Electric Strikes
Professional Installation & Service in Greater Houston
Guardian Safe & Lock installs, troubleshoots, and services commercial electric strikes (also called electronic strikes or electric door strikes) across the Greater Houston area. This page focuses exclusively on electric strikes: how they work, selection criteria, power and wiring considerations, monitoring and diagnostics, code/door compatibility, and our installation & maintenance best practices.
If your business needs a reliable electric strike solution—whether a single door or a multi-site rollout—our team has the field experience and manufacturer knowledge to deliver secure, code-compliant results.
Call 832-534-8687, or text (including images) 832-493-5888 to discuss Houston electric strike installation with a locksmith professional today.
What An Electric Strike Is — A Brief Technical Definition
An electric strike replaces or works with a door’s strike plate so the latch can be released electronically. When energized (or de-energized, depending on model), the strike’s keeper moves to allow the latch to retract, enabling remote unlock from an access controller, a request-for-exit device, or a push button.
Because electric strikes interact with the mechanical latch, correct selection and installation are critical to ensure positive latching, fire-door compliance, and reliable long-term operation.
Fail-safe Vs. Fail-secure — The Most Important Decision
One of the first design choices is whether to use a fail-safe or fail-secure strike:
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Fail-secure (power-to-release): the strike remains locked when power is removed and requires power to unlock. Fail-secure strikes are typically used where security must be preserved during a power loss and where the door is not required to unlock automatically for egress for life-safety reasons.
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Fail-safe (power-to-lock): the strike remains unlocked if power is removed; power is needed to maintain a locked state. Fail-safe strikes are sometimes used where doors must unlock automatically on loss of power (e.g., certain secured interiors), but they are generally not acceptable on fire doors because they may prevent positive latching under fire-code conditions.
Because fire-door rules and building codes impose strict requirements, project designers and installers must choose strikes that meet NFPA/IBC requirements for the specific door—fail-secure is usually required for fire doors. See manufacturer and code guidance when specifying a strike.
Choosing Guardian Safe & Lock For Your Houston Electric Strike Installation
Guardian Safe & Lock combines practical field experience with documented procedures to deliver dependable electric-strike solutions for Houston commercial properties.
Our team pairs technical expertise in strike selection, wiring, monitoring, and verification with hands-on familiarity integrating these devices into the platforms you use — so each installation is specified correctly, executed to code, and delivered with clear operational documentation for building staff and facility managers.
With Guardian Safe & Lock, You Receive:
- Technicians trained and certified in electric-strike selection, installation, and diagnostics.
- Proven integrations with Brivo, PDK (ProDataKey), ZKTeco, Rosslare and RemoteLock platforms.
- Code-aware installations that account for NFPA/IBC requirements and local AHJ expectations.
- Manufacturer-guided wiring and power-supply practices to protect equipment life and reliability.
- Latch/keeper and monitoring verification to ensure positive latching and controller feedback.
- Scalable solutions from single-door retrofits to multi-site rollouts with consistent specification.
- Rapid local response across Greater Houston and prioritized scheduling for commercial clients.
After installation, we hand over labeled wiring diagrams, test logs, and a recommended maintenance plan — and remain available for follow-up support or warranty service.
Door, Frame & Lockset Compatibility — What We Check On Site
Electric strikes must match the mechanical door hardware and frame configuration.
Key Considerations Include:
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Door type: hollow metal, wood, aluminum storefront, glass with frame—each needs specific strike/faceplate options or adapter kits.
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Lockset type: cylindrical latch, mortise, rim exit devices (no deadbolt across the strike unless using dedicated models). Some strikes are specific to mortise or cylindrical latch dimensions and projection.
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Faceplate size and keeper adjustment: many strikes offer adjustable keepers and multiple faceplate profiles (ANSI, round-corner, narrow stile) for different frames.
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Fire rating: retrofit into fire-rated frames requires UL/labelled hardware and compliance with local code; the wrong strike or installation method can void a door’s fire rating.
On every site survey, we document door/frame/latch dimensions, inspect existing wiring, and recommend faceplate/adaptor options or alternate methods when the frame condition requires it.
Manufacturer installation guides and published cut sheets (and their field notes) are followed precisely to preserve door assembly integrity.
Voltage, Power Supplies & Selecting The Right Electrical Spec
Electric strikes commonly operate on 12 V or 24 V, and some “universal” models accept AC or DC or provide selectable inputs. Choosing the correct voltage and current capacity—and supplying UL-listed power where required—are fundamental to reliable operation.
Many commercial strikes offer selectable 12/24 V AC/DC operation, but installers must verify the specific requirements in the product datasheet and use a properly rated, UL-listed power supply sized to the strike’s inrush and hold current.
Improper voltage or undersized power sources cause inconsistent operation and reduce product life.
Wiring To Controllers & Controller Outputs
Electric strikes are typically driven by a controller relay, a door board output, or a dedicated strike power output. Different access control platforms provide different wiring expectations; for example, ProDataKey documents wiring diagrams for fail-safe and fail-secure strikes on their Red controllers, and Brivo’s controller manuals specify the correct door relay/lock output usage and warnings about powering strikes directly from non-listed outputs.
