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Detex Door Alarms and Exit Devices: EAX, ECL-230D, V40 Guide

Detex Door Alarms and Exit Devices: EAX, ECL-230D, V40 Guide

Posted by National Lock Supply on Sep 28th 2026

Quick Verdict

Detex sells three product lines that get confused because the part numbers look alike. EAX is a stand-alone exit or door-prop alarm that mounts on the door or wall (EAX-500 for unauthorized exits, EAX-300 for propped doors, EAX-2500 for AC/DC hardwired). ECL is an exit control lock: a deadbolt panic device with a 100 dB alarm built in (ECL-230D, ECL-230X, and the fire-rated ECL-600). V40 and V50 are Value Series rim and surface vertical rod exit devices, and the "EB" in the part number means the alarm is already inside the device. Once you know the line, the suffixes (W, KS, KA, KD, IC7, LD, CD, PH) are option codes you decode one at a time. This guide maps the codes to the parts. For alarm selection theory, use the exit door alarm buying guide.

What are the Detex door alarm families (EAX-500, EAX-300, EAX-2500)?

The EAX series is built around a piezo horn of about 100 dB and an internal magnetic door contact (EAX-500 and EAX-300) or external contacts (EAX-2500).

  • Detex EAX-500 is the battery-powered exit alarm for secured doors. It runs on a 9VDC battery with a low battery alert and mounts on the door or the wall. The base unit is about $232 at NLS. The EAX-500W is the weatherized version, about $315 at NLS.
  • Detex EAX-300 is the door prop alarm. It is for doors that are used for egress or ingress but must not be held open. Door-open time is field selectable from 1 second to 4 minutes (15 seconds by default), and the alarm silences when the door closes, so nobody has to wait for a key holder.
  • Detex EAX-2500 is the hardwired AC/DC alarm. It fits a standard 4" x 4" outlet box, accepts an optional 9VDC backup battery, and has a bypass input and a relay output for external accessories. The EAX-2500S KS listing ships with the EA-561 warning sign and black box, but it requires magnetic door contacts and a transformer ordered separately.

The EAX-300 lists gray (GY) and black (BK) finishes, and the EAX-2500 comes in gray or black.

Model Type Power Typical door
EAX-500 Exit alarm, unauthorized exit 9VDC battery Emergency exit, restricted door
EAX-500W Exit alarm, weatherized 9VDC battery Exterior door or gate in weather
EAX-300 Door prop alarm 9VDC battery Egress or ingress door that must stay closed
EAX-300W Door prop alarm, weatherized 9VDC battery Exterior gate or door in weather
EAX-2500 Exit alarm, wall mount AC/DC with optional 9VDC backup Restricted door with a transformer and contacts available
ECL-230D Exit control lock, alarmed deadbolt 9V battery (included) Secondary exit, 20" or wider door
ECL-230X Exit control lock, alarmed deadbolt 9V battery (included) Secondary exit, 36" to 48" door
ECL-600 Exit control lock, fire rated 9V battery (included) Secondary fire exit
V40 EB Rim exit device with alarm Battery operated alarm Wide stile door, 36" to 48"
V50 EB Surface vertical rod exit device with alarm Battery operated alarm 36" x 84" wide stile door

Which ECL exit control lock do I need: ECL-230D, ECL-230X or ECL-600?

All three are deadbolt panic devices with a 100 dB alarm powered by a 9-volt battery (included). Locking and unlocking the deadbolt arms and disarms the alarm, and all three accept 5-pin through 7-pin standard and interchangeable core rim cylinders. The differences are width, strike, and fire rating.

