6 Best Non Conductive Shims For Leveling Electric Hinges

Installing electrified hardware requires a level of precision that standard door installation often ignores. A misaligned hinge can damage delicate internal wiring, leading to intermittent power failures or short circuits that are nearly impossible to track down later. Using the correct non-conductive shims is the primary defense against these costly callbacks. Proper leveling ensures the electrified hinge functions exactly as designed without compromising the integrity of the door frame.

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Go-Ez-Shims: Best Interlocking Non-Conductive Shim

These shims feature a clever interlocking design that prevents them from slipping once they are in place behind a hinge leaf. This stability is critical when dealing with heavy commercial doors that exert significant torque on the frame during a swing.

Because they are molded from high-impact plastic, they resist compression over time. Unlike wood shims, which can shrink or swell with humidity changes, these maintain a constant gap thickness.

For projects where the hinge requires multiple layers to achieve perfect plumb, the interlocking teeth keep the stack uniform. This prevents the “walk” that often happens with loose, individual shims during final screw tightening.

Nelson E-Z Shim: Top Choice for Heavy Duty Doors

Nelson E-Z Shims are engineered specifically for the demands of high-traffic commercial openings. The material composition is exceptionally rigid, providing a rock-solid foundation for electrified hinges that must support the weight of industrial-grade door closers.

When mounting heavy-duty hinges, there is zero room for compression or shifting under load. These shims provide a consistent, non-conductive buffer that eliminates the risk of ground-faults occurring through the frame.

Because they are precision-molded, they offer a predictable thickness across the entire bearing surface. This allows for fine-tuning door margins down to the millimeter, ensuring that expensive electrified transfer hinges seat perfectly every time.

Grove PHS Horseshoe Shims: Pro’s Pick for Frames

Horseshoe shims are the industry standard for rapid adjustments in tight vertical spaces. Their U-shaped design allows them to be slipped over existing fasteners, which is a massive time-saver during maintenance or retrofitting electrified hardware.

The Grove PHS variety is manufactured from a heavy-duty polymer that holds up well against the vibration of heavy-duty door cycles. They are especially useful in commercial retrofits where the door is already hanging and needs minor alignment tweaks.

When using these, it is essential to ensure the shim sits flush against the stud or sub-frame. A shim that is only partially seated can create a pivot point that leads to hinge fatigue and premature failure of the internal wires.

Wobble Wedges: The Most Versatile Plastic Shims

Wobble Wedges are not specifically designed for hinges, but their tiered surface provides unparalleled grip when leveling irregular gaps. They are the ideal choice when a frame has been installed slightly out of square and needs a non-permanent adjustment.

The material is firm yet compliant enough to lock into the gap without cracking under pressure. They are particularly effective when the door frame is slightly bowed and requires varying pressure at different points of the hinge jamb.

Because they are made from high-grade, non-conductive plastic, there is no risk of electrical bridge issues. Use them as a stop-gap for precision alignment before final mechanical fastening, as their wedge shape provides excellent friction against both wood and metal surfaces.

Prime-Line Assorted Kit: Best for Varied Gaps

A kit containing multiple thicknesses is indispensable for the contractor who encounters a variety of frame conditions. Prime-Line’s assorted kits ensure that every possible gap size is accounted for without having to leave the job site to source more materials.

This approach is highly recommended for commercial buildings where frame conditions fluctuate between different floors or wings. Having a range of plastic thicknesses on hand allows for quick, iterative testing of the door swing during the commissioning of the electrified hardware.

These kits are constructed from high-impact plastic, ensuring that the shims won’t crush under the high PSI of heavy door hinges. It is a cost-effective way to maintain a professional standard of precision across all door openings in a facility.

HDPE Sheets: Best for Custom Fabricated Shims

When a job demands a highly specific gap thickness that standard shims cannot provide, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheets are the solution. HDPE is completely non-conductive, chemically inert, and exceptionally durable.

Cutting custom shims from HDPE sheets allows for a bespoke fit that conforms perfectly to the hinge leaf dimensions. This is common when retrofitting electrified hinges into older or non-standard door frames where off-the-shelf options fall short.

This method requires a sharp utility knife or a band saw for precision, but the result is a perfectly customized shim that lasts as long as the frame itself. It is the ultimate insurance policy against the electrical shorts that occur when using improvised metal fillers.

Why Metal Shims Will Short Out an Electric Hinge

Using metal shims behind electrified hinges is a classic error that frequently leads to electrical failures. Metal is conductive, and if any part of the hinge wiring comes into contact with the metal shim—or if the screw creates a bridge—the circuit will short.

An electrified hinge relies on a complex series of wires and pins passing through the hinge knuckles. If a metal shim touches the back of the hinge, it can become a path for a ground fault, effectively turning the entire door frame into part of the electrical circuit.

This often leads to a “dead” hinge where the lockset won’t energize, or worse, a burnt-out controller board. Always opt for synthetic materials to maintain electrical isolation between the hinge and the frame.

How to Correctly Shim Your Electrified Hinges

Correct shimming begins with checking the plumb of the door frame before any hinges are mounted. If the frame is twisted, no amount of shimming will compensate for the stress placed on the hinge’s internal wire bundle.

Always place the shim directly behind the hinge leaf and ensure the screw passes cleanly through the center of the shim. Avoid allowing the screw head to torque the hinge plate into the shim, which can cause the plastic to deform over time.

For electrified hinges, verify the gap with a feeler gauge to ensure the hinge is perfectly flush. A hinge that is slightly recessed will put unnecessary tension on the wiring at every door cycle, leading to frayed wires and intermittent connectivity.

Choosing Your Shim Material: Plastic vs. Composite

Plastic shims, specifically those made of PVC or high-impact styrene, offer excellent compression resistance for door hinge applications. They are entirely non-conductive and immune to the moisture absorption that plagues wood shims.

Composite shims, often made of a wood-fiber and plastic blend, offer a bit more rigidity and are less likely to “creep” under extreme weight. However, ensure that the composite material does not contain metal particles that could compromise its non-conductive properties.

For high-security or high-traffic areas, stick to solid plastics like HDPE or polycarbonate. These materials provide the most predictable mechanical performance while guaranteeing total electrical insulation for your low-voltage hardware.

Troubleshooting Common Door-to-Frame Alignment Issues

A door that binds against the stop or fails to latch properly is often the result of improper hinge shim depth. If the hinge is too deep, the door will bind on the hinge side; if too shallow, the latch side will fail to engage the strike plate.

Always test the door swing after placing the shim but before finalizing the fastening. If the door hangs “heavy” at the bottom, look for a sag in the hinge frame and apply a slightly thicker shim at the top hinge to tilt the door back into alignment.

When the electrified hinge is involved, always use a multi-meter to check for continuity after final adjustments. If the circuit is broken, the shim may be putting too much pressure on the hinge leaves, causing them to bow slightly and interrupt the connection.

Properly shimming your electrified hinges is an investment in the long-term reliability of your building’s security and access systems. By choosing the right non-conductive materials and applying them with precision, you avoid the common pitfalls that lead to electrical shorts and mechanical fatigue. Always prioritize material consistency and electrical isolation to ensure your door hardware performs reliably for years to come.