dormakaba Low-Energy Door Operators: ED Series Models, Mounting and Settings

Models

Which dormakaba operators does this page cover, and are they low or full energy?

dormakaba's setup manuals define a low energy power operated door as one that opens "upon receipt of a knowing act activating signal" and "does not generate more kinetic energy than specified in ANSI 156.19". Low energy is the mode covered by ANSI/BHMA A156.19, the "Standard for Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Swinging Doors." Full energy is the mode covered by ANSI/BHMA A156.10, the standard for power operated pedestrian doors.

dormakaba files the six operators under two headings in its US catalog and documents them in three sets of manuals. The three swing door operator catalog models share installation manuals for two housing versions, which dormakaba calls fine cover and narrow header.

The table quotes each document on each model's energy mode, including where they differ for the ED100LE and the ED250, and lists the catalog's other swing door products, which this page doesn't cover.

For how low-energy operators work in general, see the guide to low-energy door operators.

Source dormakaba's two US catalog pages for low energy swing door operators and swing door operators, the product pages, the setup manuals, the ED900 installation manual, the ED50, ED100, ED250 and ED100LE fact sheets and the brochure.

Door size

How heavy and how wide a door can each model run?

The installation manuals give a maximum door weight for each model, in tables headed "Prevailing conditions at opening must be considered". For three models, other dormakaba documents give different weights, and the last column gives each with its document.

Source The door weight tables and specifications in each model's installation manual, with the ED100LE product page, the fact sheets, the setup manual and the brochure where named.

Mounting and arms

Which side of the door does it mount on, and which arm fits?

The setup manuals list the installation type as a setting called AS. The table gives its values, then the arms dormakaba lists for each reveal depth: the distance the door face sits back from the face of the wall the operator is mounted on.

Source The installation notices and arm and reveal depth specifications in each installation manual, the installation type tables in the three setup manuals, the ED100 and ED250 fact sheets and the ED100LE product page.

Power

What power does it need, and what happens when the power goes off?

All six run on 115-volt AC power from a dedicated branch circuit, one that feeds only the operator, protected at 15 A maximum.

For the ED100LE, ED100 and ED250, the setup manuals say the 24 Vdc, 1.5 A accessory supply is 36 watts with overcurrent protection, and that an external power supply must be used if additional power is required.

The product pages for the swing door operator catalog models and for the ED50LE and ED100LE list closing and latching on power loss, with an adjustable closing speed on loss of power.

The closing speed on power loss is a setting on a power fail closing speed potentiometer. A note beside it, addressed to the installer, says a minimum 5 second closing time is required to meet the requirements of A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, Section 404.2.7, and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Section 404.2.8. Error message E 73 (System error 3, braking circuit) is displayed if the door closes in less than three seconds.

Source The technical data in each installation manual, the accessory power and power fail closing speed sections of the three setup manuals, and the product pages and ED50 fact sheet where named.

Activation and locks

What opens the door, and how does it work with a lock?

The operator opens the door on a signal from an activator. The setup manuals name the typical activators as pushbuttons and key switches, access control systems, telephone systems and intercoms. The manual for the swing door operator catalog models adds sensor automatic activators under A156.10, the full energy standard.

The typical locking devices are electric strike plates (an electrically released catch in the door frame), electromagnetic locks and electric locks. A locking device must comply with five points: 24 Vdc ± 5% when powered from the operator, 48 Vdc/Vac maximum from an external power supply, a maximum load of 1 A on the locking device relay contact, a minimum 30% duty factor for an electric strike plate and a 100% duty factor for a motor lock.

Source The activator and locking device lists in the three setup manuals, and the terminal data in the ED100LE, ED900 and ED50, ED100 and ED250 fine cover installation manuals.

Settings

What settings do the manuals list for the installer?

This section describes the settings dormakaba lists for the installer, not how to change them. The operator has a 4 button keypad and 2 digit display for door parameter values, and the setup manuals warn: "Hazard to mechanical processes by use of control settings, elements, or procedures not documented in this manual!"

The table gives the low energy speed, force and hold-open settings, each of which the manual sets beside an A156.19 requirement. Note 1 in that table reads: "Speed may be slower after learning cycle completed."

Source The parameter descriptions in the three setup manuals, and the low energy door measurements in the ED50, ED100 and ED250 fine cover installation manual.

Fire doors

What matters on a fire door?

The setup manuals list a fire protection upgrade card for these operators, and the table gives its part number by model. The entry for the card's parameter, F1, says that following activation the "drive may be used as a electrically controlled hold-open system according to EN 14637, Building hardware-Electrically controlled hold-open systems for fire/smoke door assemblies, or similar standards." The manual for the swing door operator catalog models adds that the full energy function (F2) is automatically activated on the ED100 and ED250.

The troubleshooting charts say the hold-open system (information code ln 11, "Hold-open system triggered") can be triggered automatically by a smoke detector or building interface system, manually by a manual release button, or by manually moving the door, and that "The system must be reactivated by a deliberate action."

The product pages for the three low-energy catalog models each describe "a blow-open feature for smoke ventilation (per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code 92B)". A note in the ED900 installation manual reads: "Insure operator door configuration is qualified for use on the respective smoke or fire rated door."

For the ED100, three dormakaba documents name different fire test standards, and the table quotes each.

Source The upgrade card tables, parameter lists and troubleshooting charts in the three setup manuals, the ED900 installation manual, and the product pages, ED100 fact sheet and brochure where quoted.

Signs and troubleshooting

What signs, daily checks and red light codes do the manuals describe?

The installation manuals say signage and warnings for low energy doors are specified in ANSI/BHMA A156.19, and list three decals: "AUTOMATIC CAUTION DOOR", "ACTIVATE SWITCH TO OPERATE", and "PUSH TO OPERATE" with "PULL TO OPERATE". They also describe a safety information label for low energy swinging doors from AAADM, the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers, with safety checks to be performed daily.

The owner's manual for the swing door operator catalog models says it is the owner's responsibility to inspect the operation of the door system on a daily basis. Its warning reads: "Should the door fail to operate as prescribed in the Safety information checklist or at any other time for any reason, do not attempt to repair or adjust the ED50/ED100/ED250 swing door system!"

A red LED beside the operator power switch displays blinking codes. Each of the three setup manuals has its own table of them; the one below is from the manual for the swing door operator catalog models.

Source The signage sections of the ED50LE, ED100LE, ED900 and ED50, ED100 and ED250 fine cover installation manuals, the red LED status code tables in the three setup manuals and the ED50, ED100 and ED250 fine cover owner's manual.

Questions about dormakaba ED Series operators

Questions and answers

Service

Installation and service on dormakaba operators

Elwin Security installs, repairs and replaces door closers and low-energy door operators, including the dormakaba ED Series, as part of its commercial door closer and exit device service for commercial and multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calls are answered 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily at (408) 539-0535.