www.mercury-security.

com
2355 MIRA MAR AVE. LONG BEACH, CA 90815-1755, (562)986-9105 FAX (562) 986-9205
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
MR50 READER INTERFACE Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
Installation and Specifications: interference that may cause undesired operation.

1. General:
The MR50 reader interface provides a solution to the OEM system integrator for interfacing to a TTL
(D1/D0, Clock/Data), F/2F or RS-485 device, and door hardware. It also provides a tri-stated LED
control and buzzer control. Two Form-C contact relay outputs may be used for strike control or alarm
signaling. Two inputs are provided that can be used for monitoring the door contact and request to
exit push button. Input circuits can be configured as unsupervised or supervised. Communication to
the controller is accomplished via a 2-wire RS-485 interface. The MR50 requires 12 to 24 Vdc for
power.
STATUS LEDs Ø0.156 [Ø4.0]
4 PLACES
0.20 [5.1]

K1 TB3
TB4
NC
GND
C
BZR

K1
NO
LED
CLK
K2 NO
D1
NC

K2
2.75 [69.9]

2.35 [59.7]

DAT
D0
C
VO J6

VIN
TR+

TR- U1 GND

I2
GND
TB1 I2
J4
J2
I1
12 34 567 8
J5 I1
BA
TB2
J3

0.20 [5.1] 3.85 [97.8]

4.25 [108]

TAMPER INPUT, NORMALLY CLOSED

2. MR50 Hardware:
All interconnections to the interface are via quick-disconnect terminal blocks. The MR50 requires
filtered 12 to 24 Vdc ± 10% for power. Two inputs are typically used for door contact and exit push
button monitoring. End of line resistors are required input supervision, shown below.
Note: The input power is passed through to the reader terminal strip and is available for powering a
reader. Care must be taken to insure that the input voltage is within the voltage range of the reader.
The reader power output terminal, TB4-6 (VO), is not current limited
TB3
TB4

GROUND GND
K1 NC NORMALLY CLOSED
C COMMON STRIKE RELAY (K1)
BUZZER BZR
K1

LED LED
NO NORMALLY OPEN
READER CLK NO NORMALLY OPEN
DATA1/CLOCK/TR+ D1 K2
NORMALLY CLOSED AUX. RELAY (K2)
K2

DAT NC
DATA0/DATA/TR- D0
C COMMON
READER POWER VO

TR+ TR+
VIN +12 to 24Vdc INPUT VOLTAGE
SIO COMM. GND INPUT VOLTAGE RETURN
RS-485 TR- TR-

INTERFACE I2
GROUND GND
I2 1K,1% EXIT REQUEST
TB1
I2 1K,1% NO NORMALLY OPEN
J4 OPTIONAL EOL
J2
12 3 4 5 6 7 8
I1
I1 1K,1% DOOR CONTACT SUPERVISION
NC SHOWN
I1
1K,1% NORMALLY CLOSED
TB2
J3
TAMPER, NC

Mercury Security © 2015 MR50 DOC 10107-0009 REV 2.04 Page 1

 3. Reader Wiring:
The reader port supports a reader with TTL (D1/D0, Clock/Data), F/2F, or 2-wire RS-485 signaling.
Readers that require different voltage requirements must be powered separately. Refer to the reader
manufacture specifications for cabling requirements. In the 2-wire LED mode the buzzer output is
used to drive the second LED. Reader port configuration is set via the host software.
1 TB4
1 TB4 GND
GND
BZR
BZR
LED
LED
D1/CLK/TR+
D1/CLK/TR+
D0/DAT/TR-
D0/DAT/TR-
VO
VO

Typical D1/D0 or Clock/Data Reader Typical RS-485 Device

* Inputs on supervised F/2F readers may be unsupervised or supervised (supervised shown).

1 TB4 1 TB4
GROUND GROUND
GND GND
DO (GREEN LED) DO(GREEN LED)
BZR BZR
LED LED
D1 D1
D1/CLK/TR+ D1/CLK/TR+
D0/DAT/TR- D0/DAT/TR-
+12 Vdc +12 Vdc
VO VO

1K,1%

1K,1%
DOOR MONITOR SWITCH
NORMALLY CLOSED CONTACT *
1K,1%

1K,1%

F/2F Reader
F/2F Reader REQUEST TO EXIT SWITCH
NORMALLY OPEN CONTACT *

Typical Unsupervised F/2F Reader Typical Supervised F/2F Reader

Jumer D1 to LED on supervised F/2F readers

4. Door Strike Relay Wiring:

Two Form-C contact relays are provided for controlling door strike or other devices. The contact
ratings are 5 A. for relay K1 and 1 A. for relay K2. Load switching can cause abnormal contact wear
and premature contact failure. Switching of inductive loads (strike) also causes EMI (electromagnetic
interference) which may interfere with normal operation of other equipment. To minimize premature
contact failure and to increase system reliability, contact protection circuit must be used. The
following two circuits are recommended. Locate the protection circuit as close to the load as possible
(within 12 inches [30 cm]), as the effectiveness of the circuit will decrease if it is located far away.

