DITEK DTK-4LVLPCR Card Reader Surge Protector

The DITEK DTK-4LVLPCR is a compact card reader surge protective device (SPD) designed specifically for access-control systems. It protects the multiple low-voltage circuits commonly connected to card readers and keypads, including 12/24V power, 5V data, and LED circuits, in a single device. DITEK’s current documentation confirms compatibility with both OSDP and Wiegand protocols.

The DTK-4LVLPCR uses a series connection with parallel surge-protection operation, allowing it to protect connected equipment without adding resistance to the loop circuits. All protected circuits share a single grounding point, simplifying installation and helping divert damaging transient energy away from sensitive access-control electronics.

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Product Functions

• Protects access-control card readers from electrical surges
• Protects compatible access-control keypads
• Protects 12V power circuits
• Protects 24V power circuits
• Protects 5V data circuits
• Protects LED circuits
• Supports OSDP communication
• Supports Wiegand communication
• Protects multiple power/data connections in one device
• Provides differential-mode line-to-line protection
• Provides common-mode line-to-ground protection
• Uses a single grounding point for all protected circuits
• Uses hardwired screw-terminal connections
• Supports optional DIN-rail mounting
• Provides up to 5,000A surge-current protection
• Designed for low-voltage access-control systems
• UL 497B certified
• Covered by DITEK’s 10-year limited warranty

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Card Reader Surge Protection

The primary function of the DTK-4LVLPCR is to protect sensitive electronic card readers and keypads against damaging transient voltage events.

Access-control devices frequently combine several different electrical circuits in one reader, including:

• Device power
• Data communication
• LED/status signaling

The DTK-4LVLPCR provides dedicated protection appropriate to these different circuit voltage levels within one compact surge protector.

This helps protect both the field-mounted reader and associated access-control equipment from transient energy entering through reader wiring.

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OSDP & Wiegand Compatibility

DITEK’s current DTK-4LVLPCR documentation specifically identifies the device as compatible with:

OSDP — Open Supervised Device Protocol

Wiegand

These are common communication methods used between access-control panels and card readers.

The ability to protect both communication architectures makes the DTK-4LVLPCR suitable for traditional Wiegand installations as well as newer OSDP-based access-control systems.

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Power Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR supports card-reader power circuits operating at:

Service Voltage: 12V / 24V

Current DITEK specifications list the corresponding maximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV) as:

12V Application: 18V MCOV
24V Application: 33V MCOV

Published clamping voltages are:

12V Application: 22V
24V Application: 39V

This protection helps limit transient voltages before they reach sensitive card-reader electronics.

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Data Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR provides dedicated protection for low-voltage reader data circuits.

Data Service Voltage: 5V
Data MCOV: 6V
Data Clamping Voltage: 8V

The lower clamping threshold is appropriate for sensitive communication circuits that operate at substantially lower voltage than the card reader’s power supply.

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LED Circuit Protection

The DTK-4LVLPCR also provides dedicated protection for the card reader’s LED/status circuit.

LED Service Voltage: Less than 5V
LED MCOV: 5V
LED Clamping Voltage: 7V

Protecting the LED circuit separately helps provide comprehensive surge protection across the various conductors associated with the reader.

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Surge Current Rating

DITEK’s current Rev. 7 data sheet specifies a:

Surge Current Rating: 5,000A

This rating represents the surge-handling capability of the current DTK-4LVLPCR design.

Older revisions of the product documentation list different surge ratings and electrical specifications, so the current manufacturer data sheet should be used when specifying a new DTK-4LVLPCR installation.

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Protection Modes

The current DTK-4LVLPCR provides:

Differential Mode: Line-to-Line (L-L)

Common Mode: Line-to-Ground (L-G)

This provides protection against transient voltages occurring between conductors as well as surges referenced to ground.

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Series Connection / Parallel Function

DITEK describes the DTK-4LVLPCR as using:

Series connection with parallel protection function.

This arrangement allows the protected circuits to pass through the device while the surge-protection components divert transient energy without adding resistance to the normal loop circuit.

This characteristic is particularly important for access-control data circuits where unnecessary series resistance could interfere with normal communication.

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Single-Point Grounding

All protected circuits in the DTK-4LVLPCR use a single grounding point.

Proper grounding is critical to surge-protection performance because the SPD requires a low-impedance path to divert transient energy away from protected equipment.

DITEK’s installation instructions specify that the SPD should be properly installed and grounded in accordance with applicable electrical requirements.

