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MST Direct Mount Installation Guide

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MST Direct Mount Installation Guide

Applies to: Alvarado MST Full-Height Turnstile — Direct-to-Floor Installation Purpose: Step-by-step field installation procedure for VidIn technicians Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: February 22, 2026 Owner: John Lang

⚠️ Hand Configuration Note: The MST is factory-configured for left-hand or right-hand entry. This cannot be changed in the field. Verify hand configuration against the site drawings before the unit ships. See Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Configuration below.

Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Configuration

The MST ships in one of two configurations. This is set at the factory and must be ordered correctly.

ConfigEntry DirectionVerify From
Left-Hand (LH)Pedestrian enters from the left side (as viewed from the secured side)Site drawings or MST Left Hand Install
Right-Hand (RH)Pedestrian enters from the right side (as viewed from the secured side)Site drawings or MST Right Hand Install

Confirm hand configuration against the project drawings before accepting delivery. A wrong-hand unit requires a factory return — there is no field conversion.

For dimension drawings and rough-in requirements, refer to the manufacturer packages:

Pre-Installation Review

  • Confirmed hand configuration (LH or RH) matches site drawings
  • Reviewed site drawings for anchor footprint and rough-in dimensions
  • Confirmed floor type:
  • Confirmed power source — MST requires 110VAC / 20A dedicated circuit
  • Confirmed overhead conduit routing — electrical enters from the side of the header, not through the floor
  • Confirmed overhead conduit stub location aligns with the header entry point per drawings
  • Reviewed general site-prep requirements — see TURNSTILE SITE-PREP

Layout Stage

Electrical Routing — Header Entry

The MST is a single-unit, single-lane turnstile. All electrical cables enter from the side of the header via overhead conduit. Cables do not come up through the floor.

Unlike the SU5000 multi-cabinet setup, there is no umbilical cable and no secondary cabinet. All wiring terminates inside one unit.

Coordinate with the EC before rough-in. Overhead conduit must terminate at the correct side of the header — which side depends on the hand configuration (LH vs RH). Confirm with the drawing package.

Cables routed to the header entry:

CableNotes
110VAC PowerDedicated 20A circuit — verify breaker size with EC
Entry Card ReaderWiegand or OSDP — confirm reader protocol with access control sub
Entry TriggerDry contact relay output from access control panel
Exit Card ReaderIf bidirectional (confirm with drawings)
Exit TriggerIf bidirectional (confirm with drawings)
Fire / Emergency EgressFrom fire alarm panel — confirm with EC and GC

Verify exact header entry opening size and which side (LH vs RH) the conduit enters from, using the manufacturer drawing package.

Mounting Stage

Floor Type Check

Positioning and Drilling

  • Set the MST unit on the floor at the marked location
  • Level the unit front-to-back and side-to-side
    • Use supplied shims or washers to bring to level — do not force the base flat against an uneven floor
    • The unit must be plumb; an unlevel unit will cause arm binding during operation
  • Mark anchor hole locations on the floor through the base mounting holes
  • Remove unit and set aside
  • Drill anchor holes per the manufacturer’s specified diameter and depth
  • Set anchors per specifications
  • Set unit back on anchors
  • Level again — recheck with unit resting on the floor
  • Install anchor washers and bolts — do not fully torque yet
    • Tighten in a cross pattern to prevent uneven load on the base

Adjustment Stage

Perform final alignment before torquing anchors and making wiring connections.

  • Verify unit is level in both axes — place a level on top of the unit body
  • Verify unit orientation matches the hand configuration drawing — arm rotation direction should match the permitted entry direction
  • Apply final anchor torque per anchor manufacturer specs — refer to Anchors Sizing and Use

Electronics Stage

⚠️ Ensure 110VAC power is OFF at the breaker before making any wiring connections.

⚠️ All access control wiring must be dry contact (voltage-free) unless the manufacturer spec explicitly states otherwise. Voltage on control inputs will damage the control board.

Power Connection

The MST requires 110VAC / 20A dedicated circuit.

  • Route 110VAC power cable through the conduit and into the unit via the header entry
  • Connect to the power terminal block inside the unit:
    • Black (Line) → L terminal
    • White (Neutral) → N terminal
    • Green (Ground) → G terminal

Confirm exact terminal block label designations against the MST Installation manual PDF ( MST Installation).

Access Control Wiring

  • Route all AC cables through the header entry alongside the power cable
  • Connect Entry Card Reader cable to the card reader terminal block
  • Connect Entry Trigger (dry contact relay from AC panel) to entry trigger terminals
  • If bidirectional:
    • Connect Exit Card Reader to exit card reader terminals
    • Connect Exit Trigger (dry contact relay from AC panel) to exit trigger terminals

Fire / Emergency Egress

  • Connect fire alarm / emergency egress input to the designated terminals
    • On a fire or life safety event, the unit will release to free egress
    • Confirm wiring is per local code and reviewed with the GC and EC

Wiring Verification

  • Visually inspect all connections — no loose strands, no exposed conductors
  • Verify cables are labeled with unit ID at both ends
  • Verify adequate slack at all termination points — no cables under tension
  • Dress cables neatly inside the header — no pinching when covers are installed

Furniture Stage

Document arm/rotor component installation steps based on field experience. The MST rotor arms may require separate assembly depending on how the unit ships. Reference MST Installation manufacturer PDF and update this section after first install.

Covers and Housings

  • Install any external covers or shrouds per manufacturer instructions
  • Verify no protective film or shipping material remains on any surfaces
  • Verify all fasteners are snug — check for anything that could loosen under vibration

Power-On and Post-Installation Verification

  • Turn on 110VAC power at the breaker
    • Unit should power up and perform a self-test sequence
    • Arms should move to Home position on successful boot

Document the MST boot sequence and status indicator behavior (LEDs, chimes, etc.) after first power-on observation. Reference MST Installation for expected behavior.

Functional Testing

  • Verify arm rotates freely and smoothly through a full cycle — no binding
  • Test with a valid access credential — confirm arm releases and completes cycle
  • Test denied entry — confirm arm does not release
  • Test fire/egress input — confirm unit releases to free egress mode
  • If bidirectional: test exit credential and exit trigger independently

Post-Installation Cleanup

  • Wipe down stainless steel and powder-coated surfaces with a damp cloth
  • Collect all packaging materials and hardware scraps
  • Retain all spare anchors supplied by the reseller — do not discard
  • Provide the MST Installation Instructions to the project or site manager
  • Collect and hand over keys upon site sign-off

This guide is a working draft. Steps marked [!todo] — header entry size, terminal labels, arm assembly, and boot sequence — should be filled in after the first MST installation. Update status to active once verified in the field.

Last updated: February 22, 2026 Owner: John Lang | jlang@vid-in.com Alvarado Technical Support: support@alvaradomfg.com | +1 (909) 591-8431 Manufacturer Docs: MST Installation | MST Left Hand Install | MST Right Hand Install

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