Electric Strike Locksvs Magnetic Locks: Which One to Choose?

Access locks on doors have come a long way in the last 30 years or so. The time they spend at work or in public buildings such as schools, government buildings and medical facilities contributes more to our safety and security than you can imagine.

 

Vinyl glove on doors have come a long way in the last 30 years or so. The time they spend at work or in public buildings such as schools, government buildings and medical facilities contributes more to our safety and security than you can imagine.

 

When it comes to electronic door lock hardware, there's more to it than we think. Because of their importance to safety and security, we thought we'd take some time to explore the two most common types of access locks used on buildings today - electric and magnetic locks - and discuss their different features, benefits and potential drawbacks.

 

If you own or manage any type of commercial building, healthcare facility, or school, this article will give you a better understanding of these two very popular locks, including some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Electric Strike AX081

First, let's define some of the "terms" associated with door locks

When looking at different access control systems, you will often see the terms "fail-safe" and "fail-safe". These are important terms to understand because they tell you how the lock will work in the event of a power failure.

 

"Fail-safe" requires power to lock the door. If power is lost, the door will be unlocked. (usually a magnetic lock)

"Fail-safe" requires power to unlock the door. If power is lost, the door will remain locked. (Usually a knock)

It is also important to have a basic understanding of the different components and how they work together. Most door locks have three main components that work together to keep the door secure. They include the handle and the latch (the small metal bolt that protrudes from the side of the door when opened), which together form the lock and latch. The strike or "strike plate" is a metal plate or assembly that is mounted on the inside of the door frame and aligned to receive the latch and hold it in place.

 

Electronic locks are the standard for exterior doors in public buildings today, while both mechanical and electronic locks can be used on interior doors. The focus of this article is on magnetic locks ("magnetic locks" and electric strikes ("electric strikes"), which are two different types of electronic locks that use electronic hardware devices to keep the door open and secure.

Electric Strike AX080 

Electric strike locks or "electric strikes"

Electric strikes are electromechanical door locking devices, which means they are mechanical locks with electronic devices that provide additional functionality.

 

Electric strikes are used in combination with another form of locking device, such as a latch or emergency lever. They are mounted on the inside of the door frame in place of the conventional latch plate. Power is supplied to the latch, which holds the latch or bolt in place, keeping the door locked until the release system is activated.

 

The type of release system selected will vary depending on the application. Examples of electric shock release systems include receiving a release button, a keypad for entering a code, an electronic key card, or a remote key reader. Once the release system is activated, the hinged metal piece within the electric shock will rotate to allow the door to open without turning the door handle.

 

The locking or emergency hardware function is independent of the electric shock. So while the electric strike plate acts to keep the door locked from the outside, you can still open the door from the inside by turning the doorknob or pressing the touchpad of the emergency hardware even if the power is lost. This is an example of a fail-safe feature. However, depending on the application, most electric strikes can be set to fail-safe or fail-safe using the integrated switch.

 

 

Magnetic or “Mag” Locks

Mag locks are electromagnetic door locking devices. A mag lock consists of a large electromagnet installed along the top of a door frame and a metal plate on the door that lines up with it. The lock functions by passing an electric current through the electromagnet, creating a magnetic charge that attracts the plate and holds it in place against the door frame. This keeps the door securely locked until the power is removed or interrupted.

 

Examples of release systems for mag locks include many of the same devices as for electric strikes. When energized, a mag lock can create a retention force greater than 1,000 pounds, making it a very effective lock. That is, until the power is cut. Because mag locks by design require a constant supply of electricity to remain locked, mag locks are fail-safe only — they do not function to keep the door locked from either side when the power is out.

Anxing Lock focuses on manufacture Electric Rim Lock, Electromagnetic Lock, Electric Bolt Lock, Electric Strike, Fingerprint Loc, Access Control Products with CE, FCC, Rohs and MA certification. Anxing pays great attention to quality. As we are always convinced "Quality is the basis of the brand - name the assurance of enterprise life".