European narrow-type electric door strikes ES150KA-3-NO/NC
What is an Electric Door Strike?
An electric door strike is an access control device that allows a door to stay locked, preventing public access. It’s used on door frames and is usually located on the exterior side of the door. An electric door strike replaces a fixed strike faceplate, which you use with a latch (sometimes referred to as a ‘keeper’).
Like a fixed strike plate, an electric door strike usually presents a beveled or ramped surface to the locking latch. This means that the door is able to close and latch as a fixed strike would. The difference is that, when commanded, an electric door strike’s ramped surface can swing out of the way when the door opens while in a locked position. This allows the user to push or pull the door open without having to either use a physical key or operate the mechanical lock. The keeper goes back to its normal position once you open the door past the keeper. It then relocks when you apply or remove power, depending on the configuration of the strike.
There are three configurations of electric door strikes –
No. 1: Fail-Secure
Some refer to the fail-secure electric door strike as a ‘non-fail safe’ or ‘fail-locked’ electric door strike. Applying an electric current to this configuration will cause it to unlock. During a power failure, the strike would stay locked with this configuration. Yet, you would still use a mechanical lock to open the door from the inside, providing a way out from the secure side.
You can power these units using DC power, which is a silent operation except for a ‘click’ while the unit powers up; or by an alternating current that causes the unit to buzz.
No. 2: Fail-Safe
Many refer to the fail-safe electric door strike as a ‘fail-open’ electric door strike. Applying an electric current to a strike with this configuration will cause it to lock. This configuration works exactly the same as a magnetic lock would work. During a power failure, the user can open the door by either pushing or pulling it.
We’re now seeing a new trend in electric door strikes and this is a strike that reverts from fail-safe to fail-secure (and vice versa) when needed. While some manufacturers need the solenoids to open, others allow the function to reverse in less than 10 seconds. Achieve this by moving two external screws, or a mechanical unlocking accessory that’s easily accessible when the door is open. This is the same principle used with child safety locks you see installed on car doors.
No. 3: Hold-Open
With a hold-open electric door strike, you’re applying an electric current to the strike. This causes the strike to unlock, and stay unlocked until used. The hold-open electric door strike goes back to its normal locked position once you use the strike. Our customers use this type of strike in a range of industrial, commercial, and residential applications. The hold-open function provides easy usage because both the powering and opening of the strike don’t require precise synchronization.
Today we’re also seeing electric door strikes equipped with buzzers; this allows someone outside to hear when the door is open. When you have a DC-powered strike you can add a buzzer accessory to create the buzzing sound if you need it.
There are several manufacturers of electric door strikes, and if you’re considering purchasing one there are many things to consider, such as –
- The type of locking hardware,
- The type of jamb,
- Whether you need a fail-safe, fail-secure, or hold-open function,
- The depth of the jamb,
- The length of the latch,
- The length of the faceplate, and
- Voltage requirements.
There are some cases where choosing a magnetic lock is the best option. Please check with the Fire Marshall or other relevant authorities before choosing a magnetic lock. There are emergency egress issues that the authorities must address before approving the use of a magnetic lock.
Defining Electric Door Strikes By Locking Device
There are several ways to differentiate between electric door strikes, such as –
- Type of frame on which you can install the device,
- Duty (intermittent or continuous),
- The type of door locking mechanism the electric door strike will work with.
The following are the most common locking mechanisms on electric door strikes –
- Deadbolt,
- Cylindrical,
- Rim Panic Exit, and Mortise.
Because residential markets generally use cylindrical electric door strikes they are typically the cheapest to purchase. There’s no spring mechanism in deadbolts (also called deadlocks) which means it’s a ‘hold’ only strike for a deadbolt. In explanation, the deadbolt is thrown and engages in the electric door strike cavity. The electric door strike can release it but is unable to ‘recapture’ it. This is because the deadbolt doesn’t have the spring-latching capabilities of other types of locksets.
You can purchase specialty electric door strikes that ensure the electric door strike stays open until the door with the lengthened deadbolt returns back into the electric door strike to ‘recapture’ the lengthened deadbolt.
Mortise locksets lean more towards bigger projecting latches from the door. These latches engage deep into the frame, which means the electric door strikes used for these locking devices require additional cutting and space in the door frame.
Many buildings use Rim Panic Exit devices (also known as crash bars or panic bars) as a ‘single motion’ way of egressing. In these situations, electric door strikes are usually different from electric door strikes used in other situations.
Panic Bar Electric Strike Door Lock
The electric door strikes for Rim Panic Exit devices can sometimes be ‘no cut’ electrical door strikes. When referring to a Rim Panic Door Strike, ‘no cutting’ means the strike bolts to the surface of the jamb, without the need to cut into or modify the frame in any way, not allowing for the drilling and tapping of anchoring pins and/or mounting screws.
Also available to purchase are specialty electric door strikes that you use in vertical rod exit devices. In this instance, the bottom rod of the exit device will usually deactivate, with the specialty electric door strike mounted on the top of the door frame. Now it can operate with the top latch of the vertical rod exit device.
Buying Electric Strike Door Lock
Elock Security manufactures electric strike door lock, electromagnetic lock, smart lock and access control system. Welcome to contact us 0086 13380898185 or send email to info@elocksecurity.com for more advice.
