In today’s tough economic climate, everyone’s looking to save time and labor. Hardware manufacturers know they have to provide tangible solutions the installing community can sink their teeth into and transfer out into the field in the way of new jobs.
In the access control industry the electric strike is a mainstay. As with other segments of the market, electric strikes have continued to evolve, the result being new designs, profiles, size and intelligent features.
Ask any access control hardware installer about the value of surface-mount electrified hardware and not having to cut into a door frame and the word “priceless” literally rolls from their tongues. And, while ¼-inch may seem nominal in the electrified hardware industry, that small measurement can make a big difference when it comes to being able to accomplish an installation without extensive retrofit, increasing profits overall.
The Trine AXION Universal 4850 surface mount electric strike was designed purposely as a solution to be used to open new installation opportunities when working with rim panic hardware. It’s a rather simple concept, but the resulting design change means the installation of door strikes can be accomplished on aluminum and glass doors and any application where a tight frame might have prevented their deployment. The universal feature gives the installer four thicknesses to work with, starting with a very thin ½-inch and up to 7/8-inch with the use of 1/4- and 1/8-inch spacers (Figure 1).
The 4850 is designed specifically for Pullman Bolt-equipped rim exit (panic) devices. As far as secure, this thin device is right up there with the big boys. It has been tested to BHMA Grade 1 rating and has been tested to 1.5 million cycles, providing a static holding force of 1,500 pounds and dynamic force of 70ft./lbs.
With its minimalistic design, it can be used for applications where the lock side of the door jamb area has limited space. Here’s how it works: when the door closes, the bolt retracts as it slides over the latch fronts and extends into the pocket created by the latches. The two latches on the electric strike have a contoured surface to accommodate the extended curvature of the bolt when closed.
Don’t let the sleek design fool you (Figures 2 and 3). This electric strike packs a punch with features that include:
- Plug-and-play built-in electronics that allow 12 to 30VDC operation without the need to cut wires, while providing surge and kickback protection to the system.
- Simplified design that provides 1.5 million life cycles due to reduced parts including only 1 solenoid.
- Patented anchoring system that provides four additional hard-end pins that prevent shifting on the frame that can cause a problem. The 1/8-inch spacer acts like a template for easy installation.
- Field-selectable fail safe mode in which the strike is powered continuously to keep it locked and it releases as soon as power is removed.
- The Universal 4850 provides the flexibility needed in today’s competitive access control market to get the job done right the first time while offering increased profit in reduced labor and alternative hardware solutions that require fewer components.
Editor's Note: This article was contributed to substantially by Trine an an effort to make the security dealer and integrator market aware of new application possibilities courtesy of this particular hardware design.
