Mortise or cylindrical bored prep
ANSI/BHMA A156.25 · A156.13 · UL 294
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
An electrified lockset is a mortise or cylindrical lock with a built-in solenoid or motor. When your access control system sends power, the outside lever locks or unlocks. The inside lever always lets people exit, so the door stays code-compliant. You choose fail safe, which unlocks when power drops, or fail secure, which stays locked. Many models also add request-to-exit switches and door position sensors for monitoring. Because the locking happens inside the lock body, the frame needs no extra cutting for an electric strike.
Staff badge in by card, fob, or phone, and you stop rekeying doors for lost keys.
Free egress and fail safe options help doors meet life safety and fire alarm release rules.
Wiring and locking parts hide inside the door, leaving no surface hardware to tamper with.
King Locksmith and Doors Inc. is a commercial locksmith and door company serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Our technicians install, repair, and upgrade electrified locksets for offices, hospitals, hotels, schools, and government buildings. We work with your access control vendor, electrician, and fire marshal so each door works on day one. From a single office door to a full campus, we bring the right parts, clean wiring, and clear documentation for every opening.
The right electrified lockset depends on your door, your power plan, and your codes. Use these five checks to narrow your options before you order any hardware or schedule wiring work with your facilities team.
Electrified mortise locks fit a large pocket cut into the door edge. They are the strongest choice and suit busy entrances, stairwells, and hospital corridors. Most carry ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 ratings for heavy, constant daily use.
Electrified cylindrical locks fit two round holes, the same prep as a standard lever lock. They often cost less and install faster on existing doors, which makes them a good fit for offices, classrooms, and interior suites with lighter traffic.
A fail safe lockset unlocks the outside lever when power is cut. It suits doors that must release during a fire alarm, such as lobby doors on an egress path. It needs constant power to stay locked.
A fail secure lockset stays locked from the outside when power is lost, while the inside lever still opens. Pick it for server rooms, pharmacies, records rooms, and offices where security matters more than free entry during outages.
Most electrified locksets run on 12 or 24 volts DC. Some models draw a high inrush current, so the power supply must match the lock. Undersized supplies cause random lockouts, hot coils, and short lock life.
Wires must pass from the frame into the door. An electric power transfer hinge or a concealed transfer device carries them out of sight. Exposed door loops also work, but they wear out faster and invite tampering on busy doors.
Your lockset must speak the same language as your reader and controller. Check the voltage, the request-to-exit switch, and any latch or door position monitoring your system needs. Some brands also use a dedicated driver board.
We work with the common access control platforms used in DMV offices, hospitals, and agencies. Before we order, we confirm the controller outputs, wire runs, and monitoring points, so the lock and software work together on the first test.
Electrified locksets used with access control should meet ANSI/BHMA A156.25 and be listed to UL 294. On fire-rated doors, the lock must also carry a UL fire label and keep positive latching at all times.
NFPA 80, NFPA 101, and the International Building Code shape egress and fire door rules across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Local fire marshals may also add their own review. We help you plan hardware that passes inspection the first time.
Electric strikes are a common alternative, but they are not right for every door. Here is how electrified locksets compare on the points facility managers ask us about most often.
Consideration
Electrified Locksets
Electric Strikes
Locks at the lever, not the frame
Frame keeper can be pried or attacked
Fail safe models still latch positively
Fail safe strikes not allowed on fire doors
All parts hidden inside the door
Visible strike body in the frame
No major frame cutting required
Often needs deep frame cutouts or replacement
Lever, latch, and exit sensing in one unit
Extra sensors often added as separate parts
Most electrified lockset failures trace to power, wiring, or a poor match with the access control system. Watch for these warning signs before a door locks out staff or visitors.
We prep the door, mount the lockset, run power, and test every function before leaving the site.
We convert existing mechanical locks to electrified models, often reusing the same door prep to save money.
We install power transfer hinges and concealed transfers that carry wiring from the frame into the door.
We connect locksets to your readers, controllers, and fire alarm release so every door responds as planned.
We trace voltage drops, failed solenoids, and broken wires, then repair or replace parts to restore access.
Scheduled checks catch worn transfers, loose wiring, and weak power supplies before they cause lockouts or downtime.
Tell us about your doors. We’ll assess each opening and recommend the right electrified lockset for your building and budget.
