Door Position Switches

A door position switch (DPS) is a sensing device that detects whether a door is open or closed and transmits that status to an access control panel, alarm system, door prop timer, or building management system. Without door position monitoring, an access control system can grant or deny credential-based entry but cannot independently confirm that the door actually closed and latched after a valid access event. A propped door, a door that failed to latch, or a door held open past its authorized time window all go undetected without a door position switch in the circuit. American Locksets stocks door position switches from Schlage Electronics, Securitron, Detex, and Sargent as an authorized dealer, with same-day shipping and free shipping on all orders over $300.

Door Position Switches, Door Switches, and Magnetic Sensors: What They Are

Every door position switch operates on the same fundamental principle: a magnetically operated reed switch inside one housing changes state when a permanent magnet mounted on the opposing door component moves into or out of proximity. When the door is closed, the magnet and switch are aligned, the switch circuit is in its resting state. When the door opens, the magnet moves away, the reed changes state, and the panel receives the signal. That signal is wired into the access control system, alarm panel, or monitoring device using the switch's output contacts.

Most door position switches are SPDT, meaning Single Pole Double Throw. An SPDT switch has three terminals: common, normally open, and normally closed. This gives the receiving panel the ability to detect both a closed-door state (continuity on the normally closed terminal) and an open-door state (continuity on the normally open terminal), and to distinguish a cut wire or power failure from an actual door open event. This is why SPDT is the correct specification for monitored access control applications, not the simpler SPST format used in basic burglar alarm contacts.

Schlage Electronics Door Position Switches: 679 and 7764/7766 Series

The Schlage Electronics door position switch line covers six distinct installation configurations for different door materials and mounting positions. All Schlage DPS units are rated 0.25-0.3 Amps at 30 VDC and are UL10C/CAN-ULC-S104 listed.

Schlage 679 Series: Concealed SPDT Magnetic Switches

The 679 Series installs concealed in the door edge and frame, with no exposed hardware visible on either the door face or the frame face after installation. Three configurations cover different door and frame material combinations:

• Schlage Electronics 679-05 Door Position Switch, Wood Doors and Frames, Concealed SPDT, Magnetic: For wood door and wood frame installations. 0.3A at 30 VDC.

• Schlage Electronics 679-05HM Door Position Switch, Hollow Metal Doors, Concealed SPDT, Magnetic: For hollow metal doors. The magnet is sized to overcome the magnetic shielding effect of steel door construction.

• Schlage Electronics 679-05WD Door Position Switch, Wood Doors and Metal Frames, Concealed SPDT, Magnetic: Mixed construction where the door is wood but the frame is metal, a common retrofit condition in older commercial buildings.

Schlage 7764 and 7766: Flush Mount and Surface Mount Magnetic Switches

The 7764 and 7766 cover aluminum, wood, and hollow metal doors and are rated 0.25A at 30 VDC.

• Schlage Electronics 7764 Magnetic Door Position Switch, Concealed Flush Mount, Single Pole Double Throw: Mounts flush into the door edge and frame face, providing a completely flush exterior surface with no protruding hardware after installation.

• Schlage Electronics 7766 Magnetic Door Position Switch, Surface Mount, Single Pole Double Throw: Mounts on the door and frame surface without any mortise or drilling required beyond the wire chase, which is the correct choice for retrofit installations or doors where cutting into the door edge is not acceptable.

Schlage 674-OH: Overhead Door Status Switch

The Schlage Electronics 674-OH Door Status Switch, Overhead Doors is specifically designed for overhead, roll-up, and similar non-hinged doors where standard edge-mount DPS units cannot be used. Floor-mount configuration. 0.25A at 30 VDC.

