The single most important question when buying an electric strike is what happens when the power goes out. Get it wrong and you either lock people in during an emergency or leave your business unlocked during every outage.
Fail-secure (also called fail-locked) means the strike stays locked when power is removed; applying power releases it. This is the right choice for the vast majority of doors, such as exterior entries, offices, and storerooms, because a power failure should not unlock your building. Egress is unaffected: people inside can always leave by turning the lever or pushing the exit device, because the strike only controls entry from the outside.
Fail-safe (fail-unlocked) means the strike requires constant power to stay locked; cut the power and it releases. Fail-safe hardware is used where code or safety demands that the controlled side unlock during an emergency, typically stairwell re-entry doors in high-rises and certain doors tied into a fire alarm. Because it draws power continuously, plan for a properly sized power supply.
Two related cautions. First, fire-rated openings: a fire door must stay positively latched in a fire, which usually rules out fail-safe strikes on those doors entirely; on fire doors, fail-safe electrified function is provided by the lock or trim instead. Second, never confuse fail-safe with free egress. Egress should be mechanical and instant on virtually every door, regardless of which strike you pick. When in doubt, your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the final word, or send us the door details and we'll help you spec it.
Browse our electric strikes, or email sales@edlocks.com for help choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fail-secure strike trap people inside during a power outage?
No. The strike only controls entry from the secured side. People exit normally by operating the lever or panic bar, which retracts the latch mechanically.
Which is more common, fail safe or fail secure?
Fail-secure is the default for most commercial doors. Fail-safe is reserved for specific code-driven situations such as stairwell re-entry and some fire-alarm-tied doors.
Can I use an electric strike on a fire-rated door?
Only a fire-rated, fail-secure electric strike may be used on a fire door, because the door must remain positively latched during a fire. Verify the strike's UL fire listing matches the door rating.
AC or DC power, does it matter?
Yes. Fail-safe strikes require DC (continuous power). Fail-secure strikes can use AC or DC depending on the model; DC with a filtered power supply is quieter and is required for use with most access control panels.
Can I add an electric strike without changing my existing lock?
Usually yes, and that is the main advantage of strikes. You keep your mechanical lockset or exit device and replace only the strike in the frame, matched to your lock type and frame material.