Understanding Power Transfers: A Guide to Wiring Electrified Doors

When it comes to electrified locks and exit devices, power transfers play a crucial role in ensuring seamless operation while maintaining security and aesthetics. Whether you’re planning new construction or retrofitting existing doors, selecting the right power transfer solution can make all the difference.

What Are Power Transfers?

Power transfers provide a means of running wires from the door frame to electrified door hardware such as locks, strikes, or exit devices. They come in various forms, each suited to specific applications and installation requirements.

Types of Power Transfers

  1. Surface-Mounted Power Transfers
    • Includes armored door cords or door loops.
    • Economical and easy to install on existing openings.
    • Ideal for field preparation in both retrofits and new construction.
    • Highly visible but durable, making them a practical choice for many applications.
  2. Concealed Power Transfers
    • Mortised into the door and frame for a clean, tamper-resistant installation.
    • Factory-prepared and approved for fire-rated openings.
    • Best for heavy-traffic environments or areas requiring higher security.
  3. Electric Hinges
    • Provide a concealed and vandal-resistant method of running wires.
    • Fit into standard 4-1/2″ or 5″ hinge preparations with minor modifications for wire clearance.
    • Recommended for the center hinge position for optimal performance.
  4. Wireless Power Transfers
    • Use radio frequency (RF) transmitters to wirelessly transfer energy across the door gap.
    • Eliminate the need for drilling or conduit installation, making them ideal for retrofits, especially with wood doors.
    • Capable of transferring power and signals, including latch bolt monitoring and request-to-exit (REX) signals.

When Are Conduits Needed?

  • For electrical locks and strikes, a conduit or raceway is often recommended to run wires from the hinge-side preparation to the lock or strike preparation.
  • With electrical panic devices, most connections are through the hinge-side mounting, and no conduit is typically required in the door.

Benefits of Power Transfers

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Concealed power transfers maintain a clean look by hiding wires.
  • Durability: Heavy-duty options are designed to withstand frequent use in high-traffic areas.
  • Security: Concealed solutions reduce the risk of tampering or vandalism.
  • Ease of Installation: Surface-mounted and wireless options simplify retrofitting and field preparation.

Key Considerations

  • Always consult your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure compliance with fire-rated opening requirements.
  • For high-security or heavy-traffic environments, prioritize concealed or heavy-duty power transfers to enhance durability and tamper resistance.
  • For retrofits, consider wireless options to save time and avoid invasive installations.

Conclusion

Power transfers are the unsung heroes of electrified door systems, ensuring reliable power delivery while maintaining security and aesthetics. By understanding the types and applications of power transfers, you can choose the right solution for your project, whether it’s a high-security facility, a retrofit, or a new construction.

For more information or assistance with selecting the ideal power transfer for your needs, feel free to reach out to our team.

Understanding the Difference Between Fail-Safe and Fail-Secure Locking Devices

When choosing electrified locking devices for your facility, it’s essential to understand the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure options. These terms determine how a lock behaves during a power outage and play a critical role in access control and safety compliance.

Fail-Safe Locks: Unlocked Without Power

magnetic lock / fail-safe

A fail-safe locking device unlocks when power is lost. It requires power to remain locked, ensuring that in the event of a power outage, occupants can exit or access specific areas as needed.

Common Uses

  • Fire-Rated Stairwell Doors: Allows people in stairwells to seek refuge on certain floors and enables first responders to access necessary areas during emergencies.
  • Access-Controlled Interior Doors: In some jurisdictions, fail-safe locks are required to prioritize safety and accessibility.

Key Consideration

While fail-safe locks enhance safety during emergencies, they may compromise security by leaving doors unlocked during power outages.

Fail-Secure Locks: Locked Without Power

advantex electric dogging device / fail-secure

A fail-secure locking device remains locked when power is lost. It requires power to unlock, making it ideal for maintaining security during power outages.

Common Uses

  • Main and Employee Entrances: Ensures unauthorized individuals cannot enter the building without a key or access credential.
  • Perimeter Doors: Maintains security for exterior access points.

Key Consideration

While fail-secure locks provide better security, they require careful planning to ensure compliance with emergency exit requirements.

Choosing the Right Locking Device

Building Codes and Safety Regulations

  • Building codes require that occupants can always exit freely during emergencies, even if the doors are locked. This is why exit devices and fail-safe trims are commonly used on emergency exits.
  • Ensure you consult local regulations to determine whether fail-safe or fail-secure devices are required for specific doors.

Power Consumption

  • Fail-Safe Devices: Require continuous power to stay locked, increasing energy consumption and operating costs.
  • Fail-Secure Devices: Use power only during unlocking, making them more energy-efficient.

Security Needs

  • Use fail-secure locks for perimeter doors to prevent unauthorized access during power outages.
  • Consider fail-safe locks for doors that prioritize life safety, such as stairwells or emergency exits.

Specialized Solutions

Certain hardware products, like electric latch retraction exit devices, offer a hybrid approach:

  • Fail-Secure During Power Outages: These devices lock securely when power is lost.
  • Latch Retraction: Allows doors to operate easily during normal business hours.
  • Energy Efficiency: They consume power briefly during activation, minimizing energy costs.

Detex Products

ProductFail-Safe or Fail-Secure?During loss of power, product is…
Electric StrikeFail-Safe (Field Selectable)Unlocked
Electric StrikeFail-Secure (Field Selectable)Locked
Electromagnetic LockFail-SafeUnlocked
Electric Lever TrimFail-Safe (Field Selectable)Unlocked
Electric Lever TrimFail-Secure (Field Selectable)Locked
Electric Latch Retraction (ER EX)Always Fail-SecureLocked
Electric Dogging (ED)Always Fail-SecureLocked

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right locking device involves balancing security, safety, and operational efficiency. Fail-safe and fail-secure devices serve different purposes, so it’s essential to evaluate your facility’s needs and regulatory requirements before making a decision.

By understanding these options, you can ensure your building is both secure and compliant, no matter the situation.