Quick Answer

Installing an electric strike correctly comes down to four decisions made in the right order: mode first, voltage second, frame prep third, wiring fourth. Here is the short version:

• Choose fail-safe or fail-secure before ordering. Fire-rated assemblies require fail-secure. This determines your power supply type and fire compliance path.
• Verify voltage before connecting anything. Use a multimeter at the power supply output. Exceeding rated voltage by 10 percent damages the solenoid permanently.
• Fire-rated frames require factory cutouts. Field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the fire label. Specify the electric strike prep when you order the frame, not after it arrives.
• Install the back EMF suppression diode. It protects the access control panel from voltage spikes every time the solenoid de-energizes.

Security Parts carries the full Von Duprin electric strike catalog for the 5100 Series, 6100 Series, and 6300 Series with same-day shipping on stocked components. Call 845-935-0301 for pre-installation compatibility support. For a broader reference on commercial door hardware selection, see the commercial security hardware guide.

Before You Touch the Frame: The Two Decisions That Come First

Most electric strike installation problems trace back to a decision made too late in the process. Frame cutouts, power supply specifications, and fire compliance paths all depend on two choices that need to happen before the frame is ordered and before a multimeter is picked up.

Decision 1: Fail-Safe or Fail-Secure?

Von Duprin 5100 Series electric strikes. Browse 5100 Series models.

Fail-secure means the strike stays locked when power is cut. Fail-safe means it releases. This is the most consequential decision in the installation because it determines the power supply type, the fire rating eligibility, and the NEC compliance path.

Use fail-secure when:

• The door is on a fire-rated assembly. Fire doors must positively latch during a power outage. Fail-safe operation on a fire door fails this requirement.
• The door is a secured perimeter entry that must remain locked if the access control system loses power.
• The local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has not specifically approved fail-safe for the application.

Use fail-safe when:

• The door is on a non-fire-rated egress path where free egress during a power outage is required by code.
• The application is a stairwell or emergency egress corridor that must remain accessible if the system fails.
• The access control specification explicitly calls for fail-safe and the AHJ has approved it.

Most Von Duprin 5100 and 6100 Series electric strikes ship from the factory in fail-secure mode. Field reversal to fail-safe is available on select models. For a detailed comparison of how fail-safe and fail-secure interact with fire door hardware, see the electric strikes complete guide and the commercial door fire rating guide.

Decision 2: What Voltage Does the Strike Require?

Most commercial electric strikes operate on 12VDC, 24VDC, or both. Some models accept AC voltage with an external rectifier. Confirm the voltage requirement of the specific strike model before specifying the power supply. The power supply must be sized for both the inrush current (higher, momentary) and the holding current (lower, continuous) of the strike, not just the holding current shown in most marketing specs.

Voltage mismatch is the single most common cause of solenoid failure in the field. Do not rely on a power supply's label alone. Verify actual output voltage with a multimeter before connecting the strike.

Frame Preparation: Requirements by Door and Frame Type

An electric strike requires a larger frame cutout than a standard strike plate. The cutout dimensions vary by strike model and faceplate selection. The frame must also include a wire access point for routing low-voltage wiring from the back of the frame cavity to the strike location.

Hollow Metal Frames

Hollow metal frames are the most common installation type for commercial electric strikes. The standard process:

1. Mark the strike centerline based on the latchbolt height when the door is closed.
2. Use the cutout template included with the strike to mark the frame cutout dimensions.
3. Cut the frame using an appropriate metal cutting tool. Verify the cut is clean and burr-free before mounting.
4. If the frame does not have factory-installed mounting tabs, install the no-weld mounting tab kit before inserting the strike body.
5. Confirm a wire access point exists in the frame. If not, add a wire access hole in the back of the frame channel before the strike is inserted.

Fire-Rated Frames: Factory Prep Is Mandatory

This is the most frequently violated rule in electric strike installation. The electric strike cutout in a fire-rated frame must be factory-prepared as part of the original frame fabrication order. Field-cutting a fire-rated frame voids the UL fire label on the frame, which voids the fire rating of the entire door assembly.

The factory prep requirement means the electric strike model must be selected and specified before the frame is ordered. At minimum, specify:

• The strike model and faceplate option (which determines the cutout dimensions)
• The wire access point location
• The conduit knockout or channel pathway for routing low-voltage wiring

For compliance requirements on fire door assembly hardware, see the commercial door fire rating guide, the NFPA 80 inspection guide, and the ANSI/BHMA door hardware standards guide.

