Encoding & Access

Coercivity

The magnetic strength required to encode a mag stripe, measured in Oersteds.

Higher coercivity (HiCo, about 2750 Oe) holds data more securely than LoCo (about 300 Oe). Your encoder must match the card.

More on this in how access credentials actually work.

Coercivity, measured in Oersteds, is simply how hard it is to write to (and erase) a mag stripe. HiCo (about 2750 Oe) protects data on long-life cards; LoCo (about 300 Oe) is cheaper for disposable cards. The rule: card and encoder must match.

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