Video Door Entry Systems for Flats: Wiring, Power & Cost Guide

A video door entry system for flats is a wiring and power-distribution job first and a product choice second, because the right type depends on how many flats share the entrance and whether you can run a cable to each one. A 2-wire system can suit retrofits and smaller blocks where new cabling is hard to run (the CDVI CDV-T5F door station is listed with up to 32 connected monitors). IP/PoE usually means network cabling to each flat and is the route for larger blocks (the DoorBird D22DKV listing describes an intercom for multi-tenant buildings with up to 500 units). Clear Security sells the equipment; your own electrician or installer fits it, and should confirm the cable routes and power budget before you buy.

How does a video door entry system for flats work, and which type should you choose?

A video door entry system for flats connects a door station at the entrance to a monitor or app in each flat, with a power supply and a lock release. The visitor selects a flat from a directory or keypad, the resident sees and speaks to them, and a button releases the lock. For the cost side of this kind of setup, see our ANPR camera cost UK guide.

CDVI's description of its CDV-T5F is a touchscreen door station with a built-in proximity and MIFARE reader, so residents can also enter with a fob. What differs between systems is how the door station and the flats are wired.

2-wire: the retrofit choice

The CDVI CDV-T5F is a 2-wire door station with a 170° fisheye camera and a built-in proximity/MIFARE reader. It supports up to 32 connected monitors, and CDVI says to contact technical support if you need more.

2-wire suits retrofits and small blocks, where you may be able to reuse existing cable runs and avoid network switches. Which existing cable a system will accept is set out in its installation guide. The trade-off is that each system has a monitor ceiling, such as the 32 on the CDV-T5F.

IP/PoE: the scalable choice

DoorBird describes the D22DKV as an IP video intercom for multi-tenant buildings with up to 500 units. The AES Opyn-Multi IP is listed with a 7" touchscreen and a PoE link. These systems suit larger blocks, but they need a cabled network and a PoE switch. Check the switch's total power budget, its available ports and each port's limit against the datasheets of the devices you choose.

Wi-Fi and app-based: the lightest wiring

Some kits answer calls on a phone. The CDVI app works only with Wi-Fi-enabled monitors, and one 6-flat kit pairs Wi-Fi with a mobile app, keypad and RFID entry. For a wireless door entry system for flats, remember that the lock release still needs power at the door, so ask your installer what cabling is required. For a broader overview of options, see our best video door entry systems UK guide, and for the lock side specifically, see our video door entry with lock release UK guide.

Where our range fits

The Hikvision DS-KIS702-P(B) 2-wire kit and DS-KIS101-P are single-dwelling kits with a one-button door station, so they serve one home rather than a shared entrance.

How do you plan cable runs for a multi-flat system?

Map the physical route from the door station to every flat before you buy anything, because that route decides whether a 2-wire, star or PoE/IP topology is practical.

1. Survey the building. Walk the risers, ducts, cupboards and shared corridors, and note which are accessible, which are fire-stopped, and where the door station and each indoor monitor will sit.
2. Choose the topology. Some 2-wire systems run a bus past each flat, while others split the run from a central point. A retail 6-flat kit includes two star-connection distributors, which is how a star layout splits one run to individual flats.
3. Check the limits for your model. Maximum cable length and cable type vary by product, so take them from the chosen model's datasheet or installation guide rather than a rule of thumb. Capacity is model-specific too: the CDV-T5F is listed for up to 32 connected monitors.
4. For IP/PoE, plan it as a network. You need structured cabling back to a switch with enough PoE ports for each door station and monitor. Our Cat5e vs Cat6 comparison covers cable type and run length, and the PoE voltage drop calculator checks long runs.
5. Keep extra-low-voltage cable away from mains. BS 7671 sets the wiring rules in general, and your electrician should confirm segregation and routing on site.

How do you budget power for a door entry system serving several flats?

Add up every powered device, then confirm the power supply or PoE switch covers that total with headroom. Take every wattage and current figure from the datasheet of the kit you choose, because guessing is how undersized systems get specified.

The formula

Total load = door station draw + (monitor draw × number of flats) + lock-release draw + any keypad, reader or relay accessories.

Compare the total with the rated output of the supply, or with the PoE switch's total budget. A PoE switch also needs enough free ports, and each port's limit must cover the device on it. The door station and each monitor count separately.