Always follow the controller manufacturer’s wiring diagram and use a dedicated, UL-listed power source when required. Our technicians are experienced wiring strikes to PDK, Brivo, Rosslare, ZKTeco and RemoteLock-compatible installations, ensuring the controller, power supply and strike are matched for safe, reliable operation.
Latch & Keeper Monitoring: Why It Matters
Modern commercial installations usually require latch monitoring to confirm that the door is positively secured (latched) after closing, and sometimes keeper monitoring to verify the strike’s mechanical state.
Many electric strikes either include a monitoring contact or support an optional switch to report “door latched” or “strike secured” back to the access controller or building management system.
Monitoring is essential for security logging, for alarm sequences, and for verifying that the strike and latch are working together (especially important on retrofits where the keeper alignment must be precise). We select strikes that support the required monitoring features for each application.
Maglocks Installed By Guardian Safe & Lock Include:
Common Troubleshooting Items We Resolve
If an electric strike fails in the field, common root causes we check first include:
- Incorrect voltage or polarity on DC strikes
- Insufficient power supply capacity
- Wiring damage or poor terminations
- Misaligned keeper/latch
- Incorrect fail mode selection
- Missing monitoring returns (open/closed circuits)
Our technicians carry diagnostic tools and spares to isolate and repair these issues efficiently.
Manufacturer Compatibility
Guardian Safe & Lock installs electric strikes compatible with—and wired to—controllers and systems from industry brands including ZKTeco, Rosslare, Brivo, ProDataKey (PDK), and RemoteLock.
Each vendor provides wiring and integration guidance for door locking hardware; our teams follow those guides when configuring outputs, configuring monitoring, and defining rules so the strike behaves as expected in daily use.
We source strike models from trusted electric-strike manufacturers and match them to your chosen control platform for a plug-and-play experience wherever feasible.
Maintenance & Life-Cycle Recommendations
To ensure long service life and reliable operation we recommend scheduled maintenance:
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Inspect and lubricate moving parts annually (per manufacturer recommendations).
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Verify latch/keeper alignment and adjust keeper where wear is present.
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Test monitoring inputs and log test results for high-security doors.
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Replace aged wiring and ensure power supplies remain within manufacturer tolerance.
Compliance & Code Responsibilities
We consult code references and manufacturer listings to ensure the installed solution meets local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) expectations. Allegiant industry guidance highlights that fail-safe strikes are generally not suitable for fire doors—plan accordingly.
What is an electric strike (sometimes called an electronic strike)?
What’s the difference between “fail-safe” and “fail-secure” strikes? Which should I choose?
Can electric strikes be used on fire-rated doors?
What voltage and power do electric strikes require?
Do I need a dedicated power supply for a strike, or can the controller power it?
Can you retrofit an electric strike into my existing frame and lock?
Our Electric Strike Service Areas
Guardian Safe & Lock provides professional electronic installation, replacement, troubleshooting, and maglock maintenance across Houston and the Greater Houston area; ideal for businesses seeking reliable commercial lock repair or access control system installation.
We serve Houston and surrounding communities, including (but not limited to) the surrounding suburbs:
Tomball • Bryan • College Station • Conroe • Cypress • Humble • Katy • Kingwood • Magnolia • Pasadena • Porter • Spring • Sugar Land • The Woodlands • & more!
If you are outside these areas, we may still be able to service you: Call 832-534-8687 to confirm availability.
Other Security & Locksmith Services We Offer
Looking for more security options? You can also call, text, or email us about other options, including:
- Commercial Locksmith Services (Including commercial lock installation, commercial key duplication, master key systems, panic bars, door closers, & restricted keyways)
- Intercom Systems (Audio & Video)
- Surveillance Cameras (Including Eagle Eye Networks, Alibi, and Hikvision systems)
- Emergency locksmith services
- Residential locksmith Services
- Automotive locksmith services (Including key programming)
- Safes & Gun Safes in Houston (including sales & services)
Electronic Strikes In Houston With Guardian Safe & Lock — Next Steps
Guardian Safe & Lock delivers practical, code-conscious electric strike installations that prioritize door safety, reliable security performance, and long-term serviceability.
We combine field experience with manufacturer-approved selection and installation methods—carefully specifying fail-safe vs. fail-secure devices, proper power and wiring practices, and latch/keeper monitoring—so your electric strike hardware operates consistently, aligns correctly with the door assembly, and remains fully documented for facility and security teams.
Every installation includes labeled wiring, commissioning tests, and a written record to support operations, maintenance, and AHJ compliance.
To discuss a project, schedule a site evaluation, or request a full written installation estimate, call on our commercial team at:
Call: 832-534-8687 (click to call on mobile)
Text: 832-493-5888 (Tap to text, including images)
Visit: 27920 Tomball Pkwy, Ste. 240, Tomball, TX 77375
Email: [email protected]
We’ll respond with clear next steps and a complete estimate tailored to your business and operational needs.