Electric Strike Selection Electric Strike Selection and Installationand Installation

By: Michael D. Vorpahl, CRLBy: Michael D. Vorpahl, CRL

Capital Lock, Inc.Capital Lock, Inc.

1302 Regent St.1302 Regent St.

Madison, WI 53715Madison, WI 53715

Phone: 608-256-5625Phone: 608-256-5625

Fax: 608-255-6977Fax: 608-255-6977

www.capitalock.comwww.capitalock.com

Electric Electric Strike Strike

SelectionSelection

Determine Type Determine Type of lock Securing of lock Securing the Doorthe Door

A.A. CylindricalCylindrical

B.B. MortiseMortise

C.C. RimRim

Determine Type Determine Type and Material of and Material of doordoor

A. Single DoorA. Single DoorB. Double Door (with mullion B. Double Door (with mullion or without)or without)C. WoodC. WoodD. MetalD. MetalE. AluminumE. Aluminum

If the frame is for a double door – If the frame is for a double door – does it have a mullion or no does it have a mullion or no mullion. Is the door fire rated. mullion. Is the door fire rated. Exterior doors do not require fire Exterior doors do not require fire rated strike. Aluminum doors are rated strike. Aluminum doors are not fire rated.not fire rated.

Determine Determine Frame MaterialFrame Material

A. WoodA. WoodB. MetalB. MetalC. AluminumC. Aluminum

Is the frame fire rated and Is the frame fire rated and is it an interior or exterior is it an interior or exterior door. Exterior doors do door. Exterior doors do not require fire rated not require fire rated strikes. Aluminum doors strikes. Aluminum doors are not fire rated. If are not fire rated. If metal, is it filled or hollow metal, is it filled or hollow metal.metal.

Determine Strike Determine Strike FunctionFunction

A. Fail Secure (strike A. Fail Secure (strike returns to the locked returns to the locked position when power is position when power is removed).removed).

B. Fail Safe (strike returns B. Fail Safe (strike returns to the unlocked position to the unlocked position when power is removed).when power is removed).

There are several other There are several other options available. Here are options available. Here are some examples. DSM – some examples. DSM – Door status monitor, DPS – Door status monitor, DPS – Door Position Sensor, LM – Door Position Sensor, LM – Latch MonitorLatch Monitor

Determine the Determine the strike voltagestrike voltage

A. 8-16 voltA. 8-16 voltB. 12 voltB. 12 voltC. 24 voltC. 24 volt

Determine Determine whether it should whether it should be AC/DCbe AC/DC

A. AC – When strike is A. AC – When strike is activated it will buzz allowing activated it will buzz allowing you to tell when strike is you to tell when strike is unlockedunlocked

B. DC – When strike is B. DC – When strike is activated it just clicks.activated it just clicks.

Only DC voltage should be used Only DC voltage should be used when activating strike for long when activating strike for long periods of time.periods of time.

Now let’s get to Now let’s get to the process of the process of selecting the selecting the

correct electric correct electric strike. strike.

There are There are different ways to different ways to

determine the determine the correct strike for correct strike for the type of lock the type of lock and frame that and frame that

you have. you have.

One of the easiest One of the easiest ways to determine the ways to determine the strike you want to use strike you want to use is to use a reference is to use a reference

chart.chart.

If you already know If you already know what strike you would what strike you would like to use but the job like to use but the job mandates a particular mandates a particular brand, you can use a brand, you can use a cross reference chart.cross reference chart.

Here are some Here are some examples.examples.

Once you have Once you have determined the determined the strike you want strike you want to use, then you to use, then you

can begin the can begin the installation installation

process.process.

The first step in The first step in the installation the installation

process is to process is to determine the determine the vertical and vertical and horizontal horizontal

centerline of the centerline of the latch / lock.latch / lock.

Follow Follow instructions for instructions for the strike used.the strike used.

Horizontal Horizontal CenterCenter

Once the horizontal center Once the horizontal center is determined. Transfer is determined. Transfer

across the frame.across the frame.

Verticle CenterVerticle Center

Measure from the edge Measure from the edge of the door to the center of the door to the center of the latch and transfer of the latch and transfer

the measurements to the measurements to the frame.the frame.

Due to variances Due to variances in frames and in frames and

doors (warping, doors (warping, damage or damage or

settling in the settling in the building or wall) building or wall)

I use the I use the alignment of the alignment of the latching edge of latching edge of

the latch for the latch for alignment.alignment.

The best way I The best way I have found to do have found to do this is to use a this is to use a piece of paper piece of paper and insert it and insert it between the between the door and the door and the frame to the frame to the

latch edge, not latch edge, not the dead latch the dead latch

edge.edge.

Mark the paper Mark the paper along the edge along the edge of the frame. of the frame. Next transfer Next transfer

that that measurement measurement to the frame.to the frame.

Make the mark Make the mark long enough to long enough to span the length span the length of the faceplate of the faceplate

of the strikeof the strike

Find the latching Find the latching edge of the strikes edge of the strikes

keeper.keeper.

Position the face Position the face plate on the frame, plate on the frame, lining up the latch lining up the latch edge of the strike edge of the strike

with the mark made with the mark made on the frame on the frame

indicating the edge indicating the edge of the latchof the latch

Transfer the Transfer the outline of the outline of the

faceplate to the faceplate to the frameframe

Mark the keeper Mark the keeper pocket to the pocket to the edge and the edge and the face of the face of the

frame.frame.

Mark the Mark the locations for locations for

drilling access drilling access holes for the saw holes for the saw

blade.blade.

I use the Makita I use the Makita cordless cordless

reciprocating reciprocating saw. It has the saw. It has the

benefit of a benefit of a short stroke and short stroke and the convenience the convenience

of being of being cordless. You cordless. You

can use a Dremel can use a Dremel tool but takes tool but takes

much more time much more time to complete.to complete.

Drill the holes Drill the holes previously previously

marked (3/8”) marked (3/8”) and begin and begin

cutting out the cutting out the area marked for area marked for

the electric the electric strikestrike

Remove the Remove the material that material that was cut out. was cut out.

Notice the frame Notice the frame support behind support behind this area. You this area. You

will occasionally will occasionally encounter encounter

obstructions and obstructions and have to adjust have to adjust your cutting your cutting technique.technique.

Once the area Once the area for the electric for the electric

strike is cut out. strike is cut out. File the Edges File the Edges smooth so that smooth so that

no one cuts no one cuts themselves if themselves if

the strike needs the strike needs to be removed to be removed for any reason.for any reason.

Notice the area Notice the area in the back of in the back of

the cutout. This the cutout. This area needs to be area needs to be

cutout or cutout or removed to a removed to a

depth that will depth that will accommodate accommodate

the strike.the strike.

The next step is The next step is to mark and drill to mark and drill the holes for the the holes for the mounting tabs.mounting tabs.

Once this is done Once this is done you can then you can then

mount the tabs mount the tabs and then the and then the strike. Don’t strike. Don’t

forget to forget to countersink the countersink the

holes so the holes so the screw heads are screw heads are

flush with the flush with the frame.frame.

Now for the most Now for the most enjoyable part. enjoyable part.

The joy of The joy of success!success!