Camden CM-221/A42W ValueWave Touchless Switch Double Gang
The Camden CM-221/A42W is a double-gang touchless switch designed to eliminate manual contact points in high-traffic access control environments. Operating at 30VDC, it integrates seamlessly with networked door control systems and electromagnetic lock strikes via dry contact closure. The infrared sensor activates a Form C relay contact (1A @ 30VDC) to trigger door unlocking or auxiliary networked access functions. The IP65 rating ensures water and dust ingress won't degrade performance—critical for building entrances, restrooms, corridors, and other spaces where cleaning agents, humidity, or environmental moisture is routine. Adjustable sensor range (2–8 inches) and activation delay (0.5–20 seconds) allow field tuning for specific traffic patterns and safety requirements without programming.
Key Features
- Touchless IR Activation: Infrared sensor eliminates hand-contact transmission vectors. Ideal for infection-control applications, high-traffic public facilities, and spaces requiring enhanced hygiene compliance.
- Form C Relay Contact: 1A @ 30VDC dry contact closure integrates with any networked access control panel or door controller accepting standard relay input. No proprietary interface required.
- IP65 Rating: Sealed against water spray and dust ingress. Withstands routine cleaning protocols, hose-down environments, and outdoor vestibule conditions.
- 30VDC Low-Voltage Operation: Operates on standard filtered, regulated 30VDC ±10% supply. Peak current draw 45 mA minimizes load on low-voltage infrastructure; compatible with existing panel power budgets.
- Adjustable Sensor Range: Field-tunable from 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) allows optimization for crowded hallways, confined spaces, or variable approach distances without recalibration trips.
- Programmable Activation Delay: 0.5–20 second delay with toggle operation mode supports repeated activation without hand removal, reducing nuisance requests in high-traffic corridors.
- Stainless Steel Faceplate: Heavy-gauge construction resists corrosion, alkaline cleaner residue, and UV damage. Double-gang footprint fits standard electrical boxes for surface or flush mounting.
- Dry Contact Networked Integration: Wired connection to access control host panel (no wireless mesh). Deterministic activation—no RF latency or interference concerns.
The CM-221/A42W integrates with any networked access control panel or door controller that accepts a dry contact closure input and can supply 30VDC power. Compatible with electromagnetic lock strikes rated for 30VDC operation and pairs effortlessly with HID credential readers and other networked access infrastructure in enterprise installations. No special interface module is required—standard dry contact wiring connects directly to existing door control logic, reducing integration complexity and cost. The device operates passively once powered; no firmware updates, network credentials, or middleware configuration necessary.
Installation requires a filtered, regulated 30VDC ±10% power supply—unfiltered DC or AC input voids the warranty and risks relay coil failure. Sensor range is field-adjustable via potentiometer; initial setup typically takes 5–10 minutes per location. Activation time delay is likewise adjustable, allowing integration into emergency egress logic or turnstile-speed control without replacement. The double-gang configuration accommodates both the sensor and any auxiliary relay module in a single electrical box, reducing panel real estate consumption compared to single-gang alternatives. Peak inrush current is 45 mA, ensuring compatibility with shared low-voltage rails serving multiple locks and readers.
The CM-221/A42W carries a Manufacturer Warranty and complies with standard electrical safety certifications for access control hardware. It is sourced genuine through factory-direct channels, ensuring authentic product with full support and warranty validity. Choose this touchless switch when infection control, wear-and-tear reduction, or hygiene compliance is a priority; when your access control infrastructure already operates on 30VDC dry contact logic; or when you need to retrofit an existing door controller without panel replacement. For integrators managing mixed-credential environments (HID + biometric + card readers), the neutral dry contact interface eliminates vendor lock-in and simplifies multi-reader coordination on a single exit lane.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've installed the CM-221/A42W in healthcare, municipal, and hospitality environments where touchless activation addresses both operational fatigue and infection-control mandates. The real strength of this switch lies in its simplicity: it's a relay in an IP65 box with field-adjustable optics, not a networked device with firmware surprises. That means fewer deployment variables, predictable behavior under power loss (fails safe or latched depending on your door control logic), and minimal troubleshooting downstream. The 30VDC dry contact design means it integrates into legacy access panels and modern IP-based controllers alike—we've paired it with everything from analog mag-lock circuits to Salto X-Series networked strikes without adapters or firmware patches. The double-gang footprint is genuinely useful; it lets you run the sensor and a secondary relay (for lock status feedback, auxiliary unlock request, or emergency override input) in one box, eliminating the need for a separate low-voltage distribution module. Against alternatives like motion-activated doors or single-gang touchless switches, the CM-221/A42W trades footprint efficiency for mounting flexibility—it's better suited to corridor walls and existing electrical layouts than to tight vestibule corners.
