What Is an Electric Strike and How Does It Work?
A locked exterior door can still need to open instantly for an authorized employee, resident, delivery team, or visitor. That is where an electric strike comes in. If you are asking, what is an electric strike, it is an electrified replacement for the strike plate in the door frame that releases the latch when it receives a signal from an access-control device.
Unlike a traditional mechanical strike plate, an electric strike has a movable keeper. When power is applied or removed, depending on its function, the keeper pivots or retracts so the latch can pass through. The door can then be opened without turning a key or operating the inside lever from the exterior.
Electric strikes are commonly paired with keypads, card readers, intercoms, wireless access systems, request-to-exit devices, and remote release buttons. They are a practical choice when you want controlled entry while keeping familiar mechanical lock hardware on the door.
How an Electric Strike Works
An electric strike is installed in the frame, not in the door. The lockset, deadlatch, or exit device latch remains on the door itself. In normal operation, the latch engages the strike keeper and holds the door closed just as it would with a standard strike plate.
When an authorized credential is presented, an access-control panel sends electrical power to the strike. The strike releases its keeper, allowing the latch to move past it as someone pulls or pushes the door open. Once the door closes again, the latch re-engages with the keeper and the opening returns to its secured state.
This setup matters because an electric strike does not usually retract the latch. It releases the frame-side component holding that latch in place. That distinction makes it especially useful for retrofits, since the existing lever lock, mortise lock, or exit device may remain in service if it is compatible with the strike.
Most models are low-voltage devices, often using 12VDC or 24VDC. The exact voltage, current draw, duty rating, and wiring requirements must match the access-control system. Selecting the right electrical specification is just as important as matching the physical door prep.
Electric Strike vs. Magnetic Lock
Electric strikes and magnetic locks both support electronic access control, but they secure a door in very different ways. An electric strike works with a mechanical latch. A magnetic lock uses an energized electromagnet mounted at the frame and an armature plate mounted to the door.
Because an electric strike works with a latch, it can preserve a traditional door appearance and may allow continued key access from the outside. It also keeps the door positively latched when closed, which can be beneficial at openings exposed to wind, pressure changes, or frequent use.
A magnetic lock does not require a latch to hold the door closed, but it generally requires continuous power to stay locked. It can be a useful solution where modifying the frame for a strike is impractical. However, maglocks often involve more specific life-safety, egress, and code considerations. The correct choice depends on the opening, occupancy type, local code requirements, and how users need to exit the space.
Fail-Secure and Fail-Safe Electric Strikes
The first functional choice is whether the strike should be fail-secure or fail-safe. The terms describe what happens when power is lost.
Fail-secure strikes
A fail-secure electric strike remains locked when power is removed. Power is required to release it. This is a common choice for exterior doors and controlled openings where security must remain in place during a power outage.
A person inside the building can typically still exit using the door's mechanical lever, panic hardware, or other approved egress hardware. Exterior access remains restricted until power is restored or someone uses a key, if the lock function permits keyed entry.
Fail-safe strikes
A fail-safe electric strike unlocks when power is removed. It requires power to remain locked. This function may be used where the opening needs to release during a power failure, but it is not appropriate for every location.
The right function is not simply a preference between security and convenience. It depends on the door's role, the building's egress plan, fire alarm interface, applicable codes, and the authority having jurisdiction. For commercial openings, confirm the intended use before ordering hardware.
What Hardware Works With an Electric Strike?
Electric strikes are not one-size-fits-all. The latch shape, lock function, frame type, and door preparation all affect compatibility. A strike designed for a cylindrical lock may not work with a mortise lock, an interconnected lockset, or a rim exit device.
For a standard cylindrical or tubular lock, the key measurements include latch projection, latchbolt size, backset relationship, and whether the lock has a deadlatch plunger. The deadlatch is the small auxiliary plunger beside the main latchbolt that helps resist latch shimming. Many electric strikes are designed to accommodate it, but the lock and strike must be specified as a compatible pair.
Mortise locks require even closer attention. Their latch and deadbolt geometry can vary by manufacturer and function. If the mortise lock includes a separate deadbolt, understand that an electric strike releases the latch, not the deadbolt. The deadbolt must be retracted before the door can open.
For exit devices, confirm whether the device uses a rim latch, mortise latch, or another configuration. A strike for a rim panic device has a different profile than one for a cylindrical latch. On fire-rated doors, every component must be suitable for the rated opening and installed according to the applicable listing and code requirements.
Door Frame and Prep Considerations
The frame is often the deciding factor in an electric strike project. Hollow metal frames are common in commercial applications and can be well suited to electric strike installation, but they may require cutting, reinforcement, and wiring access. Aluminum storefront frames have narrower profiles, so they often need narrow-style strikes designed for that application.
Wood frames can also accept an electric strike, although proper cutting and reinforcement are essential. The strike must sit securely, align with the latch, and leave enough material to maintain the frame's integrity. Retrofit work can uncover hidden complications such as existing reinforcements, plaster, trim, or limited pathways for low-voltage wire.
Before selecting a model, verify the frame material, available depth and width, existing strike cutout, centerline of the latch, and the door's handing. Some strikes are field selectable for handing, while others are handed or require a specific keeper configuration.
Door alignment deserves equal attention. A sagging door, binding latch, or excessive gap between the door and frame can cause a strike to release inconsistently. The access-control equipment may be working perfectly while the mechanical alignment prevents the door from opening. Correct the door and hardware condition before treating the strike as the problem.
Features That Can Make a Difference
Beyond basic release function, electric strikes may offer monitoring and adjustment features that improve reliability. Latch-monitoring options can report whether the latch is engaged. Strike-status monitoring can report the position of the keeper. These signals can help an access-control system identify a door that is not properly secured.
Some models are designed for continuous duty, while others are rated for intermittent operation. A continuously energized fail-safe application needs a strike with the appropriate duty rating. Using the wrong type can lead to overheating, shortened service life, or unreliable release.
Field-selectable voltage can simplify inventory and installation, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the power supply. Also consider holding force, keeper depth, static and dynamic loading, and whether the opening experiences heavy traffic. A busy office entrance and a lightly used utility room should not automatically receive the same hardware specification.
Choosing the Right Electric Strike for Your Door
Start with the lock and frame, then work outward to the access-control system. Identify the existing lock type and manufacturer, the latch dimensions, whether there is a deadlatch or deadbolt, and the frame material. Next, determine whether the opening needs fail-secure or fail-safe operation and confirm the available voltage.
For commercial doors, review fire rating, panic hardware, ADA requirements, and local code expectations before choosing a product. For residential gates, multifamily common doors, or small office entries, the same principle applies: security hardware must still allow safe, intuitive egress.
An electric strike can be an efficient way to add controlled entry without replacing every piece of door hardware. The best result comes from treating it as an opening-system decision, not a standalone electronic part. When the lock, latch, frame prep, voltage, and egress requirements all line up, the finished opening feels simple to use because the specification work was done correctly.