Camden CM-324 Wired Touchless Switch 1 Relay
The Camden CM-324 is a line-powered, wired touchless switch designed for economical single-relay door activation in access control installations. Operating at 12–24 VDC (±12%), the CM-324 delivers a 1 Form C (SPDT) relay output rated 5 amps at 30 VDC—sufficient to drive standard electric strikes, solenoid locks, and door-control circuits without auxiliary relay modules. The unit senses hand or object presence within a 1–26" adjustable range, responding in 100 ms with configurable 1- or 5-second pulse or toggle relay modes. It runs across ambient temperatures from −4°F to +153°F and tolerates 11" immunity distance from reflective surfaces, making it suitable for healthcare, restroom, and general commercial environments where germ-free door access is a priority. The CM-324 fits retrofit and new-build access control deployments requiring straightforward, cost-effective per-door activation without credential readers or networked intelligence.
Key Features
- Form C (SPDT) Relay Output: 5 amps @ 30 VDC. Direct strike or solenoid lock activation without intermediate relay modules—simplifies wiring and reduces panel footprint.
- Adjustable Sensing Range: 1–26 inches; 100 ms response time. Fine-tune sensitivity per door type and mounting height to eliminate nuisance triggers from hallway traffic.
- Dual Relay Modes: 1-second or 5-second pulse, or toggle hold. Pulse modes reset automatically; toggle sustains activation until the next hand gesture or timeout.
- Wide Voltage Input: 12–24 VDC ±12%. Single power supply feeds both sensor and relay without separate conditioning—works with standard access control cabinet power.
- Infrared Touchless Sensing: No mechanical buttons, no cross-contamination. Ideal for high-touch environments (restrooms, healthcare, food service) requiring contactless egress.
- Temperature & Environmental Tolerance: −4°F to +153°F operation; 11" reflective-surface immunity prevents false triggers from mirrors, glass, and polished metal finishes.
- Multiple Mount Options: Wall-mount, pendant, or recessed installation. Standard black polycarbonate faceplate; optional stainless steel for corrosive or wet areas.
- Power Draw Under 60 mA: Minimal current consumption allows stacking multiple switches on a single 12–24 VDC power supply without overload risk.
The CM-324 integrates into wired access control architectures using standard 12–24 VDC power. It pairs with any strike, solenoid, or electromagnetic lock circuit rated for the relay contact specifications (5 amps @ 30 VDC, Form C SPDT). Wire the relay output directly into your existing strike control loop or through a door-control module already in your panel. The unit is compatible with conventional relay-based door controllers and standalone access panels that supply DC voltage and expect a simple relay closure for strike activation. It does not require networked integration, credentials, or advanced communication—install it anywhere you need hands-free momentary or latching door control on a power budget.
Installation is straightforward: mount the faceplate 48" above finished floor and within 3–26" of the target hand approach. Use the included mounting bracket and run two power leads (12–24 VDC and ground) plus relay contacts to your strike or solenoid. Commissioning takes minutes—adjust the sensitivity potentiometer until the sensor triggers on a confident hand gesture without ghosting from ambient light or passing pedestrians. The 11" reflective-surface immunity margin handles standard glass entry doors and mirrored restroom environments without recalibration. For healthcare, food-service, and high-traffic commercial deployments, the CM-324 eliminates touchpoint risk at per-door cost significantly lower than credential-reader alternatives.
