Electric Strikes
Electric strikes were created to replace conventional lock strike plates and provide access control systems to doors. Designed to allow you additional security, remote operation, and traffic control, electric strikes are an innovative way to upgrade your interior control, perimeter control, and stairwell control.
Electric strikes are low voltage electromechanical devices that can be used with three main types of locksets. The three main locksets consist of cylindrical, mortise, or exit devices. Learning how the electric strike interacts with each lockset will give you a better understanding about which strike to use.
Cylindrical Electric Strike
The most common lockset is a cylindrical. It is composed of a bored lockset designed to fit in a cylindrical hole. To verify if your lockset is cylindrical, measure the height of the faceplate, it should be 2 ΒΌ inches and contain only a latchbolt and a deadlatch. They can be used in both residential and commercial applications.
Mortise Electric Strike
The most industrial and heavy duty lockset is the mortise. It is most commonly used in commercial and warehouse settings and can contain multiple bolts and is designed to fit the rectangle cavity of the door. To verify that you have a mortise locksets, check if the height of the faceplate on the edge of the door is around 8 inches and that it contains a deadbolt, latchbolt, and deadlatch.
Exit Device Electric Strike
The final lockset is an exit device, commonly used in industrial or commercial areas to meet Fire Protection and Life Safety codes. They are paired with bar or panel Pullman style latches.
Electric Strike Components
The next step to understanding your electric strike involves properly matching it to perform the same function as your strike plate. Matching these two bolts together is what gives the lock electric current, making it essential to the functionality. Each lockset contains as many as three components, latchbolt, deadlatch, and deadbolt. The latchbolt is the spring loaded bolt on the closing side which secures the door. The deadlatch, located right below the latchbolt, works directly with the latchbolt to lock and unlock the door. The deadbolt adds the most security to your door, it is manually extended from the strike cavity to secure and lock.
Government Standards
When pairing your electric strikes, locksets, and bolts, it's also important to note they must all be the same government grade in order to meet industry standards. Durability and performance levels are determined by government organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Builder's Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA), and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL.) Performance level standards are assigned as Grades 1-3 with Grade 1 being the highest.
Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure
Finally, you want to decide whether you want a Fail Safe or Fail Secure lock. Fail Safe products are designed to unlock when the power is removed while Fail Secure are programmed to lock when they lose electricity. Fail secure strikes must be used on fire-rated doors in order to meet the Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.
Electric Strike Recommendations
Some of the best electric strikes on the market are created by ASSA ABLOY’s HES and Adams Rite lines. HES creates electric strikes based on your security needs and functions while Adams Rite focuses on manufacturing a variety of sizes for an assortment of entrance ways.
When it comes to protecting your electric strikes from elements, you’ll want to check out HES’s 9000 series. The 9500 is fire-rated, the 9600 is windstorm rated, and the 9700 is both fire and windstorm rated. For more low profile solutions HES’s 1500 and 1600 series would be the choice for you, they are both Grade 1 Rated. For a bundle pack which includes faceplates, the complete electric strike kits are perfect for easy installation.
Adams Rite’s Ultraline Collection features strikes for both aluminum and wood doors and have a Grade 1 ANSI/BHMA Rating and a UL1034 Burglary Rating. For fire-rated products you’ll want to check out their 7240 or 7270 strikes. When it comes to securing hollow metal and wood doors, the 7000 series is the perfect addition.
Another manufacturer which shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to electric strike kits is Trine. Trine prides themselves on their One Box Solution Series. The 4100 series features fire-rated strikes for cylindrical and mortise locks. The 4850 series works with rim panic exit devices and the 4800F is the fire rated version of it. The 4200 series supplies electric strikes for cylindrical and deadlatches. For ourdoor solutions, check out the 400CMRP. If you’re looking for the smallest electric strike in the world, the 323478LC is perfect for you.
No matter which brand you choose, upgrading your interior and exterior security utilizing the latest electric strike solutions are sure to make your life both easier and safer for many years to come.