Camden CX-ED1079-BK Grade 1 Low Profile Electric Strike
The Camden CX-ED1079-BK is a Grade 1 electric strike engineered for cylindrical locksets in access-controlled environments. Operating at 12VDC with field-selectable 24VDC capability, this strike delivers the mechanical strength (1,500 lbs static, 70 ft-lbs dynamic) required for commercial security applications while fitting into tight door-frame installations. The low-profile footprint (4.88" H × 1.88" W × 1.22" D) works with standard strike prep cutouts, eliminating frame reinforcement cost and installation complexity. Fail-safe and fail-secure modes are selectable in the field, allowing you to configure egress behavior without hardware swaps—critical for compliance with life-safety codes and facility evacuation protocols.
Key Features
- Grade 1 Classification: ANSI A156.31-compliant mechanical strength rated for commercial security. Suitable for server rooms, secure entry points, and high-traffic controlled-access corridors.
- Voltage Selection: Field-switchable between 12VDC and 24VDC operation. Integrates directly with most access control panels and relay modules without requiring external conversion.
- Low-Profile Form Factor: 1.22" depth fits standard door frames without frame cutout enlargement. Reduces installation labor and eliminates frame modification on retrofit projects.
- Latch-Bolt Monitor: SPDT contact (100mA @ 24VDC) reports door position in real time. Enables status feedback in access management software and supports tamper/hold-open detection.
- Fail-Safe and Fail-Secure Modes: Field-configurable without component replacement. Fail-safe (strike retracts on power loss) for emergency egress; fail-secure (strike remains engaged) for high-security applications.
- Stainless Steel Construction: Corrosion resistance in humid or salt-spray environments. Mechanical durability rated for 1,000,000 operational cycles (500,000 UL-verified).
- Interchangeable Faceplates: Three stainless steel options (ESP1B, ESP3B, ESP4B) included to match varied door-frame profiles and cosmetic requirements.
- Low Power Draw: 260mA @ 12VDC (150mA @ 24VDC) — fits within standard 24VDC PoE budget on many modern controllers. Verify relay and power-supply capacity before deployment.
The CX-ED1079-BK integrates with any access control system capable of driving a 12VDC strike relay — including door controllers, access panels, and multi-door relay expansion modules. The unit works with standard cylindrical locksets that accept a Grade 1 strike; no proprietary lockset architecture is required. Three interchangeable stainless steel faceplates are included, allowing field adaptation to different frame depths and cosmetic finishes without secondary hardware purchases.
Installation is straightforward: the low-profile geometry fits standard strike prep cutouts, eliminating the need for frame reinforcement or oversized routing. Mechanical adjustment of the strike body accommodates minor frame variations (up to ±1/8"). Power consumption is moderate—at 12VDC, the strike draws 260mA; at 24VDC, 150mA—making it suitable for both line-voltage and PoE-powered control systems. Stainless steel construction and sealed latch-bolt contacts provide corrosion resistance in humid or coastal environments. The latch-bolt monitor outputs a clean SPDT contact (rated 100mA @ 24VDC), which integrates directly into any access control panel's digital input without amplification or relay isolation required.
Fail-safe and fail-secure behavior is field-selectable, eliminating the need to stock two SKUs or perform hardware swaps to accommodate code-driven or security-policy changes. Fail-safe mode (strike retracts on power loss) meets life-safety egress requirements for occupied spaces; fail-secure mode keeps the strike engaged during a power event, preferred for unoccupied high-security areas. This flexibility simplifies retrofit scenarios where local code enforcement or facility policy may shift between projects. The unit is rated for continuous duty and has passed 1,000,000 factory cycles (500,000 UL-verified), making it suitable for high-traffic secure entry points and emergency stairwell access.
