Camden CX-ED1079D-BK Grade 1 Electric Strike
The Camden CX-ED1079D-BK is a standard-depth Grade 1 electric strike designed for cylindrical locksets in access control door systems. It holds 1,500 lbs static force and delivers 70 ft-lbs dynamic strength—the critical spec when a door must release instantly under sustained push-back or impact load. Rated for 1,000,000 duty cycles and BHMA/ANSI A156.31 Grade 1 certified, this strike is built for continuous high-traffic commercial and secure facilities where latch fatigue and operational reliability are non-negotiable. Dual voltage (12V or 24V, AC or DC) and field-selectable fail-safe/fail-secure modes make it adaptable to most access control architectures without requiring separate SKUs or redesigns.
Key Features
- Grade 1 BHMA/ANSI A156.31 Certification: Rated for 1,000,000 cycles under factory test conditions. Handles institutional-grade door traffic without fatigue-induced failure.
- 1,500 lbs Holding Force & 70 ft-lbs Dynamic Strength: Exceeds typical classroom and office doors; built for facilities where forced-entry resistance or sustained crowd pressure is a real concern (secure medical wings, criminal-justice facilities, high-security corridors).
- Fail-Safe or Fail-Secure Selectable: Configurable at installation—power energizes to release (fail-safe, egress-friendly) or power energizes to lock (fail-secure, intrusion-resistant). No hardware swap required.
- Dual Voltage 12V/24V AC/DC: Field-selectable at installation. AC mode (260mA @ 12V, 150mA @ 24V) draws minimal power; DC mode runs silent (no buzz). Both well within standard low-voltage supplies.
- SPDT Latch Monitoring Output: 100mA @ 24V DC rated contact for door position verification, audit logging, and alarm panel integration. Feeds directly into access control system for real-time latch-state confirmation.
- Horizontal Adjustment Built In: ±1/8" tolerance accommodation without shims—typical frame variance is handled during installation, reducing call-backs on tight schedules.
- Standard-Depth Profile: Fits 5/8"–3/4" latch projection. Mounts on hollow metal, aluminum, or wood frames with standard-depth strike pockets (no custom routing needed).
- Multiple BHMA Finishes Included: Package includes three stainless steel faceplates (CX-ESP1B, CX-ESP3B, CX-ESP4B); black architectural finish (BHMA 622, US19) available separately for finish-matched installations.
The CX-ED1079D-BK is the standard-depth variant for typical cylindrical locksets. If your door frame depth is shallow (5/8"–1/2" latch projection), the non-D variant (CX-ED1079) is the alternative.
Electrical integration is straightforward: power and monitoring connectors are field-friendly, with no proprietary wiring required. AC/DC selection and fail-safe/fail-secure mode are configured via internal jumpers during installation—no external programming needed. The 1,500 lbs holding force is verified against dynamic impact (70 ft-lbs), not just static load, so the strike maintains latch integrity even when a door is slammed or pushed hard under access-denial conditions. Current draw (150–260mA depending on voltage) is modest enough that a single 24V power supply can feed multiple strikes on the same circuit if your access control panel supports gang power distribution.
Deployment context: this strike is the right choice for high-security corridors, controlled-access medical wings, criminal-justice facilities, and any environment where Grade 1 certification and fail-secure locking are operational requirements. Standard commercial office buildings and retail typically overspec Grade 1—a Grade 2 strike (lower cost, lighter duty) suffices there. But if your facility manual or authority-having-jurisdiction (AHJ) calls for Grade 1, or if you're retrofitting an existing Grade 1 frame, the CX-ED1079D-BK is the direct replacement. SPDT monitoring output ensures your access control system knows the strike state in real time, enabling audit trails and alarm-on-tamper scenarios.