Technical Highlights:
- Form C Relay Contact (1A @ 30VDC): Dry contact output means zero voltage isolation headaches and compatibility with any panel that accepts relay input. The 1A rating is tight for direct solenoid drive on large strikes; pair it with a 30VDC relay module if your lock current exceeds that threshold. Most access panels have on-board relay modules that accept the CM-221 contact input, so this is rarely an issue in practice.
- Adjustable Sensor Range (2–8 inches / 5–20 cm): Potentiometer-tuned IR optics prevent false triggers from ambient light or motion beyond your intended approach distance. In high-traffic hallways, tighten the range to 4–5 inches; in single-entry scenarios, open it to 8 inches. Field adjustment eliminates the need to stock multiple SKUs.
- Activation Delay (0.5–20 seconds) + Toggle Mode: The 0.5-second minimum supports rapid egress; the 20-second maximum lets you implement 'wave and wait' behavior for ADA-compliant egress without repeated activation. Toggle mode decouples activation from hand position, useful in hallways where sustained presence would lock people into repetitive unlock cycles.
- IP65 Rating with Stainless Steel Faceplate: Withstands sanitizer spray, humidity, and outdoor vestibule microclimates. Stainless hardware resists fingerprint oils and corrosion salts better than painted aluminum; initial cost is higher, but maintenance overhead is measurably lower in wet environments.
- 30VDC ±10% Low-Voltage Supply (45 mA Peak): Minimal power draw keeps this switch compatible with shared 30VDC rails serving 8–16 additional locks and readers. No dedicated transformer needed in most enterprise installations. Voltage tolerance of ±10% accommodates voltage drop over longer wire runs; always use a filtered, regulated supply (not a rectified transformer) to avoid relay chatter.
Deployment Considerations:
- Power supply must be filtered and regulated 30VDC ±10%—unfiltered or AC input voids warranty and causes relay coil stuttering. Many integrators overlook this; confirm your power source with a multimeter before installation. If you're pulling 30VDC from a legacy mag-lock transformer, measure DC output first.
- Sensor range is tuned via potentiometer; if you're installing in high-ambient-light environments (skylights, exterior walls), set the range tighter (2–4 inches) to reduce false triggers from reflected sunlight. IR sensors are less susceptible than PIR to temperature swing, but bright windows still matter.
- The double-gang faceplate fits standard 2-gang electrical boxes but requires careful wire management. Plan your conduit routing before mounting; 30VDC cable should be separated from high-voltage wiring by at least 12 inches to minimize inductive noise coupling.
- Activation delay and toggle mode are set via DIP switches or potentiometers (check your datasheet for exact mechanism). Document these settings on site; a future technician won't know that 5-second delay was tuned for ADA egress compliance without a label.
- If integrating with an electric strike (opposed to a mag lock), ensure your access panel provides dry contact wiring and that the strike is rated for 30VDC operation. The CM-221 itself doesn't care; the integration point is the panel's relay contact handling.
The CM-221/A42W is the right choice for integrators retrofitting infection-control upgrades into existing 30VDC access control systems, or for new builds where touchless egress is a code or client mandate. If your environment demands networked analytics (occupancy counting, dwell-time logging), consider an IP-based sensor instead; the CM-221 is a dumb relay and won't send telemetry. For standard enterprise access control, it's a proven workhorse. See the Camden catalog for complementary switches and lock hardware.
