Technical Foundation
What Is a Electric Strike?
An electric strike is an electromechanical replacement for a standard door strike plate that allows the door latch to be released remotely — by a buzzer button, card reader, keypad, or access control panel — without turning the door's own lock or handle. The strike body contains a keeper that pivots open when energized (or de-energized, depending on mode) to release the latch bolt, while the door itself remains locked in every other respect.
The most critical specification is fail-safe vs. fail-secure operating mode: fail-secure strikes remain locked when power is lost (require power to unlock), used on most exterior and standard interior doors, while fail-safe strikes unlock when power is lost, required by fire and life-safety code on designated egress doors so occupants are never locked in during a power failure. Strike must also be matched to voltage (AC or DC, commonly 12V or 24V), and to the specific lock/latch type (mortise, cylindrical, rim) and door frame preparation.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fail-Safe / Fail-Secure | Unlocks on power loss vs. locks on power loss | Code-mandated on many egress/fire doors — wrong mode is a life-safety violation |
| Voltage | 12VDC, 24VDC, or AC options | Must match the access control power supply — wrong voltage damages the strike or fails to actuate |
| Lock/Latch Type | Mortise, cylindrical, rim exit device | Strike keeper geometry must match the specific latch bolt or lock throw |
| Frame Prep | ANSI strike cutout, custom prep | Determines fit into existing or new door frame without additional machining |
| Monitoring | Door position switch, latch/strike status | Enables integration with access control system reporting and alarms |
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Applications
Where Electric Strikes Get Used
Electric strikes are specified anywhere a door needs remote or access-controlled release while keeping the existing lockset in place.
Commercial Access Control
Integrating with card readers and keypads to remotely release office and suite entry doors.
Multi-Tenant Buildings & Apartments
Providing buzzer-release entry for lobby and unit doors tied to intercom systems.
Fire & Life-Safety Egress Doors
Specifying fail-safe strikes on designated egress paths per fire and building code requirements.
Server Rooms & Restricted Areas
Securing fail-secure access-controlled entry to sensitive equipment and data spaces.
Retail & Warehouse Security Doors
Controlling employee and delivery access through rear and side entry doors.
FAQ
Electric Strikes Questions, Answered
What's the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure electric strikes?
A fail-secure strike stays locked when power is lost and only unlocks when energized — used on most standard doors where security should be maintained during an outage. A fail-safe strike unlocks when power is lost, which is required by code on designated fire/egress doors so occupants can always exit during a power failure. Using the wrong mode on a life-safety door is a common code violation.
How do I know what voltage electric strike I need?
Match the strike's voltage to the output of the access control power supply feeding it — commonly 12VDC or 24VDC, sometimes AC. Many modern strikes are dual-voltage (12/24V AC/DC) and auto-detect, which simplifies matching to whatever supply is already on site.
Can an electric strike work with any lock?
No — the strike's keeper geometry must match the specific latch bolt or lock throw of the installed lockset (mortise, cylindrical, or rim exit device), and the strike body must fit the door frame's ANSI cutout or existing prep. Mismatched strike-to-lock combinations won't reliably capture and release the latch.
Do electric strikes work with fire-rated doors?
Electric strikes can be used on fire-rated door assemblies only if the specific strike model is listed for fire door use with that door/frame assembly — check the strike's fire rating listing and confirm compatibility with the door's overall fire label before installing on a rated opening.
What does a door position/latch monitoring feature add?
Monitoring switches report the strike's locked/unlocked state and sometimes the door's open/closed position back to the access control panel, allowing the system to log door events, trigger alarms on forced entry or door-held-open conditions, and confirm the door actually secured after each release cycle.
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