Camden CX-247H-12 7-Day Programmable Timer with First-Man-In
The Camden CX-247H-12 is a microprocessor-controlled 7-day programmable timer designed for timed access control on electrified locks, magnetic strikes, and automatic doors. The first-man-in relay function—designating the 'H' suffix—addresses a core operational challenge: facilities need to lock doors on holidays, snow days, or unscheduled closures without manually reprogramming a 365-day schedule or dispatching staff to override the door controller. Until an authorized user triggers entry, the timer schedule remains dormant and the door stays locked. The unit operates at 30VDC with relay contacts rated at 16A, making it compatible with most commercial-grade strike and lock installations.
Key Features
- 7-Day Programmable Schedule: 16 flexible on/off events per day across 15 daily or weekly time slots. Plan entry windows for business hours, shift changes, or multi-facility operating calendars without manual gate/door attendance.
- First-Man-In Relay Function: Timer remains dormant until activated by authorized entry—critical for emergency closures, holiday lockdowns, or unplanned facility shutdowns. Eliminates need to reprogram complex annual schedules.
- 30VDC @ 16A Rated Output: Drives electrified locks, magnetic strikes, automatic door operators, and supplementary lighting. Confirm your strike or lock is 30VDC rated; mismatch will prevent function.
- Backup Battery (Permacell): Retains programming and real-time clock during power loss or brownout events. No reprogramming required after brief outages.
- Menu-Driven Digital Interface: Large display with intuitive programming controls—no special tools or software required for schedule changes.
- DIN Rail / Surface Mounting: Compact, dust and water-resistant enclosure fits standard electrical cabinet or wall-mounted installations.
- Relay Contact Options: Normally Closed (NC), Normally Open (NO), and Common (COM) contacts—wire directly to your strike circuit per the datasheet schematic.
- 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: Factory-backed coverage on components and labor for typical commercial access control environments.
The CX-247H-12 integrates seamlessly with any 30VDC access control system or standalone door strike installation. It functions as a programmable relay module—no integration API or VMS connection required. The first-man-in logic is particularly valuable for multi-tenant facilities, office parks, or institutional buildings where scheduled closures are frequent but unpredictable. Rather than maintain a master calendar, security teams simply activate the first-man-in mode when closure occurs, and the door reverts to programmed hours once the first authorized user enters.
Installation is straightforward: mount the timer in a cabinet or enclosure, wire the 30VDC power input, connect relay output contacts to your strike or lock circuit, and program your standard weekly schedule using the front-panel controls. The backup battery maintains the clock and settings through utility outages, ensuring no loss of access control logic. For facilities that rely on timed strikes for perimeter security (loading docks, gate operators, automatic sliding doors), the CX-247H-12 eliminates the operational overhead of manual overrides and emergency schedule modifications.
This timer is rated for 16A at 30VDC—verify your strike or lock current draw before installation. Electrified locks typically draw 0.3–2A in continuous coil mode; magnetic strikes draw 1–3A; automatic door operators may draw 4–8A depending on load and duty cycle. If your application approaches or exceeds 16A, consult the datasheet or consider a higher-capacity relay module. The unit is designed for indoor cabinet or protected enclosure mounting; do not expose to extreme moisture or temperature swings outside 0–50°C operating range.
The CX-247H-12 is compatible with all major access control platforms that output 30VDC relay signals—Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, Salto, and hardware-agnostic systems. No proprietary software or cloud integration is required; the timer operates as a standalone logic relay. Certification and compliance information is documented in the manufacturer's datasheet; verify any local electrical codes or accessibility standards (ADA, IBC) applicable to your jurisdiction before deployment.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the CX-247H-12 in dozens of mixed-use facilities—office parks, manufacturing plants, and municipal buildings—where unplanned closures are a fact of life. The first-man-in relay is the standout feature here. Without it, you're stuck either maintaining a master annual calendar (which breaks the moment someone forgets to update it for a snow day) or hand-holding a relay override at the facility controller. The 'H' logic eliminates that operational tax: when you need the building locked outside normal hours—holiday, unscheduled maintenance, emergency—you flip the timer into first-man-in mode and the door locks until someone with legitimate access opens it. That simplicity is worth real money in support overhead, especially at sites with high staff turnover or distributed management. We've also found it invaluable for automatic door operators at loading docks and service gates; a single timer replaces a rack of hardwired logic or expensive programmable controllers.
Technical Highlights:
- 16A @ 30VDC Relay Rating: Handles standard electrified locks and magnetic strikes without uprating. Verify your strike current—most commercial units draw 1–3A continuous—so you have headroom for cyclic duty without relay chatter or nuisance dropout.
- 7-Day Schedule with 16 Events/Day: Enough granularity for two-shift offices or 24/7 facilities. You can define business hours, shift changes, and maintenance windows without reprogramming weekly. The real value is flexibility for one-off closures without touching the schedule.
- Permacell Backup Battery: Protects programming and clock against brief utility outages or controlled power cycling. In our experience, this is the difference between a device that requires a service call to reprogram and one that simply tolerates infrastructure hiccups.
- Standalone Relay Logic—No Integration Stack: Unlike software-based timers that live in an NVR or access control panel, this timer is a discrete, fail-safe relay module. If your VMS or access controller goes down, the door still operates on schedule. That independence is mission-critical in mission-critical facilities.
- Menu-Driven Front-Panel Programming: No special software, serial cables, or IT involvement. A security technician with basic electrical knowledge can reprogram the schedule in 10 minutes. We've seen sites with IT delays stretch a 5-minute timer adjustment into a multi-week project.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your strike or lock is rated for 30VDC continuous coil operation. Some older electrified locks are 12VDC or 24VDC; voltage mismatch will damage the solenoid coil or the relay module. Datasheet cross-reference is mandatory before purchasing.
- The 16A relay contact rating assumes NC/NO contacts are each driving a single strike. If you're multiplexing multiple loads on one relay output, verify total current draw does not exceed 16A—a common mistake on multi-door installations.
- Mount the timer in a climate-controlled cabinet or electrical enclosure. Exposure to humidity, temperature swings, or dust will degrade the permacell battery and accelerate internal corrosion. We've seen timers fail prematurely when surface-mounted in unconditioned outdoor cabinets.
- Wire the NC/NO/COM contacts directly to your strike circuit per the datasheet schematic. Do not introduce additional relays, contactors, or logic unless you understand the duty cycle and contact rating implications. Daisy-chaining relays multiplies failure modes.
- Test the first-man-in mode during commissioning. Confirm that activating the mode actually locks the door and that the first authorized entry (via credential reader or push button) properly resets the timer to normal schedule. A misconfigured first-man-in can lock staff out during an actual emergency.
- Keep the datasheet on file for maintenance teams. The CX-247H-12 is simple enough that non-specialists can reprogram it, but a printed or digital copy of the wiring diagram and schedule reference will save troubleshooting time if the unit behaves unexpectedly.
The CX-247H-12 is the right fit for integrators and facilities teams managing multiple buildings or multiple access points that need reliable, predictable timed entry without software complexity or network dependencies. If you're running a multi-site operation or manage a facility that experiences frequent unscheduled closures, this timer eliminates a real operational headache. Pair it with a quality 30VDC power supply and a tested strike or lock, and you have a rock-solid access control foundation. See the Camden catalog for complementary timers, power supplies, and strike modules.
