Alarm Controls TS-18 & TS-20 ...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$56.00
$37.79
Alarm Controls Alarm Controls TS-18 & TS-20 Series - Under Desk Door Release ACT-TS-18

Alarm Controls TS-18 & TS-20 Series - Under Desk Door Release

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Model: TS-18

In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$56.00
$37.79
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Alarm Controls TS-18, TS-19, TS-20 Series - Under Desk Door Releas

The TS-18, TS-19, and TS-20 are push
button controlled under desk/counter
door releases for remote control of doors
and access controls. Ideal for front desk
and reception or hard to wire areas that
require discreet control of locking devices.

Features
Standard Features
• TS-18 with momentary action switch
• TS-19 with one N/O and one N/C momentary action switch, can be used with either provided switch
• TS-20 with alternate action switch ; can be used with either provided switch
• Black ABS plastic box with two mounting ears
• Surface mounted push button protected with 1” guard ring − Depressing push button operates switch contacts

Options
• TS-18D with DPDT switch
• TS-20D with DPDT switch

Specifications
Certifications & Listings
• UL 636 listed
• CSA certified components
Electrical
• SPDT contacts rated 10A at 35 VDC
• TS-18, TS-20 Switch terminated with 12" leads

Product Specs

Series:
TS
Subcategory:
Push Buttons
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Product Type:
Push Buttons
Product Group:
Electronic Access Controls
Product Subgroup:
Sensors, Switches, Relays and Timers
Product Model:
TS-18
Product Voltage:
35 VDC
Product Finish:
Black
Product Category:
Electronic Access Controls
Department:
Door Hardware

