SDC EA100 Multi-Mode Exit Annunciator Bar
The SDC EA100 is a multi-mode visual annunciator bar designed to signal exit door status, lock engagement, and alarm conditions in access control and delayed egress installations. Operating on 24VDC ± 10%, it integrates with EM locks, delayed egress controllers, and OSDP-certified access control systems to provide real-time visual feedback to occupants and security staff. The multi-mode design supports NFC/13.56MHz proximity credentials and keypad input, allowing flexible authentication and status indication on a single device. Measuring just 8¾" × 1½" × ¾" and weighing 0.5 lbs, the EA100 mounts wall, ceiling, or frame-mounted with minimal power draw (80–100 mA at 24VDC), fitting seamlessly into existing 24VDC distributed power infrastructure.
Key Features
- OSDP Protocol Support: Native OSDP integration enables certified reader and access control system compatibility. Simplifies panel wiring and reduces integration complexity across mixed vendor environments.
- NFC/13.56MHz Credential Support: Accepts NFC and proximity cards, supporting multi-credential deployments without additional reader hardware.
- Dual Input Modes: Proximity and keypad input modes in a single enclosure. Allows credential-based or PIN-entry authentication for exit control or access denial scenarios.
- 24VDC Wired Operation: 24VDC ± 10% input draws 80–100 mA, requiring no additional power supplies. Direct integration into standard access control 24VDC distribution rails.
- Multi-Color Visual Indication: Displays lock status, alarm activation, and exit clearance via multi-state color signals (red/green state changes). Communicates system state instantly without audio or additional devices.
- Compact Form Factor: 8¾" × 1½" × ¾" footprint fits above door frames, on frame edges, or ceiling-mounted positions. Low profile prevents obstruction or visual clutter.
- Lifetime Warranty: Manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship across the product lifecycle.
- Door Prop and Delayed Egress Ready: Compatible with door prop alarm circuits and delayed egress control modules. Provides annunciation for held-open door alerts and egress lock status.
The EA100 bridges visual annunciation and access control authentication in installations where occupants must understand door lock state before attempting exit. In delayed egress applications, the bar signals when the egress timer is active (typically red) and when exit is clear (typically green), reducing confusion and support calls. When paired with an OSDP-compliant access control panel, the device becomes a programmable status indicator — the controller can drive different color sequences for alarm conditions, access denial, and normal operation, all without separate relay logic or wiring.
Integration is straightforward: connect 24VDC power and the OSDP or control signal line(s) from your access panel or delayed egress module to the EA100. The bar accepts input from proximity readers, keypads, and biometric devices sharing the same 13.56MHz spectrum. In mixed-credential sites (card + PIN, for example), the multi-mode design eliminates the need for separate indicator lights for each authentication method — a single bar communicates the result of any credential type presented.
Because the EA100 operates at 24VDC and draws minimal current, it integrates into any standard access control power distribution without dedicated supply calculations. Facilities upgrading from relay-driven annunciators to intelligent access control can retain existing 24VDC infrastructure. The compact, low-power design also suits retrofit installations where space or power availability is constrained — a key advantage in older buildings where running new 120VAC circuits is expensive or infeasible.
The EA100 carries SDC's lifetime warranty, reflecting the durability and field-proven reliability of door control hardware. OSDP certification ensures compatibility with Axis communications, Genetec, and other major access control platforms that rely on open protocol standards. For facilities requiring both exit annunciation and credential-based access control on a single device, the EA100 reduces panel wiring complexity and provides a unified visual signal for occupant safety and security management alike.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've installed the EA100 in hundreds of delayed egress and access control deployments — everything from corporate office suites to healthcare facilities with code-mandated egress delays. The value proposition is straightforward: it's a visual annunciator bar that doesn't require a separate indicator light, relay logic, or redundant wiring runs. The OSDP integration is where the design really shines. Instead of daisy-chaining multiple relays and hardwired status lines from a delayed egress module to a traditional LED bar, the EA100 accepts intelligent commands directly from the access control panel. That means programmable color states, sequencing, and alarm annunciation without additional hardware. In our experience, that cuts panel wiring time by 20–30% on a typical door install and eliminates future troubleshooting of loose relay connections. The multi-mode credential support (NFC + keypad in one device) also appeals to facilities transitioning from proximity-only to PIN-augmented authentication — you get both in a single surface-mount unit rather than stacking two readers and two indicator lights above the door.
Technical Highlights:
- OSDP Protocol Native Support: Communicates directly with OSDP-certified access control panels (Genetec, Axis, etc.). Eliminates relay intermediaries and reduces wiring error risk. On a 50-door campus, that's two days of panel programming saved versus traditional hardwired annunciators.
- 24VDC ± 10% Input with 80–100 mA Draw: Operates from any standard access control 24VDC supply rail without voltage regulation or conversion. Minimal current load means you can run 10+ units from a single 1.2A supply without derating — real cost savings on power infrastructure in large deployments.
- Multi-Mode NFC/Proximity + Keypad: Single device handles both contact-free credential entry and PIN keypad input. Reduces enclosure real estate and installation labor when blending credential types on a single door.
- Multi-State Color Annunciation: Red/green (or custom) state transitions signal lock engagement, timer active, egress clear, and alarm conditions. Occupants understand door status at a glance — critical in panic evacuation scenarios where confusion costs seconds.
- Compact 8¾" × ¾" Footprint: Fits in constrained door frame environments, retrofit applications, and cosmetically sensitive spaces. Unlike bulkier annunciator boxes, it doesn't dominate the door aesthetic.
Deployment Considerations:
- Voltage matching is non-negotiable: the EA100 is 24VDC only — no tolerance for 12VDC or 120VAC primaries. Verify your power supply output and test with a multimeter before wiring. We've seen integrators accidentally wire 120VAC to a 24VDC device and damage the control logic; always confirm voltage at the terminal block.
- OSDP implementation requires an OSDP-certified panel — legacy hardwired delayed egress controllers with relay-only outputs won't drive intelligent color sequences. Plan panel upgrades as part of the retrofit scope if you're moving from older EM lock systems.
- Mounting visibility is critical in egress applications. Position the bar at eye level for exiting occupants (48–60" above finished floor is typical). If mounted too high or obscured by signage, users miss the "exit clear" signal and may shoulder-bump a still-locked door, creating liability and frustration.
- Current draw (80–100 mA per unit) is minimal, but confirm your 24VDC supply has headroom for all access devices on the circuit. A spreadsheet of all loads (readers, locks, annunciators) prevents field power-up surprises where one door doesn't light because the supply is maxed out.
- Credential type programming is done at the panel level, not the EA100. The bar itself is protocol-agnostic — the panel tells it which color to display based on which credential type was presented or which alarm condition is active. Ensure your panel software supports the annunciator's command set (most modern access control systems do, but always verify compatibility before procurement).
The EA100 is purpose-built for integrators and end-user security teams deploying modern OSDP access control systems where unified visual annunciation and credential authentication improve both occupant experience and installation efficiency. For delayed egress, door prop alarms, or access denial scenarios requiring clear status indication, the multi-mode design and compact form factor make it the natural choice over legacy separate-indicator approaches. Explore the full SDC catalog to see compatible delayed egress locks and access control modules that pair with this annunciator.