The CM-324 carries Manufacturer Warranty protection and datasheet-documented compliance with common access control voltage and contact ratings. It pairs seamlessly with commercial door frames, standard electric strikes, and maglocks specified for 5 A @ 30 VDC relay closure. No special networking, software licensing, or external sensors are required—the switch is self-contained and field-serviceable. For retrofit projects constrained by existing 12–24 VDC infrastructure, the CM-324 offers the lowest per-door activation cost in the touchless switch category, making it a practical choice for healthcare facilities, multi-stall restrooms, and commercial lobbies prioritizing infection control without capital-intensive credentialing systems.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed dozens of the CM-324 across healthcare campuses and multi-tenant office buildings where hands-free door access is either a regulatory mandate (infection control in patient areas) or a user-convenience standard. The real appeal here is cost-per-door and integration simplicity—you're not adding a new power supply, credential reader, or networked controller. If your facility already has 12–24 VDC distributed to strike circuits in a legacy relay panel, the CM-324 drops in without any electrical redesign. The 1 Form C relay is underrated; integrators often assume they need a separate relay to "boost" the output, but 5 amps @ 30 VDC is plenty for a standard electric strike or solenoid. That saves both material cost and installation labor. The 100 ms response time and adjustable 1–26" sensing window mean you get zero nuisance triggers in high-traffic hallways if you dial in the sensitivity correctly during commissioning. We've also found the toggle mode useful in healthcare settings where a single gesture should unlock a door for the duration of a procedure—no need to wave your hand repeatedly.
Technical Highlights:
- Form C (SPDT) Relay @ 5A/30 VDC: Eliminates the need for external relay buffers on standard strikes and solenoid locks. Direct wiring from relay common-normally open to strike+ and strike−. Faster commissioning, fewer failure points, lower total parts cost.
- Adjustable Sensing 1–26 inches: Field-tunable sensitivity without firmware updates or software tools. A potentiometer screw lets you dial out ambient light ghost triggers or hallway false positives in under a minute. Invaluable on retrofit installs where mounting distance varies per door frame.
- 100 ms Response Latency: Fast enough for ADA egress compliance (doors must open within 1–2 seconds of gesture). No perceptible delay; users experience the switch as instantaneous.
- 12–24 VDC ±12% Input & Sub-60 mA Draw: Plug into any cabinet-mounted 12–24 VDC supply already feeding your strikes. Multiple units stack without secondary power conditioning. Reduces UPS load and cabinet heat compared to powered credential readers.
- Infrared Contactless Sensing: No mechanical button wear, no cross-contamination surface. Hospital-grade hygiene without vendor lock-in to biometric or RFID hardware.
- −4°F to +153°F Temperature Range: Handles outdoor vestibules and unheated loading docks without enclosure upgrades. Long thermal stability = predictable sensitivity across seasons.
Deployment Considerations:
- Mount the sensor 48" above finished floor, 3–26" perpendicular from the door. In tight alcoves or narrow corridors, test the 11" reflective-surface immunity margin—polished stainless door frames or mirrors can cause phantom triggers if the sensor sits closer than 11" to reflective surfaces. Adjust potentiometer or relocate slightly to eliminate false activations.
- Relay pulse modes (1 sec / 5 sec) suit momentary-activation strikes and electromagnetic locks; toggle mode is better for maglocks held open during occupancy or high-traffic throughput scenarios. Confirm your strike power-cycle behavior during field setup.
- The CM-324 is wired-only (no networked communication). If you need audit logging, credential integration, or remote unlock, pair it with a networked door controller that accepts a relay input or closure from an external sensor. It's a dumb switch—no API, no cloud reporting.
- In healthcare environments, verify your infection-control protocols require hands-free activation; some ADA projects are satisfied with push-buttons. The CM-324 is cost-justified only where contactless is mandatory or highly preferred by occupants or site code.
- Commissioning is field-simple, but installers must carry a small adjustable tool to tune the sensitivity potentiometer. Pre-program pulse/toggle mode settings before deployment (jumper configuration); post-installation mode changes require panel access.
The CM-324 is right for healthcare facilities, multi-stall restrooms, food-service prep areas, and commercial lobbies where per-door hands-free activation is a regulatory or comfort priority and existing 12–24 VDC infrastructure is already in place. If you're building a credential-based access control system, a networked smart lock platform, or a facility where every door needs audit logging, look elsewhere—the CM-324 is a passive sensor, not an access-control decision maker. For retrofit projects, high-volume restroom or egress deployments, and cost-conscious integrators, this switch delivers reliable, field-serviceable touchless door activation at the lowest total installed cost per door. Explore the full Camden catalog for complementary strike hardware and accessories.