Diode Selection:
 Diode current rating: 1x strike current
TB3
K1
NC

C
Diode breakdown voltage: 4x strike
K1

K2
NO

NO
voltage
NC For 12 Vdc or 24 Vdc strike, diode
K2

1N4002 (100V/1A) typical

Typical DC Door Strike Wiring

Mercury Security © 2015 MR50 DOC 10107-0009 REV 2.04 Page 2

 5. Communication Wiring:

TO ADDITIONAL
SIO UNITS

DAT DAT
D0 D0

VO VO

TR+ TR+ TR+

TR- TR- TR-

GND GND GND
TB1 TB1
J4 J4
J2 J2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

J3 J3

MR-50 LAST UNIT ON MR-50 CONTROLLER

COMMUNICATION
LINE - TERMINATOR
INSTALLED

The MR50 communicates to a Mercury Security intelligent controller (EP2500 for example) via a half-
duplex multi-drop 2-wire RS-485 interface. The total cable length is limited to 4,000 feet (1,219
meters). Shielded cable of 24 AWG with characteristic impedance of 120 ohm is specified for the 2-
wire RS-485 interface. The last device on each end of the communication line should have the
terminator installed (install jumper J4).
6. Address, Baud Rate and Encryption Configuration Jumpers:
Each Interface (MR50, MR52, etc.) must be configured to have a unique address and correct baud
rate. The address and baud rate are selected by installing the specified jumpers.
Note 1: Firmware revisions prior to 1.39.1, the 115200 baud rate setting is 2400 baud
Note 2: Firmware revisions prior to 1.39.1, jumper 8 is not defined, remove jumper

7. Status LEDs:
Power-up: All LED’s OFF
Initialization: Once power is applied, initialization of the module begins
The A LED is turned ON at the beginning of initialization

Mercury Security © 2015 MR50 DOC 10107-0009 REV 2.04 Page 3

 Run time: After a successful initialization, the LEDs have the following meanings:
A LED: Heartbeat and On-Line Status:
Off-line: 1 second rate, 20% ON
On-line:
Non-encrypted communication: 1 second rate, 80% ON
Encrypted communication:
.1 S ON, .1 S OFF, .1 S ON, .1 S OFF, .1 S ON, .1 S OFF, .1 sec ON, .3 S OFF
A LED Error Indication:
Waiting for application firmware to be downloaded: .1 S ON, .1 S OFF
B LED: SIO Communication Port Status:
Indicates communication activity on the SIO communication port
8. Specifications:
The Interface is for use in low voltage, class 2 circuits only.
Primary Power: 12 to 24 Vdc ± 10%, 150 mA maximum (plus reader current)
Outputs: Two Form-C contact relays: K1: 5 A @ 30 Vdc, K2: 1 A @ 30 Vdc
Inputs: Two unsupervised/supervised, standard EOL, 1k/1k ohm, 1%, ¼
watt
One unsupervised, dedicated for cabinet tamper
Reader Interface:
Reader power: 12 to 24 Vdc ± 10% (input voltage passed through)
Reader LED output: TTL compatible, high > 3 V, low < 0.5 V, 5 mA source/sink maximum
Buzzer output: Open collector, 12 Vdc open circuit maximum, 40 mA sink maximum
Data Inputs: TTL compatible, F/2F or 2-wire RS-485
Communication: 2-wire RS-485: 9600, 19200, 38400 or 115200 bps
Cable Requirements:
Power: 1 twisted pair, 18 AWG
RS-485 I/O devices: 1 twisted pair with drain wire and shield, 24 AWG, 120 ohm
impedance, 4,000 ft. (1,219 m) maximum
Alarm Inputs: 1 twisted pair per input, 30 ohms maximum
Outputs: As required for the load
Reader data (TTL): 6-conductor, 18 AWG, 500 ft. (150 m) maximum
Reader data (F/2F): 4-conductor, 18 AWG, 500 ft. (150 m) maximum
Reader data (RS-485): 1 twisted pair with drain wire and shield, 24 AWG, 120 ohm
impedance, 2,000 ft. (610 m) maximum
Mechanical:
Dimension: 4.25 in. (108 mm) W x 2.75 in. (70 mm) L x 1 in. (25.4mm) H
Weight: 4 oz. (120 g) nominal
Environment:
Temperature: -55 to +85 °C, storage,
-40 to +75 °C, operating
Humidity: 5 to 95 % RHNC

Mercury Security © 2015 MR50 DOC 10107-0009 REV 2.04 Page 4

 Warranty
Mercury Security warrants the product is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use
and service with proper maintenance for one year from the date of factory shipment. Mercury Security
assumes no responsibility for products damaged by improper handling or installation. This warranty is
limited to the repair or replacement of the defective unit.
There are no expressed warranties other than set forth herein. Mercury Security does not make, nor
intends, nor does it authorize any agent or representative to make any other warranties, or implied
warranties, and expressly excludes and disclaims all implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose.
Returns must be accompanied by a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number obtained from customer
service, and prepaid postage and insurance.
Liability
The Interface should only be used to control exits from areas where an alternative method for exit is
available. This product is not intended for, nor is rated for operation in life-critical control applications.
Mercury Security is not liable under any circumstances for loss or damage caused by or partially caused
by the misapplication or malfunction of the product. Mercury Security’s liability does not extend beyond
the purchase price of the product.

Mercury Security © 2015 MR50 DOC 10107-0009 REV 2.04 Page 5