{"id":25533,"date":"2026-11-15T16:45:40","date_gmt":"2026-11-15T13:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/sa\/media-center\/"},"modified":"2026-11-15T16:45:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-15T13:45:46","slug":"zkteco-inbio-c3-access-control-panel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/sa\/media-center\/zkteco-inbio-c3-access-control-panel\/","title":{"rendered":"ZKTeco InBio and C3 Access Control Panels: Doors, Readers, Software and Fire Release"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"25533\" class=\"elementor elementor-25533 elementor-25532 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cfeaf0 e-con-full az-el-article e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2cfeaf0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee08b02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee08b02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-intro\">A ZKTeco access control panel comes in two networked families that AZEIDK supplies: InBio and C3, each with 1-door, 2-door and 4-door models. The key difference is that InBio accepts RS485 fingerprint readers and stores up to 3,000 fingerprints, while C3 works with Wiegand readers. Both connect to the software over TCP\/IP or RS485, and door release on fire alarm is designed by cutting lock power from the fire alarm signal. <a href=\"\/en\/brand\/zkteco\/\">ZKTeco products<\/a> are part of AZEIDK&#8217;s security systems range.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cc18ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5cc18ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-keybox\"><h2>Key takeaways<\/h2><ul>\n<li>InBio160 and C3-100 control one door, InBio260 and C3-200 two doors, InBio460 and C3-400 four doors.<\/li>\n<li>InBio: 26\/34-bit Wiegand readers plus FR series RS485 fingerprint readers, with 3,000 fingerprint capacity.<\/li>\n<li>C3: 26-bit Wiegand readers; its published specifications list no fingerprint capacity.<\/li>\n<li>Both families: 30,000 card holders, 100,000 event logs, TCP\/IP and RS485.<\/li>\n<li>Fire release should not rely on software. Cut lock power with a fire alarm panel relay, and feed the same signal into the panel for logging.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a927284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a927284\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What is a networked access control panel, and when do you need one?<\/h2>\n<p>A standalone unit controls one door and holds the reader and memory in a single device, such as the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/products\/zkteco-x100-and-x101\/\">ZKTeco X100 and X101<\/a>. A networked panel is different: a box mounted above the ceiling or in the equipment room, wired to the readers, locks, exit buttons and door contacts, and managed from central software over the network.<\/p>\n<p>You need a panel when you have more than one door, want access rights by time and group, need one report for all doors, or want a reader on both sides of a door to log entry and exit. You also need one when the consultant asks for a documented interface between the doors and the fire alarm system.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b93b380 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b93b380\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>InBio and C3 access control panels: model comparison<\/h2>\n<p>The values below come from ZKTeco&#8217;s official comparison pages for the inBio160\/260\/460 and C3-100\/200\/400 families:<\/p>\n<div class=\"az-table-wrap\"><table>\n<thead><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>InBio160<\/th><th>InBio260<\/th><th>InBio460<\/th><th>C3-100<\/th><th>C3-200<\/th><th>C3-400<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Doors<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Reader ports<\/td><td>4 (2 RS485 + 2 Wiegand)<\/td><td>8 (4 RS485 + 4 Wiegand)<\/td><td>12 (8 RS485 + 4 Wiegand)<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Inputs<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>12<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>12<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Outputs (relays)<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>8<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>8<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<div class=\"az-table-wrap\"><table>\n<thead><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>InBio family<\/th><th>C3 family<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Reader types<\/td><td>26\/34-bit Wiegand and FR series RS485 fingerprint readers<\/td><td>26-bit Wiegand (others on request)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Fingerprint capacity<\/td><td>3,000 (optional)<\/td><td>Not listed<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Card holders<\/td><td>30,000<\/td><td>30,000<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Event log<\/td><td>100,000<\/td><td>100,000<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Communication<\/td><td>TCP\/IP and RS485<\/td><td>TCP\/IP and RS485<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Power<\/td><td>9.6 to 14.4 V DC<\/td><td>12 V DC, 1.5 A<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Software listed<\/td><td>ZKBio Access IVS<\/td><td>Depends on panel version<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<p>Each door has three input types: exit device, door status and an auxiliary (AUX) input. Outputs are of two kinds: a lock relay and an auxiliary relay for a bell, alarm or camera. ZKTeco also offers newer Pro versions of both families; read their specifications from their own datasheets, not from this table.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6ba850 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6ba850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>InBio or C3: how to choose<\/h2>\n<h3>Choose InBio when<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You want fingerprint on sensitive doors such as server rooms, stores and management offices, using RS485 fingerprint readers wired to the panel.<\/li>\n<li>You need a reader inside and outside each door; the 4-door panel takes 12 readers.<\/li>\n<li>You want to mix fingerprint and card in the same building, since the panel takes both reader types.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Choose C3 when<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Access is by card only, or by any reader that supports Wiegand.<\/li>\n<li>You want a simple panel for a limited number of doors in offices, residential buildings or service entrances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the project runs Hikvision for cameras and access, the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/products\/hikvision-ds-k2801-value-series-card-access-contoller\/\">Hikvision DS-K2801 controller<\/a> is another brand option. The choice should follow the software that will manage every door in the building, not the panel alone.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e10d36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e10d36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How does the panel connect to the software and network?<\/h2>\n<p>Both families support TCP\/IP on the building network or RS485. The C3 user manual states that the RS485 run between the PC and the panel should be shorter than 1,200 m. On current projects TCP\/IP is preferred, with a fixed IP address for each panel and a separate VLAN for security devices.