Ditec HA7 Low-Energy Door Operator: An Overview

I’ve installed many door operators over the years. In many respects, the Ditec HA7 by Entrematic represents the leading edge of low-energy operator technology. I recently had the chance to take part in the installation of one of these new door operators, and the following are my impressions.

Door Openers 101

Low-energy door operators have been around for about 40 years. When I first became involved with low-energy door operators, they were self-contained devices that required only external power and a knowing act to activate them.

Full-energy door operators, which preceded low-energy door operators to the market, are a completely different beast. Full-energy door operators typically are aimed at new projects, and the entrance frequently is designed around the door operator.

When full-energy door operators first came into use, retrofits proved problematic, because the door operator often represented risks for children, pets and individuals who had disabilities. As a result, these door operators now have a more exhaustive set of requirements for safe operation (ANSI/BHMA A156.10) than do their low-energy counterparts.The majority of full-energy door operators these days are on sliding doors, which are less hazardous to pedestrians. Older buildings were upgraded from swinging or folding doors to sliding doors, and the reduced liability insurance and payouts easily covered the costs of the reconstruction. Meanwhile, low-energy door operators are aimed at retrofits and are a good sale for most locksmiths, because they’re big-ticket items and can be installed relatively quickly.

Full-energy and low-energy door operators open automatically and are equipped with sensors that are intended to prevent the injuries that might occur when a moving door comes into contact with a person, pet or object.

A swinging-door low-energy door operator has safety features designed into it to meet ANSI/BHMA 156.19 requirements.

Most of the safety technology involves power that’s sent to the door operator’s motors. If a door encounters an obstruction, it causes an increase in the current draw to the motor, which then is used to stop or reverse the movement of the door. This type of current sensing is relatively new and sophisticated technology, which made the development of safe low-energy door operators possible.

However, because of equipment malfunctions, improperly adjusted door operators, anomalies in site conditions (wind, rain, ice) and even distracted users, accidents happen. The injured party will blame the facility, and the facility might try to blame the door operator installer. Doing craftsmanlike work, being able to prove your technical competence, keeping accurate service records and carrying the appropriate insurance are the best defense against situations where injuries might occur.

Formal factory training and certification might be a good route for individuals who want to get serious about door operator sales and servicing. The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) provides training and certification and is a clearinghouse for customers in search of professional door-operator installation and service.

For me, AAADM certification led to calls for door operator repairs and installations, as well as adding existing service accounts with facility-management companies whose clients included national retail chains. We also were able to bid on new work, where frequently it’s mandatory for a dealer to be AAADM-certified to participate in the bidding on a job.

After you get “your foot in the door” on a new facility, you can promote other locksmithing services for the customer. Municipalities, school districts and healthcare networks have a lot of doors.

Entrematic Q&A

Before the installation, I interviewed Dan Wise, technical support specialist at Entrematic, to learn more about the HA7 and clarify a few points about the installation process.

Locksmith Ledger: How does the HA7 measure up from a performance standpoint compared with other door operators?

Dan Wise: The HA7 has all the standard features found in most door operators on the market. It’s also compatible with most third-party fobs, transmitters, receivers and access control systems.

LL: What markets are the intended targets for the HA7?

Wise: Everyone thinks to automate a front entrance, but the COVID era has shown us that people are very conscious about touching any door handles, so we envision facility managers and building owners automating interior doors, such as restrooms and offices, condo buildings, parking garage stairwells or hotel rooms. The opportunities are endless.

LL: Besides its slim form factor, what other features set this model apart from similar products?

Wise: One of the HA7’s best features is that it’s 120vac wall outlet compatible and comes with an extension cord, so, theoretically, anyone can install this operator on a door as long as they have an outlet within 20 feet. No electrician is needed. Customers also have the option of concealing the electrical connection in the ceiling or wall if they prefer that look.

Its slim size not only provides a better aesthetic than your standard swing operator, but it also allows the HA7 to be installed where a standard operator simply doesn’t fit because of low ceilings or clearance issues. Finally, the ability to program, set up and control the operator through a phone app is another feature that sets it apart.

LL: How is the app used to designate owners and users, and how many are permitted?

Wise: One “owner” can add up to seven users. An owner can set up an unlimited number of doors but can connect with only one at a time. For example, a facility manager can set up operators all over a building, but they have to be within close proximity to the door to make changes. You can use the app to open or close the door, but for doors that have a high volume of users — restrooms, for example — a push plate or wave plate is the ideal activation method.

LL: What drive shaft extensions are furnished with the door operator, and what options are available?

Wise: The standard extension is one-half of an inch, and it comes with the operator. A three-fourths-of-an-inch or a 1-3/8-inch extension can be ordered separately.

