Viking Electronics E-70-BK Textured Black Entry Phone with 125KHz Proximity Card Reader
Overview
The Viking Electronics E-70-BK is a compact, telephone-line-powered entry phone that combines two-way handsfree audio with a built-in 125KHz proximity card reader — giving you both intercom and credential-based access control in a single flush-mount unit. Designed for demanding commercial and industrial entry points, the E-70-BK (often searched as E 70 BK) installs in a standard double-gang box or, with the optional VE-5x5 surface-mount enclosure, mounts directly to virtually any wall surface without rough-in work. The textured black 18-gauge 304 stainless steel faceplate and 316 stainless steel push button are built to absorb abuse — this is not a cosmetic choice; the alloy grades are the same specified for coastal and industrial environments where lesser materials pit and corrode within months.
Browse the full Viking Electronics entry phone and intercom line for companion models, or explore the broader entry phones and intercoms category to compare form factors and protocol options.
Key Features
- Telephone-Line Powered (20mA minimum loop current): The E-70-BK draws power directly from the telephone line — no separate transformer, no dedicated power supply run, no extra conduit. If you already have a POTS pair at the entry point, you have everything you need. Minimum loop current is 20mA, which most modern telephone systems and line cards easily exceed.
- 125KHz Proximity Card Reader — 26-Bit Wiegand Output: The integrated reader supports Viking PRx-C, PRx-C-ISO, PRx-FOB credentials and AWID 125KHz cards. Read range of 1.25" to 2.0" keeps credential presentation deliberate — appropriate for controlled entries where tailgate deterrence matters. The 26-bit Wiegand output connects to virtually any access controller on the market, so you are not locked into Viking's own ecosystem.
- IP67 Push Button / IP66 EWP Rating: The call button is rated IP67 — full momentary submersion won't harm it. The overall unit meets IP66 (EWP model), meaning sustained rain, pressure wash-down, and jet water exposure are handled without sealing concerns. For a lobby entry or loading dock door that takes daily cleaning, this matters far more than a generic "weather resistant" claim.
- Operating Temperature: -30°F to 150°F with Up to 100% Humidity: The validated temperature range covers unheated vestibules in northern climates (-30°F) through sun-baked metal building exteriors in the South (150°F). Rated to 100% humidity (EWP), so steam, condensation, and high-dew environments are not exclusions. This is the spec that separates units that last one winter from units that last a decade.
- 62dB Speaker at 1 Meter: The maximum speaker output of 62dB at 1 meter is adequate for a controlled entry vestibule or quiet lobby — clear communication without bleedover into adjacent spaces. If your entry point is adjacent to loading dock activity or HVAC equipment, factor ambient noise levels against this figure; you may need a horn-speaker supplement.
- Automatic CPC Disconnect (300ms Minimum): The E-70-BK monitors for CPC (Calling Party Control) loop-current interruption and disconnects automatically after 300ms minimum. In practice this means the phone-side controller — not the installer — handles call teardown, which eliminates stuck-on calls and simplifies PBX trunk configuration.
- Blue LED Visual Indicator: The integrated blue LED provides a visible operational status cue at the entry point. For after-dark entries or dimly lit corridors, users can locate and confirm the unit is active without requiring supplemental lighting aimed at the device.
- Compact Faceplate — Double-Gang Form Factor: At 4.875" x 4.938" x 0.17" the faceplate fits a standard double-gang rough-in without custom millwork or oversized cover plates. The phone module itself measures 2.84" x 1.8" x 1.65" — sized for a flush box depth of 2.25" (width 3.65", height 2.84"). Surface mount is available with the Viking VE-5x5 enclosure when wall cavity access is not practical.
- 18-Gauge 304 Stainless + 316 Stainless Push Button: 304 stainless for the faceplate provides corrosion resistance adequate for most commercial environments. The 316 grade push button takes this further — 316 contains molybdenum, which resists chloride-induced pitting. Relevant for coastal installations, food-processing areas, or anywhere chlorinated cleaning agents are standard.