<\/p>\n<p>After wiring, each panel is added to the software, doors and readers are defined, then access groups and time zones. That stage is part of AZEIDK&#8217;s <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/services\/programming-systems-integration\/\">programming and systems integration<\/a> service, including links to cameras and gates where needed, such as <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/access-gates-turnstiles-guide-saudi\/\">turnstiles and access gates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Wiring notes from the C3 manual<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The manual recommends that the electric lock and the panel use separate power supplies.<\/li>\n<li>The lock relay works in dry or wet mode, set by a jumper on the board; the auxiliary relay is dry only.<\/li>\n<li>COM and NO are for locks that unlock when powered; COM and NC are for locks that lock when powered, such as magnetic locks.<\/li>\n<li>A reader that does not run on 12 V DC needs an external power supply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06e6779 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06e6779\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How does an access control panel release doors on fire alarm?<\/h2>\n<p>Doors on escape routes must not hold up evacuation. The method consultants usually ask for does not depend on software or the IT network, because either can fail during a fire. The common design has three layers:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Direct power cut:<\/strong> a relay in the fire alarm panel cuts power to the magnetic locks at the lock power supply itself, so the doors open even if the access panel is off.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Signal to the access panel:<\/strong> the same signal goes into the AUX input. The C3 manual states that this input can be connected to fire alarms and smoke detectors, so the event is logged in the software.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The right lock:<\/strong> a magnetic lock that locks when powered (wired on NC) suits escape doors, because loss of power opens it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The final details, which doors release and when, are set by the approved drawings and the Civil Defense requirements for the building. AZEIDK&#8217;s work in this area is outlined on the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/solutions\/security-surveillance-systems\/\">security and surveillance systems<\/a> page, and this interface ties directly into the building&#8217;s <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/solutions\/fire-alarm-systems\/\">fire alarm system<\/a> design.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f5f1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84f5f1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Common mistakes when installing InBio and C3 panels<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Powering the locks from the panel supply, so lock current resets the panel or upsets the readers.<\/li>\n<li>Relying on a software command to open doors on fire alarm, with no direct power cut.<\/li>\n<li>Leaving the door contact unwired, so the software never shows a door left open.<\/li>\n<li>Running Wiegand cable over long distances without checking the reader maker&#8217;s guidance.<\/li>\n<li>Leaving panels on DHCP addresses, so they drop out of the software after a router restart.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>AZEIDK installs access control systems and, after handover, they can be covered under a low current, CCTV and access control maintenance contract, which is separate from the fire and alarm systems maintenance contract.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf1705f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf1705f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"az-faq\">\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>What is the difference between ZKTeco InBio and C3?<\/h3><\/summary><p>InBio accepts RS485 fingerprint readers as well as Wiegand and stores up to 3,000 fingerprints; C3 works with Wiegand readers. Door counts, card capacity and event log are similar.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How many doors does the inBio460 control?<\/h3><\/summary><p>Four doors, with 12 reader ports (8 RS485 and 4 Wiegand), 12 inputs and 8 relay outputs, according to ZKTeco&#8217;s official page.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Does the C3 panel support fingerprint?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The published C3 specifications list no fingerprint capacity in the panel. If you need fingerprint on several doors, the InBio family fits better.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How does an access control panel connect to the PC?<\/h3><\/summary><p>Over TCP\/IP on the building network or over RS485. The network is the usual choice today, with a fixed IP address for each panel.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Do the doors open automatically in a fire?<\/h3><\/summary><p>Only if the system is designed for it: a fire alarm relay cuts power to the magnetic locks, and the signal also goes into the access panel&#8217;s AUX input for logging.<\/p><\/details>\n<details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How many users does a ZKTeco access control panel hold?<\/h3><\/summary><p>ZKTeco lists 30,000 card holders and 100,000 event logs for both families.<\/p><\/details>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12d958f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12d958f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Choosing a ZKTeco access control panel starts with two questions: how many doors, and do you need fingerprint. Fingerprint on several doors points to InBio; card only is well served by C3. What makes the system work after that is separate lock power, a proper fire alarm interface and a stable network for the software.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35b022e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35b022e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-cta\"><strong>Planning access control for several doors?<\/strong> Send the door layout and the access method you need, and the AZEIDK team will propose the right panels and readers. <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/contact\/\">Talk to the AZEIDK team<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-691bf79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"691bf79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-source\"><strong>References:<\/strong> ZKTeco official comparison page for inBio160\/260\/460; ZKTeco official comparison page for C3-100\/200\/400; ZKTeco C3-100\/200\/400 User Manual V1.2; ZKTeco brand page on the AZEIDK website.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ZKTeco InBio and C3 access control panel guide: 1, 2 and 4-door models, Wiegand and fingerprint readers, TCP\/IP software link and door release on fire alarm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":25352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221,323,322],"tags":[],"azeidk_region":[223],"class_list":["post-25533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azeidk-articles","category-systems-guides-en","category-systems-guides-ar"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25533"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25965,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25533\/revisions\/25965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25533"},{"taxonomy":"azeidk_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/azeidk_region?post=25533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}