Camden Door Activation Switches Explained: Push Plates, Touchless Switches, Push Buttons and Key Switches

This guide explains the door activation switches of Camden Door Controls - push plates, touchless switches, push buttons and key switches - in Camden's words, with the contacts and ratings printed on its specification sheets.

All-active push plate switches

Camden's specifications for the CM-40/41, CM-45/46 and CM-60 series define the design: "Switches shall be all-active, whereby pressing any part of the faceplate will activate the device." The series differ in faceplate and switch:

Camden's Column push plate switches measure 36 x 4-1/2 or 36 x 6 inches, as surface mounted "Top Load" models (CM-74, CM-75) or "Side Load" models with a back box (CM-84, CM-85).

Mounting posts and surface boxes

CM-42 and CM-48 Series mounting posts are 42 or 48 inches tall, in aluminum or stainless steel, with a surface base; the -IG suffix gives an in-ground base. CSU models have no switch prep, BSU a single gang prep, DSU a prep for the CM-7536/7436 Column switch, and ESU and GSU preps at two heights. Camden's mounting box sheet pairs the CM-23 narrow surface box with the CM-25 and the CM-43CBL 5 inch square box with the CM-41, CM-45 and CM-46.

Touchless switches: SureWave and ValueWave

Camden's SureWave and ValueWave+ Microwave comparison chart names the sensing of each line: SureWave uses "Active Infrared (IR)" and ValueWave+ Microwave uses "Microwave Motion Sensing". It marks SureWave "Not recommended for outdoor use" and ValueWave+ for IP65-rated indoor/outdoor use. SureWave models by power and relays:

All five models have Form C (SPDT) relays. The CM-332 is "Ideal for activation and control of two doors, particularly vestibule applications," and the CM-333 is "Designed to retrofit non-powered push plate switches with sensor switches without any additional wiring." The standard range is 1 to 28 inches on the CM-331 and CM-332 sheets and 1 to 12 inches on the CM-333 sheet. The CM-331 and CM-332 sheets offer an optional -SGLR plug-in light ring (red, green or blue) for single gang, double gang and 6 in. round stainless steel faceplates. Wireless CM-336 switches and RF kits are not covered here.

The ValueWave CM-221 and CM-222 sheet lists a sensor range of 2 to 8 inches, a red/green (CM-221) or blue/green (CM-222) light ring, IP65 rating, stainless steel faceplates and one Form C contact rated 1 A at 30 VDC. Camden's CM-221/CM-222 installation manual (R1) says the switch "uses active infra-red microburst sensor technology", so a CM-221 such as the double gang CM-221/A42W is not a microwave model; Camden lists its ValueWave+ Microwave switches as the separate CM-241 and CM-242 Series. For operators, see our automatic door operator manuals.

Mushroom, recessed and extended push buttons

Several Camden tables mark switches momentary or maintained (CM-9080 and CM-9090, for example). Of its CM-6000 locking mushroom switches Camden writes: "Once pushed, the button latches, and cannot be reset unless the key is inserted and turned in the center locking cylinder."

Request to exit switches with pneumatic timers

The CM-4000 and CM-5000 Series use 1-5/8 and 2-3/8 inch mushroom buttons, the CM-7000 a 1 inch recessed button and the CM-8000 a 1 inch extended button. According to their shared sheet, "Pneumatic time delays require no power to operate"; the timing range is 1 to 60 seconds, and the DPST (Form Z) contacts are rated 6 A at 24 V DC. Camden states that these switches are "designed to de-energize electric locking devices (such as magnetic locks) on egress doors without reliance upon electrical power for their operation." Example: the CM-5085PTE-R, a red Push to Exit model. For request to exit in general, see our fail safe vs fail secure guide.

Key switches (keyswitches) and CM-CYL60 cylinders

Camden's CM-1000 (surface mount), CM-1100/2000 (cast aluminum, flush), CM-1200/2200 (stainless steel, flush) and CM-3200/3500 (double gang) key switches all take standard 1, 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 inch mortise cylinders, sold separately. Camden calls its key switches "a practical, cost effective means for authorized personnel to control and signal various functions within a complex." A selection from the CM-1100 table:

In the CM-1000, CM-1100/2000 and CM-1200/2200 tables the same last two digits stand for the same switches: the CM-1020, CM-1220, CM-2020 and CM-2220 match the CM-1120. The CM-3200/3500 table differs. LED indicators are added by suffix, such as -7224 for red and green 24 V LEDs. For the cylinder, Camden's parts list has the CM-CYL60-KA, a 1-1/8 inch solid brass mortise cylinder, chrome finish, keyed alike per lot, and the CM-CYL60-KD, keyed different.

Request to exit detectors and pull stations

The CM-RQE70A Series are PIR request to exit detectors, white (CM-RQE70A) or black (CM-RQE70ABK), "designed to mount on door frames", with two Form C (DPDT) relays rated 3 A at 30 VDC and four factory default operating modes plus a custom mode.

CM-700 Series Universal Blue Pull Stations mount in a single gang box. The CM-701U has one N/C switch; the CM-701SO adds a local alarm sounder and the -PC suffix a clear lift cover. The sheet states: "Not rated for fire alarm applications."

Camden switches at The Builders Supply

• Brand page: Camden Door Controls
• Categories: Pushbuttons, Keyswitches and Sensors, Automatic Door Operators and Actuators
• Push plates and posts: CM-41/4 round push plate, CM-42-BSU-SS-IG mounting post
• Touchless: CM-331/42 SureWave switch
• Special purpose: CM-RQE70ABK detector, CM-701U pull station

Camden posts its specification sheets and installation manuals online; follow the manual for your model when installing and wiring.

Questions about a Camden switch? Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].