Control power to third-party devices

The Kisi Controller Pro 2 can switch power to a third-party device in the same way it controls a door lock. When a door is unlocked, the controller changes the state of the relay output the device is wired to. By configuring a door for the device, an unlock can be used to switch the device's power.

In both methods, a device is wired the same way a lock is, and an unlock switches its power. You control how long the device stays powered after an unlock by creating a door for the device and setting its unlock duration to the time you need the device to remain powered.

Choose a method based on the device's power requirements.

Method 1: Power the device directly from the controller

Use this method for low-power devices that run on direct current (DC) and stay within the controller's supported relay limits. You wire the device to one of the controller's relays and control it like a fail-secure electric strike, where power is supplied while the door is unlocked. For the exact relay voltage and current limits, see the Kisi Controller Pro 2 specifications.

1. Select one of the controller's four door relays
2. Identify the GND (Ground), NO (Normally Open), COM (Common), and NC (Normally Closed) pins
3. Wire the GND (Ground) pin of the controller to the negative (-) wire of the device
4. Wire the NO (Normally Open) pin of the controller to the positive (+) wire of the device
5. On the controller, set the jumper into the correct wet position: 12VDC or 24VDC
6. Verify that all connections are secure and there are no loose wires
7. Create a door for the device. Then assign the door to the selected controller relay and set Duration to how long the device should stay powered after an unlock

For a detailed wiring illustration, follow the standalone fail-secure electric strike wiring guide.

note

The Kisi Controller Pro 2 does not support AC wiring. Only DC devices within the controller's relay limits can be powered directly from the board. Most larger devices exceed these limits or require AC power, and cannot be wired to the controller directly.

Method 2: Power the device through an external power switch

Use this method for devices that use AC power or draw more power than the controller's relays support. You place an external power switch — such as a smart plug or an IoT power relay — between the controller and the device's power source. The controller provides the unlock signal, and the external device performs the actual power switching.

1. Select an external power switch that matches the device's power requirements, such as a smart plug or an IoT power relay. We suggest the Controllable Four Outlet Power Relay Module, which accepts a single control signal to switch its outlets
2. Follow the switch manufacturer's instructions to determine whether its control input expects a powered signal (wet contact) or a contact closure (dry contact). For the suggested relay module, set the controller jumper to the appropriate 12VDC or 24VDC wet position, connect controller GND to the module's control negative terminal, and connect controller NO to its control positive terminal. For a dry-contact input, set the jumper to dry and connect COM and NO as specified by the switch manufacturer
3. Connect the external power switch to the third-party device and a power source
4. Create a door for the device. Then assign the door to the selected controller relay and set Duration to how long the device should stay powered after an unlock
5. Test that unlocking the door triggers the external power switch and powers the device

note

If the external power switch is controlled directly by the controller's relay signal — as with the suggested relay module — no custom integration is needed. A custom integration layer is required when the switch cannot be driven by the controller's relay signal and must instead be triggered another way, such as over the network for certain smart plugs. Please contact our support team if you need an integration layer for your setup.

If you are interested in using a Kisi Controller to switch power to a third-party device, contact our support team to discuss your setup and requirements.

Limitations

The controller can only switch power. It cannot control what a device does once it receives power. Many devices, such as projectors or screens, do not turn on automatically when powered and require a physical button press.