SDC UR-1 Universal Relay Board Controller
The SDC UR-1 is a 24VDC relay board controller designed to integrate door strike and electronic lock systems into HID-based access control architectures. This unit functions as the control interface between credential readers and physical security hardware — handling relay switching for strike activation, magnetic lock management, and exit device integration. The UR-1 fills a critical role in installations where HID readers are specified but relay logic and power distribution must be handled by a dedicated, centralized board.
Key Features
- 24VDC Operation: Simplifies power distribution across door control circuits. Single 24VDC supply feeds both the controller and strike hardware, reducing the number of separate power feeds required at each door and lowering wiring complexity in retrofit installations.
- Universal Relay Switching: Supports standard 12VDC and 24VDC strikes and magnetic locks, providing flexibility across door hardware inventory. You can deploy the UR-1 across multiple door types without requiring different controller variants.
- HID Integration Ready: Designed for HID credential systems and compatible with HID readers, keypads, and access control panels. This focus ensures predictable integration when HID is your reader platform.
- Compact Board Design: Mounts in standard electrical enclosures or retrofit boxes without excessive space demands. Fits into existing door frame assemblies or wall-mounted control cabinets used in warehouse automation and multi-door facilities.
- Configurable Output Logic: Allows integration into custom security architectures where integrators define door release sequences, lock-down scenarios, and emergency unlock logic. Relay outputs can be programmed or hardwired to match your access control policy.
- Suitable for New and Retrofit Deployments: Works in greenfield installations and upgrades to existing systems. No requirement to replace functioning HID readers — the UR-1 acts as an adapter between reader output and legacy or new strike hardware.
Integration & Compatibility
The UR-1 integrates into access control architectures where HID readers are the credential platform and centralized relay distribution is preferred over per-door controllers. It is compatible with security integrator-designed systems and supports retrofit scenarios where existing readers remain in place. The board is typically mounted in an electrical enclosure near the door or in a central control cabinet serving multiple doors. Wiring connects HID reader output to the UR-1 input, and relay outputs to strike or lock hardware.
Integration success depends on proper power supply sizing — ensure your 24VDC supply can handle the total current draw of all connected strikes and the controller itself. In multi-door deployments, consider load sharing across separate UR-1 boards to avoid overloading a single supply. Coordinate with your access control integration team to confirm relay output voltage and timing requirements before installation.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your access control platform is not HID-based — for example, if you deploy Salto, Openpath, or non-HID Axis readers — evaluate controllers designed for those specific ecosystems. If you require integrated audit logging, offline credential support, or network connectivity, consider a networked access control panel instead of a passive relay board. For simple single-door applications with minimal integration demands, a basic electric strike and manual key backup may be more cost-effective than a dedicated controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the SDC UR-1 work with non-HID readers?
A: The UR-1 is designed for HID systems. If your readers are a different brand, confirm reader output voltage and logic compatibility with your integrator before installation. Adapters may be required.
Q: What is the maximum current the UR-1 can supply to a strike?
A: Check the datasheet for relay contact ratings. Most standard 12/24VDC strikes draw 0.5–2 amps; verify your strike current draw against the UR-1's relay specifications to avoid relay damage.
Q: Does the UR-1 require a separate power supply?
A: Yes. Supply a dedicated 24VDC power source sized for the total current demand of the controller and all connected strikes. Do not share a power supply with access readers unless the supply is rated for combined load.
Q: Can the UR-1 be used in a multi-door installation?
A: Yes, multiple UR-1 boards can be installed — one per door or one per group of doors — each fed from the same or separate 24VDC supplies. Coordinate power distribution and wiring to avoid overloading a single circuit.
Q: Is the UR-1 suitable for outdoor door control?
A: The board is typically mounted in an indoor electrical enclosure. If exposed to weather, house it in a rated outdoor cabinet and use weatherproof connectors for all field wiring.
Q: What warranty does the UR-1 include?
A: Refer to the manufacturer's warranty documentation or your sales agreement for terms. Standard electronic controller warranties are typically 1–3 years; confirm with your supplier.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The SDC UR-1 is a straightforward relay distribution board — no fancy firmware, no IP connectivity — and that's exactly the right design for what it does. In warehouse and multi-door access environments where HID readers are already specified, the UR-1 (often searched as UR 1) handles the mechanical switching that credential systems can't do alone. You're buying a reliable interface between reader logic and physical hardware.
Technical Highlights:
- 24VDC Single Supply: Centralized power feed eliminates per-door supply runs and reduces enclosure complexity. One 24VDC circuit powers the controller and all relay outputs — typical industrial control practice, easy to size and troubleshoot.
- Universal Strike Compatibility: Supports standard 12VDC and 24VDC strike voltages across a single board. Real-world benefit: you're not locked into one strike vendor and can mix hardware across a multi-door facility without platform fragmentation.
- HID-Focused Integration: Purpose-built for HID readers means no guessing about voltage levels or signal timing. Integrators familiar with HID platforms will provision this faster and with fewer compatibility surprises than generic relay boards.
Deployment Considerations:
- Power supply sizing is non-negotiable — verify total strike current draw (typically 0.5–2A per strike) and sum the controller overhead. Undersized supplies will cause relay chatter and random lock failures during high access traffic.
- Relay contact ratings are the hard limit. Standard industrial relays are rated for 10–20 million cycles; in 24/7 warehouse environments with hundreds of daily door cycles, expect relay replacement within 3–5 years depending on strike current. Plan for maintenance spares.
Deploy the UR-1 in warehouse automation facilities, multi-tenant office buildings, and retrofit access control upgrades where HID is the reader platform and you want centralized relay control without networked intelligence. It fills the gap between HID readers (which output only contact closure) and dumb strikes (which need switching logic). Not suitable for cloud-connected access or biometric integration — if you need those, move to a networked access control panel.
