Camden CX-91S-06TDS 600 lbs Surface Mount Magnetic Lock
The Camden CX-91S-06TDS is a 600-pound holding force magnetic lock engineered for single-door surface mount installations in commercial access control systems. Operating on 24VDC (field selectable 12/24VDC dual-voltage) at 240mA draw, it integrates seamlessly into standard access control power infrastructure without requiring dedicated UPS capacity. The TDS variant combines an adjustable timer, integrated door status sensor, relay output, and status LED into a single unit—eliminating the need for external status monitoring modules and reducing panel wiring complexity. UL 1034 burglary-resistant certification and ULC S533-15 compliance make it suitable for high-security and regulated facilities.
Key Features
- 600 lbs holding force: Rated for single doors up to standard commercial weight. Magnetic retention—no mechanical pins or moving parts to wear or jam.
- 24VDC dual-voltage (field selectable 12/24VDC): 240mA at 24VDC draw fits standard access control power supplies; 12VDC option available for low-power installations without additional hardware swap.
- Integrated door status sensor: 0.5A @ 28V AC/DC switch output—provides real-time door open/closed feedback directly to access panel without separate alarm modules.
- Adjustable timer and relay output: TDS model allows variable unlock duration control (typically 0–60 seconds field-configurable) and dry-contact relay for downstream panel integration or auxiliary device triggering.
- Surface mount design: No mortising required—mounts directly to door frame header using included metal template. Ideal for retrofit work, aluminum frames, or installations where frame depth is limited.
- Built-in surge protection (MOV): Protects against power spikes and induced transients common in hardwired strike circuits and long cable runs.
- Vandal-resistant construction: Metal housing and recessed fasteners resist tampering. Epoxy-coated finish resists corrosion in wet or salt-air environments.
- UL 1034 burglary-resistant certification: Compliant with ULC S533-15 (Canadian commercial lock standard). Meets life-safety and security audit requirements.
Surface mount magnetic locks eliminate the installation complexity of mortise strikes—particularly valuable in retrofit projects where frame modification is cost-prohibitive or structurally risky. The 600 lbs holding force is calibrated for standard commercial single doors (36–42 inches); verify door mass and swing frequency against local code requirements before installation. The integrated door status sensor removes the operational burden of wiring external magnetic switches, reducing first-cost wiring and simplifying troubleshooting—a critical advantage in multi-door deployments where panel alarm inputs are limited.
Integration with modern IP-based access controllers depends on the controller's ability to source 24VDC to a relay input and consume a 0.5A dry-contact door status signal. Most tier-one platforms (Salto, Gallagher, Honeywell ProWatch, Lenel OnGuard) support this through standard relay modules. Legacy hardwired panels and magnetic stripe systems often require minimal adapter logic. The TDS timer feature decouples unlock duration from the controller's hold-open command—useful when door delay must remain constant across variable credential types or during high-traffic periods. Configure the timer during commissioning; adjustments typically require 15-minute site visits rather than control center changes.
Power budget is non-negotiable in retrofit scenarios: 240mA @ 24VDC on a single strike is manageable on most access power supplies (typically 2–3A capacity), but verify available headroom if you're adding locks to an existing installation with alarm sensors, proximity readers, and IP intercoms all sharing the same 24VDC rail. In facilities with undersized power supplies, a dedicated 24VDC module ($200–400) pays for itself in avoided nuisance lock failures and reduced service calls. The dual-voltage field selection (12/24VDC) is a commissioning convenience—never a performance workaround; always size the power supply for 24VDC operation to maintain holding force under line sag.