For compliance and lifecycle documentation, the Camden CX-ED1079-BK carries a manufacturer warranty and comes with a full datasheet covering electrical ratings, mechanical durability, and field installation guidance. Explore the complete Camden catalog for compatible cylinders, mortise locks, and control-system platforms.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the Camden CX-ED1079-BK across retail, data-center, and office environments where door-frame depth is constrained and retrofit costs need to stay low. The low-profile footprint is the real asset here — it eliminates the months-long frame-modification work and engineering sign-off that deeper strikes demand. The fail-safe/fail-secure toggle is underestimated: we've seen projects where local code enforcement flagged fail-secure strikes in egress-path stairwells, and swapping hardware mid-project costs thousands in re-inspection and labor. With this strike, you handle that in five minutes and a screwdriver without touching the lockset. The 12/24VDC field selection is practical too — most modern access panels output both, and the ability to downshift to 12VDC keeps power budgets lean on door-by-door PoE installations. The latch-bolt monitor is solid for status feedback; we wire it directly into any panel's digital input and configure tamper-alert logic in the access software. The only gotcha is power draw verification — 260mA at 12VDC is on the upper end of what lightweight relay modules can comfortably switch, so we always verify the control-panel datasheet before spec'ing it into a retrofit.
Technical Highlights:
- Grade 1 Mechanical Strength: 1,500 lbs static and 70 ft-lbs dynamic — exceeds ANSI A156.31 commercial thresholds. Rated for continuous duty without periodic maintenance or replacement cycles; 1,000,000 factory-tested cycles means you're not swapping hardware every 3-5 years like lighter-duty strikes.
- Field-Selectable Voltage: 12VDC and 24VDC modes without component replacement. Lets you integrate with legacy 12VDC door controllers or modern 24VDC panels without adapters or secondary power conditioning.
- Latch-Bolt SPDT Contact: 100mA @ 24VDC rated, wires directly to any panel digital input. Provides real-time lock position feedback and enables hold-open/tamper logic in access software — no intermediate relay required.
- Low-Profile Geometry (1.22" Depth): Eliminates frame cutout enlargement on retrofit projects. We've saved 40-60 labor hours per project by avoiding frame routing and structural engineering review.
- Fail-Safe and Fail-Secure Selectable: Single SKU covers both egress-required and high-security scenarios. Reduces on-site engineering delays when code compliance or security policy changes between design and installation.
- Stainless Steel Construction: Corrosion resistance in humid or salt-spray environments. Critical for data centers with cooling-system condensation or coastal retail locations where seawater spray corrodes ferrous hardware.
Deployment Considerations:
- Power draw at 12VDC (260mA) is at the upper limit of lightweight relay-module capacity. Always verify your control panel's relay coil rating and power-supply headroom before wiring. If you're uncertain, request a load test from the panel manufacturer.
- The latch-bolt monitor is a dry contact, not a circuit-board input. In noisy electrical environments (loading docks with large motor starts, HVAC switchgear nearby), run the monitor wire in shielded cable and terminate it at a properly grounded panel input to avoid false alerts.
- Frame geometry matters — the three included faceplates (ESP1B, ESP3B, ESP4B) cover most standard door frames, but older hollow-metal frames or custom commercial doors may require a custom plate. Request a frame sample or on-site mockup before ordering large quantities.
- Fail-secure mode keeps the strike engaged during power loss, which locks occupants out in an emergency. Verify local fire and life-safety code before deploying fail-secure on egress-path doors; most jurisdictions require fail-safe or a supervised power backup on those exits.
- Installation is straightforward, but mechanical adjustment of the strike body is limited. If your frame is grossly out of square (more than ±1/8"), you may need frame-reinforcement shims, which adds labor. Site-survey the frame geometry before quoting labor.
The CX-ED1079-BK is the right choice for retrofit projects where frame modification is costly or impractical, and for facilities that need fail-safe/fail-secure flexibility without stockpiling multiple SKUs. It's a mature, well-proven platform that integrates with any standard access control relay and plays nicely with legacy 12VDC systems. If your project demands ultra-compact form factor, flexible voltage, and real-time latch-bolt feedback without breaking the retrofit budget, this strike earns its place. Explore the Camden catalog for compatible cylinders and integrated lock/strike assemblies.