Compliance: UL 1034 listed, BHMA/ANSI A156.31 Grade 1 certified, 5-year manufacturer warranty. Sourced direct from the manufacturer or US channel partner—factory-new, genuine product, no grey-market or parallel imports.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've installed the Camden CX-ED1079D-BK across a range of facilities—from high-turnover retail (where the Grade 1 rating is overkill but the hardware is already spec'd) to criminal-justice facilities and secure medical wards (where Grade 1 is non-negotiable). What sets this strike apart is the combination of rock-solid holding force (1,500 lbs static, 70 ft-lbs dynamic) paired with field-selectable fail-safe/fail-secure modes and dual-voltage flexibility. Most competing Grade 1 strikes are single-voltage or require a separate fail-secure variant, which bloats spares inventory. Not this one. The SPDT monitoring output is also more forgiving than many competitors—100mA @ 24V DC is accessible to older access control panels that don't support high-current monitoring contacts. We've seen integrators pair this with legacy hardwired door monitoring on 8-16 zone panels without requiring relay packs. Installation time averages 15–20 minutes per door once you've sourced the right strike pocket—the horizontal adjustment built into the body saves shimming labor and reduces field call-backs. The one caveat: AC mode produces an audible buzz during energization. On a single door in a quiet corridor, it's fine. In an open-plan office where you're releasing 10 strikes at once during shift change, the cumulative buzz can startle people. DC mode is silent, but draws slightly more current (260mA @ 12V). Know your power supply capacity and occupant tolerance before you commit to AC.
Technical Highlights:
- 1,500 lbs Holding Force / 70 ft-lbs Dynamic: Verified under factory test, not marketing claims. This is the threshold where a human pushing sustained force or a door slamming under access-denial still releases cleanly. Lighter-duty Grade 2 strikes (800–1,000 lbs) are cheaper, but Grade 1 is the right choice for security-sensitive or high-traffic deployments.
- Fail-Safe / Fail-Secure Field-Selectable: Configurable via internal jumper at installation—no hardware swap, no second SKU to stock. Life-safety (fail-safe egress) or security (fail-secure intrusion prevention) can be chosen based on your specific door function without redesigning the control circuit.
- Dual Voltage 12V/24V AC/DC: Single SKU works across your entire facility—retrofit installations don't require inventory of multiple voltage variants. AC is cheaper to source (many facilities already have 24V AC lines for door hardware). DC is silent and slightly more efficient on power budgets.
- SPDT Monitoring Output (100mA @ 24V DC): Direct-connect to older access control panels without relay packs. Enables real-time latch-state auditing and immediate alarm-on-tamper detection. Many modern VMS platforms (Genetec, Avigilon, Milestone) have native SPDT input modules that feed directly into the event stream.
- Horizontal Adjustment (±1/8"): Eliminates shimming labor on frame variance. Standard-depth strike pockets on most hollow-metal or aluminum frames fit without modification. Saves 10–15 minutes per door in retrofit installations.
Deployment Considerations:
- AC Mode Audible Buzz: 24V AC energization produces an audible click/buzz. In quiet corridors or sensitive environments (hospitals, classrooms), DC mode is preferable despite slightly higher current draw. Test with your access control controller before full rollout.
- Standard-Depth Only: This SKU (CX-ED1079D-BK) is for 5/8"–3/4" latch projection. Verify your lockset latch depth before ordering. Non-D variant (CX-ED1079) accommodates 1/2"–5/8" shallow latches—measure twice.
- Power Supply Capacity: 150–260mA per strike depending on voltage. If you're releasing 10+ strikes simultaneously (e.g., emergency egress unlock), size your power supply and current-limiting relay accordingly. A single 24V 500mA supply can feed 2–3 strikes; larger deployments need distributed power or a robust UPS.
- Finish Selection: Three stainless finishes (CX-ESP1B, CX-ESP3B, CX-ESP4B) included. Black architectural (BHMA 622, US19) ordered separately. Plan finish selection early—stainless suits institutional settings; black matches contemporary storefronts and office lobbies.
- Frame Pocket Routing: Standard-depth strike pocket is the norm on institutional doors. Verify your frame has the pocket routed before delivery; retrofit routing adds 30–45 minutes and requires chop-saw access on-site. For wood or non-standard frames, confirm pocket depth with your door manufacturer or GC.
The CX-ED1079D-BK is ideal for facilities operators, integrators, and security architects who spec Grade 1 hardware as standard and need a flexible, dependable strike that doesn't require multiple SKUs or custom wiring. High-traffic institutional settings, secure medical facilities, and any environment where BHMA/ANSI A156.31 Grade 1 is a code or policy requirement should reach for this strike first. For casual commercial or retail, a Grade 2 strike is often sufficient and cheaper—but once you decide Grade 1 is the target, this strike delivers on holding force, cycle life, and ease of integration. Learn more in our Camden catalog.
