Electro-magnetic locks are at the heart of many, if not most, access control systems. An access control solution can be as all-singing, all-dancing as you like, but without reliable locking, it serves no purpose at all.
For any installer and any end customer, cost is always a factor. And that’s understandable – nobody wants to pay over the odds for products and services. But when safety and security are at stake, it’s not just pure cost that you should consider, but rather value for money. Maglocks are designed to keep people and assets secure. If corners are cut and costs are skimped here, the risks can be great.
The importance of high quality maglocks
Maglocks keep people and assets safe and secure. They help to ensure that only authorised individuals can gain access to a restricted room or area. As the first line of defence against security breaches, it’s vital that maglocks are robust and reliable. High quality locking is synonymous with high quality security. Your access control system is only ever as good as your locks.
What makes a high quality maglock?
Electro- magnetic locks seem simple at first glance. Ten different models might look very similar. How can you tell which ones are quality locking solutions?
Holding force
The power of a maglock is measured in its holding force. It’s listed in weight measurements, either metric kilograms or imperial pounds. The holding force indicates the amount of weight it would take to separate the armature plate from the magnet by brute force.
A high quality maglock delivers the holding force stated on its documentation and packaging. It’s easy to assume that all maglocks will do this anyway – but unfortunately this is not always the case. Not all magnets are tested before they leave factories, and some will deliver significantly less real holding force than stated. It’s vital that you buy magnets you can trust. If you’re expecting 300kg of holding force but the magnet only actually delivers 150kg, the entire project is at risk.
All electro-magnetic locks made by CDVI are tested for their full stated holding force before they leave the factory. They do what they say on the tin. Whether it’s 180kg, 300kg, 400kg, or 500kg, the magnet will deliver in full.
Good quality coils
Inside every electro-magnetic lock is a coil. It consists of a series of wires wrapped around a magnetised iron core. A coil conducts electricity to send electrical current through a circuit. In the case of a maglock, the coil powers the magnetic field that holds the door locked.
Lower quality maglocks are made with copper-coated aluminium coils. Aluminium is a cheaper material than copper, but at the cost of less conductivity. A high quality maglock is made with 100% copper coils. Copper carries almost double the current capacity of aluminium, ensuring the circuit conducts electricity optimally and efficiently.
Moreover, copper coils are stronger and more durable than aluminium coils. In a maglock, that means a copper coil will allow your lock to perform at its best for longer. There is no value in a lock that isn’t reliable.
All CDVI maglocks are made with a 100% copper coil guaranteed.
Robust magnet casings
Better quality magnets come in better quality casings. The casing around the maglock gives the device a degree of physical strength. The thicker and more robust the casing, the more difficult it would be to vandalise the magnet or remove it by brute force.
Low quality electro-magnetic locks have casings that are much thinner. This degrades the overall security and robustness of the installation.
All maglocks manufactured by CDVI have strong, thick casings. This adds an additional layer of physical strength to our magnets and enhances the security of the door.
Brackets and accessories
As you know, a maglock isn’t all you need for an installation. Whether the door is inward- or outward-opening, you’re going to need brackets. L-brackets for mounting maglocks can be one of two things: interchangeable or specific to the model of magnet. If the brackets are interchangeable, it means it’s quick and easy to replace or refit an existing maglock. It doesn’t matter what was in there before. You just need to remove the magnet from the fitted bracket and put a new one in its place.
Lower quality maglocks often come with L-brackets that are specific to one type or model of magnet. This can add costs and inconvenience over the lifecycle of a security installation. If the magnet is high quality and uses standard L-brackets, then only the magnet will need to be replaced, with most other good quality magnets fitting the bracket.
Meanwhile, it can be difficult and time consuming finding the exact same model of lower quality magnet to fit the existing bracket. It’s either that or remove and replace the entire bracket as well.
All CDVI maglocks come with L, Z&L, and U-brackets that use standard fittings. It makes your life easier as an installer, and maintenance is so much simpler.
Why you should invest in better quality maglocks
From the components and accessories to performance and durability, it is always worth spending a little more on better maglocks. An access control or security system doesn’t mean much if the locks holding doors shut aren’t effective or reliable. Good quality electro-magnetic locks are stronger, more reliable, and will last longer than cheaper alternatives. And for the end customer, whose top priority is the security of their building, these are factors they are unlikely to want to skimp on.
CDVI manufactures high quality electro-magnetic locks at affordable prices. We use best-in-class materials and components to guarantee the stated holding force. Moreover, our maglocks are protected by an industry-leading 10-year warranty. For the installer, that means 10-year maintenance contracts and quick and easy replacements.
The range of maglocks manufactured by CDVI includes surface and mortice configurations, internal and external models, single and double magnets, and holding force from 180kg to 500kg per magnet. We are confident in the quality and durability of our maglocks. That’s why they’re backed by a 10-year warranty.
Recently, we were contacted by a worker at West Suffolk Hospital, who told us “we have lots of doors on access control with maglocks. We have found a door with your maglock on it, and it is much better than others currently in use”.
For more information, browse products on our website or contact a sales representative.
What are maglocks?
Electro-magnetic locks, sometimes called maglocks, are electronic devices for holding doors closed using the power of magnetic fields. They consist of an electro-magnet fitted to the door frame, and a corresponding armature plate fixed to the door leaf. When electrical current is applied to the magnet, it energises and creates a magnetic field. The magnetic field draws the armature plate and the magnet together and holds them fast, keeping the door locked.
Where are maglocks used?
Maglocks are a fail safe locking mechanism. This means that power must be applied in order to keep the door locked. When power is removed, the magnetic field drops and the door is unlocked. As a result of this fail safe status, electro-magnetic locks are often used on emergency exits and fire doors. In the case of an emergency or power cut, these doors will instantly unlock, allowing people inside to exit safely.
Another situation where maglocks are particularly useful is with glass doors. When doors are made of wood or UPVC, different types of locks such as electric strikes can be fitted into the body of the door leaf and the frame. With glass doors, that isn’t possible. Meanwhile, maglocks can be fitted to a glass door and/or a glass frame using special brackets.
Finally, maglocks can and often are used on normal doors throughout a building. They are suitable for internal and external doors wherever a fail safe locking mechanism is needed to hold the door closed.