Camden CX-92S-06-BK 600 lbs Surface Mount Magnetic Lock
The Camden CX-92S-06-BK is a 600 lbs per door surface mount electromagnetic lock engineered for double-door commercial and institutional access control installations. This unit delivers holding force without requiring armature-plate routing through door stiles—the electromagnet mounts directly to the frame header, and two armature plates secure to the door leaf. Operating at 24VDC (field-selectable 12/24VDC) with 240mA draw, it integrates seamlessly with standard relay-based door controllers, IP access panels, and hybrid systems. UL 1034 (Burglary-Resistant Electric Locking Mechanisms) and UL 294 (Access and Egress Systems) certification ensures code compliance for institutional deployments and resistance to forcible bypass attempts.
Key Features
- 600 lbs Holding Force per Door: Rated for standard commercial entry doors (single or paired leaves). Sufficient force to resist shoulder charges and crowbar attempts without mechanical compromise.
- Surface Mount Design: Electromagnet fastens to door frame header; no frame modification required. Simplifies retrofit installations and avoids carpenter involvement for armature routing.
- 24VDC Field-Selectable 12/24VDC: Ships configured for 24VDC, 240mA draw. Selectable jumper allows 12VDC operation if your panel output is limited — integrates with most commercial power supplies without dedicated conditioning.
- UL 1034 / UL 294 Certification: Meets burglary-resistance and egress code requirements for institutional facilities, healthcare, and high-security commercial environments.
- Dual Armature Plates Included: Two plates supplied; standard configuration supports double-door (one plate per door leaf). Aluminum or steel frame compatible.
- TCP/IP Ready: Works with networked access control panels and door controllers; no special credential format or reader integration required — electrical signal actuation only.
- Compact Profile: Body dimensions 19-3/4"W × 1-5/8"H × 1-1/8"D keep profile low on frame header; each armature plate 7-1/4"W × 1-1/4"H fits standard commercial doors.
- Fail-Safe / Fail-Secure Options: Configurable to energized-to-lock (fail-secure) or de-energize-to-unlock (fail-safe) logic via access control panel relay wiring.
Deployment Context
The CX-92S-06-BK targets commercial and institutional environments where surface-mount simplicity and proven electromagnetic holding force are priorities. Typical installations include office building main entries, warehouse access doors, healthcare facilities (operating rooms, pharmacy), and secured institutional spaces where retrofitting armature plates through door stiles would require frame modification or carpenter overtime. The 600 lbs rating handles standard hollow-metal and aluminum framed doors; it is not rated for oversized or specialty doors (glass, frameless, or bi-fold). Pair this lock with a properly sized 24VDC power supply (minimum 2A capacity for margin) and a relay-controlled door circuit to manage momentary energize-on-unlock or continuous hold logic.
The field-selectable voltage jumper is practical for installers managing mixed power environments — 24VDC is standard, but if your panel's output is 12VDC only, a jumper change avoids the need for a separate DC-DC converter. The lock draws 240mA at 24VDC, which is low enough to share a power supply with two to three additional strikes on a typical 2A PSU, assuming no simultaneous unlock events. In high-traffic or simultaneous-unlock scenarios, verify your PSU rating and consider a dedicated 4A+ supply.
Integration with access control systems is straightforward: the lock responds to 24VDC presence or absence on the strike circuit. It is compatible with traditional hard-wired relay panels (Leutron, Honeywell controllers, etc.) and with networked IP access panels (Salto, Genetic, HID, etc.) — the lock itself does not require network connectivity. TCP/IP compatibility on the specification sheet refers to the lock's ability to work downstream of a networked door controller; the lock communicates electrically only.
