The Command Access Technologies ETH6W4540 626 CH-BB79 Electrified Energy Transfer Hinge conceals six low-voltage conductors inside a commercial full-mortise hinge so wiring can pass between a door frame and a moving door leaf without an exposed cord or wire loop. This version is a 4-1/2" x 4", five-knuckle, standard-weight hinge with a 626 / US26D Satin Chrome finish and CH-BB79 steel-base configuration. It is appropriate for properly designed access-control installations where the actual connected device's wiring and current needs match the hinge rating.

Specification Review: 6-Wire Hinge Installation

Use this 6-conductor electrified transfer hinge as the concealed electrical pathway between a prepared door and frame. Before ordering, match its 4-1/2" x 4 nominal leaf size, electrical conductor arrangement and architectural finish to the project hardware schedule. This listing represents the specific factory finish and size identified by the SKU.

Factory Models in This Listing

• ETH6W4540-652-5SW

Installer and Estimator Checklist

• Mechanical preparation: Verify full-mortise hinge template, leaf width, length, thickness, knuckle style, corner radius, screw locations and door/frame reinforcement. Verify load class and any required listing using the exact SKU.
• Electrical routing: Confirm the factory lead and wire gauges, number of circuits, operating current, voltage drop, and available space for field terminations. Route conductors to protect them during full door swing.
• Compatibility: Identify the electric lockset, exit device, transfer switch or door-monitoring accessories connected through the hinge. Match their terminal requirements to the conductor arrangement; do not substitute a standard-weight or mixed-gauge model by wire count alone.
• Testing: Check hinge alignment, free door movement, wire continuity, insulation condition and device operation with the door in open and closed positions.

Package scope: The selected electrified hinge is supplied as its factory assembly. Locks, access controller, external power supply, wiring beyond the supplied leads and installation labor are not included unless separately specified.

Important conductor distinction: The ETH6W configuration has six 26 AWG wires (6 x 26-gauge conductors). It is not the ETH6WH heavy-wire version, which has two 18 AWG and four 28 AWG conductors. Do not assume the ETH6W hinge will support high-current latch-retraction loads merely because it has six conductors. Check current, voltage drop, operating cycle and wire assignment before selecting an electrified hinge.

Correct size and wiring: The ETH6W4540 is a 4-1/2" high x 4" wide standard-weight full-mortise hinge, narrower than the ETH6W4545 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" model. Match the frame/door hinge template before ordering. This ETH6W contains six 26 AWG conductors; the separate ETH6WH configuration instead has a heavier power pair, so the two families are not electrically interchangeable.

Key Features and Benefits

• Concealed six-wire energy transfer: Six factory-installed 26 AWG conductors provide a protected path for compatible low-voltage power, monitoring and control circuits.
• 4-1/2" x 4" commercial size: Designed for full-mortise hinge openings prepared for a 4-1/2-inch-tall, 4-inch-wide butt hinge. Verify screw-hole pattern and manufacturer template.
• 5-knuckle standard-weight construction: The supplier suffix 5SW identifies the standard-weight, five-knuckle hinge configuration. Confirm the manufacturer's door and frame preparation.
• 626 / US26D Satin Chrome finish: A satin chromium-plated appearance on a steel-base hinge, with distributor finish code 652 / US26D. Coordinate the finish with surrounding commercial door hardware.
• CH-BB79 configuration: Listed manufacturer chassis/reference for this specific hinge. Check the part's fit with the specified opening rather than substituting a differently prepared hinge.
• Low-current circuit rating: Published ETH6W family information lists 1.0 amp continuous at 24VDC per specified wire pair; verify all conductor/current limits in the latest manufacturer cut sheet and the connected hardware instructions.
• Protected wire access: Command Access literature describes a non-conductive wire access cap and a center-located wire access opening to help protect wires during installation.
• Four-foot lead option: Manufacturer literature states that a four-foot lead is available at no additional charge. Confirm lead configuration and termination style on the actual supplied assembly.
• Commercial listed-hinge family: The manufacturer's energy-transfer hinge family includes UL-F listed configurations. Verify the specific hinge's listing and any fire-door hardware schedule.
• Manufacturer warranty information: Command Access advertises a three-year warranty for its energy transfer hinges, subject to its current terms and any applicable exclusions.
• Professional appearance: Eliminates external wiring loops at the hinge edge when installed within an approved concealed frame/door raceway system.

Product Specifications

Typical Commercial Applications

• Compatible electrified mortise locks and cylindrical locks mounted in the door
• Electric exit trims and approved low-current electrified exit-device accessories
• Door-mounted proximity readers, credential readers, sensors and indicator lights
• Low-voltage door-position or latch-monitoring circuits, subject to wire allocation
• Controlled-access commercial entrances where concealed frame-to-door wiring is preferred
• Suitable new construction or retrofit openings with matching 4-1/2" x 4" hinge preparations

Application note: Some powered locks, latch-retraction motors and solenoids require heavier conductors, additional current capacity or specialized power-control electronics. Where the application requires an 18-gauge power pair, evaluate a manufacturer-approved ETH6WH model or other suitable energy-transfer solution. Never substitute this ETH6W 26-gauge configuration for an 18-gauge power-transfer specification without engineering approval.

Selection and Installation Guidance

1. Check the exact hinge size: Verify a 4-1/2" high x 4" wide opening. This is not the wider 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" (4545) or taller 5" x 4-1/2" (5045) model.
2. Match the hinge and finish: Confirm CH-BB79 steel base, 626 Satin Chrome, and the supplier 652 / US26D finish designation.
3. Confirm the wire bundle: This is six 26-gauge wires. Calculate continuous/inrush loads, number of conductors required, distance to the power supply, voltage drop and any connector limitations.
4. Prepare approved wire paths: Use the current Command Access hinge template for the jamb-side and door-leaf raceway and follow door and hardware manufacturer's fire-door requirements, if applicable.
5. Avoid pinched or abraded wires: Protect the wire harness while installing the leaves and ensure correct clearances, insulation and strain relief.
6. Test the assembly: Verify electrical continuity, connected hardware operation, full door swing, latch function, and any required exit-device or fire-rated assembly conditions.

What's Included

One Command Access ETH6W4540 626 CH-BB79 4-1/2" x 4" electrified transfer hinge in 626 / US26D Satin Chrome with six 26 AWG conductors. Confirm actual lead length, mounting fasteners, connector options and package details before ordering.

Not Included

Electric locks, strikes, exit devices, access-control readers, controllers, separate power supplies, door or frame, specialized latch-retraction motors and unrelated wiring accessories. This listing is for the concealed electrified hinge only.