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Electrical Specifications

Power Service Voltage: 12V / 24V
Data Service Voltage: 5V
LED Service Voltage: <5V
Power MCOV: 18V / 33V
Data MCOV: 6V
LED MCOV: 5V
Power Clamping Voltage: 22V / 39V
Data Clamping Voltage: 8V
LED Clamping Voltage: 7V
Protection Modes: L-L / L-G
Surge Current Rating: 5,000A
Maximum Continuous Current: 5A

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Wiring Connections

The current DTK-4LVLPCR uses hardwired terminal connections.

Connection Method: Hardwired terminals
Supported Wire Size: 30–12 AWG

The unprotected wiring enters the SPD from the field side, while protected conductors continue from the device toward the sensitive access-control equipment.

The grounding conductor should be kept appropriately short and direct according to DITEK installation requirements to support effective surge diversion.

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DIN Rail Mounting

DITEK offers an optional:

DTK-DRK — DIN Rail Mounting Kit

This allows the DTK-4LVLPCR to be mounted conveniently inside compatible access-control cabinets or equipment enclosures using standard DIN-rail arrangements.

The compact device can also be installed using an appropriate mounting method consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Physical Specifications

Housing: ABS
Length: 3.30 in / 83 mm
Width: 1.55 in / 39 mm
Height: 1.10 in / 28 mm
Weight: 2.4 oz / 68 g

Its compact dimensions allow the SPD to be installed near card readers, access-control panels, or inside suitable low-voltage enclosures.

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Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature: −40°F to 158°F / −40°C to 70°C
Maximum Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
Housing: ABS

The environmental rating of the complete installation also depends on the enclosure and mounting arrangement used to protect the device.

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Installation Information

Typical DTK-4LVLPCR installation includes:

• Disconnecting power before installation
• Verifying the voltage of each circuit
• Confirming that circuit voltage does not exceed the SPD rating
• Identifying the unprotected/input side
• Identifying the protected/output side
• Routing power circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Routing data circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Routing LED circuits through the appropriate terminals
• Connecting the common grounding point
• Keeping grounding conductors short and direct
• Securing all terminal connections
• Restoring power
• Verifying normal card-reader operation
• Testing access-control communication

DITEK states that maximum surge protection depends on proper installation and grounding.

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Testing & Maintenance

Inspection should confirm:

• Secure terminal connections
• Proper grounding
• Correct power-circuit voltage
• Correct data-circuit operation
• Correct LED/status operation
• Normal card-reader communication
• Proper OSDP or Wiegand operation
• No physical damage to the SPD
• No damaged wiring
• Secure mounting
• Proper access-control system operation

Any SPD that has experienced severe electrical damage or shows signs of physical failure should be evaluated and replaced according to DITEK instructions.

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Product Identification

• Manufacturer: DITEK Surge Protection
• Model: DTK-4LVLPCR
• Series: LVLP Series
• Product Type: Card Reader Surge Protective Device
• Primary Function: Access-Control Surge Protection
• Protected Circuits: Power / Data / LED
• Power Service Voltage: 12V / 24V
• Data Service Voltage: 5V
• LED Service Voltage: <5V
• Protocols: OSDP / Wiegand
• Protection Modes: Differential L-L / Common L-G
• Surge Current Rating: 5,000A
• Maximum Continuous Current: 5A
• Connection: Hardwired terminals
• Wire Range: 30–12 AWG
• Housing: ABS
• Dimensions: 3.30 × 1.55 × 1.10 in
• Weight: 2.4 oz / 68 g
• Operating Temperature: −40°F–158°F / −40°C–70°C
• Maximum Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
• Optional DIN Rail Kit: DTK-DRK
• Certification: UL 497B
• Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

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Applications

Suitable for:

• Access Control Systems
• Card Readers
• Access-Control Keypads
• OSDP Card Readers
• Wiegand Card Readers
• 12V Access-Control Systems
• 24V Access-Control Systems
• Door Access Systems
• Proximity Readers
• Smart Card Readers
• Security Control Panels
• Commercial Buildings
• Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
• Schools and Universities
• Hotels
• Government Buildings
• Data Centers
• Industrial Facilities
• Warehouses
• Institutional Facilities
• Commercial Security Systems

The DITEK DTK-4LVLPCR Card Reader Surge Protector is particularly useful where a single compact SPD must protect the power, data, and LED circuits associated with an access-control reader. Its support for 12/24V power, 5V data, OSDP and Wiegand communication, single-point grounding, and current UL 497B certification make it well suited to modern access-control installations.

Datasheet