AM, RF or hybrid EAS anti-theft systems: how to choose for your shop

What an EAS system is

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) protects goods from theft using three parts: a tag or label on the item, antennas at the entrance that detect an active tag, and a deactivator or detacher at the checkout. When a paid item is deactivated or its tag is removed, the shopper walks out without an alarm. When an active tag passes the gate, the system alarms.

AM and RF: the two main technologies

Radio frequency (RF) systems use a thin label with a small resonant circuit, and the standard RF band is around 8.2 MHz. Acousto-magnetic (AM) systems use a label containing a metal strip that resonates at about 58 kHz. The tags are not interchangeable, so the label type you choose decides which antennas and deactivators you can use.

RF labels are thin and generally cheaper per item, which suits high-volume goods such as books, apparel and supermarket items. AM labels are thicker and generally cost more, but AM systems are usually preferred where entrances are wide or the shop has a lot of metal shelving and glass, because that environment can disturb RF detection.

Hybrid antennas

A hybrid AM-RF antenna detects both label types at the same entrance. It suits shops that already have one label type in stock and want to move to the other, or mixed retail where different departments tag goods differently. Confirm which labels the antenna detects and which deactivators the checkout needs.

What to check before you choose

A site survey and a test on your own goods answer most questions. These are the points that matter.

• Entrance width and whether you need one gate or several
• Metal, foil or liquid products that can affect detection, and metal shelving near the door
• Cost per label across your yearly volume, not only the antenna price
• Whether labels are applied in the shop or at source by the supplier
• Hard tags for apparel and how staff remove them at the checkout
• Antenna style: pedestal, acrylic, door-frame loop or concealed floor antenna
• Power and cable routes to the entrance

Checkout deactivation

Most false alarms start at the till. A deactivator must sit where staff can pass every labelled item over it as part of billing, and staff need training to do it every time. AM and RF labels use different deactivators, and combined units exist for shops that use both. Hand-held detector and deactivator tools are useful for stock rooms and returns.

Plan, test and hand over

Ask the supplier to test detection with your real merchandise and labels before the final order, to confirm the alarm behaviour, and to train your staff. Agree maintenance and spare-part support in writing. EAS can also be combined with RFID for stock counting and checkout, which is covered in our RFID warehouse planning guide.