Wood Door Frames

Electric strikes in wood door frames use wood screws instead of mounting tabs. The frame cutout follows the same template as hollow metal, but wood frames do not require a factory prep for fire-rated applications because rated wood frames use different construction and listing requirements. Confirm fire rating status of the specific wood frame before proceeding without factory prep.

Aluminum Storefront Frames

Aluminum storefront frames require a no-weld mounting bracket kit. Standard hollow metal mounting tabs cannot be welded to aluminum. The no-weld bracket system uses adhesive shims and mechanical fasteners to secure the strike in the aluminum frame cutout. Confirm the strike model is compatible with aluminum frame installation before ordering.

Wiring the Electric Strike: Voltage, Wire Gauge, and Power Connection

Von Duprin 050034 solenoid kit for 5100 Series. View product page.

Step 1: Verify Voltage at the Source Before Connecting

Before connecting any wiring to the electric strike, use a multimeter to measure actual output voltage at the power supply terminals. Power supplies and low-voltage transformers frequently operate above their stated rating. Any input voltage exceeding the strike's rated voltage by more than 10 percent permanently damages the solenoid coil. This damage is not covered under warranty and is not visible until the solenoid fails under load.

Step 2: Select the Correct Pigtail Connector for the Voltage

Von Duprin 5100 and 6100 Series strikes ship with two pigtail connectors: one marked "12 VDC" and one marked "24 VDC." Connect the pigtail that matches your power supply output, not the strike's rated voltage range.

• For 12VAC, 12VDC, or 16VAC: use the pigtail marked 12 VDC
• For 24VAC or 24VDC: use the pigtail marked 24 VDC

Using the wrong pigtail with the correct voltage causes the solenoid to operate outside its optimized current range. Over time, this shortens solenoid life even if the strike appears to function normally.

Step 3: Wire Gauge Requirements by Run Length

Wire gauge requirements vary by run length from the power supply to the strike location. Undersized wire causes voltage drop that reduces the strike's holding force and can cause intermittent release failures.

All electric strike wiring installation must comply with NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code). Maintain required separation between low-voltage access control wiring and high-voltage electrical circuits. Terminate all connections inside the frame cavity or junction box, not in the wall cavity where connections cannot be accessed later.

Step 4: AC Power and the Rectifier Requirement

An electric strike connected to an AC power supply without a rectifier will buzz continuously. AC alternates direction at 60Hz, causing the solenoid to cycle at that frequency. The buzzing is not just a nuisance: it accelerates solenoid wear and is audible to occupants.

Install an AC rectifier between the AC transformer and the strike whenever the power source is AC. The rectifier converts AC to DC at the strike, eliminating the buzzing. For wiring diagrams covering the AC rectifier connection and latchbolt monitor wiring, see the electric strike schematic diagram guide.

Step 5: Install the Back EMF Suppression Diode

When the electric strike solenoid de-energizes (when power is cut to release or lock the strike), it generates a voltage spike called back EMF. This spike travels back through the wiring to the access control panel's output relay and degrades the relay contacts over time, eventually causing intermittent failures in the access control system.

Install a back EMF suppression diode across the strike terminals, observing polarity (cathode toward the positive terminal on DC-powered models). For AC-powered strikes, use a metal oxide varistor (MOV) instead of a diode. MOVs are not polarity sensitive. Some Von Duprin strike models include the suppression component. If not included, it is available as an accessory in the parts catalog.

For a full reference on access control wiring and signal protection, see the access control integration guide.

Installing the Strike in the Frame

Von Duprin PKGMTG1004 mounting package for 5100 Series. View product page.

Select the Correct Faceplate First

The faceplate is not a cosmetic choice. It determines which lock type the strike is compatible with (cylindrical, mortise, or exit device) and which frame cutout template applies. Selecting the wrong faceplate produces a strike that physically fits the frame but does not properly engage the latch, which causes release failures and return damage.

Von Duprin 5100 and 6100 Series faceplate options cover:

• Standard cylindrical latchbolts
• Mortise latchbolts with and without deadlatches
• Exit device latches (narrow and wide configurations)
• Hookbolt configurations for non-latchbolt applications

Select the faceplate based on the latch type and backset of the lock installed on the door. For parts reference by strike model, see the electric strike parts guide.

