Door strike

[dnbob]

I have a project that has a 24vdc door strike controlled by 2 locations. 1 is a standard push button and the other is a thumb print reader with dry contacts. Wiring and polarity all appear to be correct as well.
Every 4-6 uses, the strike will fail to open the door, and a little while later it starts working again.
We have replaced every component with no success. The wire tests free of shorts or ground faults.

It acts like a thermal that kicks out, and then automatically resets, but the voltage at the dc power supply maintains a steady 24.5 volts.

Any thoughts?

Bob

 

[sameguy]

What's the reading at the device and again under load?

 

[GrayHair]

If the lockset is a knoblock, the auxilary bolt (in red below) could be dropping into the strike when the door closes too hard. If it's a metal frame, check the silencers (on right below) in the frame. They may have been painted, they may be old and hard or they may be missing.


The door needs to close firmly but not slam (a function of the door closer and its adjustment). If the door is warped, the end user needs to fix/replace it. There will be times when the door will slam and there is nothing that can be done about it. I saw a hinged door replaced with a slider because of the few days a year when the wind was just right (or wrong) and the door slammed.

 

[dnbob]

What's the reading at the device and again under load?

At the power supply it is 24.5 volts. When the strike is activated, it goes down to 23.5 volts. When it is not working, the power supply stays at 24.5

The electric strike is new, on a new door. No binding or anything else was noticed.

Bob

 

[zbang]

Does this happen with just the thumb reader, just the PB, or both?

Also, is anything controlling the length of time the strike is energized? If this one is intermittent duty and is being energized for too long or to often, it can overheat.

 

[dnbob]

Does this happen with just the thumb reader, just the PB, or both?

Also, is anything controlling the length of time the strike is energized? If this one is intermittent duty and is being energized for too long or to often, it can overheat.

It happens with both. The thumb reader is set for just a few seconds and the push button is only pushed for a second or two also.

I will check to see if it is intermittent duty. That would make sense.

 

[GrayHair]

Give the door a push with your shoulder to see if you can recreate the problem "on demand". If this is a new building, the HVAC people probably haven't balanced their system. See if "Push before pull" works.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

At the power supply it is 24.5 volts. When the strike is activated, it goes down to 23.5 volts. When it is not working, the power supply stays at 24.5

The electric strike is new, on a new door. No binding or anything else was noticed.

Bob

If you are reading those voltages at the strike, they indicate that there is no current flow though the strike coil when it is not functioning.

 

[gar]

180914-2410 EDT

I believe dnbob is saying that at his 24 V source the voltage is 24.5 V with no load. When the striker works the source voltage drops to 23.5 V during activation. Obviously meaning load current is flowing.

But when the striker should operate and does not, then the source voltage remains at 24.5 V meaning that no current flows.

The obvious thing to do is measure the voltage at the striker. Voltage should only appear here when the striker is to operate. If the 24.5 V appears and the striker does not operate, then there is a striker problem. If no voltage appears, then obviously the problem is in the wiring or the devices containing the switching contacts. Note, the controlling contacts are normally open and in parallel (a logic OR circuit). Not likely the contacts.

.

 

[hbiss]

If you remove the strike and hold it in your hand does it still exhibit the same problem?

If not there is a mechanical problem with the door somewhere.

If it does check for voltage at the strike.

I assume that you are using a DC strike of the correct voltage.

-Hal

 

[Asc292]

whats the make and model of the strike?
Make and model of the power supply?
Did you try taking the strike apart to see if a coil is burnt or something mechanical?
Could it be a dual voltage strike and your using the 12v harness with 24v power supply?
Just a shot in the dark, but do you have enough current from your power supply? sounds like if it's only dipping down to 23.5V you probably have enough but when its not working try firing it off a couple SLA batteries and see if it releases, if it does I would suspect current