Electric Strike Installation Guide
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What is the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure electric strikes?
Fail-safe electric strikes unlock when power is lost, allowing free passage. Fail-secure electric strikes remain locked when power is lost, maintaining security. Both types maintain mechanical free egress from the egress side of the door through the lever or exit device.
Can I field-cut an electric strike prep in a fire-rated frame?
No. Electric strike preps in fire-rated frames must be factory-cut as part of the original frame fabrication. Field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the fire label and violates building code. The electric strike prep must be specified during the frame ordering process.
What voltage do commercial electric strikes require?
Most commercial electric strikes operate on 12VDC or 24VDC. Some models accept both AC and DC voltage. Always verify the voltage, inrush current, and holding current requirements of the specific model before specifying the power supply.
Do I need to modify the door for an electric strike?
Typically no. The electric strike replaces the standard strike plate in the frame — the door's lock prep (161 cylindrical or 86 mortise) remains unchanged. However, verify that the latch projection and backset are compatible with the selected electric strike model.
How do I coordinate electric strikes with fire-rated assemblies?
The electric strike, frame prep, and wiring pathway must all be specified during the ordering phase. The electric strike must carry a fire listing compatible with the assembly's rating. CDF's ProBuilder tool coordinates these components automatically when configuring a fire-rated assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool coordinates electric strike selection with door, frame, and hardware configuration in a single session. ProBuilder ensures frame preps, fire listings, and wiring access points are specified correctly during ordering — eliminating the coordination errors that lead to field rework on electric strike installations.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies
CDF stocks HES electric strikes through its ASSA Abloy distribution partnership. When contractors use CDF's ProBuilder tool to configure a door assembly, ProBuilder coordinates the electric strike selection with the door prep, frame prep, and fire rating automatically.
ProBuilder ensures the frame is ordered with the correct electric strike cutout, wire access points, and fire-listed components. This eliminates the coordination gaps that commonly lead to field problems — such as frames arriving without electric strike preps, or strikes that are not fire-listed for the specified rating.
How CDF Supports Electric Strike Installation
Follow these steps for electric strike installation after the frame is set and wiring is roughed in.
• Step 1: Verify the frame prep matches the electric strike model's template.
• Step 2: Route wiring to the strike location and leave sufficient service loops.
• Step 3: Connect wiring per the manufacturer's wiring diagram. Observe polarity on DC-powered models.
• Step 4: Mount the electric strike in the frame prep using the manufacturer's supplied fasteners.
• Step 5: Adjust the keeper for proper latch engagement and release.
• Step 6: Test the strike in both the locked and unlocked states. Verify the latch engages fully when locked and releases cleanly when unlocked.
• Step 7: Test the fail-safe or fail-secure function by disconnecting power and verifying the expected behavior.
• Step 8: For fire-rated assemblies, confirm the door self-closes and positively latches in both powered and unpowered states.
Installation and Testing Procedures
Electric strikes installed in fire-rated assemblies must comply with the assembly's fire test listing. Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings, and the electric strike must be listed for the specific rating of the assembly.
Compliance Requirements
• The electric strike must carry a fire listing compatible with the assembly's rating.
• Frame preps for electric strikes in fire-rated frames must be factory-cut — no field modifications.
• Wiring pathways through fire-rated frames must not compromise the frame's fire integrity.
• The electric strike must allow the fire-rated door to positively latch. The strike's keeper must hold the latch securely when in the locked position.
• On fire-rated assemblies, the door must self-close and positively latch regardless of the electric strike's power state.
Failing to coordinate the electric strike with the fire-rated assembly during the ordering phase is one of the most common causes of failed fire door inspections. The electric strike prep, wiring pathway, and fire listing must all be specified before fabrication.
Fire-Rated Assembly Considerations
Electric strike wiring is low-voltage work, but it must be planned and installed correctly to ensure reliable operation and code compliance.
Voltage Requirements
• Most commercial electric strikes operate on 12VDC or 24VDC power. Some models accept both DC and AC voltage.
• Verify the voltage and current requirements of the specific electric strike model before specifying the power supply.
• Use a dedicated power supply sized for the electric strike's inrush and holding current requirements.
Wiring Routing
• Route low-voltage wiring through the frame or wall cavity to the electric strike location.
• Use the frame's wire access point or a concealed conduit pathway. Exposed wiring is not permitted on fire-rated assemblies.
• Maintain separation between low-voltage access control wiring and high-voltage electrical circuits per NEC requirements.
• Terminate wiring connections inside the frame or junction box — never inside the wall cavity where connections cannot be accessed.
