Roller-Shutter Magnetic Contact, Grade 2, 1m Armoured Lead, F10CMULTI

Introduction to the Roller-Shutter Magnetic Contact (F10CMULTI)

Product overview:The Knight F10CMULTI is a heavy-duty, potted single-reed magnetic contact specifically engineered for roller shutters and large doors. It combines a robust anodised aluminium body, a 1 m stainless-steel armoured lead, and selectable end-of-line (EOL) and alarm resistors to provide a compact, easy-to-install supervised contact suitable for sheltered external installations. Rated by the manufacturer as Grade 2 (Environmental Class III), this unit addresses the needs of installers and facility managers who require a rugged, tamper-resistant contact where ordinary small sensors would fail.

• Type:Intruder alarm detector (roller-shutter contact)
• Suggested retail price:25.00
• Key selling points:potted/sealed construction, 1 m armoured sleeving, selectable EOL/alarm resistors, approximately 50 mm operating gap, Grade 2 suitability.

Detailed specifications and benefits

The F10CMULTI packs material strength, supervised wiring convenience and environmental tolerance into a compact form factor. Below are the principal technical specifications and what they mean in practice.

• Model:F10CMULTI
• Grade / Class:Grade 2 (Environmental Class III) — suitable for sheltered external locations such as covered roller shutter boxes and door recesses
• Material:Anodised aluminium body; stainless-steel armoured sleeving; ferrite/Alnico V magnet; rhodium-plated reed for reliable electrical contact and corrosion resistance
• Dimensions (body):150 mm x 40 mm x 15 mm — compact profile for fitting to shutter stiles and large door frames
• Cable length:1 m (armoured sleeving) — provides mechanical protection for the cores, reducing risk of tamper or abrasion during operation
• Operating gap:Approximately 50 mm — generous gap to tolerate shutter travel, misalignment and shutter flex without nuisance triggers
• EOL resistor options:Selectable values including 1 kΩ, 2.2 kΩ, 4.1 kΩ, 4.7 kΩ, 5.6 kΩ — allows compatibility with many intruder alarm panels that require supervised circuits
• Alarm resistor options:Selectable values including 1 kΩ, 2.2 kΩ, 4.1 kΩ, 5.6 kΩ, 6.8 kΩ
• Electrical rating:Up to 500 mA; voltage range per datasheet (approximately 1–100 V DC and up to 125 V AC max) — adequate for typical alarm panel inputs
• Activation / wiring:Single reed, normally closed. 8-core armoured lead with integral resistors; intended for supervised (EOL) wiring only
• Temperature range:−40 °C to +50 °C
• Environmental suitability:Class III — potted/sealed for sheltered external installations, not for fully exposed marine/coastal locations without additional protection
• Mounting suitability:Designed for roller shutters, large/double doors and other heavy or moving metal surfaces

• Durability:The combination of an anodised aluminium body and stainless-steel armoured cabling reduces the risk of impact damage, cable cutting or abrasion — common failure points for lighter sensors.
• Supervised wiring convenience:Integral selectable resistors simplify on-site wiring and reduce the number of external components required, speeding installation and reducing parts stocking complexity.
• Tolerance for movement:The ~50 mm operating gap is ideal for roller shutters that move or vibrate during operation, cutting down on false alarms caused by transient misalignment.
• Weather resistance:Potted construction and sealed components offer protection in sheltered external environments where condensation and dust can otherwise degrade contacts.
• Compatibility:Selectable resistor values and a wide electrical rating make the F10CMULTI compatible with a broad range of intruder panels; installers should always consult the panel datasheet for exact resistor selection and wiring diagrams.

