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Overview
In the ACT/LenelS2 system, both Momentary Unlock and Override Door State change the status of a door. However, they serve very different purposes. Choosing the wrong method can lead to security vulnerabilities (leaving a door unlocked indefinitely) or operational frustration (a door locking before a person has entered).
Quick Comparison
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Feature
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Momentary Unlock
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Override Door State
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Duration
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Temporary. Reverts to normal automatically.
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Persistent. Stays in the new state until changed.
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Primary Use
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Quick access or assisting a person.
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Long-term changes (Events, Maintenance).
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Security Risk
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Low. The system "self-heals" by relocking.
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Higher. Requires manual intervention to relock.
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1. Momentary Unlock
The "Quick Access" Tool
A Momentary Unlock sends a command to the door to open for a short, predefined period. Once that timer expires, the system automatically returns the door to its standard "Controlled" state.
When to use it:
- Assisting Users: A student or staff member is at the door and needs immediate entry.
- Quick Deliveries: A courier needs to enter a building briefly.
- Transient Access: Any situation where the door should only stay open for a few seconds or minutes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use Momentary Unlock if you intend for the door to remain open for an extended period (e.g., during a building event). The door will lock, potentially trapping or locking out people.
2. Override Door State
The "Manual Control" Tool
An Override changes the door's fundamental state. If you set a door to "Unlocked" via an Override, it will stay unlocked until a user manually issues a command to change it back to "Controlled."
When to use it:
- Building Events: When a specific entrance needs to remain open for an entire afternoon for a conference or registration.
- Maintenance & Repairs: When technicians need a door to remain open while they work on hardware.
- Operational Changes: When a door's standard schedule needs to be bypassed for a significant amount of time.
⚠️ Warning: Overrides create a security risk if forgotten. Always ensure that an Override is reverted to "Controlled" once the event or maintenance is complete.
Decision Matrix: Which one do I need?
Ask yourself these three questions to decide:
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Does the door need to be open for more than 5 minutes?
- Yes →\rightarrow→ Use Override.
- No →\rightarrow→ Use Momentary Unlock.
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Is this for a specific person or a general state change?
- A person →\rightarrow→ Use Momentary Unlock.
- An environment/event →\rightarrow→ Use Override.
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Do I want the system to handle the relocking automatically?
- Yes →\rightarrow→ Use Momentary Unlock.
- No (I will do it manually) →\rightarrow→ Use Override.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I use Momentary Unlock for a long event?
The door will relock according to its internal timer. If people are still entering, they will be blocked, and the door will return to its normal "Controlled" status.
Can I use an Override to fix a door that is stuck in a "Held" state?
Yes. Applying an Override can sometimes reset the door state, but you should first investigate why the door was "Held" (e.g., an obstruction or hardware failure) to ensure the issue is fully resolved.
Does an Override show up in the logs?
Not currently. All overrides are logged in the Door Access History, allowing administrators to audit who changed the door state and when. (This feature is still in process with S2 doors)