  • Detex ECL-230D is the UL-Listed panic hardware version. It has a single point 1" throw deadbolt, withstands over 2200 lbs of outside pull force, and the minimum standard door width is 20". The listing states cylinder and bar guard are sold separately. The base ECL-230D is about $334 at NLS. The stile must be at least 5-3/4" with the ECL-437K strike.
  • ECL-230D-PH is the long bar version for 38" to 48" doors. Its NLS listing does not expand the "PH" letters, so order it by the long bar width, not by what PH might stand for.
  • Detex ECL-230X is a different build: a 1" throw deadbolt with just over 3/4" frame engagement, a surface/flush reversible strike, and a standard device that fits 36" to 48" doors (an optional device fits 30" to 36"). It meets the International Building Code 4" maximum projection from the door face, and it accepts rim cylinders without a cylinder collar. For 9VDC hardwiring the listing says to add BE-961-1 or BE-961.
  • Detex ECL-600 is the Warnock Hersey-Listed fire exit hardware version. It adds a 3/4" deadlocking latch bolt to the 1" deadbolt, relatches, and the minimum standard door width is 34". It is for secondary fire exits.

If the door carries a fire label, the rating on the door and frame governs. The annual inspection requirements are covered in the NFPA 80 annual fire door inspection guide.

What do the Detex suffixes mean (W, KS, W-CYL, KA, KD, IC7, EB, LD, CD, PH)?

Detex part numbers are a base model plus option codes. Most buyers order the wrong part because they match the base number and skip the codes.

Suffix Meaning Example part
W Weatherized for gates or doors subject to inclement weather EAX-500W, EAX-300W
KS Key Stop (key can be removed only when armed) EAX-500W KS, EAX-2500S KS
W-CYL Supplied with a cylinder EAX-500W W-CYL KA
KA Keyed alike cylinder EAX-500W W-CYL KA
KD Keyed different cylinder EAX-500 W-CYL KD
IC7 Factory-installed 7-pin interchangeable core housing EAX-500W IC7
EB Exit alarm with battery built into the exit device V40 EB, V50 EB
LD Less dogging V40 EB LD 99
CD Cylinder dogging V40 EB CD 99, V50 EB CD 96
PH Long bar version of the ECL-230D (no expansion in the listing) ECL-230D-PH

Two accessory codes show up in the same listings. MC65 is the Detex mortise cylinder pre-installed at the factory (the "detex mc65" search resolves here). The EAX-300 listing also names IK7, a cylinder InstaKey housing. If your site runs interchangeable cores, specify IC7 at order and the core housing arrives installed. The IC housings explained post covers what the 7-pin IC format means for your keying.

The numbers after LD or CD (99, 96) are the surface strike designation. The V40 uses the 99 surface strike and the V50 uses the 96.

What is a Detex V40 and what does V40 EB mean?

The V40 is the Value Series wide stile rim exit device. The Detex V40 EB LD 99 listing gives the full spec: it fits wood, hollow metal, fiberglass or aluminum doors from 1-3/4" to 2-1/4" thick, with a 3-1/2" minimum stile on single doors and 4" on pairs. It covers a 161 door prep, uses a stainless steel 3/4" deadlocking Pullman-type latch bolt, is non-handed and field sizeable for 36" to 48" doors, and withstands over 1400 lbs of static pull force. Finishes are 628 satin aluminum, 630 satin stainless steel and 711 satin black. The V40 EB LD 99 is about $545 at NLS.

Decode a search like "detex v40eb", "detex v40-eb" or "detex v40 eb":

  • V40: rim device. For how rim differs from SVR, surface vertical rod, and mortise or concealed vertical rod, read the exit device types comparison.
  • EB: the battery-operated alarm. The 100 dB alarm sounds on an attempted exit.
  • LD or CD: dogging. LD is less dogging, CD is cylinder dogging. Confirm which dogging option your spec calls for before ordering.
  • 99: the surface strike.

The V50 follows the same code logic. The Detex V50 EB CD 96 is the surface vertical rod version. It fits a 3-1/2" stile on a 36" x 84" door, is handed and field reversible, has a stainless steel 3/4" deadlocking top latch bolt and a 5/8" diameter by 5-5/8" long bottom drop bolt, and comes in 628 satin aluminum or 711 satin black. For other exit device brands on the same openings, the Adams Rite exit devices guide and the Arrow commercial locks guide cover those part numbers, and the panic exit devices category lists every brand.