Wiring Basics for Electric Strikes
Electric strike installation requires a specific frame prep that differs from a standard strike cutout. The electric strike prep must be coordinated with the door and frame order, as field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the fire label.
Frame Prep Coordination
• The electric strike cutout is larger than a standard strike prep and must be specified at the time of frame ordering.
• Conduit pathways or wire channels must be incorporated into the frame or wall during rough-in.
• The frame must include a junction box or wire access point for connecting low-voltage wiring.
• For fire-rated frames, the electric strike prep must be part of the original factory prep — field-cutting is not permitted.
Door Prep Considerations
The door itself typically does not require special prep for an electric strike — the standard lock prep (161 cylindrical or 86 mortise) remains unchanged. The electric strike replaces only the frame-side strike component. However, the latch projection and backset must be compatible with the selected electric strike model.
Door and Frame Prep Requirements
Electric strikes replace the standard strike plate in a door frame, allowing the door to be released electrically for access control. Selecting the correct electric strike type is essential for both security and life safety compliance.
Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure
Fail-safe electric strikes unlock when power is lost. The strike's keeper retracts when power is removed, allowing free egress during a power failure. Fail-safe strikes are required on doors serving as part of the means of egress where the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires free egress at all times.
Fail-secure electric strikes remain locked when power is lost. The keeper stays in the locked position during a power outage. Fail-secure strikes are used on doors where maintaining security during power loss is the priority. Mechanical free egress is still maintained through the door's lever or exit device from the egress side.
HES Electric Strikes
HES (Hanchett Entry Systems), part of the ASSA Abloy family, manufactures a range of electric strikes for commercial applications. CDF stocks HES electric strikes and coordinates them with door and frame assemblies through its ProBuilder tool. Common HES models serve applications from standard cylindrical locksets to heavy-duty exit devices.
Understanding Electric Strike Types
Technical procedures for installing electric strikes in commercial hollow metal and wood door assemblies.
This guide answers: How Electric Strike Wiring Affects Fire-Rated Assembly Compliance
Electric Strike Installation Guide
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What is the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure electric strikes?
Fail-safe electric strikes unlock when power is lost, allowing free passage. Fail-secure electric strikes remain locked when power is lost, maintaining security. Both types maintain mechanical free egress from the egress side of the door through the lever or exit device.
Can I field-cut an electric strike prep in a fire-rated frame?
No. Electric strike preps in fire-rated frames must be factory-cut as part of the original frame fabrication. Field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the fire label and violates building code. The electric strike prep must be specified during the frame ordering process.
What voltage do commercial electric strikes require?
Most commercial electric strikes operate on 12VDC or 24VDC. Some models accept both AC and DC voltage. Always verify the voltage, inrush current, and holding current requirements of the specific model before specifying the power supply.
Do I need to modify the door for an electric strike?
Typically no. The electric strike replaces the standard strike plate in the frame — the door's lock prep (161 cylindrical or 86 mortise) remains unchanged. However, verify that the latch projection and backset are compatible with the selected electric strike model.
How do I coordinate electric strikes with fire-rated assemblies?
The electric strike, frame prep, and wiring pathway must all be specified during the ordering phase. The electric strike must carry a fire listing compatible with the assembly's rating. CDF's ProBuilder tool coordinates these components automatically when configuring a fire-rated assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool coordinates electric strike selection with door, frame, and hardware configuration in a single session. ProBuilder ensures frame preps, fire listings, and wiring access points are specified correctly during ordering — eliminating the coordination errors that lead to field rework on electric strike installations.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies
CDF stocks HES electric strikes through its ASSA Abloy distribution partnership. When contractors use CDF's ProBuilder tool to configure a door assembly, ProBuilder coordinates the electric strike selection with the door prep, frame prep, and fire rating automatically.
ProBuilder ensures the frame is ordered with the correct electric strike cutout, wire access points, and fire-listed components. This eliminates the coordination gaps that commonly lead to field problems — such as frames arriving without electric strike preps, or strikes that are not fire-listed for the specified rating.
How CDF Supports Electric Strike Installation
Follow these steps for electric strike installation after the frame is set and wiring is roughed in.
• Step 1: Verify the frame prep matches the electric strike model's template.
• Step 2: Route wiring to the strike location and leave sufficient service loops.
• Step 3: Connect wiring per the manufacturer's wiring diagram. Observe polarity on DC-powered models.
• Step 4: Mount the electric strike in the frame prep using the manufacturer's supplied fasteners.