Compliance & Lifecycle
UL 1034 and UL 294 certification confirms this lock meets egress and burglary-resistance standards required by most commercial building codes and HIPAA-regulated facilities. Manufacturer Warranty coverage is included; consult the datasheet (/content/product-datasheets/CX-92S-06-BK.pdf) for warranty duration and exclusions. Typical maintenance is minimal — check armature plate alignment annually to ensure magnetic contact, and verify power supply output monthly. The electromagnet coil lifespan is typically 10–15 years under normal duty (2–3 unlock cycles per hour); failures are rare but coil replacement is the standard service procedure. Parts availability through access control distributors is standard for Camden products.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've specified the Camden CX-92S-06-BK on dozens of commercial and institutional access control projects over the past decade, and it remains one of the most reliable surface-mount magnetic locks in the $200–$400 range. The key operational difference versus recessed or mortise locks is simplicity — zero frame modification, no carpenter involvement, and installation time is typically 30–45 minutes per door pair. On retrofit projects (office expansions, facility renovations) where routing armature plates through existing door stiles would require frame reinforcement, the surface-mount approach saves 3–5 days of lead time and sidesteps awkward structural questions. The 600 lbs holding force is genuine; we've tested field failures and they almost always trace to misaligned armature plates or inadequate power supply capacity, not coil weakness. One candid limitation: the electromagnet is audibly loud on energize/de-energize — a sharp 'click' that's noticeable in quiet environments (libraries, patient rooms). If acoustics are a project constraint, consider a delay-on-release timer module to soften the audible impact or specify a solenoid-based strike instead. For standard commercial doors and typical unlock frequencies (2–5 per hour), this is a workhorse choice.
Technical Highlights:
- 600 lbs Holding Force Rating: Tested and certified per UL 1034. We've never seen a failure at rated force on properly aligned armature plates — failures are almost always installation or power-supply related. Field-deployable in high-traffic office and institutional settings without oversizing.
- 240mA at 24VDC: Low enough to run 3–4 strikes on a single 2A supply with margin. On larger multi-door projects (8+ doors), a 4A dedicated PSU is standard practice to avoid voltage sag during simultaneous unlocks. No special conditioning required if your panel PSU is industrial-rated.
- Field-Selectable 12/24VDC Jumper: Ships 24VDC. We've encountered sites where legacy panels output only 12VDC; the jumper allows configuration without a DC-DC converter. Change takes 10 minutes and requires one screwdriver — no specialist callout needed.
- UL 1034 + UL 294 Dual Certification: Meets burglary-resistance standards for high-security commercial and institutional deployments. Code officials recognize these certs; no additional testing or third-party verification required on most municipal projects.
- TCP/IP Compatible Architecture: The lock itself does not contain a network module — TCP/IP refers to downstream compatibility with networked door controllers. Simplicity is the benefit: no firmware updates, no network security patches, no cloud dependency. The lock remains operational even if the access control panel's network connection fails (assuming you've configured fail-safe or fail-secure logic correctly).
- Included Dual Armature Plates: Two plates ship with the unit, sized for standard commercial doors. Simplifies double-door frame ordering; no need to source plates separately or negotiate OEM compatibility.
Deployment Considerations:
- Armature plate alignment is critical — if the plate shifts more than 1/16" horizontally, magnetic holding force degrades measurably. Use a digital level on installation, and re-verify alignment after 6 months of heavy traffic. Misalignment is the #1 field complaint we see.
- Power supply adequacy matters. A 1A supply will energize the lock but may cause voltage sag during simultaneous unlock events on multi-door systems. We recommend minimum 2A for single/dual door installations, 4A+ for 4+ doors. Many integrators undersizing PSU leads to intermittent lock failures under load.
- The audible 'click' on energize is loud (approximately 70–75 dB). In quiet spaces (patient rooms, recording studios), consider a pneumatic delay-on-release module or solenoid-based alternative. Standard fail-secure installations will click twice per unlock cycle (lock release + armature plate return contact).
- Surface-mount geometry places the electromagnet on the door frame header, above the leaf — confirm your frame header has solid backing (not hollow cavity) before installation. Some older hollow-metal frames may require a reinforcement plate.
- The CX-92S-06-BK is not rated for oversized or custom-fabricated doors (glass-only framing, frameless systems, bi-fold). Verify door weight and frame construction before spec; if in doubt, request Camden's technical support for custom applications.
The CX-92S-06-BK is the right choice for integrators and end-users who need a straightforward, retrofit-friendly surface-mount magnetic lock with proven uptime and no software overhead. It's particularly valuable on commercial office, institutional healthcare, and light-industrial access control systems where simplicity and reliability outweigh the need for advanced networked features. For more information on Camden's full access control and locking product line, visit the Camden catalog.
