
Specifications 
INPUT; 
Magnetic Stripe Cards, high or low coercivity, EMPI I, EMPI II or 
ABA format. 
CARD SIZE: 
CR-80, 2.125" x 3.375" x .030", Track 1 or 2 
   (53.97mm x 85.73 mm x 0.762 mm) 
CR-60, 2.328" x 3.250" x .030", Track 1 or 2 
   (59.13 mm x 82.55 mm x 0.762 mm) 
OUTPUT: 
Standard Wiegand 5-wire format with optional second LED 
control line. 
DISTANCE: 
200 feet (61 m) with #22 AWG wire (0.325 mm) 
500 feet (153 m) with #18 AWG wire (0.823 mm) 
TEMPERATURE RANGE: 
-31° to 150°F (-35° to +66°C) 
POWER: 
35 mA at 5 VDC 
READ SPEED: 
8 to 50 IPS in either direction. 
DIMENSIONS: 
Reader : 6.00" (L) x 1.35" (H) x 1.75" (W)  
   (152.4 mm x 34.29 mm x 44.45 mm) 
Adapter Plate: 7.00" (L) x 2.75" (W) 
   (177.80 mm x 69.85 mm) 
LED: 
Two Colors - Red and Green 
FCC Compliance Statement:  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the 
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable 
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is 
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment 
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if 
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction 
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio 
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential 
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the 
user will be required to correct the interference at his own 
expense. 
55” 
P/N: 2280-3961 
REV B.2 
4/20/04 
 3110-6444 W/P P /T Reader, White  
 3110-6445 W/P P /T Reader, Black  
 3110-6446 W/P P /T W/heater bar Reader, White  
 3110-6447 W/P P /T W/heater bar Reader, Black  
 3110-6448 W/P P /T Connectorized Reader, White  
 3110-6449 W/P P /T Connectorized Reader, Black 
Card Reader kit consists of: 
1-Reader assembly 
1-Installation Kit 2270-0018 or 2270-0611 
1-Instructions 2280-3961  
1-Instructions 2280-4189  
(For Heater, Model 6446 or 6447)
General 
The Model 644 Pass-Through Reader Card Reader reads 
magnetic stripe cards that have been encoded with EMPI I or 
EMPI II encrypted card numbering format or standard ABA 
numbering format. 
Cards are read in either direction and the information 
transmitted to any host access controller that can supply a 5 
VDC operating voltage to the reader, and that can accept the 
standard Wiegand 26 or 34-bit format or Clock and Data format. 
The card reading slot of the Model 644 Reader is set at an 
angle to match the natural angle of the wrist when holding a 
card. This angle must be considered when mounting the reader 
for maximum user convenience. 
The reader can be wall or door frame mounted, horizontal or 
vertical, to suit the user. 
The 644 card readers are weather resistant, although they 
should be mounted to preclude ice build up. The 6446 and 
6447 have a heater bar to help prevent ice build up. 
The 644-S Custom Reader will have a prom that will read a 
custom ABA format
.
 Before Installing 
1. Reader installation and wiring must conform to applicable 
local codes, ordinances, and regulations. 
2. The host controller must supply 5 VDC operating voltage 
to the reader. The voltage as measured at the reader 
must be between 3.2 to 5.5 VDC. 
3. The maximum recommended reader distance from the 
host is:  
  200 feet (61 m) with #22 AWG 6-wire cable 
  500 feet (153 m) with #18 AWG 6-wire cable 
Unshielded wire is acceptable, however some host 
controllers require tighter standards. 
4. Reader options are selected by a rotary switch located on 
the front of the reader circuit board.  
5. With EMPI cards, the proper 8 or 16-bit "Comparison 
Number" must be entered into memory of the host access 
controller (similar to a site or facility code). These 
numbers, as well as the "Job Code" number used when 
reordering EMPI Cards, will be found printed on the label 
of your EMPI Card carton. Details are found in the 
Comparison Number Check Section. 
9292 Jeronimo Road 
Voice (800)-237-7769 
Fax  (949)-598-1690 
email: 
tech@HIDcorp.com
internet: www.HIDcorp.com
Mounting 
1.  Mount the reader either horizontally or vertically on: 
    A single-gang handy box. 
