All content copyright Tom Rubenoff 2010-2021
See also Exit Device Basics Here are a few questions you need to be able to answer before you order exit devices: Is the door made of wood, hollow steel, Fiberglas, aluminum and glass, or all glass? Is the door is fire rated or non-fire rated? Door width if single door or pair of doors … Continue reading “Exit Device Checklist”
Von Duprin and Schlage Electronics are divisions of Ingersoll Rand. Both are major manufacturers of power supplies for use with electric locking systems and access control. As of January 1st, 2011, Ingersoll Rand discontinued two of their power supply product lines, the PS800 series Von Duprin and the Schlage Electronics 500 series, and merged them … Continue reading “PS900 Series Schlage Electronics and Von Duprin Power Supplies Demystified”
Often, when customers say they want a “passage set” they really want a cylindrical lock that actually locks. This is because they don’t know (and often don’t want to know) cylindrical lock functions. Therefore, the next question I ask is often, “How do you want this ‘passage set’ to work?” Of course, “passage set” is … Continue reading “The “Passage Set””
A number of different kinds of switches are available to help you keep track of whether or not your door is shut and / or locked. Here are some of them: Door Status Monitor Switch A door status monitor switch changes states when the door is opened or closed. Typically this is accomplished by using … Continue reading “Understanding Door Security Monitor Switches”
A couple of new innovative products have recently caught my attention. Here they are: Security Door Controls (SDC) Model LR100VDK: Field Installed Electric Latch Retraction Retrofit Kit for Von Duprin Exit Devices This product is available now. http://www.sdcsecurity.com/whatsnew2.aspx#lr100 The mere 450mA inrush powering Security Door Controls’ new … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Door Hardware”
A Few Strange Hinges Aluminum Door Latch Electric Strike Retrofit Avoiding Tailpiece Loss Syndrome Cam Action Door Closers Compact Electric Strikes Choosing a Power Supply for Electric Locking Devices Deadbolts and Auxiliary Deadlocks Door Hardware Triage Door Problems Door Propped Alarm Door Sag Door Silencer, The Easy Hinge Replacement Electric Hinge vs. EPT (and oh … Continue reading “Alphabetical Index”
Finding the Current Drop As electric locking systems become increasingly complicated, troubleshooting these systems has also become more complex. Yet certain basic principles always apply. Case in point, a customer had access control on a stairwell door using a fire rated mortise exit device with an electrified mortise lock. The solenoid in the … Continue reading “Low Voltage Detective Work”
AKA coring the door or drilling a raceway. Like Moses leading the Hebrews across the Red Sea, you must work a miracle to bring electricity from the hinge side of the door to the lock side. Luckily it is a miracle on a much smaller scale. Moses had to deal with millions of gallons of … Continue reading “Wiring Through a Door”
Introduction The terms “crash bar”, “panic hardware” and “exit device” all mean the same thing. Exit devices are used on doors in the path of egress in buildings built to accomodate numbers of people. Facilities like schools, hospitals, goverment buildings and large residential buildings all use them. Fire rated exit devices are used on fire rated doors. Most interior … Continue reading “Exit Device, Panic Hardware and Crash Bar Basics”
A huge variety of door hinges are available in today’s commercial hardware market. Which hinge is right for your application? This article discusses hinge types, hinge characteristics, and basic guidelines on how to choose a hinge for your application. Parts of a Hinge At right is an illustration that details the components of a full … Continue reading “Hinge Basics ‐ Architectural and Residential Hinges”