HES 5000 Faceplate Selection Guide: 501, 501A, 502, 503, and 504

HES 5000 faceplate selection is the first decision after confirming the HES 5000 as the correct electric strike for the opening. The HES 5000 strike body ships separately from faceplates. The faceplate determines whether the strike seats correctly in the frame, whether the corner geometry matches the frame profile, and whether the mounting system provides adequate pull strength for the rated 1,500-pound static load. Ordering the wrong HES 5000 faceplate produces a strike that either does not seat flush in the frame pocket, leaves visible gaps at the edges, or uses a two-point mounting pattern inadequate for the frame material. This guide explains every HES 5000 faceplate option with the exact dimensions, corner style, mounting system, and frame application for each.

Why the HES 5000 Faceplate Is a Separate Decision

Unlike some electric strikes that ship with a single fixed faceplate, the HES 5000 system separates the strike body from the faceplate to accommodate the full range of commercial frame types - hollow metal, aluminum, and wood - without requiring a different strike body for each frame material. The strike body is identical across all configurations. The faceplate changes to match the frame.

The HES 5000C Complete Pac simplifies ordering for the two most common commercial frame types by bundling the strike body with both faceplate 501 and faceplate 501A in a single package. For wood frames or extended aluminum frames, the additional faceplate ships as a separate line item.

Faceplate 501: Standard ANSI Hollow Metal Frames

The 501 is the correct HES 5000 faceplate for the most common commercial frame type: standard hollow metal door frames with ANSI-standard mortise strike preparation. Square corners match the ANSI hollow metal frame cutout exactly. The 4-7/8 inch by 1-1/4 inch dimension covers the full standard strike pocket without overhang.

Any standard commercial project with hollow metal door frames - offices, schools, hospitals, and government buildings - specifies the 501 faceplate for cylindrical lock applications.

Faceplate 501A: Aluminum Storefront Frames

The 501A is the correct HES 5000 faceplate for aluminum storefront frames. Radius corners match aluminum frame profiles where square corners would overlap the frame edge geometry. Universal mounting tabs provide adjustment flexibility for aluminum frame variations without requiring a precise ANSI cutout. The 5000C Complete Pac includes both the 501 and 501A, covering hollow metal and aluminum frame applications in one order.

Faceplate 502: Extended Aluminum Frames

The 502 is specified when the aluminum frame's strike pocket exceeds what the standard 4-7/8 inch 501A covers. On commercial aluminum frames with non-standard or extended mortise preparation, the 502's 7-15/16 inch length covers the full frame face without gaps. If the 501A leaves an uncovered pocket edge visible, the 502 is the correct upgrade.

Faceplate 503: Intermediate Length Aluminum

The 503 bridges the gap between the standard 4-7/8 inch 501A and the extended 7-15/16 inch 502. Used on specialty frame configurations where the 501A is too short and the 502 is wider than the frame requires.

Faceplate 504: Wood Frames with Four-Point Mounting

The 504 is the only HES 5000 faceplate that uses four-point mounting. This is a structural requirement, not a stylistic choice. Wood does not have the density and rigidity of hollow metal - two-point mounting on a wood frame does not distribute the 1,500-pound static load pull force adequately across the frame material. Four-point mounting spreads the load across four fastener points, maintaining the rated pull strength in wood construction.

For wood frame installations without the 504 four-point faceplate, the HES 5000 may pull out of the frame before reaching its rated 1,500-pound static limit.

HES 5000 Faceplate Selection Decision Tree

Frame material is hollow metal with standard ANSI prep?

 Specify Faceplate 501.

Frame material is aluminum storefront?

 Start with Faceplate 501A. If the standard 4-7/8 inch length does not cover the full strike pocket, measure the pocket and specify 503 or 502 accordingly.

Frame material is wood?

 Specify Faceplate 504 with four-point mounting. No other faceplate provides adequate pull strength in wood frames.

Need to cover both hollow metal and aluminum in one order? 

Specify HES 5000C Complete Pac - includes strike body, Faceplate 501, and Faceplate 501A.

Why American Locksets for HES 5000 Faceplate Orders

Faceplate selection is confirmed at order time. American Locksets asks for the frame type and material before shipping any HES 5000 order. The most common faceplate error - 501A ordered for a hollow metal frame - produces a strike that does not seat flush due to the radius corners overlapping the square hollow metal cutout. The second most common error - 501 ordered for a wood frame - produces a two-point mounting on wood without adequate pull strength. Both result in return shipments. Confirm the frame type before the order is placed. Call 877-471-4870 or visit the electric strikes section.

Conclusion

HES 5000 faceplate selection: 501 for ANSI hollow metal frames with square corners, 501A for aluminum frames with radius corners and universal mounting tabs, 502 for extended aluminum prep, 503 for intermediate aluminum, 504 for wood frames with mandatory four-point mounting. The 5000C Complete Pac includes the strike body plus both 501 and 501A for the two most common commercial frame types. Wrong faceplate means the strike does not seat correctly. Confirm frame type before ordering. Call 877-471-4870.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which HES 5000 faceplate is for hollow metal frames?

 Faceplate 501- 4-7/8 x 1-1/4 inch, square corners, for standard ANSI hollow metal jambs.

Which HES 5000 faceplate is for aluminum frames? 

Faceplate 501A - 4-7/8 x 1-1/4 inch, radius corners, with universal mounting tabs for aluminum frame variations.

Why does the 504 wood faceplate use four-point mounting?

 Wood lacks the rigidity of hollow metal. Four-point mounting distributes the 1,500-pound rated pull force across four fastener points to maintain rated strength in wood frames.

What is the HES 5000C Complete Pac? 

The strike body packaged with both Faceplate 501 and Faceplate 501A -covering hollow metal and aluminum frames in one order.

When do I need Faceplate 502 instead of 501A?

 When the aluminum frame's strike pocket is wider than the standard 4-7/8 inch 501A covers. Measure the pocket first.

Published by the American Locksets Hardware Team. Authorized ASSA ABLOY Dealer, Est. 2001, Monroe, NY.