Back to Product List
SHARE PRINT

SCHLAGE 101

Power Supplies

 

Power supplies play a critical role in your access control system, they protect devices downstream by providing filtered and regulated power.

 

Looking for more information? Connect with an Allegion team member for help.

Overview

The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. There are different types of power supplies and many can be configured in a variety of ways. It is important to understand the basics of electricity as well as the operational requirements of the opening before getting started.



Electricity works within a circuit; and every circuit has four basic elements

  • Load - In architectural hardware, the load is the product that uses power to do something useful, like securing a door. Examples include electrified locks, electric strikes, and electric latch retraction exit devices
  • Power Source - Power sources supply the necessary operating voltage and they must be able to handle the current flow the electrified hardware requires
  • Conductor - Commonly a wire or cable that carries the flow of electricity in a circuit
  • Switch - A switch opens and closes to control the flow of current
To learn more, please watch the Intro to Door Hardware: Electricity Basics video  
  • Power supplies convert high voltage AC power into the low voltage DC outputs required by most access control devices
  • Begin by checking the input voltage to ensure that it is compatible with your buildings source AC power
  • Many power supplies feature a universal 120-240 VAC input
  • All devices fed from a power supply must accept the same output voltage – typically 12 VDC or 24 VDC
  • To calculate the total load, add the peak current draw of all devices in the system to determine the required amperage of the supply
  • In general, the total peak load of the devices should be no more than 80% - 90% of the power supply amperage
To learn more, please review the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply.
  • For electrified and electronic access control applications, a linear or switching power supply is typically used
  • It must be designed to handle the load and in-rush requirements of the opening
  • The power supply should be regulated to provide consistent output that is clean and filtered
  • Certain devices, including Von Duprin EL and Falcon EL exits, pull a significant current to retract or unlock the device and then drop to a lower holding current; these devices require a power supply that is specifically designed for high in-rush applications

To learn more, please review the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply.

  • Input voltage range: 120/240 VAC, 50/60 HZ, universal input
  • Output voltage: 12 or 24 VDC; field configurable with jumper
  • Enclosure: # of cutouts for running wires, keyed locking option
  • DC output protection: Overload protection - current limited foldback circuit
  • LED status indicators: AC input (visible on outside of closure), DC output
  • Fire alarm board: optional; configure as switched (power cut) or unswitched (power continues) when signal is provided
  • Battery back-up board or kit: optional; enables up to four hours of backup power at the same output voltage as the power supply
  • Option boards: optional; enables a wide range of applications with logic and sequencing based on the operational description of the opening

Features and options will vary by model; please see the available products section for specific details.

  • When it comes to the wires in electrified hardware circuit, there are two important terms; gauge and wire run
  • The wire run is the distance from the product to the power source
  • Wiring has some resistance in it, the longer the wire run the more resistance there will be
  • Resistance turns current into heat, as current turns to heat less is available to do other work
  • This phenomenon is called voltage drop
  • If your power source is very far away from your electrified locking product, you will need a larger gauge wire to make the system work properly

To learn more, please review the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply.

Codes and Standards for the power supply:

  • NFPA 70® - National Electrical Code®
  • NFPA 72® - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®

Model Codes must be followed for the application:

  • NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
  • IBC - International Building Code
  • IFC - International Fire Code

We recommend that you check with your Allegion Code Expert (ACE) to confirm specifics regarding power supplies; a low voltage license may be required

 

For more information on building codes, please visit iDigHardware.com.  

