FREQUENTY ASKED APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Digital Entry Systems

Question: We have an existing DK-26 entry system with the keypad on the exterior of the door. Can we add a second keypad to the interior of the door?

Answer: Yes, you can add a second keypad to operate the same door. It can be any of the following keypads. DK-26PBK (narrow black - indoor/outdoor), DK-26PSS (narrow stainless steel - indoor/outdoor) or DK-16P (single gang - indoor).

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Question: I would like to mount a DK-11 outdoors. Does Securitron offer a weatherized version?

Answer: No, we do not offer a weatherized version of the DK-11, but we do offer the WCC single gang weather cover and the WBB weather back box for the DK-11. The WCC and WBB will offer protection for the DK-11 when used outdoors, however, it still should not be used where it would receive direct rainfall. A caution should be noted here. The temperature range of the DK-11 is only operable down to +32 degrees F. If you have temperatures that drop below that range then do not use the DK-11 outdoors. A second concern would be the actual security of the keypad. The DK-11 is meant for lower security applications. Certain attacks on the DK-11 could cause the portal to open. Overall the DK-26 is a better choice for outdoor applications.

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Question: I have read that your DK-26 can have 59 different user codes in the standard configuration, and 119 different codes in the expanded version. How many codes do I get with the Wiegand Output version?

Answer: Wiegand Output version has no built-in code capacity. The Wiegand Output version is meant to attach to the Wiegard card reader input of most card access control manufacturer's reader panels. Actual code capacity would be determined by the software/hardware configuration of the access control system.

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Question: The electrician on a new construction project has put a single gang electrical box at the location that we are supposed to mount the narrow DK-26 keypad. Is there any way that we can mount this keypad to this box without leaving an exposed opening along both sides of the keypad?

Answer: Yes, we offer the DK-CPSS cover plate for this very application. It is drilled to mount to single gang box and cover the opening while still providing a mounting plate for the DK-26 keypad. The DK-CPSS is available on in the stainless steel finish and is approximately 3" X 8" in size.

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Question: I have an existing electric strike and transformer. Will that be enough to power the strike and keypad?
Answer: No, usually you will need to provide separate power for the keypad system. If the strike has a large enough in-rush current to max out the transformer, the keypad system will crash. An inexpensive plug-in D/C power supply would suffice, such as Securitron part # PSP-12 or PSP-24.

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Question: I have a door that has a closer and other apparatus at the top of the door. As a result there is not enough room to mount the Magnalock . Can I mount the lock on the jam rather than the header.

Answer: Yes, mounting the lock on the jam will not change the functionality of the Magnalock .

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Question: I have an in-swing door. I don't want to mount the Magnalock on the unprotected side of the door. What do I need to mount it on the inside (in-swing side) of the door?

Answer: We offer a series of "Z" brackets for this requirement. Typically you can face mount (use the "F" suffix lock, for example: M62F) the Magnalock above the door on the header. On the door mount the "Z" bracket (such as the Z-62CL) and then mount the strike plate to the "Z" bracket.

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Question: Are your Magnalocks available in any other finish?

Answer: No, the only finish on our Magnalocks is the standard satin stainless steel finish. However, we do offer a series of dress covers that meet most requirements. The dress cover will cover the entire assembly providing the desired finished appearance and as an added bonus it provides additional tamper resistance to the lock. Available finishes include BK-Black Anodized (example: DC-62BK), BP-Brass Polished (example: DC-62BP), CL-Clear Anodized (example: DC-62CL) and SP-Stainless Polished (example: DC-62SP.)

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Question: I have a set of double doors. I want to lock both doors with the Magnalock product. Do I need two separate locks (one for each door)?

Answer: Possibly! Using two individual locks is certainly an option. Another option is to have two Magnalocks in a single housing such as the DM62. A third option with a double door (assuming that there is no center mullion) could be to use one magnet mounted in the middle of the jam with a split strike option. One split strike plate would mount to each door. An example would be the M62-SS which is a M62 Magnalock with a split strike. Be advised that you will have something less than half of the rated holding power of a given lock on each door leaf. For example the M62 has 1,200 lb. holding force, but with a split strike each door will have something slightly less than the expected 600 pound holding force due to the smaller strike surface area.

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Question: I have a high security application. It is important that for us to confirm that the lock is actually locked. Just knowing that the door is closed is not sufficient. Do you have anyway for us to confirm a locked condition on the Magnalocks ?
Answer: Yes, by adding the Senstat (SC) option (example M62SC) to the Magnalock you will get a lock with an output that confirms the lock is secure. This feature confirms that the door is closed and locked.

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Question: I am having difficulty figuring our which lock is best for my various applications. Is there a "rule of thumb" that I should use?

Answer: Every application will have different requirements, but in general the following guide should help.

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Maximum Security Switches

Motion Detector Exit Package

Power Sources

Question: I have used the Securitron power supplies on various access control projects. Do you offer anything for our CCTV installations?

Answer: Most CCTV installations require 24vac for camera power and Pan & Tilt power. For those requirements we offer the BACS-24-10. It supplies 10 amps of 24vac power. It includes a CCS-8A circuit board with eight individually switched outputs. Each of the eight outputs includes its own automatic circuit breaker. Additional outputs can be added with CCB-8A slave boards.

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Question: I have a requirement that states that I must automatically unlock all my doors upon the activation of the fire alarm system. I plan to use a common power supply for my locks, but which Securitron power supply must I use?

