Maglocks require constant power to stay locked, making them fail-safe. If the power goes out for any reason, the maglock's magnetic hold will release and the opening will no longer be secured. On the other hand, fail-secure locking functions require power to unlock a door.
However, a fail secure magnetic door lock can be unlocked manually from the inside. So, while fail secure locks make it harder for unauthorized persons to gain access during an emergency, anyone inside the room can still get out with ease. This type of lock can also be overridden to allow for emergency egress.
Their security is however limited in that they are susceptible to tampering, but they generally promote a strong magnetic force that is not able to be forced open manually. Magnetic or mag locks are durable, reliable and low maintenance.
Typically these maglocks fail due to the circuitry corroding before the actual metal as it is not sealed from the elements. Had an outdoor rated maglock been used this would have lasted much longer before than the one shown. It also depends on how solid the connection is between the lock and the armature plate.
So, are magnetic locks secure? Absolutely. With their impressive holding strength, resistance to lock picking, and easy integration into access control systems, they are a reliable addition to any security setup.
Maglocks have fewer moving parts and are frictionless. Therefore, they don't wear the same way a latch or strike would, which leads to long-term durability. Once installed, maglocks require very little maintenance. If using a maglock, the access control will outlast the door it is installed on.
The magnetic lock opens automatically without power.
Confirm the connections on the maglock and check the wiring for pinches or breaks. The face of the magnet and strike plate are clean. Check strike plate alignment and make sure it is making complete contact with the face of the magnet and is not misaligned up, down, left, or right, even 1/8\".
Magnetic door locks offer a range of benefits, including enhanced security and durability, but they also come with certain drawbacks, such as power dependency and installation complexity.
The maglocks also were tied into the fire-alarm system so they would unlock when a fire alarm was triggered. However, maglocks were in use for years before building codes were written to encourage their safe deployment or confirm that they performed to their published levels of performance.
Benefits of magnetic locks
For example, magnetic locks work well on interior doors where security isn't a huge concern if the power goes out and the door unlocks. The benefits of magnetic locks include: Strength. The average magnetic lock can withstand up to 1200 pounds of force.
Fail safe means when no power is applied the door is unlocked; fail secure means when no power is applied the door is locked. Fail-secure locks should be used for most doors except where quick entrance is needed in emergency situations. The default position prevents the circumvention of the security system.
Generally speaking, the cost to install a maglock on an average door is approximately $300. Nonetheless, installation costs will vary based on the complexity of the installation and the installer you use.
Unlike maglocks, electric strikes can be either fail-safe or fail-secure, making electric strikes ideal for high-security locations that need to remain locked, even during a power outage.
Definitions: A mode of termination of system functions that prevents loss of secure state when a failure occurs or is detected in the system (but the failure still might cause damage to some system resource or system entity).
Mag locks are extremely difficult to bypass or break into, providing a high level of security for your business. Unlike traditional locks, these locks use an electromagnetic force to keep doors firmly shut, making them nearly impossible to open without the proper access credentials.
Misalignment of the Lock
Another common problem with maglocks is misalignment, which can cause the lock to bind or not release properly. This can be caused by a poorly installed door frame, a misaligned strike plate, or a warped door.
Built to last and with virtually no maintenance requirements, they provide an effective form of access control that can be relied upon for years to come. maglocks are an incredibly reliable security measure for any commercial or residential building.
The most secure type of door lock for homes is typically a deadbolt door lock. The 'deadbolt' refers to the locking mechanism, which uses a bolt that extends or 'deadlocks' into the door frame.
If you are finding a mag (electromagnetic) lock to be “sticky” or slow to release it is likely that it has a diode connected across the power terminals. Remove it, problem solved. This is a common mistake.
Possible Problems
The latch may not be properly placed in the electric striker, the magnetic lock may not be properly aligned due to mechanical force or weariness, and the power supply to the striker can be insufficient.
I have found three common holding-force sizes for maglocks. 600, 1200, 1500 lbs | 180, 280, 545kg. I guess it would be easy to open a datacenter door held closed with a 600lb maglock (or less).
Fail secure products are locked when power is removed. Power is applied to unlock the door. Fail safe/fail secure refers to the status of the secure side (key side, outside) of the door. Most products provide free egress whether they are fail safe or fail secure (see below).
A common question in the magnet industry is whether or not “permanent” magnets can demagnetize, or lose their strength. While magnets can lose power over time, in the absence of external influences, an industrial magnet alloy should hypothetically remain magnetic for hundreds of years.