LL: On a more technical level, there are a terms in the Quick Start brochure that might elude installers not familiar with your products. What’s “extended closing torque”?

Wise: That’s designed to overcome stack pressures or other environmental conditions.

LL: What’s the “lock kick”?

Wise: It ensures a positive latch when the door closes for fire and security.

LL: On page 6 of the brochure, what does “NOTE: If pre-tension exceeds, it will cause this pin to be below the line and lock kick will not work” mean?

Wise: If you overadjust the spring, youll lose your lock kick function. You never should have to adjust the spring unless your door is heavy and you want more spring pressure to close your door. The HA7 is recommended for doors 200 pounds or less.

LL: Can you explain the external connections and terminal designations on the BASIC IO PCB?

Wise: A diagram will be added to the next revision of the installation manual to assist customers with wiring accessories. For now, it’s on our website:

https://www.ditecentrematic.us/Entrematic/ditecentrematicUS/products/swing-doors/ditec-ha7/product-documentation/3.Drawings%20(pdf)/HA7-wiring-accessories.pdf

HA7 EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS

1. Ground

2. Ground

3. 12 or 24 volt Negative lock/electric strike

4. 12 or 24 volt positive lock/electric strike

5. Not used at this time

6. Not used at this time

7. Not used at this time

8. Key Impulse and ground (card reader)

9. Outer impulse and ground (exterior entry knowing act)

10. Inner impulse to ground (interior egress knowing act device)

11. 24+ volts (measured to terminal 1 or 2 Ground)

LL: Regarding the app install and setup process, what is “key impulse hold open time”?

Wise: If you use key impulse, it has its own time delay you can set.

Installation Tips

When the HA7 unit arrived, I initially thought, “Honey, they shrank the door operator” or Entrematic must have forgotten to ship some of the parts. But it was all there in one rather small, manageable box.

It could be a one-person job to convey the carton to the site and install the door operator although, in my opinion, it’s better to have an assistant.

I liked that the carton has all parts organized and easy to inventory. There are, of course, many components, and you can’t afford to lose any before you know which ones are necessary for your installation.

If you’re installing an HA7, keep the following in mind:

1. Be aware of the door weight and condition of the door assembly. Hardware and hinges must be working correctly.

2. Determine the door handing and swing. The operator always will be mounted on the interior side of the structure.

3. Plan how you will power and actuate the door operator. A receptacle is all that’s required to power the HA7. Actuation of the door operator might be by the app, hard-wired knowing act plates or wireless knowing-act switches.

4. The door operator control module is separated from the back plane before mounting the back plane on the header above the door. Refer to the documentation or download the installation manual from the HA7 website, www.enteranewera.com.

Our installation was on the pull side of a right-hand reverse door. The position of the door operator back plane was seven-eighths of an inch up from the top of the door.

5. The track mounts on the door. The top edge of the track should be flush with the top edge of the door.

6. Note the unique procedure for preloading the arm and attachment to the track. Preloading assures that the door operator will bring the door to a fully closed position. The procedure is unique to the operator, but preloading is performed when installing many mechanical door closer arms.

7. The back plane must be installed aligned with the center line of the hinge. The center line is marked clearly on the back plane.

8. The HA7 comes with all accessories that are necessary for installation. Mounting on the pull side of the door will use the door operator and track for connecting it to the door. Mounting on the push side will use a fixed mounted shoe attached to the door.

9. The Entrematic Bluetooth app and wireless technology make deploying this door operator really smooth.

In Operation

The HA7 uses a motor that’s connected to the output shaft. The push or pull arm system that’s connected to the output shaft opens the door in a surface-mounted application.

The control switch, located on the exterior of the operator on the end cap, has three settings:

Hold: The door can be held at any position when opening or closing.

Auto: Impulses from activation units connected to IIMP or OIMP terminals are forwarded into inner impulse.

Off: Only Key Impulse can open the door.

The HA7 performs as a normal door closer when it is switched to “Off” or when no power is available.

Accessories

Any external device that provides a dry contact closure can be used with the HA7. Call Entrematic for specific recommendations if you have a special application or question.

Wave To Open. Entrematic’s Wave to Open switch for hands-free activation is compatible with all Ditec brand operators.

Push Plates. Entrematic push plates are an easy way to activate swing doors, particularly for those who have disabilities. They come in design options, including square, round, vestibule and jamb plates.

Wireless Receivers and Sensors. Entrematic offers BEA’s 900-megahertz compact transmitters and receiver to allow for wireless activation of any door control. The compact battery-powered, hard-wired transmitter is ideal for push plate applications, and one- to four-button handheld transmitters are available.