What is a Maglock?
The full term is 'Electromagnetic Lock', often referred to as a magnetic lock or maglock in everyday terms. A maglock is an electrically powered magnet that, when provided with power, will attract a metal plate, known as an armature plate, fitted opposite the magnet. This creates a powerful bond typically anywhere between 600lbs and 1200lbs per magnet until the power is removed.
How Does A Maglock work?
As we have noted above, a maglock works by magnetically adhering to a metal armature plate. The magnet contains an electrical coil that creates a strong electromagnetic field when power is applied, which is how the powerful holding force is generated. This means that a maglock will always require power to lock and automatically unlock in a power failure event. The benefit to this "fail-safe" mechanism is that egress will not be inhibited in an emergency evacuation.
The armature plate is a crucial component of a working maglock, which is effectively a substantial steel plate secured to the door or frame aligned with the position of the maglock itself. Correct install of the armature plate will allow some variance in alignment for the magnet to fully connect to the magnet with no gaps as it pulls in to lock. If the armature is installed incorrectly, any gap on the magnet will negatively impact its holding force significantly, reducing the strength. A correctly fitted armature plate is arguably one of the key factors for correct operation and a maglock's full holding force.
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.
Fail-Safe Mechanism
A fail-safe lock is unlocked in its default state. To remain locked under usual circumstances, the lock is powered. The locking mechanism will disengage for the door to unlock and release in the event of a power failure or if the circuit is broken.
Fail-safe locking devices are usually used for main entry points such as entrance doors. This type of lock will not keep the space secured under circumstances where there is a loss of power but is safe for people, so we refer to it as "safe". You may not feel all that safe when you relate this information to your door being unlocked during a power failure, Still, when you think about exiting the building with no problem under emergency circumstances, it makes more sense. An additional electric or mechanical locking device would typically be used to secure the building once it is unoccupied.
Maglocks are cost-effective, easy to install, low maintenance and durable making them the most commonly used fail-safe locking device.
What are the advantages of a fail-safe lock?
- It allows large buildings with many visitors (schools, for example) to exit safely and efficiently and emergency responders to enter.
- Ensures the safety of people inside the building in an emergency.
- What are the disadvantages of a fail-safe lock?
- The building will be unsecured without power if used as the only locking point.
- Leaves the facility vulnerable to crime during an emergency or a false alarm.
- Activating an emergency exit device will disengage the lock
What are the benefits of using a maglock?
Maglocks are very straightforward and have many advantages over other electric locking options, but remember, a maglock won't be suitable for every application.
- Easy and fast to install - 2 components and no moving parts makes a maglock straightforward and easy to install, which reduces install time
- High holding force - Resists more weight due to the large electromagnetic surface area.
- Durable - Rugged construction with no moving parts makes a maglock particularly resistant to abuse, whether that might be intentional due to vandalism or attempted force or unintentional due to the positioning of the maglock in a high traffic area, slamming doors etc
- Cost-effective - Due to the simplicity of their construction and popularity as a locking solution, maglocks are a reasonably priced choice. Though costs do vary dependent on specific requirements
- Doors will not "stick" - No residual magnetism means doors open easily when power is removed with minimal risk of the maglock positioning being detrimentally affected by doors or frames expanding or moving
- Range of different options available - There are many variants available when looking at a maglock which makes them versatile for most applications
- Fail-safe - In the event of an emergency, the lock will open.
- Easily integrated into access control or door entry systems - A maglock is an easy and effective option as part of a system
- Require little maintenance - Due to the lack of moving parts and durable construction
- Monitoring of the lock or door status - Can be monitored for the status of the door and/or the status of the lock itself to give additional insights and increased security.
- Generally easy to retrofit - Surface mount options with various brackets to assist with unusual applications make maglocks ideal for a retrofit scenario
What types of Maglocks are there?
Maglocks come in a variety of options to cover almost all application requirements. Most installs will tend to use either a standard, slimline or double maglock, monitored or unmonitored, but the options for more specific applications are vast, particularly when we start to look at mounting brackets further down.
You can shop the full range of maglocks available from CMW by clicking here.
Standard Maglock
Standard maglocks offer a higher holding force than the commonly used slimline maglocks due to the larger magnet and, subsequently, the internal coil. Offering a holding force of up to 1200lbs / 544kg, a standard maglock represents the higher end of the available holding force, with only specialist options offering more. A standard maglock will suit most applications with the appropriate bracketry, providing there is space to fit them with their larger size.
Slimline/Mini Maglock
A slimline, or mini, maglock is arguably the most commonly used maglock due to its lower profile design and a holding force relatively high for its size. They are designed to be a more discreet option or fitting into tight spaces, making them incredibly versatile, suiting almost every application from lockers to aluminium doors with narrow frames. Slimline maglocks have a lower holding force, but they generally offer enough to suit most installs, with this being up to 600lbs / 272kg.