• Step 5: Adjust the keeper for proper latch engagement and release.
• Step 6: Test the strike in both the locked and unlocked states. Verify the latch engages fully when locked and releases cleanly when unlocked.
• Step 7: Test the fail-safe or fail-secure function by disconnecting power and verifying the expected behavior.
• Step 8: For fire-rated assemblies, confirm the door self-closes and positively latches in both powered and unpowered states.
Installation and Testing Procedures
Electric strikes installed in fire-rated assemblies must comply with the assembly's fire test listing. Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings, and the electric strike must be listed for the specific rating of the assembly.
Compliance Requirements
• The electric strike must carry a fire listing compatible with the assembly's rating.
• Frame preps for electric strikes in fire-rated frames must be factory-cut — no field modifications.
• Wiring pathways through fire-rated frames must not compromise the frame's fire integrity.
• The electric strike must allow the fire-rated door to positively latch. The strike's keeper must hold the latch securely when in the locked position.
• On fire-rated assemblies, the door must self-close and positively latch regardless of the electric strike's power state.
Failing to coordinate the electric strike with the fire-rated assembly during the ordering phase is one of the most common causes of failed fire door inspections. The electric strike prep, wiring pathway, and fire listing must all be specified before fabrication.
Fire-Rated Assembly Considerations
Electric strike wiring is low-voltage work, but it must be planned and installed correctly to ensure reliable operation and code compliance.
Voltage Requirements
• Most commercial electric strikes operate on 12VDC or 24VDC power. Some models accept both DC and AC voltage.
• Verify the voltage and current requirements of the specific electric strike model before specifying the power supply.
• Use a dedicated power supply sized for the electric strike's inrush and holding current requirements.
Wiring Routing
• Route low-voltage wiring through the frame or wall cavity to the electric strike location.
• Use the frame's wire access point or a concealed conduit pathway. Exposed wiring is not permitted on fire-rated assemblies.
• Maintain separation between low-voltage access control wiring and high-voltage electrical circuits per NEC requirements.
• Terminate wiring connections inside the frame or junction box — never inside the wall cavity where connections cannot be accessed.
Wiring Basics for Electric Strikes
Electric strike installation requires a specific frame prep that differs from a standard strike cutout. The electric strike prep must be coordinated with the door and frame order, as field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the fire label.
Frame Prep Coordination
• The electric strike cutout is larger than a standard strike prep and must be specified at the time of frame ordering.
• Conduit pathways or wire channels must be incorporated into the frame or wall during rough-in.
• The frame must include a junction box or wire access point for connecting low-voltage wiring.
• For fire-rated frames, the electric strike prep must be part of the original factory prep — field-cutting is not permitted.
Door Prep Considerations
The door itself typically does not require special prep for an electric strike — the standard lock prep (161 cylindrical or 86 mortise) remains unchanged. The electric strike replaces only the frame-side strike component. However, the latch projection and backset must be compatible with the selected electric strike model.
Door and Frame Prep Requirements
Electric strikes replace the standard strike plate in a door frame, allowing the door to be released electrically for access control. Selecting the correct electric strike type is essential for both security and life safety compliance.
Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure
Fail-safe electric strikes unlock when power is lost. The strike's keeper retracts when power is removed, allowing free egress during a power failure. Fail-safe strikes are required on doors serving as part of the means of egress where the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires free egress at all times.
Fail-secure electric strikes remain locked when power is lost. The keeper stays in the locked position during a power outage. Fail-secure strikes are used on doors where maintaining security during power loss is the priority. Mechanical free egress is still maintained through the door's lever or exit device from the egress side.
HES Electric Strikes
HES (Hanchett Entry Systems), part of the ASSA Abloy family, manufactures a range of electric strikes for commercial applications. CDF stocks HES electric strikes and coordinates them with door and frame assemblies through its ProBuilder tool. Common HES models serve applications from standard cylindrical locksets to heavy-duty exit devices.
Understanding Electric Strike Types
Technical procedures for installing electric strikes in commercial hollow metal and wood door assemblies.
This guide answers: How Electric Strike Wiring Affects Fire-Rated Assembly Compliance
Electric Strike Installation Guide
Kimber Brinkley
Internet Sales Training Supervisor
Kimber Brinkley focuses on commercial door installation fundamentals, hollow metal frames, and specification accuracy. With extensive manufacturer training, she emphasizes proper rough openings, anchoring systems, and hardware coordination to ensure doors install correctly from the start. Her expertise helps teams anticipate jobsite challenges and improve overall commercial door system performance.
