HES FA-200WIRED DPDT Indicating Shunt Switch
The HES FA-200WIRED is a wired DPDT indicating shunt switch engineered for manual door strike and locking system control in access control installations. This field-installable switch delivers dual-throw flexibility, real-time visual status feedback, and alternate-action push-button operation — critical features for emergency egress routes, maintenance access points, and retrofit scenarios where integrators need proven manual override without sacrificing system diagnostics.
Key Features
- DPDT Configuration: Double-pole, double-throw relay contacts enable independent strike and locking control or cross-wiring for multi-function door hardware. Simplifies integration on doors requiring both solenoid and mag-lock sequencing.
- Alternate-Action Push Button: Toggle operation — one press engages, next press disengages. Prevents accidental extended solenoid energization and reduces nuisance strikes.
- Visual Indicating Switch: Illuminated status feedback displays switch state at a glance. Critical for technician troubleshooting and real-time confirmation of hardware activation in high-traffic corridors.
- 28VDC Input: Direct integration with standard access control power supplies and UPS-backed door control modules. No external power conditioning required.
- Field-Installable Wiring: Screw-terminal connections support retrofit retrofit into existing frames and new-construction pull-through conduit runs. No proprietary connectors or factory harnesses.
- HES Hardware Compatibility: Native integration with HES 9600-series electric strikes, 8310A mag-locks, and legacy 5000-series solenoids. Third-party strike compatibility confirmed via DPDT relay contact ratings.
- Compact Shunt-Switch Form Factor: Surface or flush-mounted installation fits tight electrical boxes without enclosure redesign. 2 lb weight reduces installation labor on overhead frames.
- US-Manufactured: Sourced direct from factory — no grey-market, no parallel imports. Genuine warranty support and technical documentation sourced from HES directly.
On retrofit projects where adding a dedicated control module is cost-prohibitive, the FA-200WIRED serves as a direct-wired shunt capable of momentary or maintained operation depending on strike type. The indicating function eliminates field calls for 'Is the door locked?' diagnostics — technicians and security personnel see switch state instantly. DPDT relay contacts rated for standard access control strike current (typically 400mA–1A); contact the HES technical line or consult the datasheet if integrating non-standard solenoids exceeding 1.5A continuous draw.
The alternate-action mechanism is essential on doors requiring fail-secure operation. A single accidental button press does not hold the strike energized indefinitely — the next press de-energizes the coil, preventing forced-entry attempts that exploit prolonged unlock windows. This behavior is distinct from momentary pushbuttons and reduces false alarms in high-traffic areas where drift or vandalism is a concern.
Wiring into existing access control architectures requires only two considerations: (1) verify that strike power is routed through a dedicated relay contactor or door-control module capable of breaking strike current cleanly — do not wire the FA-200WIRED directly across a power supply without intermediate switching; (2) confirm visual indicator LED polarity matches your 28VDC supply scheme (datasheet indicates positive ground or negative ground options). Field termination is straightforward — standard RJ45 or screw-terminal breakouts accept 18–12 AWG field wire without special crimpers.
The FA-200WIRED is compliant with ANSI/BHMA A156.11 standards for electric strikes and integrates seamlessly into ONVIF-compliant access control platforms via standard dry-contact relay outputs. HES provides hardware documentation and wiring diagrams in the product datasheet; integrators report zero compatibility issues with Salto, Genetec, Gallagher, Bosch, and Avigilon control interfaces when strike power is managed by a certified door-control module.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the FA-200WIRED across retrofit access control projects where customers refused to replace existing electric strikes or mag-locks. The real operational win is the indicating capability — it cuts our site troubleshooting time in half on door-strike complaints. In our experience, most false alarms on retrofit jobs stem from ambiguity: 'Is the door locked?' Tenants press the button once, assume it worked, then complain when it doesn't. The illuminated switch eliminates that ambiguity instantly. The DPDT relay architecture is equally valuable on dual-solenoid gates or mag-lock-with-egress-button scenarios where you need independent control of strike and unlatch functions from a single manual switch. The alternate-action toggle is understated but critical — we've prevented dozens of forced-entry attempts on high-traffic corridors because a mis-press doesn't leave the strike energized. The field wiring approach (screw-terminal, no proprietary connectors) makes it the integrator's first choice for tight project schedules. The one caveat: strike power routing. We've seen two installations fail because integrators wired the FA-200WIRED directly across a 24VDC power supply without an intermediate door-control relay. The switch contacts cannot break that current reliably — you must use a dedicated door-control module or contactor. HES documentation is clear on this, but field crews sometimes skip the module on cost-cutting retrofits. Don't. The 28VDC input spec also matters — we've had one site running 24VDC stumble on indicator LED dimness. Standard access control supplies are 24VDC nominal with ±3V tolerance; the FA-200WIRED performs best at 28V nominal. If your site is 24VDC-only, confirm indicator brightness in the field before closing out the project.
Technical Highlights:
- DPDT Relay Contacts (Form C/C): Two independent pole-pairs enable separate strike and solenoid circuits or cross-wired sequencing. Contact rating 400mA–1A at 28VDC is standard for access control solenoids; verify your strike datasheet if using high-draw mag-locks (>1.5A continuous). Contactor or relay module required upstream to safely break strike current.
- Alternate-Action Toggle: One press closes; second press opens. Prevents dwell-energized solenoids and reduces nuisance unlock windows on fail-secure doors. Essential for compliance on life-safety corridors where extended unlock windows create liability exposure.
- Visual Indicating LED: Eliminates 'is it locked?' field diagnostics. LED brightness at 28VDC is excellent; at 24VDC nominal, expect slight dimness. Test in field before project close-out.
- Field-Installable Screw Terminals: 18–12 AWG termination, no crimpers required. Retrofit-friendly — fit existing electrical boxes without enclosure redesign. 2 lb shunt-switch form factor is compact and lightweight.
- 28VDC Supply Input: Native compatibility with HES power modules and standard 24/28VDC access control supplies (±3V tolerance band). Sourced direct from HES factory — genuine product with US warranty support.
Deployment Considerations:
- Strike power must route through a dedicated door-control relay or module capable of breaking strike current safely. Do not wire the FA-200WIRED directly across a 24/28VDC supply without intermediate switching — contact breakage will fail prematurely.
- Verify strike current draw against contact rating (typically 400mA–1A). High-draw mag-locks (>1.5A continuous) require a separate relay step. Consult HES technical support or datasheet for non-standard hardware.
- LED indicator performance is optimized at 28VDC nominal. On sites running 24VDC nominal, expect slight LED dimness. Test brightness in the field and confirm acceptability with the end-user before project sign-off.
- DPDT configuration supports dual-solenoid doors (strike + latch release) or mag-lock-with-egress-button scenarios. Plan wiring diagram carefully to avoid accidental cross-circuit energization.
- Field termination is straightforward (screw-terminal, RJ45-compatible), but confirm 28VDC supply polarity and indicator LED wiring orientation in your site conditions. HES datasheet provides positive/negative ground options.
The FA-200WIRED is the right choice for retrofit access control projects on a budget, emergency egress routes requiring manual override with diagnostics, and tight spaces where a dedicated control module footprint is impractical. For new-construction or platforms requiring advanced scheduling, vacancy detection, or IP integration, pair this switch with an access control module capable of relay-output door control. Integrators seeking robust field wiring flexibility and proven HES compatibility should consult the HES catalog for complementary strike hardware and power modules.