Securitron Door Position Switches: DPS Series and MSS High Security Switches

Securitron DPS: Standard Door Position Switches for Metal and Wood Doors

The Securitron DPS Series uses a concealed installation format with a 3/4 inch diameter hole drilled in both the door edge and the opposing frame directly opposite each other. The DPS-M is a normally closed SPST switch for metal doors, using an oversized magnet to overcome steel shielding. Available in Black, Grey, and White to match frame finishes:

• Securitron DPS-M-BK, Metal Door, Black

• Securitron DPS-M-GY, Metal Door, Grey

• Securitron DPS-M-WH, Metal Door, White

• Securitron DPS-W-BK, Wood Door, Black

The DPS Series can transmit an initiate signal to Securitron's XDT delayed exit logic timers and DPA door prop alarm timers, integrating door position monitoring with timed escalating alert logic that triggers audible and visual alarms when a door is held open past a defined time window.

Securitron MSS: High Security Magnetic Switches

The Securitron MSS Series provides tamper-resistant door monitoring for the highest security areas, with armored construction and anti-defeat features that standard reed switches do not provide.

• Securitron MSS-1 High Security Magnetic Switch, Surface Mount

• Securitron MSS-1-RT High Security Surface Mount with Remote Test

• Securitron MSS-1C High Security Magnetic Switch, Concealed

• Securitron MSS-1G High Security Surface Mount with Conduit

Detex Magnetic Switches for Door Monitoring and Alarm Integration

The Detex magnetic switch line covers surface-mount, flush-mount, conduit-connected, and inswinging door configurations. These switches function as door position sensors, door prop triggers for Detex exit alarm panels, and general-purpose alarm contacts across commercial applications.

• Detex MS-1039S / MS-1059S Economical Surface Mounted Magnetic Switch: Entry-level surface mount for standard commercial applications.

• Detex MS-2049S Heavy Duty Surface Mounted Magnetic Switch: Heavy-duty surface mount for high-cycle and high-security applications.

• Detex MS-2049F Heavy Duty Flush Magnetic Switch: Flush installation, heavy-duty construction.

• Detex MS-2049SC H.D. Surface Mounted Magnetic Switch with Conduit Connector: Adds a conduit connector for installations requiring armored wire protection.

• Detex MS-2049SI H.D. Surface Mounted Magnetic Switch for In-Swinging Doors: Configured for the geometric relationship between door and frame on inswing door installations.

Sargent 3287 Concealed Door Status Switch

The Sargent 3287 Concealed Door Status Switch is a concealed actuator switch designed to integrate directly with Sargent commercial lock hardware, providing door status monitoring as part of the lock assembly rather than as a separately mounted sensor. This is the correct specification when the door position switch needs to be integrated into the lock escutcheon rather than mounted as a separate device on the frame.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What is a door position switch? 

A door position switch (DPS) is a magnetic sensor that tells an access control panel, alarm system, or door prop timer whether a door is open or closed.

Q: What is the difference between SPDT and SPST in a door position switch?

 SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) has connections that are generally open and normally closed. This lets the panel tell the difference between a cut wire and an open door. SPST provides only one contact state. SPDT is the correct specification for monitored access control applications.

Q: What is the difference between a concealed and a surface mount door position switch? 

Concealed switches install in holes drilled into the door edge and frame, leaving no visible hardware. Surface mount switches attach to the door and frame face without drilling into the door edge, which is the correct choice for retrofits or when door edge modification is not permitted.

Q: Why does a hollow metal door require a different magnetic switch than a wood door? 

Steel doors shield the magnetic field between the magnet and the reed switch, requiring a larger, stronger magnet to overcome the shielding effect. Standard wood door DPS magnets are insufficient for hollow metal door installations.

Q: Can a door position switch trigger a door prop alarm? 

Yes. Securitron DPS switches can send an initiate signal to Securitron DPA door prop alarm timers, which escalate alerts when a door is held open beyond a defined time period.

Q: What door position switches work with overhead or roll-up doors? 

The Schlage Electronics 674-OH is specifically designed for overhead and roll-up doors where standard door edge DPS units cannot be installed.

Q: What is a high-security magnetic switch and when is it needed?

 High-security switches like the Securitron MSS Series use armored construction and anti-defeat features to resist tampering through magnetic manipulation. They are specified for government, military, and IT facilities where standard reed switches can be defeated by introducing a substitute magnetic field.