Answer: Any of the Securitron BPS series power supplies can be interfaced with a fire alarm system. The fire alarm system must provide a relay output for connection to switch the BPS power supply. The fire alarm relay must be able to carry the entire load of the power supply, i.e. if you have a BPS-24-10 then your fire alarm relay must be able to handle 10 amps at 24 vdc.

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Question: My customer is concerned that if the main electrical power is lost to the facility and the lock power supply goes to battery backup over the weekend it may create a condition where the locks unlock if main power is not returned before the batteries discharge. Is there anyway to set off an alarm should main power fail?

Answer: Yes, we manufacture the PSM - Power Supply Monitor for that very purpose. Available in either 12 or 24 volt versions it will work with any of our BPS power supplies of 2 amp or greater capacity. It also does three checks of the battery pack each day to make sure the batteries are fully charged.

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Question: I am configuring my system. The various components when added together are going to draw approximately 830mA at 12 vdc. We need to have battery back up. Is the Securitron BPS-12-1 the correct power supply to use with this system?
Answer: No, we recommend that you allow 25% for a "Margin of Error" on any of our power supplies. This 25% allows for the current draw of the charging circuit as well as possible extra draw from long cable runs, etc. Therefore, 750mA is the largest load we would recommend for the BPS-12-1. The appropriate supply for your application is the BPS-12-3.

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Question: We have configured our system. We intend to use a Securitron BPS series power supply. We now need to figure out the size of our battery back up. What is the best method to calculate this requirement?

Answer: In order to calculate your battery requirement you need to know two things. First, what is my total load or current draw, and second how long (maximum length of time) do I need to maintain the load on battery. Add up all of the current draws of the items in your system. For example you might have a system with (2) M62 Magnalocks drawing 125mA each, (2) TSB-3 Touch Sense Bars drawing 25mA each, (2) DK-26 Digital Keypads drawing 190mA each, and (1) DT-7 seven day timer drawing 160mA all at 24vdc. Your total current draw will be 840mA. You would, therefore, need the BPS-24-2 power supply. If you need to back up this supply for four hours then you could use the chart below. The closest rating above 840mA is the 1A line. Go over to the 4 hour back up time and you will see that you would need 8 AH of batteries to maintain this system for four hours. If you use 12vdc batteries then you will need (2) 12v/8 AH batteries wired in series for this 24vdc supply.

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Question: Can I use a Touch Sense Bar on a Fire Door?

Answer: No, hardware requirements for a listed Fire Door would not allow the use of the Touch Sense Bar.

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Question: Is it possible to use a Touch Sense Bar as part of my Exit Delay System?

Answer: Yes, the Touch Sense Bar is an excellent choice for initiating an Exit Delay System on non-fire rated doors.

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Question: I know that Securitron offers the Touch Sense Bar in standard sizes of 36", 42" and 48" lengths. I am working with a door that is an odd size. Can I use one of the standard length bars or do I have to place a custom order?

Answer: As long as your door does not exceed 48" you can order the standard bar that is longer than you need and cut it down in the field to the exact dimension required for your installation.

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Question: We need a different color Touch Sense Bar, other than black or aluminum. Do you offer any other finish?

Answer: No, but you can easily and inexpensively have them powder coated to almost any finish required.

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Question: Do I have to use a Securitron power supply with the touch sense technology?

Answer: No, not necessarily. They do require a linear power source. They will not operate properly on a switching power source. There are several power supplies used in our industry that are switchers. (contact tech support at Securitron if you're not sure ) All of Securitron's power supplies are linear.

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UnLatch Series Door Strikes

Question: I would like to use the UnLatch and Mortise UnLatch on an upcoming project. What do I need to do to prepare the jam to accept these strikes?

Answer: Probably nothing! The advantage of the UnLatch series is that it replaces the standard ANSI 4-7/8" strike plate without any cutting or modification. If you already have the door prepared for a 4-7/8" strike plate you are ready to go. Just verify that there is sufficient space in the jam to accept the body of the lock. The UnLatch requires 3-3/8" Long, 1-3/8" Wide, 2" Deep while the Mortise UnLatch requires 3-3/8" Long, 1-7/8" Wide, 2" Deep.

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Question: I don't work with electric locks very often. How do I determine whether I need an UnLatch or a Mortise UnLatch?

Answer: The UnLatch works with a cylindrical type spring latch or dead latch. The Mortise UnLatch works with a mortise lock. You can use the following illustrations to identify you lock:

Typical Cylindrical Lock (Use the UnLatch with this type of lock)

Typical Mortise Lock (Use the Mortise UnLatch with this type of lock)

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Question: We are considering using the UnLatch lock for an upcoming project with an access control system. One of the doors is going to be unlocked during business hours. Is the UnLatch rated for continuous operation?

Answer: One of the great benefits of the UnLatch is its motor driven mechanism. Unlike solenoid operated strikes that can overheat when the lock is held unlocked for extended periods of time, the UnLatch merely repositions the plungers and then waits for the re-lock command. As a result there is no overheating, as there is no solenoid being held.

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Question: I need to know the minimum wiring requirement for the UnLatch.

Answer: There are six wires on the UnLatch. Two are there for power, one to trigger the lock and three to provide an output to show lock status. Therefore, the minimum number of wires required to operate the UnLatch is three. Two for power and one for the trigger.

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Question: How far can I mount my power supply from the UnLatch lock?

Answer: That depends up on two factors. First what is the operating voltage, 12vdc or 24vdc. Second is what is the gauge of wire. The following chart will show you the allowable distance based upon operating voltage and wire size.