Electronic access control (EAC) continues to grow and evolve in adoption and technology options.
Regardless of the technologies offered on the market, whether cloud-hosted access control systems, multiformat readers and credentials, or biometrics and facial recognition, one thing has remained constant: the door hardware. If the door doesn’t close properly, latch and lock, there’s no controlling access. Door hardware is — and always will be — the foundation of physical security.
The electronic locking hardware portion of an access control project continues to be one of the most critical and challenging aspects of the system in terms of complexity, options and installation expertise. According to Locksmith Ledger’s State of the Industry 2021 report, nearly 86% of locksmiths believe electronics will be part of their portfolio by 2024.
With a variety of easy-to-install electric strikes and maglocks on the market, we’ve seen an uptick in those product categories in recent years. They typically are less expensive and easier to install than are traditional electrified door hardware, and increasingly they’re available as kits, bundles or other packaging designed to provide flexibility to the installer.
Although electric strikes and maglocks might be lower cost and easier to install, they aren’t always architecturally compatible with the existing door hardware or might not meet the stringent life-safety requirements for many commercial buildings. This is why electrified door hardware tends to be the first choice of specification writers, architects and fire marshals for new buildings.
Motors vs. Solenoids
Within the category of electrified door hardware, there have been some meaningful changes in recent years. One of the biggest changes is the move from solenoids to motors in (EAC) hardware. Although solenoids still are used in electric strikes, electrified cylindrical locks and electrified exit device trims, the migration from solenoids to motors in electrified mortise locks and exit devices is moving rapidly.
Motors have several advantages over solenoids. Let’s explore them.
Energy Efficiency: Solenoids and motors require power to operate, of course. However, solenoids require much more amperage. For example, a 12VDC solenoid-operated mortise lock requires around 700 milliamps (mA) to pull in and hold the plunger.
A motor consumes much less power, particularly when it’s held in an open position for long periods, such as during electric dogging. The same lock that has a motor uses 400 mA to cycle the motor and around 10 mA to hold it in the unlocked position.
Many commercial buildings now require that all electronic equipment be more energy-efficient to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. Access control must meet those requirements as well.
Heat Generation: The more amperage an electronic component uses, the more heat that’s generated. Heat breaks down electronic components. Because solenoids require more amperage to operate, they produce more heat. Using a motor that requires less amperage to operate and only a fraction to hold open reduces generated heat. Less heat equals longer life for the electrified hardware.
Noise: Another advantage motors have over solenoids is in the lower amount of noise produced. This is particularly evident in electric latch retraction (ELR) exit devices.
ELR simply means that when power is supplied to the solenoid or motor, the exit device latch is retracted. When power is cut, the latch returns to the locked position. This makes the exit device fail-secure, which means that when there’s no power, the latch is extended and the door is secure. This is important when an exit device is used on a fire door, because there always has to be a positive latch point. Fail-secure hardware also keeps a building’s perimeter doors secure when there’s a loss of power.
In a solenoid-driven ELR exit device, a large solenoid is required to pull back the latch or vertical rods. This large solenoid produces a loud “kerchunk” sound every time the solenoid is energized and can be distracting. However, because motorized latch retraction (MLR) is slightly slower in retracting the latch, it’s much quieter. Quiet ELR operation now is a requirement in many hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, museums and public venues.
Cost: One of biggest advantages for MLR is in the cost. Solenoid ELR requires a high-amperage matched power supply to provide a high inrush of current (between 12 amps and 16 amps) to pull in and seat the solenoid plunger. MLR generally requires around 1 amp for activation and little amperage to hold the motor in the open position. Any power supply that provides enough amperage will do the job. Because motors require less amperage to operate, the cost of the power supply is lower as well.
Another cost factor is the wire. To accommodate the high inrush of power on a solenoid-driven ELR device, 12-gauge to 14-gauge wire is required. Not only is this heavier gauge wire more expensive and more difficult to pull, but there also are far less power transfer options. Motorized ELR devices can use standard 18-gauge wire, which is lower cost, easier to work with and has multiple power transfer options.
Retrofitting: Most commercial buildings already have mechanical exit devices in operation. When access control is added, the exit device must be electrified. Installing a complete electrified exit device can be an expensive and time-consuming proposition. Rather than replace a perfectly good exit device, a motorized ELR retrofit kit can be field-installed and is a more cost-effective way to accomplish latch retraction.
Motorized ELR retrofit kits fit inside the empty space at the back of the exit device and can be installed in less than an hour. Adjustments are simple and provide a clean installation. Retrofit kits are manufactured by most exit device brands, including Precision Hardware, SARGENT and Von Duprin, and there are many offerings from aftermarket modification suppliers, such as ASCI, Command Access and Security Door Controls. They’re widely available for most commercial exit devices and often have improved lead times over ordering complete electrified devices.
EAC now is a critical part of a locksmith’s business. It can allow locksmiths to provide better security and accountability for customers. Understanding the best choices for EAC hardware will equip locksmiths with the added expertise to supply customers with the correct access control solution for them.
Beau Edelen is vice president, locking solutions for Wesco International.
Beau Edelen
Beau Edelen is vice president of locking solutions at Wesco International.