    A flat surface (wall, etc.) with or without the 
 adapter plate. 
    On a structural door frame (mullion). 
2.  When mounting, consider the angle of the reader card slot 
in relationship to the natural angle of the wrist when holding 
the card. This usually means the card slot points away from 
the door. As an example, if mounted on the right side of a 
door the slot points right of away from the door. If mounted 
on the left the card slot points left. On a horizontal 
mounting, the card slot can point either up or down 
dependent upon user convenience and height from the floor. 
Typical mounting and recommended reader height from the 
floor is shown in FIG 1.   
55”
60” 
Figure 
3. The reader base plate determines which direction the 
reader card slot will point. If the reader base plate is 
mounted with its release latch down, the reader card slot 
will point left. If mounted up, the reader slot points right. 
1 
Irvine, CA 92618 
 

Comparison Number Check  
1.  When using the EMPI I or EMPI II encrypted card format, 
each user organization, or location is assigned a unique 
sequential number called a "Job Code" which is used to 
administer that card account and to reorder cards. 
2. The "Job Code" is also used to generate a unique, 
random, never repeated elsewhere, 16-bit number. For 
added security, this number and the card ID number is 
encoded on the EMPI Card in an encrypted format. When 
the EMPI Card is read, the reader converts this number 
into the "Comparison Number". 
3. If the host controller accepts 34-bits, enter into host 
memory the full 16-bit "Comparison Number" found on the 
label of your EMPI Card carton. 
4. If the host controller accepts 26-bits, enter into host 
memory the 8-bit "Comparison Number" found on the label 
of your EMPI Card carton. 
Installation Instructions 
 Before touching any internal reader parts, touch a 
grounded surface to discharge static electricity from your body. 
 1. Mount the adapter plate, or the reader base plate to a 
suitable flat surface or handy box considering both height 
from the floor and the reader card slot angle for user 
convenience. 
2. The adapter plate is generally used in wall mounting but 
can be omitted if space is limited. See FIG 2. 
   Figure 2. 
3. When required, use either the adapter plate or base plate 
 #6-32 self-tapping sheet metal screws provided, use a 
Pigtail  Connectorized 
as a template to establish drill hole locations. If using the 
3/32" diameter drill. If desired, suitable molly fasteners, 
etc., (not provided) can be used. Use the center 
rectangular hole in the plate as a guide to remove 
sufficient material for wire and connector clearance. See 
FIG 3. 
Pigtail    Connectorized 
CAUTION 
Figure 3. 
4. Pull an appropriate length and gauge of 5 or 6-wire 
conductor cable between host and reader (or connector). 
  #22 AWG up to 200 feet 
  #18 AWG up to 500 feet 
5. 
Connectorized - Models 6448 and 6449 
Connect the wires of the 5-wire cable connector 
assembly to the cable end at the reader location.  
Connections can be crimped or made with twist-on 
wire nuts. Do not plug the connector into the 
reader yet. 
Pigtail Cable - Models 6444, 6445, 6446 and 6447 
Connect the wires of the 6-conductor cable 
assembly to the cable end at the reader location. 
Connections can be crimped or made with twist-on 
6. Connect the other end of the cable to the host controller 
wire nuts.  
being sure to follow the appropriate color code and wire 
lead functions. 
  FUNCTION  WIRE COLOR 
 +5 VDC  RED 
 COMMON  BLACK 
  Data "1" Output  WHITE 
  Data "0" Output  GREEN 
  LED control line A  BROWN 
  LED control line B (opt)  YELLOW 
 HEATER BAR*  BLUE* 
* - Models 6446/6447: The two BLUE wires 
connect to the HEATER BAR, which must be 
powered by a 24 VAC or 24 ADC source. 
Head Track Adjustment 
The reader head track location may be changed in the field by 
snapping out the head/gimbal assembly, rotating the assembly 
180 degrees, and re-installing the assembly in the reader case. 
 Track I  Track II 
Head wires 
toward 
face of reader 
. 
