Installing the Detex AO19 Low Energy Door Operator

Often, employees enter and leave through this door throughout the day carrying armloads of supplies. Some of the supplies are bulky and cumbersome including fluorescent lights, pipe, hardware and fire extinguishers. Having an operator installed makes access and egress less difficult.

For a low energy operator to work in conjunction with a locking mechanism, i.e. exit device, mortise or cylindrical lock, the operator must have the ability to unlock the locking mechanism prior to swinging open the door.

To simplify the ordering and installation process, Detex offers Automatic Operated Door (AOD) EasyKits for doors that require a low energy operator with an exit device. Each AOD EasyKit includes an Advantex Latch Retraction-equipped exit device, the AO19 low energy door operator with a built-in, pre-wired 24VDC filtered and regulated power supply with logic controller for electric latch retraction. This power supply provides sufficient amperage to power receiver for push plates. For this installation, they installed two wireless push plates. The receiver came pre-wired and installed in the AO19.

AOD EasyKits are available in a number of configurations to accommodate door width as well as the different exit device configurations. For this installation, the Detex part number is AODx10ERx1S. This EasyKit contains a three-foot AO19, a rim exit device with electric retraction power supply and logic controller, an electrified hinge and two wireless square push plates and receiver.

To install this EasyKit, 120VAC is required and two wires must be run between the exit device and the on-board power supply and logic controller. For a clean installation and no hanging wires that can be damaged or broken, the center hinge was replaced with an electrified hinge to provide the power transfer.

For access during non-work hours, a function 08 lock cylinder equipped trim was installed onto the exterior side of the door. The trim is secured directly to the exit device mounting plate. This key operated, lever trim can provide access during a power failure or when the operator is offline.

Exterior walls of the building are concrete. To ensure smooth operation of the door swing, the hinges were replaced. Electricians ran 120VAC wiring in flexible metal conduit to a wall mounted duplex outlet above the hinge side of the door.

Because the metal jamb was not concrete filled nor did not line-up with the wall face, a third concrete anchor was added between the two anchor holes in the hanger plate. The hanger plate secures the operator to the wall and the third concrete anchor provides additional reinforcement.

To provide an aligned surface to mate with the jamb, a piece of aluminum was cut to accommodate the shape of the wall in order to install the low energy operator hanger bracket flush with the doorjamb.

The hanger bracket is mounted to the interior wall for this push application door operator. The hanger plate is located IN five-eighths of an inch from the outside edge of the hinge jamb and down 1-1/2” from the upper edge of the header jamb. This way the lower mounting screws in the hanger plate thread into the header jamb. Use a level to make sure the header plate is square.

The mounting holes in the header plate are counter-sunk 3/16” diameter. Three holes were drilled for the 3/8” drop in anchors using 1-1/2” long #3 Phillips Head screws. Four 11/64” diameter holes were drilled into the metal header jamb and tapped for the 12-24 mounting screws. To provide additional protection, blue Loctite® was used on the screws threads for those being installed into the header jamb. The header plate was mounted flush against the header jamb and the wall.

The header plate has two angled mounting tracks. The operator has mating surfaces. The operator can be lifted and slid down into place by one person. Push down onto the unit to ensure it is level. Install the screws in the top corners.

Because of a wall running perpendicular to the left side of the doorway, the 120VAC had to be routed through the top of the case instead of the side opening. A hole was drilled for the wiring to the left of the gearbox. Flexible metal conduit was run from the duplex box to the case. The wire was run and connected to the duplex outlet.