When to Use a Maglock

Glass Openings

SUPPORTING A SLEEK DESIGN

Maglocks provide an ideal locking solution for glass applications, blending high-traffic access control with visual appeal. Their non-invasive installation process is useful for glass doors and entries, where traditional drilling and hardware would undermine aesthetics and the door structure. The M680E mounts on glass doors with special mounting brackets and an adhesive kit that has been specifically designed to enable the full strength of the maglock on an all-glass door. Maglocks provide high-traffic security without compromising on the modern, clean design that glass features offer.

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Traffic Control Openings

NO MOVING PARTS = LESS WEAR & TEAR

Latches and strikes contain many moving mechanical parts, which wear over time and can increase the potential for mechanical failure. 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. 

When considering a maglock for traffic control, the door itself will help guide you to the right product. If the door is glass, a lower holding force maglock will usually suffice. For a metal door that could take more force without breaking, a maglock with a higher holding force could be used.

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High-Security Openings

PROTECTING PERSONS, PROPERTY, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 

Any opening that needs protection from potential attacks or excessive force, a maglock with 1200 lbs of holding force, or higher, is a secure option for access control. In cases where the maglock is on the unsecured side of the door where it may be tampered with, a fully sealed maglock with high holding force, like the M62 (1200 lb) or M82 (1800 lb), makes wire tampering more difficult. In applications where excessive force may be used trying to break into or out of an area, an MM15 with 4,000 lbs of holding force will securely hold the door locked.

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Outdoor Openings

BUILT TO WITHSTAND THE ELEMENTS 

When access control needs to withstand the cold, heat, wind or rain, there are limits to what can be used. If the lock is not built for outdoor use, like most bracket-mounted locks, the wiring can get wet which can stop the lock from working.

Durable, fully-sealed maglocks specifically designed to weather the weather ensure your lock will function flawlessly. Some maglocks are built with a gate conduit, like our M32G, M62G and M82G, for easy outdoor use on perimeter gates too. 

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Specialty Applications

A STEP BEYOND THE BASICS

Standard electronic access control products address many openings, but some require special equipment. When your opening must meet additional codes or needs special functionality, a specialty maglock could be the best choice.

 

Sliding and Swinging Applications

This is one area where maglocks are becoming more popular as design trends increase the demand for sliding doors or gates. Many latches and strikes do not offer sliding functionality. Some maglocks, like our shear Magnalocks, function for both sliding and bi-swing doors.

 

Delayed Egress Applications

Delayed egress openings serve the purpose of intentionally slowing down the immediate release of a door when someone attempts to exit under normal circumstances. This access control feature is designed to guarantee the safety of all building occupants by permitting easy exit during emergency situations. Delayed egress maglocks are a fail-safe solution that also serve as a way to audibly and/or visually alert that the opening is trying to be used. They can be configured for authorized personnel to use without triggering a security alert, while still slowing down egress where it needs to be controlled.

 

Hazardous Applications

Highly combustible areas require electronics that are deemed safe for use in hazardous locations. A durable maglock with fully sealed internal parts mitigates the risk of sparking, unlike other electronic access control products. Petrochemical plants and grain mills are two settings where maglocks designed for use in hazardous locations would safely increase security. 

When Not to Use a Maglock

Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure Openings

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. On the other hand, fail-secure locking functions require power to unlock a door. They should be used on doors where entry security is a concern since they will remain locked during a power outage.

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