An electromagnetic lock consists of an electromagnet and an armature plate. There are two types of such devices i.e. fail-safe and fail-secure and they are commonly used on sensitive doors. Fail-safe electromagnetic locks are unlocked when the supply of power is interrupted while the fail-secure devices remain locked in similar situation. An electromagnetic lock usually has an armature plate that is attached to the door and the lock itself is attached to the frame of the door.

The mechanism of an electromagnetic is easy to understand. Most of these locks operate when a current is passed through the electromagnet, which increases the magnetic flux. The door is then closed when the electromagnet is attracted by the armature plate due to the flux. And the door stays closed as long as the force of the magnetic flux remains active, so it can’t be opened even when you apply pressure on it.

Fail-safe electromagnetic locks cannot be relied on in places where high security is compulsory because they require a constant power supply in order to work well and remain locked. And if you need to use an electromagnetic lock in a place where high security is a must, then you must have a battery backup in order to make sure that a constant supply of power is available at all times.

Electromagnetic locks are generally used in exit doors as they rarely fail in case of an emergency. These locks are preferred because they are sturdy and cost relatively less as compared to various other conventional locks. Furthermore, these locks are operated by a button that opens and closes the door, hence they do not interact with door knobs and levers. They are useful during incidences of fire, that’s why these locks have found a lot of applications in offices.

There are some heavy-duty electromagnetic locks that consist of electromagnets that attract a conductor with a powerful force in order to prevent the door from opening. Such locks have an amplified magnetic force due to a ferromagnetic material that is wrapped by a solenoid.

Some Advantages of Electromagnetic Locks

Following are some major advantages of electromagnetic locks:

• Convenience: Electromagnetic locks are valuable in high traffic offices where authentication is a must because they allow you to easily operate them by switching power on and off
• Durability: These locks are durable as compared to various other types of conventional locks
• Easy to install: Electromagnetic locks have no interconnecting parts so they are easier to install as compared to other conventional locks
• Sturdy: These locks suffer less damage when forced to open using a crowbar or when exposed to multiple blows

Some Drawbacks of Electromagnetic Locks

Following are some drawbacks of electromagnetic locks:

• Fail-safe electromagnetic locks require a constant supply of power
• They are costly, particularly when compared to mechanical locks. Furthermore, you also have to purchase additional hardware for them to operate safely
• Power outages de-energize these locks, so proper maintenance is necessary

In conclusion, installing electromagnetic locks is a smart choice for investors who build high security offices, because not only do these locks enhance the security of the offices, they also bolster their demand. The drawbacks mentioned in this article can be easily reduced with proper attention and maintenance.