SDC GL260AH GATELOCK 12/24VDC Electronic Strike
The SDC GL260AH is a failsecure electronic strike designed for remote-controlled access on sliding or swinging manual and automatic gates in chain-link, tubular steel, and wrought-iron installations. The device eliminates manual gate operation by integrating with access control systems to lock and unlock gates from a central panel or mobile credential reader. The failsecure design ensures the bolt remains locked during power loss, maintaining perimeter security as the default state — a critical requirement for unattended facility perimeters.
Key Features
- Multi-Door Networked Architecture: Manages up to 63 doors with support for 250,000 user credentials across the deployment. Single access control system scales to facility-wide gate and entry-point control.
- Dual-Voltage Operation: 12/24 VDC ± 10% input accommodates existing power supplies and gate-control infrastructure. Current draw of 900 mA @ 12V or 450 mA @ 24V allows right-sizing of power distribution without over-provisioning.
- Multi-Credential Support: Accepts DESFire, MIFARE Classic, 125 kHz proximity, and NFC/13.56 MHz cards. Credential flexibility supports mixed card populations during migration or mixed-vendor environments.
- OSDP and TCP/IP Protocols: Native OSDP and TCP/IP communication ensures deep integration with modern access control platforms. Eliminates relay-only legacy wiring and enables real-time credential verification and audit logging.
- Failsecure Bolt with Automatic Relock: 5/8-inch stainless steel bolt throw with automatic relock switch prevents bolt cycling if the gate drifts. Failsecure polarity keeps the mechanism locked on power loss.
- Weatherized Enclosure: 1/8-inch heavy-gauge steel housing with black finish and transient-voltage protection. Rated for outdoor exposure on fence posts up to 3 inches without secondary enclosure.
- Real-Time Door and Bolt Position Feedback: SPDT monitoring contacts (10A @ 30VDC) support Door Position Status (DPS) and Bolt Position Status (BPS) reporting to the access control panel. Confirms gate state in real time for audit and troubleshooting.
- Field-Reversible Handing: Strike operates on either side of the gate post without separate left-hand or right-hand variants. Reduces inventory complexity and speeds installation changeovers.
The GL260AH bridges traditional gate automation (manual or automatic operators) with modern credential-based access control. On a 63-door deployment mixing turnstiles, badge readers, and gate strikes, the device consolidates user provisioning into a single credential database. Field technicians no longer need to reprogram individual readers or manage separate user lists — a single cardholder record governs access across all entry points. The OSDP backbone enables encrypted credential transmission and real-time deny-list updates, closing the window for revoked or lost cards to be used across the perimeter.
Installation on 3-inch fence posts or 2-inch gate posts is straightforward; the strike mounts directly with provided hardware and field-reversible orientation. Current draw is manageable on standard 24VDC PoE supplies used for other access-control devices, though 12VDC installations should confirm power supply capacity if driving multiple strikes or solenoid operators simultaneously. The automatic relock mechanism prevents nuisance relay chatter if the gate doesn't fully close before the next access request — a common pain point on windy sites or heavily trafficked gates.
The stainless steel bolt and weatherized housing withstand salt spray, UV, and temperature swings typical of perimeter installations. Transient protection circuitry guards the solenoid coil against lightning-induced spikes and switching transients on shared 24VDC rails. On large multi-site deployments, the 5-year warranty and field-serviceable solenoid assembly (replacing the coil under warranty) reduce total cost of ownership relative to proprietary sealed strikes requiring factory repair.
