Electromechanical Door Lock: Types And Design Features, How To Choose And Install Correctly

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Electromechanical lock: device, advantages, operation

To ensure convenience and comfort of use, all household appliances can be adapted to work in automatic mode. Door locks are no exception, so electromechanical models are very popular. Their main principle is a combination of high reliability and secrecy. More recently, electromechanical locks were used only in safes, bank vaults and offices, but now they are actively used in everyday life.

Content

• 1 Design features of electromechanical locks

  • 1.1 How it works

    1.1.1 Video: how the electromechanical lock works

  • 1.2 Pros and cons

• 2 Varieties of electromechanical locks

  • 2.1 By way of installation
  • 2.2 By drive type
  • 2.3 By type of response to control
  • 2.4 On site
  • 2.5 Features of choice

• 3 How to install an electromechanical lock yourself

  3.1 Video: installing an electromechanical lock

• 4 Repair of electromechanical locks

  4.1 Video: repair of an electromechanical lock

• 5 Operating tips
• 6 Reviews

Design features of electromechanical locks

To ensure the safety of housing or any other premises, you need to install high-quality and reliable doors, as well as locks with a high level of secrecy. Relatively recently, such a solution as an electromechanical lock began to be used in everyday life. This device is gradually replacing its mechanical counterparts, as it has a number of advantages.

Externally, the electromechanical lock practically does not differ from mechanical models

If outwardly the electromechanical lock is not very different from its predecessors, then the principle of its operation and design are completely different. You can open such a locking device in different ways, it all depends on the model of the lock:

• using the remote control;
• special card;
• using a secret code;
• key.

The electromechanical lock can be opened both directly near the door and at a great distance from it

If we talk about the design features of electromagnetic locks, then their differences from mechanical models will be that the locking elements are equipped with an electric drive, consisting of locking and cocking bolts and a solenoid.

Principle of operation

The locking bolt is connected to an electric drive that ensures reliable door locking. The installation of such a lock is no different from the installation of similar mechanical models, except that it is also necessary to lay wires to the control device.

The principle of operation of an electromechanical lock is as follows:

• after closing the door, the cocking bolt moves the spring into the working position;
• the locking bolt enters the opening of the striker fixed on the box, as a result of which the door is blocked;
• when power is applied, the spring is released and pulls the bolt inward, the door opens;

• when the door is closed, the mechanism automatically locks the lock again and the doors close securely.

  

  To open the electromechanical lock, power must be applied to it, after which the electric drive will pull the bolt

Electromechanical locks can have one or several locking bolts

In order to open such a locking device from inside the room, on most models a button is installed directly in the case. The electromechanical lock can be opened from the outside using a conventional or electronic key. When the electronic key is brought to the reader, the controller receives a code, and if it matches one of the ones stored in its memory, voltage is applied to the solenoid and the door opens.

From the inside, the electromechanical lock can be opened using a button or a conventional key

Some models of electromechanical locks are equipped with a remote control function. It must be borne in mind that electricity is required for the operation of such a locking device. You need to take care of the additional purchase of an autonomous power source or purchase models that can be forcibly unlocked with a mechanical key.

Video: how an electromechanical lock works

Pros and cons

In addition to the fact that the electromechanical lock provides high security for the room, it also increases comfort, and this fact is no less important. Although there are several types of such devices that have certain differences among themselves, they all have the same advantages:

• provide the ability to remotely control access to the house using intercoms;

• allow you to additionally install different identification devices, which significantly increases the level of secrecy;

  

  To increase the reliability of the lock, an identification device of varying degrees of secrecy can be additionally installed

• have high reliability, so the probability of hacking is significantly reduced;
• can be mounted on different doors;
• are connected to the security system of the house of any complexity both during its creation and after the start of operation.

Despite this, like any other type of locks, the electromechanical locking device also has a number of disadvantages:

• the operation of the electromechanical part of the castle installed on the street can be negatively affected by temperature drops and high humidity;
• during the closing of the deadbolt, dynamic loads are created, which over time can lead to breakage of the lock;
• it is necessary to provide power supply or install an autonomous current source;
• such products are more expensive than mechanical ones.

Varieties of electromechanical locks

There is a large selection of electromechanical locks that differ in design, safety characteristics and degree of reliability. When choosing such a device, it will not be enough and wrong to focus only on its cost.

