, data centers, or secure warehousing where bump-resistance or UL 437 certification is required.
- OSDP/TCP-IP Credential Sync: Real-time communication with the SDC controller means credential changes don't require mechanical key updates. A terminated employee's card is revoked instantly; their physical key remains useless because the electronic lock won't open when that old credential is presented.
- 250,000 Credential Capacity: Single SDC system supports large multi-building campuses, reducing the administrative overhead of running separate access control islands per building.
Deployment Considerations:
- The cylinder is a passive mechanical component — all access control intelligence lives in the SDC door controller, reader, and software. Installing the CYL-6KAQ alone in a door without a paired electronic lock assembly and credential reader will give you nothing but an expensive key cylinder. Verify your door preparation, electronic strike/motorized latch, and controller are all confirmed compatible before ordering.
- KA 626 keyway exclusivity cuts both ways. Your key security is stronger, but if SDC discontinues support for this keyway or your facility outgrows the product line, you face rekeying costs to migrate to a different cylinder family. Plan for long-term commitment or design a migration timeline upfront.
- Six pins are the minimum for commercial installations. If your site has high turnover, high-security zones, or past key compromise incidents, escalate to a pick-resistant or bump-resistant cylinder variant in the SDC family — they exist but require higher design and installation costs.
Deploy the CYL-6KAQ in multi-door office buildings, retail locations, or light industrial sites where credential-based access is the primary control and mechanical key access is a fallback only. Pair it with a full SDC system (controller, reader, software, strike/latch) and commit to centralized key management — cutting one loose from the others wastes budget and creates security gaps.
