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Von Duprin QEL Kit Diversity

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QEL and HD-QEL modular conversion kits.

Von Duprin offers several versions of its QEL (Quiet Electric Latch retraction) conversion kits for its 33, 35, 98 and 99 series exit devices. The variations are:

Modular (no baseplate)
Modular, with connectors (Molex)
Modular with hex dogging
Modular with hex dogging and connectors
With baseplate, specify 3-ft. or 4-ft.
With 3- or 4-ft. baseplate and connectors
With 3- or 4-ft. baseplate and hex dogging
With 3- or 4-ft. baseplate, hex dogging and connectors

None of the modular kits come with baseplates. Kits with baseplates offer a small ease-of-installation advantage because replacing the whole baseplate is slightly faster than field installing the modular kit onto an existing baseplate. Modular kits can be installed in either 3- or 4-ft. devices, so if you want to have one kit on your truck, a modular kit would be the logical choice.

Which modular kit should you get? I would suggest the HD-QEL Modular Conversion Kit with Connectors. If you don’t want hex dogging, you can use a blank cover plate or plug the dogging hole in the existing cover plate. If you don’t want the connectors, you can cut them off. And since at the time of this writing there is no price difference between a modular kit with connectors and/or hex dogging, or without connectors and/or hex dogging, you might as well get the one with all the bells and whistles. As I indicated, you can always dial it back.

While Von Duprin recommends any of their PS900 series power supplies together with their 900-2RS relay board to run their QEL devices, many installers are using their own power supplies and this seems to be working just fine. QEL draws a 1-amp inrush. I recommend allowing 2 amps for each QEL on a power supply, and it is always good to isolate them on their own set of contacts in the power supply if possible, using a power distribution or relay board. If these contacts can be protected by a fuses or circuit breakers, so much the better. A regulated and filtered power supply is also a plus.

Unlike many power supplies, I am both unregulated and unfiltered … and I like it that way.

Your source for quality security products with superior service!

Overview: School Security Hardware

July 25, 2013 access control / builders hardware / door hardware / electric locking / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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Sargent 11-Line Cylindrical (bored) Lockset

Security in our elementary and secondary schools has become much more important. Schools across the country are implementing lockdown procedures in case of emergency. Lockdowns are achieved through the use of locks, and new lock functions have been developed for use in concert with existing lock functions to answer the need for increased security.

Classroom Security Locks

A regular, traditional classroom function lock is unlocked and locked from the outside by key and the inside lever is always unlocked, allowing free egress. The problem with this function from a lockdown point of view is that, in order to lock the door, the teacher must open the door to lock it, exposing themselves and potentially their students to danger as they do so.

All major lock companies are either developing a classroom security function or assigning that application to one of their existing functions. Basically, the principal is this: in the event of an emergency the teacher can lock the outside lever handle of the classroom door from inside the classroom, thereby securing the safety of the students without endangering themselves. The inside lever remains unlocked allowing free egress. When locked, entry from the outside is by key only.

Some companies have developed classroom security function locksets in which the outside lever can be locked or unlocked with either the inside key or the outside key. This allows the teacher to continue to use the lock as a traditional classroom lock unless an actual emergency develops.

Click here for a complete description of classroom security function in a mortise lock.

Electric Lock Down Systems

Some school districts have opted to lock down their perimeter doors with delayed egress systems. Delayed egress systems are a way of locking exterior entrance doors from both sides while allowing for emergency egress.

Quest for the 24-Inch Exit Device with Electric Latch Retraction

June 30, 2013 access control / builders hardware / door hardware / electric locking / hardware sales wars / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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I had a lot of fun recently trying to meet a customer’s requirement for a 4-foot by 7-foot pair of doors in a hospital that needed to be fire rated and automated. I found that Corbin and Yale (sister companies whose exit devices are almost identical) offer fire rated surface vertical rod exit devices with electric latch retraction that meet this need. The installer will be able to put some kind of little power operator on each 24-inch leaf of this four foot pair and cram two fire rated surface vertical rod devices onto these same narrow leaves. Doubtless it will look odd, but it will work.

