eSSL SC-405 — 13.56 MHz Mifare RFID Card Reader (Slim Turnstile / Flap Barrier)

Description

A Hyderabad data centre’s physical security manager needs RFID readers at the cage row that work with the Mifare encrypted cards already issued to staff — the cards carry an encrypted facility code that compliance signed off on, and replacing the credential stock would mean a full re-issue cycle plus audit re-certification. The cage row uses flap barriers between zones, not swing doors, so the reader head has to fit the narrow side panel of a flap barrier without a separate enclosure. Cabling already runs Wiegand to the existing access controller. The eSSL SC-405 is built for exactly this. A slim 13.56 MHz Mifare RFID card reader that drops into a turnstile or flap barrier side panel, reads the encrypted Mifare cards staff already carry, and outputs Wiegand 26 straight to the controller that drives the cage barriers.

Why integrators specify the eSSL SC-405

The eSSL SC-405 is the RFID card reader integrators specify when the deployment uses Mifare 13.56 MHz cards and the reader has to fit inside a turnstile or flap-barrier side panel without a surface bulge. The slim credit-card-slot form factor is built for exactly that mounting geometry — narrow, flat, designed to disappear into a stainless barrier housing. Mifare 13.56 MHz support means the card reader works with the encrypted card stock that most regulated industries (BFSI, data centres, pharmaceuticals, telecom) deploy. Wiegand 26 output keeps the access control wiring standard, with no protocol converter between the reader and the controller. LED and buzzer feedback gives the cardholder a clear tap-and-go confirmation; tamper detection alerts security if the reader is forced from the barrier housing.

RFID technology & read range

The eSSL SC-405 operates on 13.56 MHz Mifare frequency with a read range of 5-10 cm — the right working distance for a turnstile or flap barrier where the user presents the card to a clearly marked read zone. Mifare 1K and Mifare 4K cards both authenticate, with the card serial number passed through to the access controller as the credential identifier. The 13.56 MHz frequency is the global standard for encrypted contactless cards used in access control, public transport ticketing and corporate ID schemes, so the eSSL SC-405 card reader fits seamlessly into deployments that already standardise on Mifare. Read range is consistent across the card surface — staff do not have to find a sweet spot.

How it integrates with your access controller

The eSSL SC-405 RFID reader outputs Wiegand 26, which every mainstream access controller accepts as the default reader protocol. Standard 4-core reader cable carries 12V DC power, ground and the two Wiegand data lines from the controller to the reader head. eSSL, BioMax and third-party access control panels treat the SC-405 as a generic Wiegand card reader; no driver, no firmware push, no protocol bridge required. The access controller manages the credential database and the SC-405 card reader simply converts a Mifare card tap into a Wiegand stream that the controller validates. RS485 or TCP/IP backhaul is the controller’s responsibility, not the reader’s.

Daily operation

The eSSL SC-405 mounts in the side panel of a turnstile, flap barrier or speed gate — slim profile, no surface bulge, no awkward cable loop. Power is 12V DC, drawn from the access controller’s reader power supply. LED feedback on the front face confirms a successful read; the buzzer provides an audible cue. Tamper alarm wires back to the controller’s input to flag forced-removal events. For a multi-lane flap barrier installation, one SC-405 RFID card reader sits at each lane, all reporting back to the same access controller — the controller manages anti-passback, time-zone restrictions and entry/exit pairing centrally.

At a glance

• Brand+Model: eSSL SC-405
• Frequency: 13.56 MHz Mifare
• Card types supported: Mifare 1K, Mifare 4K (CSN read)
• Read range: 5-10 cm
• Communication output: Wiegand 26
• Power supply: 12V DC
• Indicators: LED and buzzer feedback
• Security: Tamper detection alarm
• Form factor: Slim credit-card-slot for turnstile / flap barrier
• Vendor: eSSL Security
• SKU: SC-405

What integrators usually ask before ordering

Will it work with our existing access controller?
Yes — Wiegand 26 output is the universal access control reader standard. eSSL, BioMax or third-party controllers all accept the SC-405 as a standard Wiegand RFID card reader without any conversion.

What’s the read range, and does it work through wallets/lanyards?
Read range is 5-10 cm. The slim slot design assumes staff present the card directly to the marked zone; lanyard or wallet operation works for thin sleeves but a turnstile cycle is fastest with a direct tap.

Can it read multiple card types (EM + Mifare)?
No — the SC-405 is a 13.56 MHz Mifare-only RFID card reader. For mixed EM + Mifare estates, use the eSSL SA40 (dual-frequency).

Is it IP-rated for outdoor mounting?
The SC-405 is rated for indoor and semi-sheltered installation inside turnstile or flap barrier housings. For exposed outdoor gate mounting, choose an IP65-rated reader such as the eSSL KR500-E.

Does it support encrypted cards?
Yes — Mifare 13.56 MHz is the encrypted card standard that data centres, BFSI and regulated facilities standardise on. The eSSL SC-405 card reader reads the Mifare CSN that the access control system uses as the credential identifier.

Related RFID card readers

• All RFID card readers
• All eSSL attendance & access machines
• All access controllers
• eSSL SA40 (dual EM + Mifare wall-mount)
• eSSL KR503-M (Mifare with relay output)

Sold by AmpleTrails. Questions on RFID integration, bulk orders or installation? Email [email protected], or call +91 9315441053 / +91 9034757673.