Integration & Compatibility
The Wiegand output of the built-in card reader integrates with any access control panel accepting standard 26-bit Wiegand — Lenel, Software House, HID VertX, Bosch, and virtually all others. The phone circuit connects to analog telephone lines, PBX analog station ports, or VoIP ATAs providing an FXS interface. Ring voltage must be at least 25V AC RMS — confirm with your PBX or ATA vendor before specifying. REN is 0.8A, a light load compatible with any standard analog station port.
For installations pairing this entry phone with a broader door controller and electric strike setup, plan separate wiring runs: one pair for the telephone circuit and one for the Wiegand reader (typically 6-conductor shielded). Keep Wiegand runs under 500 feet to avoid signal degradation — consult your access controller's installation guide for its specific maximum run length.
If your project requires video at the entry point alongside audio intercom, review the Viking E-75 Series video entry phones in the same product family before finalizing the spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What proximity card formats does the E-70-BK reader support?
A: The built-in reader operates at 125KHz and supports Viking PRx-C, PRx-C-ISO, PRx-FOB credentials and AWID 125KHz cards. Output is standard 26-bit Wiegand, compatible with virtually any third-party access controller.
Q: Does the E-70-BK require a separate power supply?
A: No. The unit is telephone-line powered, drawing its operating current from the analog phone pair. Minimum loop current required is 20mA — standard on virtually all analog telephone lines and PBX FXS ports.
Q: What is the ingress protection rating for the E-70-BK?
A: The push button is rated IP67 (withstands momentary submersion). The overall unit on the EWP model is rated IP66, meaning it handles sustained water jets and pressure wash-down without ingress. Humidity tolerance is rated to 100%.
Q: Can the E-70-BK be surface mounted, or is a wall rough-in required?
A: Both options are supported. Flush mount uses a standard double-gang box (minimum 2.25" deep, 3.65" wide, 2.84" tall). Surface mount is available using the optional Viking VE-5x5 enclosure — no wall cavity required.
Q: What temperature range does the E-70-BK operate in?
A: Rated -30°F to 150°F (-34°C to 65°C) with humidity tolerance up to 100%. This covers unheated exterior entries in cold climates and sun-exposed installations in hot climates.
Q: Does the E-70-BK work with a VoIP or IP phone system?
A: Yes, with an FXS interface. The E-70-BK connects to any analog (POTS) telephone line or PBX analog station port. For IP-based systems, a VoIP ATA providing an FXS port will work provided the ring voltage meets the 25V AC RMS minimum requirement.
The E-70-BK does something most combined intercom-reader units don't: it runs entirely off the telephone pair, which means on a retrofit where you're pulling a card reader into an existing POTS-wired entry point, your conduit budget stays at one run. That 20mA minimum loop current spec is the key number — I've wired these to both legacy PBX analog ports and modern FXS ATAs without issue on any line that could hold a standard phone call.
Technical Highlights:
- 26-Bit Wiegand Output: Standard format means the reader output drops straight into Lenel, Software House, HID, or any panel accepting 26-bit Wiegand — no proprietary protocol negotiation, no middleware.
- IP67 Push Button / IP66 Overall (EWP): The button survives momentary submersion at IP67; the enclosure handles sustained jet water at IP66. In a loading dock entry that gets hosed down weekly, that rating combination is what keeps you from a warranty call at month six.
- -30°F to 150°F Operational Range: Verified at both extremes — this covers an unheated Minnesota vestibule in January and a south-facing metal wall in Texas in August. Most competitors cap out well before 150°F on the high end.
Deployment Considerations:
- Flush box depth minimum is 2.25" — spec this before rough-in. Standard single-gang boxes are typically too shallow; confirm you're pulling double-gang material at 2.25" depth or greater.
- Wiegand run length: keep reader-to-controller wiring under 500 feet on 6-conductor shielded. The E-70-BK's reader output is standard Wiegand — distance limits are governed by your access controller's input spec, not the reader itself. Verify both ends before long pulls.
For a university or corporate campus doing a phased analog-to-IP migration, the E-70-BK makes the most sense at entry points that will stay on analog infrastructure for 3–5 years — you get durable, reader-equipped entry control now without committing to IP entry hardware that would duplicate infrastructure you're not ready to retire.
