An electric strike is an access control device used for doors. It replaces the fixed strike often used with a latchbar. Like a fixed strike, it normally presents a ramped surface to the latch bar allowing the door to close and latch just like a fixed strike would. However, an electric strike's ramped surface can, upon command, pivot out of the way of the latchbar allowing the door to be pushed open without any operation of the knob.

Electric strikes generally come in two basic configurations:

• Fail-secure. Also called Fail-locked. In this configuration, applying electrical current to the strike will cause it to open. In this configuration, the strike would remain locked in a power failure, but typically the knob can still be used to open the door from the inside.
• Fail-safe. Also called Fail-open. In this configuration, applying electrical current to the strike will cause it to lock. In this configuration, it operates the same as a magnetic lock would. If there is a power failure, the door would open merely by being pushed/pulled open.

Electric strikes are sometimes equipped with buzzers which allow someone outside the door to hear when the door is open. The buzzing noise is typically simply a result of applying AC current to the strike instead of DC.