Electric Strike Selection and Installation By: Michael D. Vorpahl, CRL Capital Lock, Inc Regent St. Madison, WI Phone: Fax:

Electric Strike Selection

Determine Type of lock Securing the Door A.Cylindrical B.Mortise C.Rim

Determine Type and Material of door A. Single Door B. Double Door (with mullion or without) C. Wood D. Metal E. Aluminum If the frame is for a double door – does it have a mullion or no mullion. Is the door fire rated. Exterior doors do not require fire rated strike. Aluminum doors are not fire rated.

Determine Frame Material A. Wood B. Metal C. Aluminum Is the frame fire rated and is it an interior or exterior door. Exterior doors do not require fire rated strikes. Aluminum doors are not fire rated. If metal, is it filled or hollow metal.

Determine Strike Function A. Fail Secure (strike returns to the locked position when power is removed). B. Fail Safe (strike returns to the unlocked position when power is removed). There are several other options available. Here are some examples. DSM – Door status monitor, DPS – Door Position Sensor, LM – Latch Monitor

Determine the strike voltage A volt B. 12 volt C. 24 volt Determine whether it should be AC/DC A. AC – When strike is activated it will buzz allowing you to tell when strike is unlocked B. DC – When strike is activated it just clicks. Only DC voltage should be used when activating strike for long periods of time.

Now lets get to the process of selecting the correct electric strike.

There are different ways to determine the correct strike for the type of lock and frame that you have.

One of the easiest ways to determine the strike you want to use is to use a reference chart. If you already know what strike you would like to use but the job mandates a particular brand, you can use a cross reference chart.

Here are some examples.

Once you have determined the strike you want to use, then you can begin the installation process.

The first step in the installation process is to determine the vertical and horizontal centerline of the latch / lock. Follow instructions for the strike used.

Horizontal Center Once the horizontal center is determined. Transfer across the frame.

Verticle Center Measure from the edge of the door to the center of the latch and transfer the measurements to the frame.

Due to variances in frames and doors (warping, damage or settling in the building or wall) I use the alignment of the latching edge of the latch for alignment.

The best way I have found to do this is to use a piece of paper and insert it between the door and the frame to the latch edge, not the dead latch edge.

Mark the paper along the edge of the frame. Next transfer that measurement to the frame.

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

Find the latching edge of the strikes keeper.

Position the face plate on the frame, lining up the latch edge of the strike with the mark made on the frame indicating the edge of the latch

Transfer the outline of the faceplate to the frame

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

Mark the locations for drilling access holes for the saw blade.

I use the Makita cordless reciprocating saw. It has the benefit of a short stroke and the convenience of being cordless. You can use a Dremel tool but takes much more time to complete.

Drill the holes previously marked (3/8) and begin cutting out the area marked for the electric strike

Remove the material that was cut out. Notice the frame support behind this area. You will occasionally encounter obstructions and have to adjust your cutting technique.

Once the area for the electric strike is cut out. File the Edges smooth so that no one cuts themselves if the strike needs to be removed for any reason.

Notice the area in the back of the cutout. This area needs to be cutout or removed to a depth that will accommodate the strike.

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

Once this is done you can then mount the tabs and then the strike. Dont forget to countersink the holes so the screw heads are flush with the frame.

Now for the most enjoyable part. The joy of success!