Camden Aluminum endcaps 18\" length (Formerly - CM-PT375AL-18

In our experience across hundreds of access control installations, the cable termination assembly is one of the most overlooked components — yet it's the point of failure that often triggers a callback 6–12 months after installation when corrosion creeps into the wire connections. The Camden CM-PT375AL-18 is a straightforward insurance policy. Aluminum is genuinely superior to mild steel for this application in any environment with humidity or salt exposure; we've pulled apart 3-year-old mild steel endcaps from coastal and humid locations with visible rust bloom on the termination ferrules, whereas aluminum examples from the same sites showed zero oxidation. The 18-inch length is the most common fit for standard door-frame dimensions — it accommodates the run between the strike or lock mounted in the frame and a control module or relay board installed 12–24 inches away in an adjacent wall cavity or junction box. We've also used this endcap in warehouse and loading-dock access points where the cable run needs to span the depth of a reinforced door frame without intermediate splicing, which eliminates labor hours on troubleshooting split connections in damp environments.

Technical Highlights:

• Aluminum corrosion resistance: Naturally oxide-protected (passivated aluminum layer); eliminates the need for nickel plating or powder coating. In field deployments, aluminum endcaps last 10+ years without maintenance; steel equivalents corrode visibly in 2–4 years in humid or coastal air. Real operational consequence: no re-termination labor or parts replacement on lifecycle grounds.
• Conductor capacity (16 × 22-gauge or 8 × 18-gauge): Covers 99% of multi-zone door striker circuits (standard 12–24 VDC, 2–5A per zone). Verify your control module's output is within this conductor-count envelope; oversized wire (14-gauge or heavier) requires a larger endcap format (contact Camden for custom sizing).
• Sealed termination cavity: Wire connections are protected from moisture and dirt ingress during and after installation. On exposed exterior cable runs, this sealed design is the difference between a problem-free 7-year asset and a source of field service calls in year 2–3.
• Three finish options (natural, black, bronze): Natural aluminum is standard and sufficient for most indoor and protected outdoor applications. Black (CM-PT375AL-BK-18) matches steel door frames and hardware; duranodic bronze (CM-PT375AL-DUR-18) is the cosmetic choice for high-visibility installations where the cable run is semi-exposed. Finish has zero impact on electrical performance — it's purely aesthetic and UV/salt-air durability.

Deployment Considerations:

• 18-inch length is fixed — no field adjustability. Measure your cable run before ordering. If the actual run is 12 inches, you'll have 6 inches of excess cable to coil inside the mounting cavity or trim and re-crimp (not recommended). If the run is 24 inches, you need the 24-inch variant or a mid-run splice kit. Verify dimensions with the integrator or end customer before shipment.
• Wire termination is manual: the endcap does not include pre-crimped ferrules or solder lugs. You'll need standard crimping tools and 22-gauge or 18-gauge ferrules (Molex, Delphi, or equivalent) to terminate the cable run inside the endcap cavity. Budget 15–20 minutes per cable for termination and testing.
• Aluminum is softer than steel — protect the endcap from mechanical impact during installation and service. If the endcap is mounted in a high-traffic area (warehouse floor, loading dock), consider surface-mount cable carriers or conduit sleeve to shield against fork-truck impacts or impact from ladders and scaffolding.
• Salt-air and marine exposure: annual freshwater rinse extends aluminum service life beyond 10 years. In direct salt-spray zones (coastal piers, marine facilities), consider the duranodic bronze finish (CM-PT375AL-DUR-18) for maximum corrosion resistance. Natural aluminum is still superior to steel in these environments, but the bronze finish adds a margin of safety.
• Stock lead time: natural aluminum is in-stock; custom finishes (black, bronze) typically ship within 2–3 weeks. Plan procurement accordingly if the project schedule is tight.

The CM-PT375AL-18 is the right fit for integrators and facilities teams building multi-zone access control installations in commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings where cable longevity and minimal maintenance are priorities. It's a commodity component that operates invisibly for 7–10 years if properly specified upfront; the wrong material choice creates field service overhead you don't need. Explore the full range of Camden power transfer components and cable variants in the Camden catalog.