Mortice Maglock
Mortice maglocks are most commonly available in a slimline variety and are designed to be cut into the doorframe in specific environments where surface mounting is not an option. There is another application method for a mortice maglock to be used in conjunction with transom housing. The mortice maglock is mounted into the housing that is then surface mounted to the door frame, running the door's width. This design allows the maglock and housing to appear as part of the door frame and offers a much more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Double Maglock
Double doors are a situation where you could use two single maglocks, but it would be inefficient and look unsightly. This is where double maglocks come in. They are effectively two maglocks, either standard or slimline, within one housing and only require one cable connection. However, they will draw double the power. The holding force is the same for the options above but doubled to allow for each leaf in the door set. Sitting neatly in the double door frame centre, a double maglock makes for a much cleaner and more efficient install.
Architectural Maglock or Pull Handle
Some installs, for example, a modern office with a sleek design, will require a more aesthetically pleasing solution than a regular maglock. Sometimes you could use architectural design brackets to improve the appearance, but where this is a primary concern, an architectural maglock, also known as a pull handle maglock, will be best suited. This range of maglocks is effectively a neat pull handle, often running the door leaf's height, with a built-in maglock concealed. Not only are full height profile pull handles neater, but they also offer additional strength due to multiple maglocks with the locking points tending to be top and bottom. As the maglocks run along the opening/closing edge of the door, they also offer more security than those fitted at the door header.
Externally Rated Maglocks
For a maglock to be suitable for install in an external environment or one at risk of moisture, it will need to be IP rated. In maglock terms, this would mean fully sealed electronics and exposed materials suitable for the environment.
Fire Rated Maglocks
An install on a fire door requires a little more thought and specific install procedures, as well as fire-rated hardware. Many of the maglock variants are available as a fire-rated option.
Door Retaining Magnets
Door retaining magnets work on the same principle as a maglock but is used differently, most commonly on fire doors. Normally a small electromagnetic lock, which is mounted on the wall or floor near the door, with the armature on the door itself. The purpose is for this maglock to hold a door open until a signal is received, usually from a fire alarm integration, to release the magnet and allow the door to close.
Specialist Maglocks
There are several more specialist maglock variations on the market, such as those with extraordinarily high holding force or smaller "micro" maglocks with a smaller holding force, suitable for cabinets or drawers.
Shear locks
Shear locks are not strictly maglocks but a variation. They are similar to a maglock with the addition of a pin that shoots into the armature plate when powered. This provides additional holding force but does also offer very little room for error with positioning at install. You can find out more about shear locks here.
When Would You Need A Monitored Maglock or Unmonitored Maglock?
As we have mentioned, all varieties of maglock are generally available with monitored or unmonitored options. This is normally the lock state that is monitored, but additional monitoring of the door leaf state can be incorporated into some models, though this does require an additional door contact sensor.
Lock monitored maglocks contain an output that allows you to connect a sounder, beacon, or alarm integration, sending a signal when the maglock is powered and locked. This allows the output to trigger the connected device via a relay to indicate the maglock is in an unlocked state.
Door status monitored maglocks are similar but use a separate door contact to indicate if the door leaf is in an opened or closed state. Some maglocks incorporate lock status and door status monitoring; some will offer one or the other. Which you might need depends on the requirements of the end-user.
How are maglocks mounted?
The most basic explanation for how a maglock is mounted is that the magnet itself is mounted on the door frame either directly or using some form of bracket that we will explore below. The armature plate is then fitted directly opposite the magnet, ensuring both are accurately aligned with no gaps. A maglock will always be fitted on the secure (inside) side of the door and require a power source connection.
Mounting Brackets
Brackets make installation simple and allow installation in scenarios that directly placement isn't an option. Often a maglock is the most straightforward electric locking option even when the install isn't quite as textbook as we would like. Utilising a lockset or strike into many entrances can be much more difficult and time-consuming, especially for frameless glass door and header or sliding door applications.
A maglock offers many opportunities for unusual mounting applications due to the array of brackets available for both in-swing and out-swing doors.
Top Plate and Extended Top Plate
As standard, a maglock is sold with a top plate mounting bracket that allows you to "hang" the maglock from the frame's header and mount the armature plate directly to the door. This is only really suitable for doors with a recessed door with a frame wide enough to allow space for the top plate to be mounted but is suitable for both inward and outward opening doors. In a situation with an outward opening door where there is a slight recess but not enough to accommodate the maglock's width, an extended top plate could be used. This is slightly wider and allows for the maglock to be mounted with some adjustment.
