RFID accessories
RFID accessories are the credentials and supporting tools used alongside RFID readers. Each accessory carries an embedded chip and antenna that a reader can interrogate; the chip stores a unique identifier that the host system uses to recognise a person or asset.
HDWR offers the following accessory types:
| Accessory | Form factor | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | Credit-card size (ISO CR80) | Access control, time attendance, employee ID |
| Key fobs | Compact plastic pendant with key-ring hole | Door access, lockers, car parks |
| Stickers / adhesive labels | Thin self-adhesive patch | Asset tagging, equipment labelling |
| Wristbands | Silicone strap | Leisure (swimming pools, events), healthcare |
| RFID copiers | Handheld programming device | Duplicating credentials to blank cards or fobs |
Choosing the right frequency
HDWR accessories come in two frequency variants — make sure the accessory matches the reader already installed:
- 125 kHz (LF) — compatible with EM4100 / Unique-standard readers. Simple read-only chips; the ID is fixed at manufacture. Common in older access control installations.
- 13.56 MHz (HF) — compatible with MIFARE Classic, MIFARE Ultralight, ISO 14443, and ISO 15693 readers. Supports both read-only and read-write chips; enables more secure, encrypted credential schemes. Used in modern access control, NFC-capable systems, and contactless payment adjacent applications.
If you are unsure which frequency your reader uses, check the product label or the system documentation. Using a 125 kHz card on a 13.56 MHz reader (or vice versa) will result in no read — the frequencies are incompatible.
Encoded vs. unencoded accessories
- Encoded (pre-coded) accessories come from the factory with a unique 10-digit identifier permanently written to the chip. This ID cannot be changed or overwritten. They are ready to enrol in your system immediately.
- Unencoded (blank) accessories have no ID programmed at the factory. You (or the system) write the desired identifier using a compatible reader/writer or an RFID copier. Use blank accessories when your access control system manages credential programming centrally, or when you want to copy an existing credential.
RFID copiers
An RFID copier (also called a duplicator) reads the identifier from an existing card or fob and writes it to a compatible blank accessory. This is useful for:
- Creating a backup credential before the original is lost
- Replacing a worn card with a new one carrying the same ID
- Provisioning new blank fobs in bulk from a master template
Note: copying is only possible with unencoded blank targets that are compatible with the source chip's frequency and standard. Encrypted MIFARE Desfire or MIFARE Plus chips (used in high-security systems) cannot be duplicated with a standard copier.
RFID accessories FAQ
What is an RFID tag (label)?
An RFID tag is a small data carrier consisting of a microchip bonded to an antenna. The chip stores a unique identifier; the antenna harvests energy from a reader's RF field and transmits the ID wirelessly. Tags come in many physical forms: paper-thin adhesive stickers, rigid plastic cards, key-fob pendants, silicone wristbands, or hard industrial transponders. Regardless of form, the operating principle is the same. The tags HDWR sells are passive — they draw power from the reader rather than carrying a battery, giving them an effectively unlimited shelf life.
What accessories does HDWR offer for RFID systems?
HDWR offers plastic cards (ISO CR80, credit-card size), key fobs (compact pendants with a key-ring loop), adhesive stickers for asset labelling, silicone wristbands for leisure and healthcare environments, and RFID copiers for duplicating credentials to blank cards or fobs. All are available in both 125 kHz (LF) and 13.56 MHz (HF/MIFARE) variants. Choose the variant that matches the reader already installed in your system.
What is the difference between a 125 kHz and a 13.56 MHz accessory?
The number describes the radio frequency the chip uses to communicate with the reader. 125 kHz (LF) accessories use the EM4100 / Unique standard — they are read-only, low-cost, and widely used in older or budget access control installations. 13.56 MHz (HF) accessories use MIFARE and ISO 14443 / ISO 15693 standards — they support both read and read-write configurations, optional encryption, and work with NFC-capable devices. The two frequencies are completely incompatible: a 125 kHz card cannot be read by a 13.56 MHz reader and vice versa. Always match the accessory frequency to the installed reader. For questions about which frequencies HDWR readers support, see the [RFID readers](/rfid-readers) page.
What does encoded (pre-coded) vs. unencoded (blank) mean for cards and fobs?
An encoded card or fob has a unique 10-digit numeric identifier permanently written to the chip at the factory. That ID is fixed and cannot be changed or overwritten. You enrol it in your access control system by registering the printed or scanned number. An unencoded (blank) card or fob has no ID stored on the chip. You can write any valid identifier to it using a compatible reader-writer or an RFID copier. Use encoded accessories when you want plug-and-play credentials; use blank accessories when your system centrally manages credential issuance or when you need to duplicate an existing credential to a new carrier.
What is an RFID copier and what can it do?
An RFID copier (also called a duplicator) is a handheld device that reads the identifier from an existing RFID card or fob and writes an identical copy to a blank, compatible accessory. Present the source credential to the copier to read its ID, then present the blank target card or fob to write the ID. The result is a functional duplicate that any reader set up for the original ID will accept. RFID copiers support standard LF (EM4100 / 125 kHz) and basic HF (MIFARE Classic / 13.56 MHz) chips. Note that high-security chips with proprietary encryption — such as MIFARE DESFire, MIFARE Plus in security level 3, or HID iCLASS — cannot be duplicated with a standard copier.
What is an RFID sticker and how is it different from a card or fob?
An RFID sticker (adhesive label) contains the same chip-and-antenna combination as a card or fob, but packaged on a thin, flexible self-adhesive backing. You peel and stick it to an asset — a laptop, a tool, a piece of furniture, or a container — to mark it for identification or tracking. Because the sticker is thin and conformable it fits surfaces where a rigid card would not. The read range is slightly shorter than a card of the same frequency due to the smaller antenna, but for typical asset-tagging scenarios (reader held within a few centimetres) this is not a limitation.
Are RFID accessories waterproof and how durable are they?
Plastic cards and hard key fobs are resistant to everyday moisture (rain, hand washing) but are not rated for continuous immersion. Silicone wristbands are designed for wet environments such as swimming pools and spas and can withstand repeated immersion. RFID stickers on standard paper backing are not waterproof; for outdoor or high-humidity asset tagging choose a sticker on a PET or PVC substrate. All passive RFID accessories have no battery to degrade, so their electronic lifespan is very long — physical wear of the casing is usually the limiting factor.
How many reads can an RFID card or fob handle?
Passive RFID tags support an effectively unlimited number of reads because the read operation draws energy from the reader rather than the tag's own power supply. There is no internal component that wears from reading. For read-write chips, the specification that matters is the write endurance (the number of times the chip can be reprogrammed), which is typically 100,000 write cycles or more for MIFARE-family chips — far more than needed in a typical access-control deployment where credentials are rarely re-encoded after initial programming.
Can I use RFID cards or fobs with a smartphone?
Smartphones with NFC support (most Android phones since 2012, iPhone 7 and later) can read and interact with 13.56 MHz HF tags that conform to the NFC standards (ISO 14443 or ISO 15693). A standard MIFARE Classic card will be detected by an NFC-enabled phone, though reading its full content requires a compatible app. 125 kHz LF cards are not readable by any current smartphone — NFC only covers the 13.56 MHz band. For HDWR RFID readers specifically, the phone is not involved in day-to-day operation; each person uses a physical card, fob, or wristband as their credential.