Collection: Electric Door Strikes

Electric Strikes

An electric door strike is used as an access control device to release or lock doors. This device comes as a replacement for fixed strike door plate. It works with mechanical door locks to electronically control the rotation of the Latch. The unit presents a ramped surface to a door’s latch, allowing it to lock like a fixed strike.

The ramped surface of an electric strike can pivot out of the way when commanded in instances where a door’s lock is in the locked position and the door is open. This allows a user to access the door without the need to operate the mechanical lock or use a mechanical key. After a door has been opened, the latch goes back to its standard position and relocks when power is applied or removed.

An electric door strike can be in one of two configurations:

Fail-secure or fail-safe. In the fail-secure configuration, the current passed through a strike will cause it to open and it will remain locked when the power goes out. However, mechanical locks can still be used to access doors. This system can be powered by an alternating or direct current. AC offers buzz while DC offers silent operation.

Fail-safe configuration, on the other hand, locks when an electric current is passed through. It operates on the same principle as a maglock. In instances where there is the power failure, the door is opened by simply pulling or pushing. These units only work through direct current.

New locks are easy to shift from fail-safe to fail-secure and back as needed. This process can be simple or sophisticated, depending on the model number. Electric strikes are fitted with buzzers that notify someone outside the door that it has been opened. Buzzing is created when AC is applied to the strike. A buzzing noise can be attained by use of a buzzer accessory on an electric strike in DC units.

FAQ

What is the difference between a fail-secure and a fail-safe electric door strike?

A fail-secure strike stays locked when power is lost, while a fail-safe strike unlocks during a power outage to comply with life-safety codes on exit doors.

How much holding force does a commercial-grade electric strike need?

Most interior office or retail doors are secure with 600 lb of holding force. Exterior or high-risk openings often require 1,000 lb or greater and ANSI Grade 1 compliance.

Can I run an electric strike on either 12 VDC or 24 VDC?

Yes—almost every strike we sell is dual-voltage. Choose 24 VDC for cable runs longer than 100 ft to reduce voltage drop.

Does an electric strike work with my existing access-control keypad or card reader?

Absolutely. Strikes operate like a simple relay device and integrate with any keypad, proximity reader, or network controller that supplies a dry or 12/24 VDC trigger.