Electric Strikes
THE MOST COMMON, ELECTRIC LOCKING DEVICE FOR LOW-TO-HIGH SECURITY & TRAFFIC CONTROL
Electric strikes – aka electric door openers, electric door releases – are electromechanical devices installed in door frames, replacing conventional lock strike plates. They enable the release of a locked mechanical latch or bolt and are well-suited for both new and retrofit construction.
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Other feature benefits include compatibility with any type of access control, availability in multiple configurations to accommodate a variety of mechanical locksets and door frame styles, and availability as failsafe or failsecure.
Used for interior and exterior applications like:
- Offices
- Reception areas
- Light traffic areas
- Building entrances
- Apartment buildings
- Commercial offices
Table of Contents
Electric Strike Defined
Strike – A metal plate located in the door jamb that is pierced or recessed to receive a projected bolt or latch, sometimes called a keeper.
Electric Strike – An electric strike is a jamb mounted electrical device activated by a push switch, keypad or card access control device that controls the locked or deadlocked mode of the movable keeper. When the keeper is locked and the door is closed, the lock's extended latchbolt is captured, keeping the door locked. When electrically activated, the keeper is permitted to pivot – move out of the way – letting the door lock's extended latchbolt travel freely out of the doorjamb, permitting the door to be pushed or pulled open without turning the knob or lever to retract the latch. Most electric strikes operate in this method by using a built-in solenoid.
Several different electric strike designs are available to work with specific types of mechanical locks, including cylindrical locksets, mortise locksets, deadbolts, and exit devices. Electric strikes are occasionally equipped with a buzzer to indicate when the keeper is released, and many are available with built-in monitoring options for latch status, latch and keeper deadlocked status, and deadbolt status.
Failsecure Mode
A failsecure electric strike is locked when de-energized and unlocked when energized by the access control or other switching device. Failsecure electric strikes will lock or stay locked during a building power outage. A power supply with battery backup is required to provide unlocking capability during a power loss.
Failsafe Mode
A failsafe electric strike is locked when energized and unlocked when de-energized by the access control or other switching device or power loss. Failsafe electric strikes will release the door latch during a building power outage. A power supply with battery backup is required to provide locking capability during a power loss.
The Big Advantage & Application
Electric strikes are possibly used more than any other type of electric locking device due to their ease of installation, cost and compatibility with several types of door locksets and exit devices. All wires are maintained in the lock jamb, unlike electrified locksets that require a power transfer hinge and a chase way running wires through the door to the lockset. They also provide convenience and remote operation to electrically lock or unlock doors for access and egress control – for example, tenant receptionists can open entrance doors without physically going to the door itself when an electric strike is used.
Failsecure
UL listed failsecure electric strikes may be installed on non-fire rated and fire rated doors and frames, since all building and fire codes require that fire doors stay latched even when unlocked – ensuring smoke and flame do not travel to other parts of the building.
Failsafe
Failsafe electric strikes may only be installed on non-fire rated doors and frames. Because they can't keep the door latched when unlocked, they compromise fire rated door integrity by permitting smoke, gases and flames to escape.
Stairwell Doors
Failsecure electric strikes are not permitted on stairwell fire rated doors – both sides must unlock in an emergency. The proper devices are ANSI grade 1, failsafe electrified cylindrical or mortise locksets and failsafe mortise exit devices.
SDC Electric Strikes History & Specifications Summary
In 1982, SDC's first electric strike design initiated the adoption of strikes by the door hardware industry. Then, we engineered the UniFLEX™ 45 and 55 series – the first electric strikes with interchangeable faceplates and field reversibility for failsafe or failsecure operation. The interchangeable design allows SDC to also provide multi-application strike kits that include one electric strike and three faceplates to meet common applications, making them easy to stock and maintain in inventory. Today, our strikes integrate with a broad range of mechanical locksets, devices, door and frame styles and budgets. Our 45F-4S is a specialty electric strike permitted for use on non fire-rated and fire-rated doors.
The interchangeable faceplate design of the UniFLEX™ Kits lets a single electric strike body cover multiple applications by simply swapping the faceplate in the field – no need to stock separate strikes for every latch configuration.
| Series | 15 | 25 | 30 | 45 | 55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark | ----- | ----- | ----- | UniFLEX™ | UniFLEX™ |
| Type | Value Cylindrical, ⁵/₈” Latchbolt | Value Cylindrical, ½” Latchbolt | Rim, ¾” Latchbolt | Cylindrical, ⁵/₈” Latchbolt | Mortise, ¾” Latchbolt |
| Adjustable Alignment | ----- | ----- | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interchangeable Faceplates | ----- | ----- | ----- | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Application Kits | ----- | ----- | ----- | Yes | Yes |
| Latch Status (LS) | ----- | Standard | Optional | Standard | Optional |
| Keeper Deadlocked Status | ----- | ----- | Optional | Standard | Optional |
| Dual Voltage | ----- | Field Selectable | ----- | Field Selectable | Field Selectable |
| UL | ----- | UL1034 | UL294, UL1034, UL10B, UL10C | UL1034, UL10C | UL1034, UL10C |
| Warranty | 5 Year | 5 Year | 5 Year | 5 Year | 5 Year |
| Buy American | ----- | ----- | ----- | Yes | Yes |
For more Electric Strikes product information and resources, visit sdcsec.com/estrikes
Listing and Performance Specifications
ABOUT ANSI AND BHMA
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has adopted design and performance standards established by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA).
ANSI/BHMA A156.31 for Electric Strikes and Frame Mounted Actuators – purchasers of products certified to A156.31 can be assured of performance for Durability, Safety & Security, and Appearance. All SDC Electric Strikes (excluding Series 15) are ANSI/BHMA A156.31 compliant.
BHMA Certification
BHMA is the only organization accredited by ANSI to develop and maintain performance standards for locks, closers, exit devices and other builders hardware. Participants in the BHMA Certification Program voluntarily submit a hardware product to independent laboratory testing to confirm it fully meets the criteria of its ANSI/BHMA standard, with periodic in-factory audits to assure ongoing compliance.
REQUIRED UL LISTINGS
Confirms the strike design is electrically safe and has been tested for the purpose the product was intended.
- CVXY Burglary-resistant Electric Door Strikes – covers burglary-resistant strikes intended to replace standard strikes for use with conventional door latches.
- GXAY [Fire Doors] Electric Strikes – covers strikes intended to replace the strike plate in single- or two-section fire door frames, complying with ANSI/UL 10C positive-pressure-test requirements.
- UL10C Positive Pressure Compliant, classified per Uniform Building Code (UBC) "Fire Test for Door Assemblies."
- UL 294 Access Control System Units – covers construction, performance and operation of physical access control equipment regulating entry/exit or device access.
UL "Listed" vs UL "Recognized"
UL's Component Recognition Service covers the testing and evaluation of individual components that are incomplete or restricted in performance capabilities. These components will later be used in complete end-products or systems listed by UL. These UL recognized components are not intended for separate installation in the field – they are intended for use as components of complete equipment submitted for investigation and subsequent UL Listing. The C preceding the listing symbol indicates the product is also UL Listed for use in Canada.
