What's the difference between a fail-safe and fail-secure electric strike?
Fail-safe strikes unlock when power is lost or an alarm is triggered—critical for emergency exits and life-safety compliance. Fail-secure strikes remain locked on power loss to prevent intrusion. Building code and occupancy type determine which you need; most facilities use both: fail-safe on public exits, fail-secure on secure entries and restricted zones.
How do I choose between 12V and 24V electric strikes?
24V systems are preferred for large deployments because they reduce current draw (lower I²R losses), cause less voltage sag in long cable runs, and are safer for wet environments. 12V is acceptable for small, localized installations near the power supply. Always verify your access control panel's output voltage and power budget before selecting strikes.
What ANSI/BHMA grade should I specify for a commercial deployment?
Grade 1 (500,000+ cycles) is industry standard for institutional, government, and high-traffic commercial facilities. Grade 2 (300,000+ cycles) suits mid-traffic office buildings. Grade 3 is rarely used in professional security contexts. Higher grade ensures durability and reduces warranty/replacement risk over a 10+ year lifecycle.
Do I need monitored strikes or can I use passive non-monitored locks?
Monitored strikes with door-position sensors provide real-time open/close events and tamper alerts for audit trails and threat detection. Non-monitored strikes offer no feedback and create blind spots in your access control visibility. For compliance-heavy environments (healthcare, finance, schools), monitored hardware is strongly recommended.
How much power do electric strikes consume, and will my UPS back them up?
Most strikes draw 200–600mA at 12V (2.4–7.2W) or 100–300mA at 24V (2.4–7.2W) during solenoid actuation. Latching solenoids hold position after one pulse and consume less continuous power. Estimate total door count × latching solenoid wattage, add margin, and select a UPS rated for sustained hold-time during outages. Undersized UPS causes lock dropout during power events.
What's the installation process, and do I need a professional integrator?
Strike installation involves mounting the strike plate and reinforcement bracket to the door frame using through-bolts or wood screws, ensuring proper alignment with the latch bolt and frame material. Wiring requires low-voltage DC runs from the power supply and control panel with proper shielding for noise immunity. Professional installation is recommended to avoid frame damage, improper strike orientation, and code violations. Contact our experts for site assessment and integration guidance.