Admittedly the whole idea is a bit dubious. True, by having both leaves opened simultaneously by power operators will provide amply more than the minimum 32-inch clearance demanded by the American Disabilities act, but if anyone manually opens either leaf it certainly will not.

Sargent and Von Duprin offer 24-inch fire rated exit devices, but neither offer them with electric latch retraction. It is unfortunately necessary to call these companies’ tech support lines in order to verify this information, since their price lists both show 24-inch possibilities without disclaiming the electric latch retraction option. Neither the Sargent nor the Von Duprin has a note to say the 24-inch device is not available with electric latch retraction that I could see; if that is in fact the case, the buyer is left to beware the exit device order that bounces back because it was ordered with options that are mutually incompatible.

It’s good advice anyway to always call the manufacturer’s tech support whenever there is a question. Waiting on hold is a lot better than storing thousand-dollar exit devices that didn’t work out on the job.

Note: A reader named Rick writes in with this about Sargent electric latch retraction: “Tom, I just stumbled across your site this evening, while doing a search for Fail Secure mag locks of all things (IR says there is one). But I saw your latest article on latch retraction units and had to clarify the Sargent restrictions. These can be found within the catalog pages, specifically the page showing the 56 option (toward the back). It says:

MinimumDoorWidths:

-Wide Stile Door 28″

– Narrow Stile Door 26″

Thank you, Rick, for this bit of info. I should add that it is always good to check all the literature at your disposal for any information you are looking for. Some manufacturers have more detail in their price list than in their catalog, and others vice versa. Thanks again.

Securitron’s new PowerJump ICPT™ Inductive Coupling Power Transfer

April 28, 2013 access control / door hardware / electric locking / security hardware

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Securitron’s new PowerJump ICPT™

The door hardware industry breathlessly awaits the debut of Securitron’s new PowerJump ICPT™ Inductive Coupling Power Transfer. The PowerJump is Securitron’s miraculous new device that may put a significant dent in the electric through-wire hinge market. I mean, why would you drill a half inch hole the width of a 36-inch door when you could install this little pair of black boxes on the lock side?

I downloaded the installation instructions from the Securitron web site to check out product attributes and characteristics. The first thing I noticed, having spent much of my career working with wooden doors, that the Securitron PowerJump ICPT is a bit friendlier to a hollow metal door or frame install than it is to a wood door or frame install. Because the body of the unit is almost the same size as the face, the installer must take great care to cut a very clean hole for the body so that the hole does not exceed the size of the face. This can be a little tricky when using a speed bore bit (or auger bit as mentioned in the instructions) to drill the two deep holes for the mortise pocket before cutting in the face.

One trick I have used to use when installing mortise locks was to cut in the face first and get that nice and clean before drilling the holes. I had good success with this because it gave me a very clear outline to stay within – much like coloring inside the lines with crayons in kindergarten. Installing the PowerJump is a lot like installing a really small mortise lock, actually. The face is the same width and a standard architectural grade mortise lock – 1-1/4 inches.

The PowerJump ICPT draws 500mA at 24 volts DC on the frame side, will transmit it across up to 3/16 inch of empty air and output either 250mA at 24VDC or 500mA at 12VDC on the door side. 500mA seems a little slim to be powering an electrified mortise lock. Usually I like to see a bit of a cushion when it comes to current, so I would usually not power a device that requires 250mA at 24 volts DC, like a Sargent electrified mortise lock, with a power source that provided no more than the 250mA required. I’d be a lot happier with a power source that has a capacity at least 1.5 times as great as the appliance being powered.

However, the average electrified hinge with 28-gauge through-wires only has a current rating of about 160mA and we have been powering electric mortise locks with these for decades. Since I am not an electrical engineer I am not sure how that works, but it does. I am also mystified by the science behind transmission of electrical current by induction. Therefore, like most installers, I trust Securitron to produce yet another innovative product that works well. I’ll be waiting to hear how installers like it when it is finally released. I know I’ll hear about it one way or another.