Compliance and lifecycle considerations: UL 1034 and ULC S533-15 certification mean this lock satisfies high-security facility audits and insurance requirements. Manufacturer Warranty coverage is a mark of Camden's confidence in field durability; magnetic locks rarely fail catastrophically, but striker gaps, temperature cycling on aluminum frames, and corrosion are the three most common failure modes in the field. Inspect the striking surface annually, especially in coastal or humid environments. Surface mount brackets are field-replaceable without replacing the lock body—a design advantage over mortise strikes that are labor-intensive to retrofit if frame damage occurs.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Camden CX-91S-06TDS has been our go-to surface mount strike for retrofit access control projects across hospitality, healthcare, and light industrial verticals. What sets it apart from cheaper electromagnetic locks is the combination of integrated door status feedback, field-selectable voltage, and that adjustable timer—three features that eliminate adapter boards and reduce first-cost wiring complexity. We've deployed this lock in environments ranging from humid restaurant kitchens to cold storage rooms, and the sealed magnetic solenoid design handles thermal cycling without drift. The real operational win is the TDS door status switch built into the housing: no external alarm modules, no separate NC/NO wiring to manage, just a single dry-contact pair back to the panel. On a 50-door retrofit, that's hours of labor saved during commissioning and years of simplified troubleshooting. The one caveat we always stress: this is a 600-pound-force strike for single doors under standard commercial traffic. If you're trying to lock a pair of heavy glass doors or a high-traffic emergency exit, you'll need a 1200-pound dual-lock solution or a different topology entirely.
Technical Highlights:
- Integrated door status sensor (0.5A @ 28V AC/DC): Eliminates external status switches and reduces panel wiring by 50%. The status output is a dry contact—compatible with any access panel alarm input, no relay conditioning required. On multi-door deployments, this consolidation directly reduces both material cost and commissioning time.
- 240mA draw at 24VDC: Fits standard access control power supplies (typically 2–3A) without overload. We size 24VDC rails at 0.5A per strike for headroom—meaning one module can handle 4–6 locks plus sensors and readers on the same circuit.
- Field-selectable 12/24VDC dual-voltage: Commissioning convenience that removes the need to stock two SKUs or swap components. Always operate at 24VDC for full holding force; 12VDC is available only for retrofits into heavily constrained low-voltage systems, and even then, it reduces residual holding to ~500 lbs.
- Adjustable timer (TDS model, typically 0–60 seconds): Decouples unlock duration from the access controller. Particularly useful when you need a 15-second delay for all credentials (employee badge, visitor code, emergency override) without reprogramming the panel. On high-traffic entrances, a fixed 5-second delay cuts prop-open dwell and improves security posture.
- UL 1034 burglary-resistant + ULC S533-15 compliance: Required for high-security facilities, insurance audits, and regulated environments (healthcare, financial services). Most commodity strikes skip certification—this one carries it, which matters on bids with compliance riders.
Deployment Considerations:
- Surface mount requires a flat, rigid striking surface (steel or aluminum door frame header). If the frame is composite or corroded, grind and prime the surface before install—poor contact voids the 600-pound rating and creates nuisance unlock failures.
- Wiring: 24VDC positive and negative to strike terminals, TDS door status pair back to panel alarm input. Use shielded cable on runs >50 feet in high-EMI environments (near HVAC, motor controls, or cellular boosters) to avoid false status transitions.
- Power supply headroom is critical. Measure available 24VDC capacity at the panel before installation. If you have <500mA headroom and this is one of multiple locks, add a dedicated 24VDC module or risk nuisance failures during peak access traffic.
- Timer configuration is field-adjustable (typically via a trim pot or DIP switch—verify on datasheet before order). Document the setting at commissioning; we've seen integrators swap locks on-site because they forgot the timer dial position from a year prior.
- Magnetic locks shed heat continuously while locked. In very cold environments (<0°C), verify the solenoid winding insulation class and contact Camden for low-temperature operating specs. We haven't seen failures at -5°C, but margins narrow below freezing.
The CX-91S-06TDS is the right choice for single-door retrofit projects, healthcare facilities with status-monitoring audit requirements, and hospitality environments where simplicity and field serviceability drive decision-making. Avoid it if you need multi-door fail-safe logic, high-traffic dual-leaf control, or integration into a fully networked IP access platform without a hardwired relay backbone. For integrators standardizing on surface mount strikes across mixed retrofit and new-build projects, this lock justifies its higher per-unit cost through faster commissioning and fewer support calls. Explore the full range at our Camden catalog.
