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A magnetic lock, or mag lock, consists of a large magnet
that is installed along the top of a door frame. A metal plate, or armature
plate, is fastened to the door so it lines up with the magnet. When electrical
power is supplied to the magnet, it creates a magnetic charge that keeps the
magnet tightly pressed to the metal plate. This keeps the door securely locked
until power is removed or interrupted.
An electric strike must be used along
with some other form of locking device, such as a lockset or exit device (panic
bar). Electrical power is supplied to the strike, which holds the lock bolt in
place, keeping the door locked until the strike is activated by a buzzer,
keycard or other device.
2.
Function
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With a
magnetic lock, the door is always locked from both sides of the
opening. This makes mag locks a very secure option for areas that require high
levels of security. Users must activate the lock with a keycard or other device
when leaving and when entering. A handle or latchset is used to operate the
door, but typically has no locking function.
Electric locks provide security only for the exterior side of the door.
Occupants can freely exit at anytime from inside the building simply by turning
the knob or handle, or by depressing the pad on the exit device. From the
outside, the door can only be unlocked with a keycard or other activating
device, which signals the strike to release the lock bolt.
3.
Considerations
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All electrical hardware can be described as either
"fail-safe" or "fail-secure." Fail-safe hardware stays
locked when power to the hardware is cut, keeping the building secure.
Fail-secure hardware unlocks once power is cut, allowing for safe egress of
occupants. A magnetic lock is always fail-safe, and unlocks automatically if
power is cut. Electric strikes can typically be set to either of these two
options using an integral switch. All fire-rated doors must be equipped with
fail-safe hardware for safe egress at all times.
Benefits
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Because a magnetic lock is installed on the face of the
automatic sliding door and frame, it can be installed
relatively easily by most contractors. It is one of the most effective types of
hardware for securing both sides of a door, and provides a great door of force
to keep the door secure.
Electric strikes are usually more
affordable than magnetic locks, making them a good choice for building managers
on a budget. It is also easier in general to meet fire and life safety codes
with an electric strike than with a mag lock. An electric strike is much less
likely to delay egress because it can be easily operated from the inside of the
building.
Drawbacks
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Magnetic locks are among the more expensive types of door
hardware. They are also fairly easy for burglars to beat, because they will no
longer keep the door locked if the power is cut. Finally, these locks pose a
potential safety hazard in terms of slowing egress during an emergency.
Because of the complexity of powering and
installing electric strikes, they typically require skilled installers. These
strikes must be chosen carefully based on the type of lock they will be used
with. If the wrong strike is chosen, the lock bolt won't fit securely inside.
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