ELECTRIC RELEASES

Electric releases are often used for "buzz in" type of systems. Electric strikes come in many varieties. They can be 12 or 24 or even higher voltage and they may take AC or DC current and some even take both. They may be fail safe or fail secure. A fail safe electric strike needs power to keep it locked. A fail secure electric strike stays locked even without power. The most common by far is a fail secure. When using a fail secure electric strike even without power it stays locked from the outside coming in. For egress or getting out, a door knob or lever on the lock allows for safe exit. If you must use a fail safe electric strike don't forget to back it up. When you need that buzzing sound you may have heard when being buzzed into an office that's the sound of AC current going through the electric strike. If you need this sound as a signal to push on the door when unlocking the strike then choose an AC electric strike and an AC power source or transformer. If you do not want or need this buzzing sound then choose a DC power source or transformer. The DC strike is almost completely silent when it releases except for a slight click sound. On average a DC electric strike will last longer than an AC electric strike. If you want to use a DC electric strike or magnetic lock but still want a signaling sound then install an electronic buzzer parallel between the power supply and the electric strike or magnetic lock to make a buzzing type of sound when the lock releases.