Faults this budgeting prevents

• Lock release is often a separate draw. A strike or magnetic lock may pull current the intercom's own supply was never sized for, so list it as its own line.
• Use the kit's own supply where one is specified. Don't swap in a generic unit unless the manufacturer says it's compatible.
• Don't budget to 100%. Allow headroom above the calculated total so a supply isn't running at its limit.
• Plan a backup. If residents rely on the entrance for access, consider battery or UPS backup so a power cut doesn't lock people out or leave the door unsecured. Check how your lock behaves on power loss (fail-secure or fail-safe).

Give your electrician or installer the completed load list alongside the datasheets; they fit the supply and wiring.

How should shared entrance halls, multiple doors and common areas be handled?

Treat each entrance as one station on a single system, then decide who can open each door and by what method. Planning the user list before choosing hardware avoids buying a kit that cannot grow with the building.

Multiple entrances and capacity

Check the stated capacity limit of your chosen model before ordering. The CDVI CDV-T5F 2EASY door station is listed for up to 32 connected monitors, with technical support needed beyond that. Comelit-PAC describes its GDX Next as a social-housing door entry system with flexible infrastructure, so confirm its door and flat limits with the manufacturer. For a block with a front door, a rear door and a bike store, count every station as well as every flat.

Access methods

Many apartment systems combine more than one way in:

• Keypad: individual resident codes. The Intelligent Home Online 6-flat kit is listed with keypad and RFID entry, so check how codes are managed when tenants change.
• RFID or keyfob: the CDV-T5F has a built-in proximity and MIFARE reader, so one door station can both call flats and read fobs.
• Mobile app: the CDV-T5F answers calls through the VDP Connect app, but only with Wi-Fi-enabled monitors.

Fire and escape

An entry-lock release must never trap anyone leaving the building. Fire-door and escape requirements sit with the building's responsible person, who should be consulted before any lock, release button or exit device is specified.

For a single household, our Hikvision DS-KIS604-P(C) IP kit is the type of kit that fits. Multi-flat blocks need a system sized to the monitor count.

How much does a flat door entry system cost, and what can you buy here?

Cost scales mainly with the number of flats, entrances and access hardware, so a block costs considerably more than a single-dwelling kit. For scale, Fadini Products lists the AES Opyn-Multi IP touchscreen multi-apartment panel at £1,246.71 + VAT, for the door panel alone, and listed prices change.

What drives the price

• Number of flats, since each one needs a way to receive calls, such as an indoor monitor or the app
• 2-wire versus IP (network) design
• Number of entrances
• Access readers such as keypads or fobs
• Lock hardware
• Cable runs
• Electrician or installer labour

Clear Security does not supply labour, so get quotes from your own electrician or installer rather than budgeting from a kit price.

Where our range fits

We sell Hikvision kits and one door station. All of them are single-dwelling designs, not multi-flat panels:

• DS-KIS604-P(C) is an IP kit with a door station and 7" indoor monitor, one call button and Hik-Connect app control.
• DS-KIS702-P(B) is a 2-wire IP kit, also with a one-button door station.
• DS-KIS101-P is a surface-mount 2-wire analogue kit.
• DS-KD8003-IME1(B) is a modular IP door station with a 2MP fisheye camera and one call button.

These suit a single home with its own entrance; a block with a shared entrance needs a multi-apartment system sized to its flat count. Orders placed before 4pm are dispatched the same working day. Browse the range at clearsecurity.co.uk, or ask us for a suggested system once you have the route and flat count.

Related products

Related products from our own range:

• Hikvision DS-KIS702-P(B) 2-Wire IP Video Intercom Kit Villa — 2-wire digital IP video intercom kit; Designed for villa or residential door entry systems; One call button door station for visitor calls; Supports video communication and door unlocking.
• Hikvision DS-KIS604-P(C) IP Video Intercom Kit Villa Door Entry — IP video intercom kit for villa or house; Includes door station and 7" indoor monitor; One call button for visitor calls; Supports Hik-Connect mobile app remote control.
• Hikvision DS-KIS101-P Surface 2-Wire Analog Video Intercom Kit — 2-wire analog video intercom kit; Surface mount door station design; Plug and play installation via 2-wire connection; Receive video calls and unlock door via indoor station.
• Hikvision DS-KD8003-IME1(B)-Surface 2MP IP Video Intercom Door Station — KD8 Series Pro modular IP door station main unit; 2MP fisheye camera with IR illumination; Surface mount design for wall installation; One physical call button for visitor calls.