Z&L Brackets
The most commonly used brackets are the Z&L bracket set, and many maglocks can be bought with this bracketry as a kit. The Z&L bracket is suitable for an inward opening door and allows you to mount the magnet on the face of the door frame using the L bracket, with the armature plate mounted to the Z bracket protruding above the header edge of the door.
Adjustable L Bracket
For use with outward opening doors where the frame allows no recess for the magnet to "hang" from the header of the frame. The L bracket mounts on the face of the frame header and allows the magnet to "hang" flush against the armature mounted on the face of the door. L brackets are available in different varieties to suit the application.
Glass Door Saddle/U Bracket
Frameless glass doors and those with glass headers could prove a tricky install for many electric locking solutions, but a maglock allows you to utilise mounting brackets with no requirement for drilling through the glass or using only adhesive. The glass saddle sits neatly around the top edge of the glass and is installed using packing shims suitable for the width of the glass door and grub screws to secure the bracket in place snugly. Glass door saddles can be available with the Z&L brackets already integrated or on their own to allow more creative installs where necessity requires it.
Armature Back Plate
Not every door is perfectly aligned with the frame, and some scenarios might require the armature plate to sit slightly further out from the door. This is where a back plate would be useful. You can use multiple back plates installed between the armature plate and the door to ensure perfect contact with the magnet. Back plates can also be used to avoid drilling through the door to mount the armature. The back plate screws onto the surface of the door with the armature secured to it. Back plates can be used rather than armature housing if space around the armature plate is limited.
Armature Housing
Armature housing works similarly to the back plate. It is used to mount the armature where it might be required to avoid drilling through the door. The additional benefit of the armature housing is the lip around the plate's edge that adds additional security to the install and a slightly neater finish.
Transom / Architectural Housing
Transom housing is designed to be used with one or more maglocks recessed into the housing, which runs the door's width. The idea is that the maglocks are disguised within the housing for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Mounted using an extended L bracket, transom housing and L brackets are available in 1 or 2m lengths and can be cut to perfectly fit the door width.
How to Install A Maglock
A maglock of any description will require connection to a permanent power source. This will generally require power running through a wall to the maglock.
Maglock installation is not particularly complicated. Regardless of the type of maglock you are using, the process will follow a straightforward pattern.
- Drill holes into the door and frame for the mounting brackets.
- Mount the required brackets to hold the lock.
- Secure the maglock and armature to the brackets.
- Connect the power to the maglock (and additional door position monitoring contact if necessary)
- Power the maglock
- Test the maglock
How to Test A Maglock
As with any electrical system, testing is crucial in the installation process to ensure the system works correctly and from a safety perspective.
Testing is a straightforward process. Once power is connected, you can test the locking capabilities. If the maglock is installed as part of a door entry or access control system, you can test both simultaneously. If you are testing the maglock alone, it is as simple as closing the door, providing the magnet with power and checking the door remains securely locked. When power is removed, the lock should release. It is important to pay attention to the alignment to ensure the full holding force is realised.
Points to Remember
Whilst maglocks are an easy and efficient electric locking solution, as with any other lock, some important factors must be considered in addition to proper functioning when installing.
Fire compliance - is it relevant?
If the lock is to be installed as part of a fire door, there will certainly be a need to consider the installation method and the hardware used. Fire-rated hardware, tested on 30-minute and/or 60-minute door sets, should be used in this scenario. It should be considered if intumescents are required alongside the compliant hardware. Fire doors should not be compromised by drilling full thickness through the door, and so an armature housing or back plate should be used. Sometimes an additional manual override locking device might be required. Depending on the building regulations, there may be some compliance requirements, even if the lock is not to be installed as part of a fire door. It is always recommended to check.
Emergency evacuation
Although a maglock is a fail-safe device, an emergency evacuation may not always occur under circumstances that cause a loss of power. An emergency exit device should always be an active component in an electric locking system.
Fire or Intruder Alarm Integration
Often a maglock will form part of an access control system, and consideration will need to be given to any other system integrations the end-user requires.
Door and Frame Construction
The material construction of the door and frame should be considered. Different materials will require different methods of fitting and potentially different types of fastening hardware.
Installation Requirements
The site may have specific requirements in terms of aesthetics, or you may be constrained by a lack of space around the install. Sometimes this can require different mounting options. External installations will require IP rated hardware.
Power availability
How will you route the power to the maglock? Cables may need to be fed through ceilings, walls, or even the floor. This can make a difference to the type of maglock you use and how it is installed
Input Power
12VDC is the most commonly used power supply with an electric locking system. If an existing power supply is utilised, it is worth establishing if this is 12VDC or 24VDC. Both can be accommodated with many maglocks available as dual voltage to be configured on-site.
There are many factors to consider, and these are only a few of the most common. Every install will vary, but a maglock is generally a good place to start with an electric locking solution due to their many benefit we have discussed.
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