If you've ever installed an electric strike, then you know that they can seem simple. You just pop it in the hole, tighten it down, and voila! You're done. But there's a lot more to it than that. In this article, I'll explain why not every electric strike is created equally and what factors you should consider before making your purchase decision.
An electric strike is defined as an electromechanical door locking device that functions with mortise lockets, rim exit devices, or cylindrical locksets. Electric strikes are used instead of regular, standard strikes in the door jamb. An electric strike is electrified (i.e., it gets power).
Electric strikes were initially designed to secure doors in industrial and commercial applications with heavy traffic—places that require access control systems. Many facilities, businesses, buildings, and property owners have started to use this type of access control device due to its high-level security features.
Magnetic locks are a mechanical locking device that use magnets to engage or disengage a mechanism. Electric strikes are an electronic locking device that uses an electric current to unlock or lock the door.
There are two main advantages to an electric strike over a magnetic lock. First, the electric strike is more secure. If power goes out, the door will remain locked. A magnetic lock on the other hand will release the door upon power outage making it safe for free exit but poor on security of the building. Second, a magnetic lock requires 24/7 electricity use to keep the door secure. The only time power does not flow to the mag lock is when you release the lock to open said door. An electric strike only requires power when you release the strike which allows you to conserve energy usage.
The strength of an electric strike is measured in pounds. The stronger the electric strike, the better it will hold up against wear and tear. You must know how much traffic the entry way expects and what potential wear and tear it may encounter to properly decide on the strength of the strike. If you have an existing lock, make sure it meets these same standards before replacing it with a new one!
Durability is an important consideration when choosing an electric strike. The durability of an electric strike is affected by the quality of material.
Material - Electric strikes are made from different materials that have varying degrees of durability. For example, zinc-plated steel has a lower resistance to corrosion than aluminum or stainless steel so it's not as durable as those two metals. The same holds true for brass vs copper; brass has less corrosion resistance than copper so its lifespan will be shorter as well. If you want your electric strike to last longer, then choose one that uses high quality components such as good quality bearings and springs.
Fail-safe and fail-secure are the two main types of electric strikes. A fail-safe electric strike will open if power is lost, while a fail-secure electric strike will not open if power is lost.
Fail-Safe: The most common type of electric strike, fail safe strikes are recommended for most applications because they're easier to install and allow users to manually override them in case they malfunction or there's an emergency situation where someone needs immediate access through the door (e.g., fire).
Fail-Secure: This option may be suitable for certain applications where security is important--for example if you need your doors locked even when there's no electricity running through them. Fail secure strikes are necessary for fire-rated entrances to keep the building secure and helps deter the spread of fire and smoke by keeping the opening locked and closed.
You'll want to make sure that you are installing the electric strike in the correct orientation. There are two types of electric strikes: left-hand and right-hand. Many strikes are specific to one or the other so you should pay close attention. Some strikes, like the EN400 by Trine Access Technology are field reversible so you'll never get caught with the wrong orientation of strike.
When you're shopping for a new electric strike, it's important to look for one that has been UL fire rated. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., which is an independent product safety certification organization. They are known primarily as an independent testing laboratory but also provide consulting services like education programs on risk management processes. There are different fire rating Classes that rates the length of time the strike will hold up in a fire so make sure the electric strike has a high fire rating.
If you're considering installing an electric strike on an outdoor gate, you'll want to make sure that it's UL outdoor rated. This means it has been tested by an independent third party, who will verify that the product meets specific safety standards just like the UL fire rating. You'll find there are very few electric strikes that are truly UL outdoor rated so make sure you do your research before blindly purchasing one.
Not all electric strikes are created equal in terms of durability, security, and fire rating. If you're looking for a new outdoor electric strike, we recommend the EN400 Heavy Duty Electric Strike by Trine Access Technology. Just recommending a strike is simple, so we wanted to show you the EN400's features to prove why it's the superior outdoor electric strike.
Superior Strength -- Heavy duty 2,000+ lbs UL® tested.
Superior Life -- Durability of 1,000,000+ life cycles
Superior Application - Outdoor UL® rating allows the strike to be used anywhere - especially good for gates.
Fail secure/Fail safe field reversible on DC units.
Grade 1 Electric Strike -- Contains a one-piece locking mechanism with one Solenoid -- less parts mean less problems.
Left and Right handing is field reversible.
Great for all high-humidity environments like at marinas and pools. The go-anywhere strike!
If you want to learn more about the EN400 by Trine, check out our website here!
In conclusion, there are many different types of electric strikes. If you're looking for a new one, it's important to know what type of lock you need and what kind of finish will work best for your application. The strength, durability, fire rating, and outdoor rating should also be taken into consideration when making your selection. We hope this article has helped answer some questions about how these locks work! Please contact your local SAS branch for any questions you may have on the EN400 by Trine or any other electric strikes.