MAGLOCKS WILL UNLOCK WHEN POWER IS REMOVED 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.
Dependent on constant power supply: A magnetic lock system is entirely dependent on a constant power supply to maintain the magnetic field which holds the lock in place. In the event of a power outage, the system is compromised and the door will unlock, which could be a security risk.
Electronic or keyless door locks typically have backup options, such as a physical key override or a manual reset. In cases of power shortage or battery drain, they can often be opened with a key or may have a temporary power source, like a 9V battery connection for emergency access.
Key takeaways
Fail-safe locks require power at all times to stay locked; If the power goes out, they automatically unlock. Fail-secure locks stay locked without power but need power to be unlocked.
Magnetic locks depend on constant power to remain secure. For this reason, they need a reliable power source. Most maglocks require a dedicated, individually fused, 12VDC or 24VAC power supply. The power supply needs to be hardwired into the buildings electrical system, typically 120VAC.
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.
The power for an electromagnet lock is DC (direct current), around 5–6 W. The current is around 0.5 A when the voltage supply is 12 VDC and 0.25 A when using 24 VDC (varies between manufacturers and if there are one or two coils in the block). It is also recommended to verify that the magnetic lock carries the UL mark.
Standard magnetic locks can exert a holding force of several hundred pounds, with some heavy-duty models reaching up to 1,200 pounds of holding force. This means they can resist a considerable amount of forceful impact, making them more secure against attempts to physically force the door open.
Generally, the security cameras will stop working when the power is out, whether it is for recording, motion detecting, or sending push. But the security camera with a battery is an exception, which runs on battery power and will continue to record without electricity.
Fail Safe Locks
Fail-safe locks operate on the principle that as long as power is supplied, the lock is active, and when an unlock is triggered, the power cuts out, and the lock opens. These are generally used for emergency exits, or in situations where if the power is cut out, an exit is still possible.
However, most smart locks have backup batteries that kick in during a power outage, so they'll continue to work even if the power is out.
An electromagnetic lock creates a magnetic field when energized or powered up, causing an electromagnet and armature plate to become attracted to each other strongly enough to keep a door from opening. The principle behind a maglock is the use of electromagnetism to lock a door when energized.
Performing a Manual Key Override
Another option you have at your disposal is the manual key override. This is normally used when you're trying to gain access to an area but the lock's battery is completely dead, and no valid user code is known.
Faulty electronics, electrical malfunctioning, or inadequate wiring can disrupt power, causing the locks to stop working.
Yes! The lock is battery-operated, so you will still be able to access your home in a power outage. You can also utilize your original key.
Most maglocks will also have an anti-residual magnetism facility, which is usually a small "thrusting magnet", designed to repel the magnet from the armature plate when power is removed from the magnet. The door will then open as any residual magnetism is broken.
Many devices, of course, are powered by batteries. Ring cameras fall into that category. You don't need to worry about them, since the batteries don't care whether you're connected to the electrical grid.
The good news is that most access control systems will have a battery back-up for occasions where mains power is lost. So the battery will takeover in the event of a power outage and there will be continuity and no disruption to normal operations.
During a power outage, your system will switch to its internal back up battery. The internal backup battery typically lasts 4 to 6 hours. Until the backup battery is depleted, your system will alert you with low battery beeps.
The primary difference between electric strike locks (door strike) and magnetic locks (maglocks) is their power requirement. Maglocks are fail-safe, while electric strikes are generally fail-secure. In other words: Magnetic locks require power to lock the door, whereas electric locks require power to unlock the 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.
There are two basic styles of magnetic locks, surface mounted and morticed; commonly referred to as shear locks. Surface mounted magnetic locks are available in a range of sizes with different holding forces and can be either monitored or unmonitored, to suit a variety of applications both internal and external.
Maglocks can run hot due to the electricity running through them. It's that same electricity that creates the electromagnetic field used to secure doors and gates. If the maglock appears to run much hotter than you'd expect, it might be best to contact us for a free site survey.