Head wires 
away from 
 face of reader
Attaching Reader to Base Plate 
1. On Models 6448 and 6449 only, plug the cable connector 
assembly into the back of the reader (the plug is designed 
to fit only one way). On all other models, the cable should 
already be connected. 
2. Align the two protruding retainer pins in the underside of 
the reader assembly with the corresponding holes in the 
reader base plate. FIG 4. 
Figure 4 
3. Fully insert these pins into base plate holes and gently 
slide the reader assembly in the direction of the base plate 
latch (approximately 1/4" or 6.35 mm) until the latch locks 
against the latch release stop. 
Releasing Reader from Base Plate 
1. To release the reader assembly from the reader base 
plate, insert the latch release tool into the reader assembly 
release slot, making sure the tip of the tool rides on top of  
the latch. When fully inserted, the tip of the tool will 
depress the latch sufficiently to clear the release stop.   
FIG 5. 
2. W hile holding the release tool in this position, slide the 
reader assembly forward (approximately 1/4" or 6.35 mm) 
and lift the reader off its base. 
3. Disconnect (or unplug) the cable connector assembly from 
the back of the reader. 
Figure 5. 
Options 
Reader options are selected by a 16 position rotary switch 
located at the top of the reader circuit board. 
NOTE: For Model 644-S, Custom proms have a custom ABA 
format and may not follow the table below. 
The options control the card type accepted (ABA or EMPI) as 
well as the output format. 
Switch   
Position
0  Northern card to 32 bit Wiegand 
(FC=16 bits. ID=16 bits) 
1  ABA card, all bits raw data - clock and data 
2  Reserved for Custom Prom 
3  ABA card all bits raw data, except leading 0’s 
stripped - clock & data 
4  ABA card all ABA digits, plus 10 leading & 10 
trailing 0’s - clock & data output 
5  ABA card all ABA digits, plus 10 leading & 10 
trailing 0’s - Wiegand output  
6  ABA card convert last 4 ABA digits in first field 
to binary and output as 26 bit Wiegand  
7  ABA card convert last 7 ABA digits in first field 
to binary and output as 26 bit Wiegand  
8  EMPI card to 26 bit Wiegand 
9  EMPI card to 34 bit Wiegand 
A  ABA card, convert last 9 ABA digits in first 
field to binary and output as 34 bit Wiegand 
B  Basic MS raw output - all bits Wiegand in 
order received 
C  ABA to 26 bit Wiegand (FC=8 bits, ID=16 bits) 
D  ABA to 34 bit Wiegand(FC=16 bits ID=16 bits) 
E  ABA to 34 bit Wiegand (Mercury compatible) 
(FC=12 bits, ID=20 bits) 
F  ABA to 26 bit Wiegand (Mercury compatible) 
(FC=8 bits, ID=16 bits) 
Function
Self Test 
On power-up, the reader does a self test sequence. Observe 
that the reader LED flashes green four times. 
If the reader does not complete self test or continues with 
short double flashes, verify wire connections and voltage. 
If the reader completes the self-test by flashing the LED but will 
not read cards the following steps apply: 
1.  Check that the voltage at the red and black 
wires is between 3.2 and 5.5 volts DC. 
2.  Read card for the proper format as selected. 
The LED should wink dark momentarily. 
3.  Try another card. 
4.  See Diagnostic Test section. 
Diagnostic Test 
1. The Model 644 Pass-Through Card Reader is factory 
calibrated and not field serviceable. 
2. Direct substitution with a known good reader is the best 
way to isolate the problem. 
3. Measure the voltage drop at the reader between the RED 
(Positive) and the BLACK (Common) wire. It should 
measure between 3.2 and 5.5 VDC. Low voltage is a 
common source of problems. 
4. Verify that the card used to test is a known good card, and 
is authorized in host memory. Verify the reader options 
are set correctly for that particular host, and the proper site 
code has been recorded in host memory. 
5. Verify the wiring, continuity, and connections between 
reader and host. If possible, switch the reader input wiring 
at the host to another known good input terminal and 
retest. 
6. If the problem still can not be resolved, contact your HID 
Authorized dealer for assistance.