By installation method

According to the method of installation, electromechanical locks can be of the following types:

1. Overhead - mounted on the door leaf. Outwardly, they are similar to similar mechanical models. Usually from the inside on the body there is a button to open the lock or a place for a mechanical key, with which the doors are opened in an emergency. It is possible to block the button, after which it will be impossible to open the lock without supplying voltage. There are options for installation on doors that open outward or inward.

   

   Surface mounted electromechanical lock can be installed both indoors and outdoors

2. Mortise - they are installed inside the door leaf. These locks are suitable for any type of door. Additionally, they can be equipped with bolts, as well as a device that drives vertical transoms.

   

   A mortise electromechanical lock is installed inside the door leaf; it can be additionally equipped with vertical bolts

By drive type

By the type of bolt actuation, electromechanical locks are divided into the following types:

1. Electrically interlocked. Inside such models, a latch with a powerful spring is installed, which does not allow unauthorized entry into the room. When voltage is applied or after turning the mechanical key, the latch is reset, the latch returns to the lock. Since a powerful spring is used, a strong impact is created on the bolt, therefore, special carbide pads are installed on it to increase the service life.

   

   The electrically interlocked lock has a latch with a powerful spring that prevents unauthorized opening of the doors

2. Motorized. As part of such a device, there is a small electric motor, with the help of which the lock bolt is controlled. Since there is a lot of pressure on the bolt, it cannot be squeezed out when the door is broken. If there are several crossbars in the castle, then only one can work during the daytime, and all are closed at night. If the deadbolt is retracted by means of a motor, then it returns back under the action of a spring. The control unit has a timer that allows you to remove the bolt from the strike plate after 2–20 s. This design has a long opening time, so it is rarely used in everyday life, it is usually used in banks, financial and government buildings.

   

   Motorized electromechanical lock has a relatively long opening time

3. Solenoid. In such models, the bolt and the solenoid core are one and the same part. When voltage is applied, a magnetic field is created and the bolt is pulled into the lock. Such models have a simple design, quickly respond to control, but their operation requires a large starting current (2-3 A).

   

   In a solenoid lock, the coil core is also a deadbolt

4. Electric strikes. After energizing, the latch is unlocked and the doors can be opened. When the power supply is cut off, the door closes. Such models are usually installed on light doors.

   

   Electric strikes are usually installed on light doors.

By type of response to control

There are two types of voltage response locks:

• "Normally open" - the device is in an open state without power supply. It is recommended to install such locks on escape doors - when the power supply is lost, the lock automatically opens and provides free exit from the room. According to fire safety standards, the doors of public buildings and entrances to residential buildings should be equipped only with normally open locks;
• “Normally closed” - if there is no power supply, the lock is in the closed position. Such devices provide greater safety, since the door remains securely closed in the absence of power.

At the place of installation

At the place of installation, electromechanical locks can be designed for installation:

• indoors;

• anywhere, including on the street.

  

  The street electromechanical lock is reliably protected from moisture ingress

Selection features

To choose the right electromechanical lock, you must adhere to the following rules:

• the original lock must have a quality certificate;
• you need to purchase goods only from trusted manufacturers;
• it is necessary to take into account which door (thickness, material, weight) you plan to install such a lock on;
• it is advisable to immediately determine whether it is planned to connect additional control and identification elements to the lock;
• it is necessary to consider the possibility of connecting an autonomous power source so that the lock works even after a power outage in the network;
• the conditions of use should be taken into account - there are models designed for indoor and outdoor installation;
• before buying, be sure to check the smoothness of all moving parts of the lock.

How to install an electromechanical lock yourself

Installation of an electromechanical lock is carried out in the same way as the installation of similar models of mechanical devices. The only difference is that the power wires must be connected to the electromechanical lock.

If you have experience in installing conventional locks and basic skills in working with electricity, then you can easily cope with the installation of an electromechanical device yourself.

First, you need to prepare the following tools:

• grinder;
• puncher;
• electric drill;
• measuring instruments;
• drills and crowns;
• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• nippers;

• insulating tape.

  

  To install an electromechanical lock, you will need tools that almost every home craftsman has.

The procedure for installing a patch lock:

1. Mark out the canvas and the door frame. To do this, attach the lock to the door leaf and mark the installation location. A place for the striker is marked on the box. The gap between the lock case and the strike plate should be about 5 mm. The bolt must be long enough to securely close the door.