Route Wiring Before Inserting the Strike

Route all wiring through the frame channel and leave a sufficient service loop at the strike location before the strike body goes into the frame. Once the strike is mounted, access to the wiring connection point is limited. Pinched wiring between the strike body and the frame is a common installation defect that causes intermittent failures weeks after installation.

Mount the Strike and Confirm Alignment

1. Insert the strike body into the frame cutout with all wiring routed clear of the strike housing.
2. Secure using the mounting tabs and provided screws. On hollow metal frames with factory-installed tabs, thread the screws into the tabs finger-tight first.
3. Close the door and verify the latchbolt enters the keeper cleanly without resistance. Resistance indicates a misaligned centerline.
4. Tighten the mounting screws fully once alignment is confirmed.

Post-Installation Alignment Adjustments

Horizontal Alignment

If the latchbolt binds or does not retract cleanly when the strike is energized, horizontal alignment is the first adjustment to make. Loosen the mounting screws slightly, shift the strike body horizontally behind the faceplate until latch engagement and release are smooth, then retighten. Most Von Duprin 5100 and 6100 Series strikes allow approximately 1/8-inch horizontal adjustment within the faceplate slot.

For excessive horizontal issues where the 1/8-inch adjustment is not sufficient, remove the shim filler bar from the keeper. This increases the keeper travel range to compensate for larger frame or door alignment problems.

Vertical Alignment (For Strikes With Internal Ramps)

The internal ramps in Von Duprin 6100 Series strikes must be aligned so the deadlatch passes between the two ramps without contacting either ramp. If the deadlatch contacts a ramp, the door will not latch properly when the strike is in the locked state.

1. Mark the centerline of the deadlatch on the strike faceplate with the door closed.
2. Remove the strike from the frame.
3. Loosen the internal ramp screws and slide the ramp assembly until the groove between the ramps aligns with the mark.
4. Retighten all screws, reinstall the strike, and verify alignment by closing the door.

Testing the Electric Strike After Installation

Von Duprin 6100 Series electric strikes. Browse 6100 Series models.

Every electric strike installation requires testing in both the powered and unpowered states before the door is commissioned. Do not skip the unpowered test, especially on fire-rated assemblies.

Powered State Test

• Apply power to the strike at the rated voltage.
• Send an unlock signal from the access control panel or apply power directly to the strike terminals.
• Confirm the keeper retracts and the latchbolt releases cleanly when the door is pulled.
• Confirm the keeper returns to the locked position after the door closes and the latch re-engages.

Unpowered State Test (Fail-Secure or Fail-Safe Verification)

• Fail-secure: Disconnect power to the strike. The door should remain locked. Confirm the latchbolt cannot retract manually when the strike is unpowered.
• Fail-safe: Disconnect power to the strike. The door should open freely. Confirm there is no resistance on the latchbolt retraction.

Fire-Rated Assembly Final Check

On fire-rated door assemblies, perform one final check in both power states: release the door from the open position and confirm it self-closes and positively latches every time. The door must latch without manual assistance in both the powered and unpowered states. If the door fails to latch in either state, the assembly is not compliant and must be adjusted before sign-off.

For ongoing maintenance requirements after installation, including NFPA 80 annual inspection procedures, see the commercial door hardware maintenance checklist.

Common Electric Strike Installation Problems and Fixes

Sourcing Von Duprin Electric Strike Parts at Security Parts

Security Parts stocks the complete Von Duprin electric strike catalog for the 5100, 6100, and 6300 Series, including replacement solenoids, faceplate options, mounting packages, and accessory kits. Browse the complete electric strikes catalog or by series:

• Von Duprin 5100 Series electric strike parts guide
• Von Duprin 6100 Series electric strike parts guide
• Von Duprin electric strike parts guide (all series)
• Electric strike parts explained: complete component guide
• Top electric strikes at Security Parts

For access control integration design including REX switch placement, door position switch wiring, and latchbolt monitor connections, see the access control integration guide. For the choice between an electric strike and an electrified mortise lock for a specific opening, see the electrified mortise lock vs electric strike guide.

Same-day shipping is available on stocked components. Pre-installation compatibility support is available at 845-935-0301. For a parallel guide on mechanical door hardware installation, see how to install a commercial door closer.

About the Author

This guide was written by the Security Parts team, a commercial door hardware specialist serving locksmiths, facilities managers, general contractors, and access control integrators since 2001. Security Parts stocks the complete Von Duprin electric strike catalog for the 5100, 6100, and 6300 Series with same-day shipping on stocked components and pre-installation support at 845-935-0301.