Power supplies are used in a variety of applications; they provide power to openings with the following devices:

  • Access control readers
  • Automatic operators
  • Electrified exit devices
  • Electrified locks
  • Electrified strikes
  • Electrified trim
  • Electromagnetic Locks
  • Electronic locks and accessories that are hardwired

Things to consider when choosing the right power supply configuration for the application:

  1. Determine the number of devices that will be connected to the power supply and the type of device
    • Devices can include: electric strikes, electromagnetic locks, electrified mechanical locks, exit devices, automatic operators or accessories such as pushbuttons
    • Each type of device has specific current demands. For example, high in-rush exit devices pull a significant current to retract or unlock the device and then drop to a lower holding current
    • All devices fed from a power supply must accept the same output voltage - typically 12 VDC or 24 VDC
    • If a device has an in-rush current you also need to determine how long the in-rush current lasts
  2. Calculate the peak current draw of all devices in the system to determine the required amperage of the supply; refer to the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply for specific details
    • PS902 - up to 2 amps
    • PS904 - up to 4 amps
    • PS906 - up to 6 amps
    • PS914 - up to 4 amps high in-rush
  3. Provide a complete operational description of the opening
    • Identify if the opening is fire rated or has special requirements such as re-entry upon fire alarm; if so a fire alarm board is required
    • Determine is it requires hardware for fail-safe, fail-secure or both conditions upon loss of power or fire alarm
    • How many doors?
    • Is logic or sequencing required?
    • Always consult your local AHJ for requirements of the opening if it is unclear
  4. Choose the option boards; refer to the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply to learn how to accomodate the boards
    • 900-FA: Emergency interface relay integrates with fire alarm and is used to cut power in case of emergency
    • 900-4R: 4 independently controlled relays to power multiple devices
    • 900-2RS: 2 relay EL panic device control board providing time delay between the firing of the outputs
    • 900-4RL: 4 relay board with integrated logic for controlling security interlocks, auto operators and time delays
    • 900-8F: 8 individually fuse protected outputs, giving the flexibility to power multiple devices and provide another layer of protection
    • 900-8P: 8 positive thermal coefficient (PTC) protected outputs
  5. Determine if access control is still required in the event of a power outage; refer to the Guide to Selecting a Power Supply to learn more
    • 900-BBK: Battery backup kit (includes battery backup board and two 7A/hr. batteries) and provides up to four hours of backup power when cycled every 5 minutes at full load
  6. Visit our Power Supplies page to review available options

Please contact us if you need additional information or assistance. 

 

Don't see what your are looking for? Please contact us if you need additional information or assistance

You can contact Allegion Customer Service (Sales Support) or Technical Support (Product Support) by phone or by email.

To contact by phone: call 877.671.7011

PRESS Option 1 for Customer Service then select your specific product category:

  • Mechanical Locks & Keying Systems by Schlage, Falcon or Dexter PRESS 1
  • Electronic Locks, System Components, Biometrics, Readers or Credentials PRESS 2

PRESS Option 2 for Technical Support then select your specific product category:

  • Mechanical Locks & Keying Systems by Schlage, Falcon or Dexter PRESS 1
  • Electronic Locking Products AD, CO, NDE, LE, Control, Express, Engage, Multi-Family Solutions, ISONAS Hardware or Pure Access Software PRESS 2
  • For AD, CO, PIM, Express, BE367/FE210 and all legacy related locks like CM and King Cobra, PRESS 1
  • For ENGAGE related products including NDE, LE, Control, CTE and Gateway, PRESS 2
  • For ISONAS Hardware and Pure Access Software, PRESS 3
  • Readers and Credentials, Biometrics or System Components such as Maglocks or key switches by Schlage or Locknetics PRESS 6

PRESS Option 3 to reach your local sales office, you will be directed based upon the area code from which you are calling.

 

To contact by email:  

Sales Support (Customer Service for all Product Categories and Regions) 

Technical Product Support:

allegion logo

ALL IN ONE. ALLEGION.

As part of Allegion’s family of pioneering brands, Schlage benefits from the strength, efficiencies, resources, and integration from a global power. In turn, we pass those advantages on to you.

Allegion helps keep people safe and secure where they live, work and visit. With more than 30 brands sold worldwide, we specialize in security around the doorway and beyond. It’s the power of one.

Get the latest on door hardware, credentials and electronic access control from Schlage.