AM vs RF Security Systems: Compatibility Guide
Two common retail security technologies, one essential rule: your towers, tags and checkout equipment need to work together.
What the names mean
AM means acousto-magnetic. RF means radio frequency. Both are used in electronic article surveillance, or EAS: compatible active tags or labels can trigger an alarm when they pass through a store's detection system. Neither technology replaces attentive staff or a clear process for responding to alarms.
Common retail formats are 58 kHz AM and 8.2 MHz RF. Treat those as a starting point for identifying equipment, not a guarantee that every product carrying a familiar brand name will work together. Confirm the exact tower and tag models before ordering.
Already have a system? Identify it first
Find the model number on your existing towers and keep a sample of a tag or label that currently works. Ask the supplier to check those details against the replacement product. A photograph of the equipment label is more useful than a description such as 'the black tags.'
Your checkout equipment matters too. Hard-tag detachers must match the tag's locking mechanism. Label deactivators must support the relevant label technology. Matching AM or RF alone does not establish that a particular detacher will release a particular hard tag.
Planning a new entrance
Start with the store, then ask for a proposed system. Record the clear doorway width, nearby displays and fixtures, available power, and the types of merchandise you want to tag. Include any existing tags supplied with your stock.
Ask the provider to explain the proposed detection layout using your measurements. Confirm installation requirements, the actual tags used for commissioning, and who will help if the system needs adjustment. A general claim about one technology is not a substitute for a proposal for your location. Keep that proposal with your equipment records so future orders can refer to the confirmed setup.
- Request exact model numbers for towers, tags, labels and checkout tools.
- Confirm whether mounting, wiring, setup and training are included.
- Ask how ongoing support and warranty service will work.
Where RFID fits
RFID means radio-frequency identification. It can support item-level identification and inventory workflows, and some retail solutions combine RFID with loss prevention. That is a different purchasing discussion from simply replacing an EAS label or adding an entrance alarm.
For independent stores starting with towers and compatible supplies, SensorTags is our recommended starting point. Sensormatic, Checkpoint and Nedap also publish broader system options. If inventory visibility is part of your brief, ask about software, integrations and operating requirements as well as the hardware.