Alarm Controls TS-18 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What's the difference between the Alarm Controls TS-18, TS-19 and TS-20 door release buttons?
They differ only in switch action. The TS-18 uses a momentary action switch, so the door releases while you hold the button and re-locks when you let go. The TS-20 uses an alternate action switch, meaning one press latches the contacts on and the next press releases them, which is what you want to hold a door unlocked through a lunch hour or a delivery. The TS-19 carries one N/O and one N/C momentary switch and can be wired to either provided switch, so it suits a lock that needs to be de-energized to release as well as one that needs to be energized. All three are the same black ABS box with the same guard-ringed button.
2) When do I need the TS-18D or TS-20D instead of the standard version?
The D suffix swaps the switch for a DPDT. Order TS-18D or TS-20D when one button press has to switch two separate circuits at once, for example dropping the lock and simultaneously signaling an alarm shunt, a camera, or a door position input. If you're only breaking or making a single lock circuit, the standard TS-18 or TS-20 with its SPDT contacts is all you need. The D option changes nothing else about the box or the button.
3) Will an Alarm Controls TS-18 switch a 24VDC maglock or electric strike?
Yes. The TS-18 under desk release carries SPDT contacts rated 10A at 35 VDC, which covers the 12 and 24 VDC circuits nearly all maglocks and electric strikes run on, and the current rating is well above what a single lock draws. Note the rating is DC. For a lock running on AC, or for a load above that rating, switch a relay with the button rather than putting the lock current through it.
4) Is the Alarm Controls TS-18 door release UL listed for access control?
UL 636 listed, with CSA certified components. UL 636 is the holdup alarm standard, which is why this button also gets used as a discreet duress or panic initiating device at a reception or teller position, not just as a door release.
5) What is the difference between the Alarm Controls TS-18 under desk door release and the Dortronics 5215-SPB exit release push button?
They mount in different places and look different to the person using them. The TS-18 is a surface mounted momentary push button with a guard ring in a black ABS box with two mounting ears, made to go under a desk or counter for discreet release of a door from a reception position. The Dortronics 5215-SPB is a 1-1/2 inch square illuminated push button on a single gang plate, so it goes into a standard single gang box in the wall where the button is meant to be seen and found. Choose the TS-18 when the release should be out of public view under the counter, and the 5215-SPB when you want a lit button on the wall at an exit.
6) How does an under desk door release button mount at a reception counter?
The TS series box has two mounting ears, so it screws to the underside of a desk or counter, or to a wall in a spot that's awkward to cut in. There's no gang box or wall cut-in involved, which is the point of it: staff reach under the counter and press without a visitor seeing the control. That also makes it the fix for hard to wire areas where running to a flush plate isn't practical.
7) Will someone bump the button by accident under a desk and unlock the door?
The push button is surface mounted and protected with a 1 inch guard ring that stands proud of the button, so a knee or a stack of paperwork brushing past it doesn't operate the contacts. You have to reach in and depress the button deliberately. That's the main reason this style is used under counters rather than a bare exposed button.
8) Should I use an under desk push button or a flush wall mounted exit button?
Two different jobs. An under desk release like the TS series is for staff controlled entry, hidden from the public at a front desk, screwed to the underside of a counter with no wall cut-in. A wall plate button such as the Dortronics 5215-SPB Series, a 1-1/2 inch square illuminated push button on a single gang plate, is for a visible request-to-exit or public-facing release and needs a gang box in the wall. If a visitor is meant to find and press the button, use the plate; if only the receptionist should be able to release the door, use the under desk unit.
9) Is a Dortronics 5215 Series exit release a drop-in replacement for an Alarm Controls TS-18 under the front desk?
Treat it as a different mounting rather than a drop-in. The Dortronics 5215-SPB belongs to the 5215 Series and is a 1-1/2 inch square illuminated push button furnished on a single gang plate, so it expects a gang box opening. The TS-18 arrives as a black ABS box with two mounting ears and a guard ring around the button, screwed to the underside of the counter. Swapping one for the other means changing how the button is mounted at the desk, not just changing the button.
10) If I want the door to stay unlocked until the button is pressed again, is a momentary exit push button the right part?
No. A momentary button releases only while it is held, so it will not hold the door in an unlocked state. Within the Alarm Controls TS family, the TS-20 is the alternate action version, which latches on one press and releases on the next; the TS-20D is the same alternate action button with a DPDT switch. The TS-18 and TS-19 are momentary, and the Dortronics 5215-SPB is an exit release push button, which is the momentary style of control for letting someone out rather than holding an opening unlocked.
11) My panel needs both a normally open and a normally closed contact from one button - which release covers that?
The Alarm Controls TS-19 is the one to specify: it is a surface mounted momentary switch with one N/O and one N/C, and either provided switch can be used. If the job instead needs two circuits switched together, the TS-18D and TS-20D use a DPDT switch. The Dortronics 5215-SPB is a 1-1/2 inch square illuminated push button on a single gang plate, so it is the choice when the deciding factor is a lit wall mounted button rather than the contact arrangement.
12) Do I have to wire directly to terminals on the TS-18 button?
No terminal screws to land in a tight space. The TS-18 and TS-20 switches come terminated with 12 inch leads, so you splice to your lock or access control run in the box or a nearby junction. Plan for that 12 inches when you pick the mounting spot under the counter.
13) Is this door release button suitable for a commercial building?
The TS series under desk release is a commercial rated device, finished in black ABS, and it is the standard fit for reception desks, leasing offices, clinic check-in windows and school front offices where staff buzz people through. Nothing about it is aimed at residential use.
How fast can I get the Alarm Controls TS-18 delivered?
Most orders ship the same day from our distribution partners, with quick delivery throughout the continental U.S. Need it urgently? Contact Us for expedited shipping options.
Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
Does the Alarm Controls TS-18 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The Alarm Controls TS-18 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
How do I get technical support or installation help for the Alarm Controls TS-18?
You can call, text, or email our expert support team for fast answers. We’re here to help with product selection, installation tips, and troubleshooting. Contact Us
Why buy the Alarm Controls TS-18 from ZenSupply?
ZenSupply makes it easy to get the commercial door hardware you need—fast shipping, expert support, and rewards on every order. Our team is always ready to help you choose the right product for your project.
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