Components of electronic door hardware are the foundation of every secure and code-compliant access control system. If you’re a security dealer or integrator, understanding these components isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
While many dealers are comfortable with access control panels and software, fewer feel confident selecting the right locking devices, power supplies, or egress hardware at the door. That uncertainty often leads to outsourcing both labor and hardware to locksmiths—sacrificing control, margin, and consistency.
But with a solid grasp of door hardware fundamentals, you can take back ownership of the entire opening, quote jobs with confidence, and boost profitability on every project.
The 8 Key Components of Electronic Door Hardware (and Why They Matter to Dealers)
Whether you’re working on a school, office, healthcare facility, or government building, every controlled opening includes a combination of these eight hardware categories. Each plays a specific role in access, egress, safety, and compliance—and each one represents a dealer opportunity when specified correctly.
1. Locking Devices
Locking devices physically secure the door. Options include electromagnetic locks, electric strikes, electrified mortise/cylindrical locks, exit devices, and electric bolt locks.
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Dealer Tip: Understanding which locks are fail-safe (unlock on power loss) vs. fail-secure (stay locked) is essential to designing for life safety and fire code compliance.
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Profit Angle: Dealers often let locksmiths select and provide this hardware, losing the chance to upsell premium options. By specifying the lock yourself, you keep the margin and ensure compatibility with the system you’re installing.
2. Access Controls
Access control components validate credentials. These include proximity readers, keypads, standalone locks, and IP-based access controllers.
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Dealer Tip: Scalable systems like IP-based single-door controllers allow you to build systems that grow with the customer’s needs.
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Profit Angle: When dealers outsource this category, they lose visibility into the customer experience. Take control of the credential flow and programming—you’ll strengthen your service offering and reduce hand-holding after the job is complete.
3. Egress Controls
Egress devices allow people to exit safely in compliance with life safety and fire codes. These include request-to-exit (REX) push bars, wave-to-exit sensors, push buttons, and emergency door releases.
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Dealer Tip: Specifying compliant egress hardware helps prevent failed inspections and liability risks.
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Profit Angle: Most locksmiths charge a premium for supplying specialty code-compliant egress components. Dealers can source these directly with manufacturer support, capturing that markup themselves.
4. ADA Controls
To meet accessibility standards, public and commercial doors often need low-energy operators, push plates, and bollards.
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Dealer Tip: Don’t treat ADA hardware as an afterthought. Including it in your quote from the start adds professionalism and protects your client from future violations.
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Profit Angle: Dealers often avoid quoting ADA components because they feel unsure about compliance. But with the right partner (like SESP), you can confidently include these and bill accordingly—without giving that revenue to a subcontractor.
5. Power Transfer Devices
These components transfer power and signals from the frame to the moving door. Common types include electrified hinges, mortise loops, and wireless RF devices.
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Dealer Tip: Wireless power transfer is a great retrofit solution—especially in wood or fire-rated doors where coring is difficult or costly.
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Profit Angle: Most locksmiths treat this as part of their specialty knowledge. When you specify these components, you retain margin and ensure power continuity across your entire system.
6. Power Supply & Door Controls
Specialty power supplies provide clean, regulated DC power to all door hardware. Relay modules and logic controllers allow integration with alarms, delayed egress, or fire systems.
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Dealer Tip: Proper power design prevents most system failures. Use access control-grade power—not generic supplies—to avoid voltage drops and performance issues.
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Profit Angle: Selling premium power supplies (with relay logic and battery backup) increases hardware revenue—and positions you as a higher-end solution provider.
7. Remote Controls & Annunciators
These components provide local control or system feedback without central software. Think door prop alarms, visual annunciators, and remote lock/unlock stations.
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Dealer Tip: These are ideal in schools, hospitals, and front-desk settings where local staff need awareness of door activity.
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Profit Angle: By specifying these, you upsell peace-of-mind features that clients are often happy to pay for—and that a locksmith may overlook.
8. Accessories & Miscellaneous
The final layer includes magnetic door holders, door position sensors, latch monitoring strikes, and specialty controls like restroom privacy kits.
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Dealer Tip: Accessories allow you to tailor the system to the building’s function—going beyond “basic access control.”
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Profit Angle: Dealers who specify accessories control the full solution—and reap the profit from a more complete, premium installation.
Partner with SESP for Your Electronic Door Hardware Projects
Southeast Security Products represents best-in-class security manufacturers across the Southeast U.S., offering hands-on support, product expertise, and dealer-focused programs to help you grow your business. Whether you’re building your first smart access system, retrofitting a high-security door, or integrating ADA-compliant features into a larger solution, we can help you select the right components of electronic door hardware for your next install.
Contact us today for pricing, training, or to request a system layout from one of our access control experts.
Visit sesproducts.com or reach out to learn more about how we can support your next project.