   

   There must be a gap of no more than 5 mm between the lock and the strike plate, so that the length of the bolt is sufficient to securely hold the door in the closed position

2. Mark the attachment points of the lock and the location for the cylinder.

3. In the marked places, using an electric drill and a drill, make fastening holes for the lock, and with the help of a crown, a hole for the cylinder.

   

   The hole for the cylinder is drilled with a special crown

4. Install the cylinder. It is necessary to measure the required length of the tongue and break off the excess part.

   

   Try on the cylinder and break off the excess part of the tongue

5. Mount the lock, while removing its back cover.

   

   Installation of the lock is carried out with the rear cover removed

6. Mark the place for fastening the striker, make a hole for the crossbar and fix the bar.
7. They check the functionality with a key.

8. Electricity is connected to the castle. The cable is laid in a special box or corrugation. The type of cable is indicated in the instructions for the lock, and its length is determined individually. It is recommended to buy a cable with a margin of about 10%. If the cable is laid outdoors through the air, then it is removed in a protective sheath (metal hose or corrugated hose) and fixed to a stretched steel wire.

   

   On street doors and gates, the cable can be laid in a special box or corrugation

9. Connect the lock in accordance with the diagram in the instructions. If there are additional devices (intercom, card reader, power supply unit, outdoor panel, etc.), they are also connected to the system.

   

   The lock and additional devices are connected in accordance with the diagram provided in the instructions

10. Apply voltage and check the operation of the lock. If everything is fine, close the back cover - the lock is ready for use.

    

    After closing the lid, the lock is ready for use

Video: installing an electromechanical lock

Repair of electromechanical locks

Although the device of an electromechanical lock is not very complicated, it is necessary to have the appropriate skills to repair it. If they are not there, then it is better to consult a specialist.

Major breakdowns and ways to eliminate them:

1. The lock won't open. The reason may be a breakdown of the solenoid or motor. These elements activate the crossbar, and if they are out of order, the lock will not open. Repair consists in replacing broken elements with similar parts.

2. The lock opens every other time. This may be due to defects in the power supply. For the operation of such locks, a 12 or 24 V power supply is required. First, it is necessary to check the reliability of contacts in all connecting wires. If everything is in order with them, they check the operability of the power source - it may not work at all or produce insufficient current, the strength of which is not enough to open the lock. The power supply is usually not repaired, it is completely replaced.

   

   The power supply must generate sufficient current to open the lock

3. The lock cannot be opened with a button or with an electronic key. The breakdown is related to the failure or malfunction of the controller. Repair consists in re-encoding or replacing the controller.
4. Broken cable. If the integrity of the cable is violated, the electrical circuit is interrupted, so the lock will not work. If a break is detected, it must be eliminated.
5. Mechanical breakage of the lock. The elements of the lock are inspected, and if their mechanical breakdown is found, then the failed part is replaced.

After repairing the lock, you must first check its performance, only after that you can close the door

Video: repair of an electromechanical lock

Operating tips

To avoid frequent breakdowns of the electromechanical lock, it is necessary to use it correctly. It is not difficult, it is enough to adhere to the following rules:

1. Buy products from only trusted manufacturers, although such locks will cost more, they are of better quality and more reliable.
2. Clean and lubricate the lock periodically.
3. Install a closer, which will help to avoid hitting the curtain and possible damage to the lock.
4. If the lock is installed on the gate, then it must be protected from moisture.

5. To exclude the possibility of the deadbolt freezing in the winter, it must be lubricated with a special liquid grease, for example, WD-40.

   

   In winter, it is recommended to lubricate the crossbars of the lock with a special liquid grease.

6. Do not allow grease to get on the solenoid core.
7. Do not clean the interior of the lock using aggressive chemicals.

8. It is necessary to consider the location of the lock:

   • with high traffic, it is better to install a lock with a solenoid;
   • a lock with an electric strike is suitable for a wicket;
   • in commercial and financial buildings, it is better to use mortise locks;
   • entrance doors to public buildings are most often equipped with motorized locks.
9. Do not close doors with an open crossbar, as you can bend or break it.

By following these simple operating rules, you will ensure the reliable operation of the electromechanical lock for many years.

Reviews

Many users still doubt whether to buy an electromechanical lock or not. This is due not only to its higher cost compared to mechanical models, but also to the need for regular maintenance, which is also more expensive. Despite this, due to their high reliability, safety, convenience and long service life, electromechanical locks are becoming more and more popular.