Recessed into the door frame
ANSI/BHMA A156.31 · UL 10C · UL 294
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
An electric strike replaces the standard strike plate in your door frame. When it receives a signal, a hinged keeper swings free so the latch can pass through. Your existing lockset stays in place, and the key still works. That makes an electric strike the simplest, lowest-cost way to add access control to an existing door. It connects easily to card readers, keypads, intercoms and push-to-exit buttons. Most commercial models run on 12 or 24 volts and work with both cylindrical and mortise lock types.
Works with the lock you already own, so you skip new hardware and keep key override.
Unlock doors from a reader, keypad or desk button, and track every entry through your system.
Anyone inside can exit by turning the lever, keeping doors in line with life safety codes.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. is a commercial locksmith and door company serving Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia. We install, service and repair electric strikes for offices, hospitals, hotels, schools and government buildings. Our technicians match the right strike to your frame, lock and fire rating. We handle wiring, power supplies and access control tie-ins in one visit. From a single office door to a full building, we keep your doors secure and code compliant.
The right electric strike depends on your door, frame, lock and safety needs. Use these five key factors to narrow your choice, or ask our team to assess the door and recommend the best model.
This choice shapes how your door behaves during a power outage. A fail-secure strike stays locked when power is lost. A fail-safe strike unlocks when power is lost. In both cases, people inside can still exit by turning the lever.
Most exterior and perimeter doors use fail-secure strikes to protect the building during an outage. Fail-safe models suit some stairwell and interior doors where re-entry must work in an emergency. Fire-rated doors require fail-secure strikes.
Electric strikes are built for specific lock types. Cylindrical and mortise locks with a latchbolt use standard strikes. Rim exit devices need a surface-mounted strike that fits the device’s rim latch.
Deadbolts cannot pass through most electric strikes, so they must stay retracted or be removed. Check the latch length, deadlatch position and backset before ordering. A mismatched strike may bind or fail to release. A quick site check by a pro prevents these problems.
Your frame decides which strike body fits. Steel frames are the most common choice in commercial buildings. Hollow metal frames accept the common 4-7/8 inch strike prep. Aluminum storefront frames have narrow profiles and need slim strikes made for that space.
Wood frames need careful mortising to keep the jamb strong. Each material also changes how wiring reaches the strike. Measuring frame depth and stile width first helps you avoid costly cutting or frame damage.
Most electric strikes run on 12 or 24 volts, either AC or DC. Many newer models let you select the voltage in the field. The strike must match the output of your access control panel or a dedicated power supply.
Continuous duty strikes can stay unlocked for long periods without overheating. AC power causes a buzz, while DC runs quietly. Long wire runs need the right wire gauge to avoid voltage drop and weak release.
Fire-rated doors need a UL-listed, fail-secure electric strike that keeps the door latched during a fire. Look for UL 10C listing and ANSI/BHMA A156.31 grading on commercial openings. Using a non-listed strike can void the door’s fire label.
Your local fire marshal enforces NFPA 80 and NFPA 101 rules for egress and latching. Healthcare and government buildings often face extra inspections. We always confirm labels and ratings before we install any strike on your doors.
Electric strikes and magnetic locks both control access, but they work in different ways. This side-by-side look shows where an electric strike gives you a safer and more flexible choice.
Consideration
Electric Strike
Magnetic Lock
Lever exit works without extra sensors
Needs motion sensor and exit button
Fail-secure option stays locked during outages
Always unlocks when power is lost
UL-listed models keep fire doors latched
Requires fire alarm tie-in to release
Mechanical key still opens the door
No key override without added hardware
Draws power mainly when unlocking
Draws power constantly to stay locked
Most electric strike failures trace back to wiring, alignment or the wrong model for the door. Watch for these signs before a small issue leaves a door unsecured or stuck.
We prep the frame, mount the strike, run wiring and test it with your access control system.
We find what causes sticking, buzzing or failed releases, then fix it so your door works again.
We replace old or failing strikes with modern, field-selectable models that fit your existing door frame prep.
We connect strikes to card readers, keypads, intercoms and exit buttons, with the right power and wiring.
We install UL-listed, fail-secure strikes on fire-rated doors and confirm every label meets your local fire code.
Scheduled checks catch alignment, voltage and wear issues early, before a door fails during your busy hours.
Get a free site assessment from our electric strike experts and secure your doors across Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia.
