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A push to exit button looks like one of the simplest parts of a maglock installation. It can also be the part that makes an otherwise correct access control system behave incorrectly.

The button has to do more than fit the wall and say PUSH TO EXIT. Its contacts need to work with the lock or controller, its release behavior has to match the application, and the device needs to suit the environment where it is installed. Start with the magnetic lock and the way it is controlled. That narrows down almost everything else.

Start with the maglock and wiring, not the button

Before choosing a button, collect four pieces of information: the maglock model, its power requirements, how the lock is being controlled and what you want to happen when someone requests exit.

Magnetic locks are fail safe. They stay locked while powered and release when power is removed. For a push button intended to directly interrupt power to a maglock, a normally closed contact is commonly used so pressing the button opens the circuit and releases the door. Securitron, for example, specifies normally closed operation for its emergency exit buttons designed specifically for maglock applications.

From there, work through the choice in this order:

Switch contacts: determine whether the installation needs NC contacts, NO contacts or an SPDT switch that provides both.
Release behavior: decide whether the button provides a momentary signal or needs a timed release.
Mounting and environment: check the available wall space and whether the location is indoors or exposed to weather.
Egress design: determine whether the button is the primary door release or part of a system that also uses motion sensors or another request-to-exit device.
Accessories: check mounting boxes, covers, relays and other components before installation day.

Momentary or timed release?

This is one of the biggest differences between push buttons that otherwise look almost identical.

A standard momentary button changes its contact state only while it is being pressed. What happens next depends on the rest of the access control system. A controller or separate timer can keep the door unlocked for a programmed period.

A timed release button handles that delay itself. Securitron's EEB emergency exit button, for example, releases a magnetic lock for 30 seconds after the button is pressed and can restart that 30-second period if pressed again.

The difference matters because “momentary” does not automatically mean the person will have enough time to open the door. Check where the unlock timer lives before ordering the button.

What to check	What it changes
Momentary contact	Sends a brief release signal; timing may come from another component
Integrated timer	Keeps the maglock released for a defined period
NC contact	Common for directly interrupting power to a fail-safe maglock
SPDT contacts	Gives the installer NC and NO switching options
LED illumination	Makes the exit control easier to locate and can indicate status
Narrow-stile plate	Fits locations where a standard single-gang plate is too wide

Single-gang or narrow stile: measure before you order

Once the electrical requirements are settled, check where the push to exit button is actually going.

Single-gang devices work well when there is a standard electrical box or enough wall space beside the opening. Narrow-stile models use a slimmer plate and can fit locations where mounting space is limited.

That small distinction is easy to overlook when ordering online and obvious once you are standing at the door with the wrong plate.

Also check whether the installation needs a surface-mount box, spacer, protective cover or other hardware. Our magnetic lock accessories can help complete the installation rather than leaving those smaller parts for a second order.

Indoor and outdoor buttons are not interchangeable

A standard indoor exit button should not be assumed to work at an exterior gate or exposed doorway.

Moisture, temperature changes and corrosion can shorten the life of hardware that was never designed for outdoor use. Securitron, for example, specifically identifies its standard EEB exit button as indoor-only and offers weatherized products separately.

For an interior opening, match the button with the appropriate indoor magnetic lock.

For gates, exterior doors and other exposed locations, start with outdoor magnetic locks and make sure the request-to-exit hardware, enclosure and other exposed components are also rated for the installation environment.

Weather resistance needs to apply to the system, not just the lock.

Push button or motion sensor?

A request to exit button requires someone to intentionally press a physical control. A request-to-exit motion sensor detects someone approaching the secured door and can release it automatically.

The second option is convenient in high-traffic buildings because users do not have to touch anything. Current REX devices can use passive infrared or other sensing technologies to detect someone approaching the opening and trigger the access control system.

That does not always make the push button unnecessary.

Some access controlled egress configurations use motion detection as the normal method of exit and a physical button as a redundant means of releasing the magnetic lock. Securitron specifically recommends an emergency exit button alongside its XMS2 motion sensor where required for applicable building-code and life-safety considerations.

Check the applicable code and authority having jurisdiction rather than assuming one egress configuration works for every building.

Do you need a button or a complete maglock kit?

If you are replacing an existing button, matching the new device to the current lock and controls may be all you need.

For a new installation, buying each component independently creates more opportunities to miss something. A magnetic lock kit can make sense when you need the lock, power and supporting access control hardware to work together.

Whichever route you take, verify every component individually. A kit does not eliminate the need to confirm mounting requirements, egress hardware and applicable code requirements for the opening.

Frequently asked questions

Does a maglock need a push to exit button?

It depends on the access controlled door and how the egress system is designed. Push-to-exit buttons are commonly used to release magnetic locks, and some systems use a button as a redundant release method alongside a motion sensor. Applicable building and life-safety requirements should determine the final configuration.

Is a push to exit button normally open or normally closed?

Buttons are available with different contact configurations. When a button directly interrupts power to a fail-safe magnetic lock, normally closed contacts are commonly used: the circuit stays closed during normal operation and opens when the button is pressed. Some buttons use SPDT contacts so installers have both normally open and normally closed options.

How long should a maglock release after pressing the button?

That depends on the system and applicable requirements. Some buttons provide only a momentary contact while another controller handles the delay. Devices designed for access controlled egress may include their own timer. Securitron's EEB series, for example, provides a fixed 30-second release.

Can I use a push to exit button outdoors?

Only when the button and its installation hardware are rated for the environment. Do not assume an indoor push button becomes suitable for an exterior installation simply because it is placed under an overhang. Check the manufacturer's environmental rating and use suitable weather-resistant hardware.

Can a motion sensor replace a push to exit button?

A motion sensor can provide normal request-to-exit operation, but it does not automatically eliminate the need for a physical release button. Some access controlled egress systems require or use a redundant manual release method in addition to the sensor. Confirm the requirements for the specific opening.

Write down the lock model, then work through four decisions

The order is simple: maglock and controller, contact type, release timing, then mounting and environment. Get those right first and most of the push-button options that do not fit your installation eliminate themselves.

After that, check the smaller items. Make sure the box fits the plate, the device is rated for the location, and any timer, relay or other accessory the system needs is actually included in the order.

You can compare our full range of magnetic locks, narrow the selection to indoor magnetic locks or outdoor magnetic locks, and find the supporting hardware in our magnetic lock accessories collection.