Use cases and scenarios where the F10CMULTI excels

The F10CMULTI is purpose-built for situations where ordinary, small magnetic contacts are unsuitable. Typical scenarios include:

• Retail roller shutters:High-traffic shopfronts with large metal shutters benefit from the F10CMULTI’s armoured lead and wide operating gap, which reduce nuisance faults while offering reliable supervision.
• Warehouse dock doors and loading bays:Heavy doors and double-leaf installations where movement, vibration and occasional impact are expected.
• Industrial doors and service entrances:Areas where exposed cabling would be vulnerable to damage from equipment or forklifts; the armoured sleeving gives extra protection.
• Secondary sheltered exterior locations:Places such as recessed doors, covered doorways or under-canopy shutters where environmental exposure is moderate and a potted Grade 2 contact is suitable.
• Double-door and wide-gap installations:The larger magnetic gap and single-reed design make it easier to secure wide openings without custom mounting or complex alignment procedures.

Comparisons with similar products on the market

When evaluating magnetic contacts for roller shutters and large doors, buyers typically compare three broad categories: standard small surface-mount contacts, heavy-duty armoured contacts like the F10CMULTI, and wireless or passive tamper solutions. Here’s how the F10CMULTI stacks up.

• Vs standard small surface-mount contacts:Standard contacts are compact and inexpensive but lack robust cable protection, have smaller operating gaps and are often unsuitable for moving metal doors. The F10CMULTI offers superior mechanical protection, a much larger tolerance for misalignment and built-in supervised wiring options — making it more appropriate for heavy-duty use.
• Vs other heavy-duty wired contacts:Competing heavy-duty contacts may offer similar mechanical construction but vary in features such as selectable resistors, cable armouring length, operating gap and environmental rating. The F10CMULTI’s combination of a 1 m stainless-steel armoured lead, multiple selectable EOL/alarm resistor values and potted construction makes it a competitive and flexible option for many installers.
• Vs wireless sensors:Wireless door sensors eliminate cabling but rely on battery power, can suffer interference and may not be acceptable where panel supervision or standard-compliant installations are required. For installations requiring supervised circuits (EOL), hardened cabling and long-term reliability without battery maintenance, the F10CMULTI is the stronger choice.

Customer testimonials and installer feedback

No formal public customer reviews are included in the manufacturer datasheet. Below are example installer observations that reflect common feedback themes for products of this type (illustrative only):

• "The armoured lead and sealed body have cut down on call-outs for damage in our retail estates — it’s built for the environment." (illustrative installer comment)
• "Selectable resistors saved us time and reduced mistakes on site when matching different alarm panels." (illustrative installer comment)
• "The 50 mm gap means we don’t have to micro-align the magnet on wobbling shutters — fewer nuisance trips during opening/closing." (illustrative installer comment)

Installation, compliance and best practices

To get the best performance from the F10CMULTI, adhere to these practical pointers:

• Qualified installation:Installation should be carried out by a qualified installer who follows the intruder alarm panel manufacturer’s wiring diagrams and the F10CMULTI datasheet for resistor selection.
• Panel compatibility and EOL selection:Use the integral selectable resistors to match the panel’s supervised input requirements. Ensure wiring follows the panel manufacturer’s recommended EOL configuration.
• Environmental considerations:The unit is rated Environmental Class III (sheltered external). For fully exposed coastal or marine sites provide additional protection or select a higher environmental class device.
• Standards and certification:The manufacturer rates the product as Grade 2 and references BS50131-2-6 compatibility. Confirm any site-specific certification needs and request official certification paperwork if required for a project or tender.
• Maintenance:Regular visual checks of the armoured cable, mounting screws and the sealed body will extend service life. Replace if the potted housing is breached or cable armour is damaged.

Conclusion: why the F10CMULTI is a solid choice

For installations that demand a rugged, supervised contact for roller shutters and large doors, the Knight F10CMULTI is a focused solution. Its potted construction, anodised aluminium body and 1 m stainless-steel armoured lead combine durability with practical installer features such as selectable EOL/alarm resistors and a generous operating gap. Rated by the manufacturer as Grade 2 and intended for sheltered external locations, it bridges the gap between fragile small contacts and more complex bespoke solutions — all at a competitive suggested retail price.

If you need a robust, tamper-resistant contact that simplifies supervised wiring and reduces on-site component needs while tolerating shutter movement, the F10CMULTI is worth specifying. Always consult the manufacturer datasheet and your alarm panel documentation during design and installation to ensure correct resistor selection and compliance with local standards.