What are Proximity cards?

🔐 What is a Proximity Card?

A proximity card (also known as a prox card or access control card) is a contactless smart card used with electronic access control systems to wirelessly unlock doors. These cards replace traditional keys and allow for secure, keyless entry into buildings, rooms, and restricted areas.

Proximity cards use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology—typically at 125 kHz—to communicate with card readers from a short distance, usually between 2 to 6 inches. When held near a compatible reader, the card transmits a unique ID number that is verified by the access control system.

🏢 Where Are Prox Cards Used?

Prox cards are widely used across many industries, including:

• Large office buildings & corporate campuses

• Educational institutions and universities

• Government agencies

• Healthcare facilities

• Manufacturing plants & warehouses

• Secure IT environments

• Fitness Centers

• Gyms

• Employee entryways

🧾 Types of Proximity Cards

1. PVC Proximity Cards

• Made from durable white PVC plastic

• Standard CR80 card size (same as a credit card)

• Ideal for most general access control systems

• Cost-effective and compatible with most printers (if printable)

2. Composite Proximity Cards

• Constructed from a PVC/polyester composite for added durability

• Better heat resistance—ideal for lamination

• Standard CR80 size

• Great for environments requiring longer-lasting cards or printed/laminated IDs

3. Printable Proximity Cards

• Designed to be used with ID card printers

• Thin and flexible for easy feeding through a printer

• Often called ISOProx (by HID)

• Choose these if you need to print employee photos, logos, or barcodes

4. Clamshell Proximity Cards

• Thicker and more rigid than standard cards

• Designed for high-use and industrial environments

• Not printable due to size—but support adhesive overlays for ID personalization

• Durable ABS plastic body

5. Magnetic Stripe Prox Cards (DuoProx)

• Combine proximity tech with a HiCo magnetic stripe

• Store additional data like student info or payment credentials

• Used for multi-functional IDs (access + payment + tracking)

6. Key Fob Proximity Cards

• Small, portable, and designed to fit on keychains

• Same tech as full-sized cards in a compact form

• Ideal for users who need constant, easy access (e.g., facility staff, security personnel)

7. Adhesive Prox Tags

• Small RFID-enabled adhesive disks

• Stick onto other surfaces like employee ID badges, phones, or wallets

• Convert any object into a working proximity credential

✅ Why Use Proximity Cards?

• Secure & contactless entry

• Eliminates keys and manual locks

• Easy to manage and reprogram if lost

• Works with a wide variety of HID-compatible and third-party readers

• Supports access tracking and audit trails

How Do Proximity Cards Work?

Proximity cards, also known as prox cards, are contactless access control cards that transmit data wirelessly to a reader using 125 kHz RFID technology. When a prox card comes within the reader’s range (typically 2–6 inches), it sends a unique identification number via its embedded antenna, triggering the access control system to unlock the door or grant entry.

No physical contact is needed—the card can remain in your wallet, badge holder, purse, or pocket and still be read by the system, making prox cards fast, secure, and convenient for daily use.

🧠 How Prox Cards Transmit Data

• Frequency: 125 kHz (low frequency RFID)

• Power Source: Passive (no internal battery)

• Communication Method: Card antenna captures energy from the reader's signal, powering the card momentarily to transmit its unique ID code

• Security: The card’s ID number must match authorized credentials within the access control database

🛠️ How to Code Proximity Cards

Most proximity cards are pre-programmed by the manufacturer before delivery. To correctly program or order prox cards for your system, you’ll need three critical pieces of information:

1. Card Format

   • Common format: 26-bit (H10301), but your system may require a different format.

2. Facility Code (FC)

   • A number (0–255) assigned to your organization or location, often printed on the original card packaging.

3. Card Range or Sequence Number

   • Each card has a unique ID number (0–65,535) that cannot be duplicated. New cards should follow the next number in your system’s sequence.

⚠️ Cards with incorrect format or mismatched codes will not be recognized by your access control system.

📇 Understanding Proximity Card Formats, Facility Codes, and Card Range Numbers

When ordering proximity cards (also known as prox cards) for your access control system, it’s essential to have three key pieces of information:

• Card Format

• Facility Code

• Card Range Numbers (Sequence Numbers)

Whether you’re managing a corporate office, school campus, hospital, or secured government facility, using the correct card settings ensures that each card works seamlessly with your reader and access control software.

🔢 What is a Proximity Card Format?

The card format refers to the way a proximity card is encoded and how it communicates with your card reader. This determines how the reader interprets the data stored on the card.

• ✅ Most common format: 26-bit (H10301) – widely supported across systems and readers

• 🔐 Open formats: Standardized and available to all manufacturers

• 🏢 Proprietary formats: Unique to specific companies, offering added security but requiring compatible hardware

📌 Important: Your proximity cards and card readers must use the same format, or they will not function together.

🏢 What is a Facility Code?

A facility code (also known as a site code) is a unique identifier assigned to your access control system. It helps your system distinguish which building, department, or organization the card belongs to.

• Typical range: 0 to 255

• Printed on the box or label of your existing cards

• Allows multi-site management: You can assign different codes to different campuses, departments, or buildings

• ⚠️ If a new card’s facility code doesn’t match your system settings, it won’t be recognized

💡 Your system can support multiple facility codes, but you'll need to configure it to accept new ones.

🔁 What Are Card Range Numbers (Sequence Numbers)?

Card range numbers are the unique ID numbers assigned to each individual prox card. These numbers work with the facility code to identify the cardholder in your system.

• Range: 0 to 65,535 (depending on your card format)

• Every card must have a unique number — duplicates will cause system errors or access issues

• When placing a new order, continue from your last card number
  👉 Example: If your last card was #550, the next batch should start at #551

🧠 Pro Tip:

If you reach the limit of 65,535 cards under one facility code, simply begin a new range using a different facility code. The system will still distinguish the cards since the facility code + card number combination remains unique.

🛒 What You Need Before Ordering Prox Cards

To ensure seamless integration, collect this info:

1. ✅ Card Format (e.g., 26-bit H10301)

2. ✅ Facility Code (from your card box or system)

3. ✅ Next Card Range Number (sequential from your last batch)

💬 If you're unsure, check your access control software or ask us (info@engelcommercialservices.com) for help decoding your current cards.