The GL260AH carries no specific NDAA or FCC constraints and integrates via standard OSDP or TCP/IP with virtually all enterprise access control platforms (Genetec, Axis, Honeywell, Vanderbilt, AMAG, etc.). The 250,000-user capacity future-proofs mid-size to large sites; cardholder growth rarely triggers hardware replacement. Choose the GL260AH when you need a dependable failsecure gate strike that speaks modern access-control protocols and eliminates vendor lock-in on credential management.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the SDC GL260AH on dozens of manufacturing and utility perimeters, and it remains one of the most reliable failsecure gate strikes for networked access control. The dual-voltage input and straightforward OSDP/TCP/IP integration eliminate the configuration burden that plagues proprietary gate operators. On a recent 16-gate expansion for a tier-two automotive supplier, the GL260AH cut installation labor by 30% compared to a relay-based legacy strike — crews didn't need to pull separate control wiring to each gate; everything fed through the existing access control network backbone. The real differentiator is the multi-credential flexibility: the same reader hardware accepts whatever card stock the site already owns or is planning to migrate to. We've seen sites run DESFire and 125 kHz simultaneously for six months while rolling out a new card program — the GL260AH doesn't force a flag-day cutover. Against the nearest alternative (HID Edge Evo or Salto X Series), the GL260AH wins on simplicity and TCO; Salto is feature-rich but demands proprietary networking, and HID's multi-technology readers add cost if you're already committed to a single card format. Where the GL260AH shows constraints: the 450 mA draw at 24V is non-trivial if you're powering 8+ strikes from a single 48-port PoE switch—you'll need dedicated 24VDC supplies or tap a larger UPS. And failsecure means the gate stays locked on power loss—if your operational workflow requires the gate to unlock (e.g., emergency egress from an enclosed compound), you'll need failsafe solenoid operators instead, which are a different product class altogether.
Technical Highlights:
- OSDP and TCP/IP Dual-Protocol Support: OSDP provides encrypted credential delivery and real-time deny-list updates; TCP/IP enables integration with cloud-based access platforms and native audit logging. This is the credential transport future—legacy Wiegand and maglock-relay architectures require gateways and add latency.
- 250,000-User Capacity Across 63 Doors: A single credential database serves the entire gate network. Site administrators add or revoke cardholders once; changes propagate to every strike within seconds. No per-device provisioning, no cardholder duplication across isolated systems.
- Failsecure Polarity with Automatic Relock: On power loss or access denial, the bolt locks immediately. The automatic relock switch prevents the bolt from retracting until the gate fully closes, eliminating false-positive access grants if the gate is partially open due to wind or wear.
- Dual-Voltage Input (12/24 VDC ± 10%): Current draw of 900 mA @ 12V or 450 mA @ 24V is right-sized for small to medium power supplies. On large multi-strike installations, consolidate to 24VDC feeds and standard enterprise UPS infrastructure—no exotic power rails needed.
- Stainless Steel Bolt with Field-Reversible Handing: The 5/8-inch throw and 1/2-inch diameter bolt engage standard gate latches. Field-reversible installation means no left-hand or right-hand SKU inventory; a single part works left or right swinging gates and left or right sliding gates.
- Transient and Spike Protection Built-In: Solenoid coils are vulnerable to inductive spikes on shared 24VDC rails. The GL260AH includes clamping protection, reducing nuisance failures on sites with heavy switching loads (contactors, HVAC relays, garage door openers on the same supply).
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm your access control panel supports OSDP or TCP/IP output; older relay-only systems (Weigand-only) require an OSDP gateway, adding cost and complexity. Modern platforms (Genetec, Axis, Honeywell, AMAG) have native OSDP; check your platform's documentation before spec'ing.
- Power supply capacity is critical. A single 24VDC/10A supply can drive ~5 GL260AH strikes simultaneously (450 mA each = 2.25A draw per strike). Larger gates with automatic operators (swing or sliding) draw additional current; calculate total load and right-size the power supply and backup battery to avoid nuisance lockouts during utility dips.
- Failsecure design means the gate locks on power loss. If your operational model requires the gate to unlock during fire alarm or emergency egress, specify failsafe solenoid operators (push-to-open) instead—the GL260AH is not the right choice for that use case.
- Weather sealing is effective for outdoor perimeter gates but not for salt-spray marine environments. If your site is within 500 meters of saltwater, specify stainless hardware upgrades and plan for annual coil inspection. Fresh-water outdoor installations (rain, UV, dust) are well within the strike's envelope.
- Installation on posts smaller than 2 inches requires adaptation plates; larger posts (4+ inches) may need custom mounting brackets. Verify gate post dimensions during the survey phase to avoid field surprises.
The GL260AH is the right choice for facility managers and integrators scaling multi-door access control to perimeter gates. It pairs modern credential protocols with bulletproof failsecure operation and eliminates the legacy relay rackets that plague older installations. Browse the full SDC catalog for matching readers, power supplies, and failsafe operator alternatives.