New PS914RFK Retro-fit Kit from Von Duprin

October 20, 2011 access control / door hardware / security hardware

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According to IR tech support, the PS914RFK is a bracket and main board assembly designed to install into existing PS873 enclosures. The idea is to ease PS873 replacement and it looks to me like it will accomplish that.

In addition to the PS873, you will need to replace all existing option boards that are present.

To replace 871-2, use 900-2RS
To replace 873-BB, use 900-BBK if you need batteries included. If not, use 900-BB for the board only
To replace 873-FA, use 900-FA
To replace 873-4TD, 873-AO, or 873-SI, use 900-4RL
To replace 873-2Q, use 900-2Q

The following boards have been discontinued:

873-AL
873-AC
873-DE

In several pieces of Ingersoll Rand literature I have seen the 900-BB board depicted as if it includes batteries. It does not. So if you want your battery kit to come with batteries, you need to get the 900-BBK.

PS900 Series Schlage Electronics and Von Duprin Power Supplies Demystified

September 27, 2011 access control / door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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Von Duprin and Schlage Electronics are divisions of Ingersoll Rand. Both are major manufacturers of power supplies for use with electric locking systems and access control. As of January 1st, 2011, Ingersoll Rand discontinued two of their power supply product lines, the PS800 series Von Duprin and the Schlage Electronics 500 series, and merged them into the new PS900 series.

A split in power supply branding may or may not remain, depending on what document you are looking at, but whether they say they are Schlage or Von Duprin, they are all the same PS900 series.

Here is the lineup:

PS902 – 2 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems or up to 4 QEL devices
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS902 can accommodate 1 of the above option boards in addition to the 900-FA option and battery backup.

For use with electric locks and with Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS904 – 4 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS904 can accommodate up to 2 option boards and battery back up.

Note: no plug-in for fire alarm relay on main board. 900-FA is only usable with the PS904 if used with an option board.

For use with electric locks and with Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS906 – 6 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-2RS: 2 Relay EL Control Board – to run up to 2 Von Duprin EL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS906 can accommodate up to 3 option boards, fire alarm interface (with option board) and battery back up.

For use with electric locks and with up to 6 Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS914 – 4 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-2RS: 2 Relay EL control Board – to run up to 2 Von Duprin EL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS914 can accommodate 2 of the above option boards, plus fire alarm interface (on one of the boards) and battery back up.

Capable of powering:

Up to 4 Electric Latch retraction (EL) exit devices with 900-4RL board
Up to 2 EL devices with 900-2RS board
Up to 4 Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices
Up to 4 Chexit (CX) delayed egress exit devices off the main board (use 900-8FA combination board if Fire Alarm relay is required)
Electric locks or strikes

Ordering Tips:

PS-914 is a 4 Amp power supply that is double the capacity of the old PS873, however, from my conversation with IR tech support, their feeling is that it is prudent to power no more than 4 EL devices per PS-914. Theoretically the power supply could support as many as 8 EL devices however this presents the challenge of timing the relays so that no two can change states at the same time. If two EL devices are powered up simultaneously the PS-914 could be damaged.

None of the PS900 series power supplies are a drop-in replacement for their predecessors, and the old and new option boards are not cross-compatible with the old and new power supplies. Therefore, replacing old power supplies with new can present a rewiring challenge.

Ordering back-up batteries can be a little tricky, since they have very similar part numbers for the batteries, the charging circuit board, and a set that includes the board and the batteries.

900-BAT – Pair of batteries only
900-BB – Battery back up board only
900-BBK – Power battery back up kit, board and batteries

Von Duprin QEL Kit Diversity

Overview: School Security Hardware

Classroom Security Locks

Electric Lock Down Systems

Quest for the 24-Inch Exit Device with Electric Latch Retraction

Securitron’s new PowerJump ICPT™ Inductive Coupling Power Transfer

New PS914RFK Retro-fit Kit from Von Duprin

PS900 Series Schlage Electronics and Von Duprin Power Supplies Demystified

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