HES 9600 Electrical Requirements

The HES 9600 operates on 12V DC (500 mA) or 24V DC (250 mA) with continuous duty rating, field-selectable via pigtail connection. Hanchett Entry Systems (HES), an ASSA ABLOY company, designed the 9600 for integration with access control power supplies from Altronix, Von Duprin, and other manufacturers. For detailed access control integration, see the access control system wiring guide.

What voltage does the HES 9600 require?

The HES 9600 operates on 12 VDC or 24 VDC, selectable via pigtail connection during installation. The strike ships with dual pigtails—connect the appropriate lead pair for your voltage. AC power is not supported; use a filtered DC power supply or the HES SMART Pac III controller.

Voltage SpecificationValue
12V Configuration12 VDC ±10%
24V Configuration24 VDC ±10%
Voltage Tolerance±10% of nominal
AC PowerNot supported (DC only)
Selection MethodField-selectable via pigtail connection
⚠️ DC Power Only

The HES 9600 requires DC voltage. Applying AC power directly will damage the solenoid and void the warranty. If only AC power is available, use a rectified power supply or the HES SMART Pac III power controller.

What is the current draw of the HES 9600?

The HES 9600 draws 500 mA at 12V and 250 mA at 24V during continuous duty operation. These values represent steady-state current when the strike is energized. Inrush current at power-on is approximately 2× the continuous rating for the first 50 milliseconds.

Current Specification12V Operation24V Operation
Continuous Current500 mA250 mA
Inrush Current~1,000 mA (50 ms)~500 mA (50 ms)
Power Consumption6 watts6 watts
Solenoid Resistance24 ohms96 ohms
Duty CycleContinuous (100%)Continuous (100%)

What wire gauge should I use for the HES 9600?

Use 18 AWG minimum for runs up to 100 feet; use 16 AWG for runs up to 200 feet. Voltage drop increases with distance—larger wire gauges compensate for resistance losses. The strike will fail to release if voltage drops below the ±10% tolerance range.

Wire Run DistanceMinimum Wire GaugeRecommended Gauge
0–50 feet22 AWG18 AWG
50–100 feet18 AWG16 AWG
100–150 feet16 AWG14 AWG
150–200 feet14 AWG12 AWG
Over 200 feet12 AWG or largerConsult voltage drop calculator
💡 Voltage Drop Rule

Calculate maximum wire run distance using this formula: Distance (ft) = Voltage drop allowed × Wire area (cmil) ÷ (2 × Current × 10.75). For 24V systems with 2.4V allowable drop (10%) at 250 mA using 18 AWG (1,620 cmil): Distance = 2.4 × 1,620 ÷ (2 × 0.25 × 10.75) = 723 feet maximum.

How do I size the power supply for the HES 9600?

Size the power supply for at least 150% of the continuous current rating to accommodate inrush current. For a single HES 9600 at 12V (500 mA), use a minimum 1-amp supply. For 24V (250 mA), use a minimum 500 mA supply. Add capacity for multiple strikes.

Number of 9600 Strikes12V Supply Minimum24V Supply Minimum
1 strike1.0 amp0.5 amp
2 strikes1.5 amp0.75 amp
3 strikes2.0 amp1.0 amp
4 strikes2.5 amp1.25 amp
5+ strikesCalculate: 0.5A × count × 1.5Calculate: 0.25A × count × 1.5

What are the HES 9600 wire color codes?

The HES 9600 uses color-coded pigtails for voltage selection and optional monitoring connections. Connect Red(+) and Black(-) for 12V; connect Violet(+) and Red/Green stripe(-) for 24V. Do not connect unused pigtails—insulate with tape or wire nuts.

Wire ColorFunction
Red12V Positive (+)
Black12V Negative (−)
Violet24V Positive (+)
Red/Green Stripe24V Negative (−)
WhiteLBM/LBSM Common
YellowLBM/LBSM Normally Open (NO)
OrangeLBM/LBSM Normally Closed (NC)

How do I convert the HES 9600 from 12V to 24V?

Converting voltage requires disconnecting the current pigtail and connecting the alternate pigtail pair. No internal modifications are needed—simply change which wire pair is connected to the power supply. Ensure the power supply voltage matches the selected configuration.

Voltage Conversion Procedure

  1. Disconnect power from the strike
  2. Identify current connection (Red/Black = 12V; Violet/Red-Green = 24V)
  3. Disconnect current pigtail wires from power supply
  4. Insulate disconnected wires with electrical tape or wire nuts
  5. Connect alternate pigtail pair to matching voltage supply
  6. Test strike operation before securing connections

Can I use a battery backup with the HES 9600?

Yes, the HES 9600 is compatible with battery backup systems that provide filtered DC output. Size the backup battery for the expected unlock duration. A fail-safe configuration draws continuous current while unlocked; fail-secure draws current only during momentary unlock events.

ModeBattery Draw PatternSizing Consideration
Fail-SecureCurrent only during unlock eventsSize for number of cycles per hour
Fail-SafeContinuous current while lockedSize for continuous amp-hours

Recommended Power Controllers

HES recommends the SMART Pac III power controller for optimal strike performance and extended warranty. The SMART Pac III provides surge protection, filtered DC output, and extends the warranty from 5 to 10 years.

  • HES SMART Pac III: 12V/24V filtered DC, surge protection, 10-year warranty extension
  • Altronix AL600ULACM: 6-amp 12V or 24V access control power supply with battery backup
  • Von Duprin PS914: 4-amp multi-voltage power supply for access control

Learn more about the HES SMART Pac III →

📄 Official Wiring Information

Download the official HES 9600 installation instructions for complete wiring diagrams: