Altronix MM12 Mounting Magnets 12-Pack
The Altronix MM12 is a set of twelve mounting magnets designed to secure devices and components in security infrastructure installations without drilling, fasteners, or permanent surface damage. This accessory addresses a genuine deployment pain point: temporary positioning during commissioning, testing, or retrofit work where landlord restrictions or equipment relocation is likely.
Key Features
- Quantity: Twelve individual magnets per set — enough for a typical multi-reader access control retrofit or distributed sensor placement across a mid-sized cabinet.
- Non-destructive installation: No drilling, screws, or adhesives — magnets grip securely to ferrous metal surfaces and release cleanly. Critical for rented spaces, historic buildings, or installations where reversibility matters.
- Reusable design: Pull a magnet, reinstall elsewhere, no loss of holding force. Reduces accessory waste on projects with evolving equipment layouts.
- Suitable for metal mounting surfaces: Works on steel enclosures, cabinet doors, wall-mounted frames, or equipment racks. Will not grip aluminum, stainless steel, or non-ferrous surfaces — verify your mounting substrate before committing to this solution.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Manufacturer-backed coverage for defect or failure, reflecting the simplicity and durability of the design.
Typical Applications
Access control retrofits in retail or office environments where reader and keypad placement must be tested before final installation. Temporary sensor positioning during system commissioning and walk-through testing. Cable management and wire routing in equipment racks when permanent bracket drilling is not an option. Short-term detector placement during alarm system commissioning or design validation.
Integration Notes
The MM12 is a passive mechanical accessory — no power, no electronics, no compatibility concerns. Deploy with any brand of access control reader, door sensor, detector, or lightweight security device. Holding force is sufficient for items under a few pounds; for heavier enclosures or wall-mounted panels, fall back to traditional fasteners or wall anchors.
Deployment Consideration
Magnetic holding strength can degrade in high-vibration environments (near HVAC equipment or machinery). If your installation site includes persistent vibration or shock, magnets may not maintain a grip over weeks or months — test before deploying across a distributed system. For permanent installations, traditional fasteners remain the safer choice.
When to Choose a Different Approach
If your deployment requires permanent, vibration-resistant mounting, adhesive-backed strips, or installation on non-ferrous surfaces (aluminum panels, composite frames), standard mechanical fasteners, toggle bolts, or adhesive mounts will outperform magnets. For outdoor exposure or frequent relocation stress, magnets are best suited to temporary commissioning phases rather than long-term outdoor duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will the MM12 magnets work on stainless steel surfaces?
A: No. Stainless steel is non-magnetic. The MM12 requires ferrous (iron-based) metal surfaces such as mild steel enclosures, cabinet frames, or steel wall studs. Test on your specific surface before deployment.
Q: How many devices can 12 magnets secure?
A: That depends on device weight and geometry. Each magnet is designed to support lightweight readers, sensors, and detectors (typically under 2 pounds per magnet). A door strike, for example, would require multiple magnets for stable support. Always test your specific equipment weight and magnet count before relying on this solution in production.
Q: Can magnets be used outdoors?
A: The magnets themselves are simple permanent magnets and tolerate outdoor conditions. However, holding strength can be affected by cold, vibration, and weathering of the mounting surface. For permanent outdoor installations, fasteners remain more reliable. For temporary outdoor testing or commissioning, the MM12 can work — just monitor periodically.
Q: What is the warranty?
A: Lifetime Limited Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship from the manufacturer.
Q: Can I use the MM12 on aluminum or composite surfaces?
A: No. Magnets adhere only to ferrous metals. Aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and composite frames will not grip. Verify your mounting surface is mild steel or iron before purchase.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix MM12 is a straightforward solution for what should be simple: holding a reader or sensor in place while you figure out the best permanent location. On paper, twelve magnets sound modest, but in commissioning work — where you're walking a site with the integrator, testing reader angles, and verifying sight lines — non-destructive mounting is genuinely valuable. The MM12 lets you iterate without leaving holes in the wall or marking up expensive finishes.
Deployment Reality:
- Ferrous-only: Verify your mounting surface is steel or iron before you open the box. Aluminum frames, powder-coated stainless, and composite panels will reject these magnets entirely. A five-minute test with a sample magnet saves wasted time on site.
- Weight limit: Expect safe holding for readers, keypads, and lightweight sensors under 2 pounds per magnet. Heavier enclosures or wall-mounted strike plates demand more magnets or mechanical fasteners — don't improvise load distribution.
- Vibration sensitivity: In HVAC rooms, parking garage walls, or industrial racks, magnetic grip can slip over time. Test placement stability for a few days if permanent residence is planned. For pure commissioning work, this is not a constraint.
When to Deploy: Access control retrofits where permanent drilling is restricted, temporary sensor placement during system validation, or any retrofit work on rental property or historic fabric. The lifetime warranty reflects the simplicity of the design — there's little to break. For permanent outdoor installations or high-vibration environments, order fasteners instead.