Which Detex parts do I order for V40 service (end cap, battery, key)?

Three parts cover most service calls, all on the Detex parts and accessories page:

  • Detex 101822 is the V40/V50 Series end cap. The angled end cap is what deflects damage away from the device, and it is the part that gets hit.
  • Detex PP-5567 is the 9V battery. The EAX, ECL and EB alarms run on 9VDC. A "detex battery" search lands on this part number.
  • Detex ECL-405-15 is the Number 15 key for the cover lock cam on ECL and EAX series devices. The key is stamped DT015.

Stock a spare of each on the van for ECL and EAX service calls.

Which Detex model fits my door?

Door situation Order Why
Emergency-exit-only interior door that needs an alarm EAX-500, or ECL-230D if it needs a panic device EAX-500 adds an alarm to existing hardware. ECL-230D replaces it with a panic device.
Door that is used daily but must not be propped EAX-300 Alarm silences when the door closes
Exterior door or gate in weather EAX-500W or EAX-300W W weatherized models are listed for inclement weather
Door with a fire label, secondary exit ECL-600 Warnock Hersey-Listed fire exit hardware
New rim exit device that includes an alarm V40 EB Alarm is built into the device
Door that needs a surface vertical rod device with alarm V50 EB Surface vertical rod, 36" x 84" door
Hardwired alarm with an existing transformer EAX-2500S KS AC/DC, requires contacts and transformer

On delayed egress, which is a separate code path with its own listing requirements, see the senior living and behavioral health delayed egress guide. An EAX or ECL alarm does not delay egress.

Common mistakes

  1. Ordering the base EAX-500 for an exterior door. The EAX-500W is the weatherized part. The base unit is not.
  2. Ordering EAX-500 when the door needs a prop alarm. EAX-500 alarms on unauthorized exit. EAX-300 alarms on a door held open.
  3. Treating ECL-230D and ECL-230X as the same width. The 230D lists a 20" minimum door width. The 230X lists 36" to 48" standard.
  4. Forgetting the cylinder. ECL-230D and ECL-600 list the cylinder and bar guard as sold separately. EAX parts need W-CYL, IC7 or MC65 specified.
  5. Mixing up KA and KD. KA is keyed alike and KD is keyed different. Confirm against the keying plan before ordering a quantity.
  6. Ordering EAX-2500 without contacts and a transformer. The listing says the unit requires both.
  7. Skipping the stile check on V40. The listing calls for 3-1/2" minimum on single doors and 4" on pairs.

FAQ

What is the difference between Detex EAX-500 and EAX-300? The EAX-500 alarms when someone exits through a secured door. The EAX-300 alarms when a door is held open longer than the set time, from 1 second to 4 minutes, and it silences when the door closes.

What does "EB" mean on a Detex V40? EB is the exit alarm with battery option. The 100 dB alarm is built into the device and sounds on an attempted exit.

Which battery do Detex alarms use? The EAX and ECL listings specify 9VDC or 9-volt battery power. The PP-5567 is the 9V battery sold on the Detex parts page.

Does the ECL-230D include a cylinder? No. The listing states cylinder and bar guard are sold separately, and the device accepts 5-pin through 7-pin standard and interchangeable core rim cylinders.

What is the Detex ECL-405-15? It is the Number 15 key for the cover lock cam on ECL and EAX series devices, stamped DT015.

Next step

Match your door to the table above, then order from the Detex parts and accessories page or the panic exit devices category. For a multi-door list with mixed suffixes, send it to the quote desk or call 718-814-6300. Government and municipal buyers can submit purchase orders at /submit-a-gov-po/. Orders placed before 3:00 p.m. EST ship same day, and ground shipping is free on orders of $450 and up.